The brazilian fans are celebrating the 30th anniversary of best band in the world in. Awesome brazilian party celebrating KISS 30th Anniversary is being organized by the brazilian website Kiss Psycho. X-Rated, Psycho Band and Criss Sexx are the main attractions.They´ll be performing more than 40 Kiss songs. There will be also the famous Kiss´theme drinks and free make up will be available. The party will be held February 15th starting 4PM at Siqueira Campos Street 206 - Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil For more info go to www.kisspsycho.com.br

The first ever Cincinnati KISS Expo 2003 is happening on Sunday March 23rd 10AM - 6PM. The Expo will take place at the Holiday Inn 3855 Hauck Rd. I-275 at Rt. 42 Exit 46 Cincinnati (Sharonsville). Special guests will be former KISS drummer Eric Singer and live performances from Mr. Speed, SSG and the all girl tribute band Black Diamonds. There will be a special Q/A session with Eric Singer in which you can ask him any question you like. You can also get your photo taken with Eric and get your KISS items autographed. Steve Stierwalt, Jr. from www.kissfreaks.com will be the MC for the event. There will be KISS Trivia and KISS Costume contests also. There will also be KISS related giveaways throughout the day.

Tickets are $16 in advance and $20 at the door (kids 12 and under free 1 per paid adult ticket). Order tickets by mail - send check or money order to: Karen Olvey PO BOX 167 Clarksville, OH 45113. They will also be available at Ticketmaster - 513-721-6100 in the next week or so.

Don’t miss out on this special 1st ever Cincinnati KISS Expo. The first one in any city is always the best so don’t miss it! Help make this one of the new great cities for KISS Expos!

We also have 125 special VIP Laminates available for $25 each. You’ll receive a special collectors Laminate/Lanyard, 1 hour early admission (9AM) to the expo plus you will receive a FREE Gene Simmons Creatures action figure (Given to you at the door). To reserve these laminates, for dealer table info or any other questions - please call Allan at 937-289-1605.

To reserve a room at the Holiday Inn call 513-563-8330 and ask for the KISS Expo rate.

Who are you going to spend Valentine's Weekend with? Calling all KISS Fans to another Mother of all KISS Expos! The KISS Army will unite again at www.kreaturesofthesouth.com's 10th Anniversary Atlanta KISS Expo Sunday, February 16, 2003 (Valentine's Weekend!) 11am-9pm at The Atlanta Hilton Northeast (5993 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard North) in Norcross, Georgia. Very Special Guests to include: Legendary KISS Manager: Bill Aucoin, Lydia "Beth" Criss, KISSOnline Webmaster Mike Brandvold, "KISS Alive Forever" authors: Curt Gooch & Jeff Suhs, from the "World of Wheels" "The KISS KF150 Pickup Truck," Professional "KISS Airbrush Your Face" Artist for the Big & little fans, Lexington, Kentucky's own "SSG" KISS Tribute Band, and "The Best KISS Show in the World" Louisville, Kentucky's own KISS Tribute Band: "KISS ARMY" performing with a completely new stage show! More surprises to be announced soon! Bill/Lydia/Curt & Jeff will be doing Q & A sessions, ***(Update!) Bill Aucoin's Q & A will be professionally filmed for an upcoming DVD release! ***(Update) Curt & Jeff will be broadcasting (at the expo only) never before seen footage of early vintage KISS-you must be there to see it-this footage will not be released! Photo/Autograph sessions. ***(Update!) KISS & Sony Signatures will be giving out FREE KISS "Psycho Circus" PC Games to the 1st 150 through the door! Live Performances by: SSG/KISS Army, and (of course) some surprises! ***(Update!)Saturday night (2-15) we will have a Pre-KISS Expo Party (in the Hilton) that'll be open to the public! We will have KISS Cakes, an open bar, KISS Raffles, and an acoustic performance by "Lisa Kyle & Drive She Said"! Atlanta's own KISS Tribute band "KISSTORY" will be performing downtown at the Hard Rock Café also Saturday night! (details Saturday at the Hilton). The Expo will Feature well over 100+ KISS Dealer Tables from KISS Dealers all over the world in (2) Giant Ballrooms! Makeup/Costume Contest hosted by Phil Elliott & Atlanta's own "Goddess of Thunder" featuring some of the top KISS look-a-likes from around the world with (3) winners by category: (male-female-kid). Come dressed up for a chance to win $$$ and Prizes! Photo and Video Cameras are welcome! Like last year, we're offering (2) levels of admission. The Souvenir VIP Laminate: This allows the holder to enter The Expo 45 minutes early @ 10:15, and also makes for an instant collectable! The Souvenir VIP Laminate is limited to 125, and the cost is $20. (in advance only). These VIP Laminates Sold out last year, so get yours soon. ***(Update!) The VIP Laminates are now SOLD-OUT! The Souvenir Ticket: This allows the holder to enter the expo @ 11:00, and is numbered. The Souvenir Ticket is $10. (in advance), and $12. (at the door). Kids under 10 will be admitted "FREE" with p. NOTE: Like last year's Atlanta & Charlotte Expos, we will SELL OUT the Hilton's rooms. So get your rooms reserved early:>) So why not enjoy a long Valentine's weekend with your "KISSin' partner at one of the nicest venues on the Expo circuit! You're going to love it! Stay tuned to KISSASYLUM.com for all the latest additions to "The Biggest 100% KISS Expo!" Fans claim our Atlanta & Charlotte KISS Expos are The Best, so maybe it's time you come to a show that'll give you The Biggest Bang for your KISS Dollar and where we all come together as family and friends! The Atlanta KISS Expo is RUN BY THE FANS.....FOR THE FANS!!! Dealer info: ***(Update!) Dealer Tables have now SOLD-OUT! Ticket info: Send check, or money orders (plus $1. for P & H) Payable to: "Kreatures of the South" The address: Atlanta KISS Expo Tickets, PO Box 3456, Cumming, Georgia 30028. You can also "Charge by phone" your tickets using any major credit card. Simply call Phil Elliott @ 678-455-7891, leave a message (if no one answers) and we'll call you back. Callbacks are only for Ticket purchasers and Dealers. ***Laminates will not be sent out until the last week in January. You can Email us with any questions or requests: KREATURESS@aol.com or you can keep track of our other KISS Expo plans by logging onto www.kreaturesofthesouth.com Come "Pucker up" with us on Valentine's weekend February 16th! I-A!

From: VH1.com

In the latest leg of what must be the longest farewell tour in rock history, Kiss will play arenas in North America this summer with Aerosmith.

No dates have been scheduled yet, and it is unknown whether the bands will co-headline or if Kiss will go on last every night, according to a source close to Kiss.

The planning has been long in the works. For more than a year, rumors have circulated that the two rock legends wanted to hit the road together, but their schedules didn't synchronize until now. Neither Kiss nor Aerosmith were available for comment.

Kiss bassist and vocalist Gene Simmons originally went public on the issue in a February 2002 USA Today Web chat. "Would we like to play with Aerosmith? Sure," he wrote. "We've known each other for 30 years and actually played together for the first time three decades ago. We think they're terrific."

The members of Kiss are currently preparing for a show with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in Australia on February 28. "I promise the result will be no less than a symphonic sonic boom," vocalist and guitarist Paul Stanley said on the band's official Web site, www.kissonline.com. "Beethoven and Mozart will rise up dancing with fists raised as we unleash a spectacle that will be both classic and classical. This time it's black tie and black leather."

Just because Kiss are planning a symphony spectacular and a summer extravaganza doesn't mean they can't still find time for self-promotion. On January 10, Simmons and Stanley shot a TV spot for the Universal Orlando Resorts, and Simmons is still plugging his magazine Gene Simmons Tongue, which is currently working on its fourth issue.

Kiss will also play three reunion shows at Budokan Hall in Tokyo on March 11, 12 and 13. While drummer Peter Criss will play these gigs, guitarist Ace Frehley has not yet officially signed on, the band's publicist said.

When Aerosmith join Kiss on the road, they'll likely be supporting their upcoming blues-based album, on which they've recently started work. This report is from MTV News

KISS Freaks Note: WOW!

From: KISS Online
Palms Casino Resort, The Nine Group and Clear Channel Entertainment are very proud to announce THE GREATEST ROCK AND ROLL BAND IN THE WORLD

KISS SUNDAY, MARCH 16, 2003
RAIN IN THE DESERT 8:00PM Las Vegas (January , 2003) – On Sunday, March 16, KISS will perform a very special show in the intimate setting of the RAIN IN THE DESERT inside THE PALMS CASINO RESORT. TICKETS ON-SALE At 10am on Saturday January 25, tickets will go on-sale at www.ticketmaster.com, www.cc.com, and all Ticketmaster outlets. Tickets will also be available at Stuff inside the Palms Casino Resort. To charge by phone, call 702.474.4000. All tickets are subject to service and/or convenience charges. Tickets are priced at $125 and $300. For additional show information, please visit www.cc.com.

KISS Freaks Note: Double WOW!

From: ramones@electricartists.com
COMPLETE TRACK LISTING
1. "Havana Affair" - Red Hot Chili Peppers
2. "Blitzkrieg Bop" - Rob Zombie
3. "I Believe In Miracles" - Eddie Vedder with Zeke
4. "53rd & 3rd" - Metallica
5. "Beat On The Brat" - U2
6. "Do You Remember Rock 'N' Roll Radio?" - Kiss
7. "The KKK Took My Baby Away" - Marilyn Manson
8. "I Just Wanna Have Something To Do" - Garbage
9. "Outsider" - Green Day
10. "Something To Believe In" - The Pretenders
11. "Sheena Is A Punk Rocker" - Rancid
12. "I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend" - Pete Yorn
13. "I Wanna Be Sedated" - The Offspring
14. "Here Today, Gone Tomorrow" - Rooney
15. "Return Of Jackie & Judy" - Tom Waits
16. "Daytime Dilemma (Dangers Of Love)" - Eddie Vedder with Zeke (Limited Edition Bonus Track)

Press Release: For Immediate Release January 15, 2003 DV8/COLUMBIA RECORDS

RELEASING WE'RE A HAPPY FAMILY - A TRIBUTE TO RAMONES In Stores Tuesday, February 11 (dateline - New York - Columbia Records - January 15) DV8/Columbia Records will release the eagerly-awaited star-studded We're A Happy Family - A Tribute To Ramones to stores on Tuesday, February 11.

The initial run of We're A Happy Family - A Tribute To Ramones comes packaged in a deluxe limited edition digipak designed by Rob Zombie with a 28-page booklet featuring rare photos and an appreciation of the Ramones penned especially for this collection by the best-selling novelist Stephen King.

"Finally," wrote Kirk Miller in Rolling Stone, "a tribute record that doesn't suck." Comprised of original interpretations of Ramones classics by a stellar list of artists handpicked by Johnny Ramone and Rob Zombie, We're A Happy Family - A Tribute To Ramones is an essential addition to any punk/modern rock record collection. Artists participating on the album include Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rob Zombie, Eddie Vedder with Zeke, Metallica, U2, Kiss, Marilyn Manson, Garbage, Green Day, the Pretenders, Rancid, Pete Yorn, the Offspring, Rooney, and Tom Waits.

"I think it's a good blend right there," says Johnny Ramone, who consulted with the artists involved with the album and made final selections for material included. "Some bands chose to record it in a Ramones style and other bands interpreted it into their own style. I think everyone did a great job."

"The Ramones are in my opinion the greatest American rock band. For over two decades they remained true to everything that rock 'n' roll needs to be - loud, fast and stripped down to the core," observes Rob Zombie. "The Ramones will forever be cemented in my brain as four teenage punks in black leather and blue jeans ready to crack your skull with a baseball bat."

Though not the first punk rock band per se, the Ramones were inarguably the most influential. Formed in 1974, later emerging from New York City's diverse and vibrant underground music scene, notably the legendary Bowery Bar CBGB's, the Ramones were the first New York punk band to sign a recording contract, releasing their self-titled debut album in 1976. Touring the United Kingdom for the first time that year, the potent sound and image of the Ramones galvanized a generation of frustrated English and Irish youth who quickly coalesced into a UK cultural phenomenon with bands like the Sex Pistols and the Clash joining the Ramones in defining the perimeters of punk rock. As the sound and attitude of punk, based primarily on the Ramones template, spread outside of the incubators of New York and the UK, first dozens, then hundreds, and, by the 1990s, thousands of loud, raw young bands were transforming the musical and cultural landscape with the loud fast rules first written by the Ramones.

The impact of the Ramones began to reach into other areas. In music, pop acts began taking the Ramones insistence on brevity, melody, rough and concise instrumental textures and ironic comic lyrical compression to heart while heavy metal groups began to speed up their tempos and shorten their guitar solos, dressing in black leather and torn jeans.

The lifestyle accoutrements -- the love of comic books, horror movies, and second hand clothes -- embodied by the Ramones infiltrated mainstream culture, especially the world of fashion. Today, whenever one of our funkier "superstars" from the worlds of film, literature, fine art, or music appears at a public function wearing a thrift-store t-shirt with a comic book logo or strategically ripped denim, homage is being paid to the Ramones.

For two decades, the Ramones were a consistently solid live draw playing to packed houses the world over, inspiring countless young bands to embrace the Ramones musical philosophy and attitude, often with enormous success. On We're A Happy Family - A Tribute To Ramones, some of those debts are being enthusiastically repaid by some of the Ramones foremost, and highly visible, musical disciples.

"The Ramones made people want to get involved and make music," observes the Offspring's Dexter Holland. "People thought, 'This is something I can play. It's not like Kansas or whatever, when you need to go to GIT (Guitar Institute of Technology) before you start a band."

"If it wasn't for that particular style of guitar playing and the speeding up of the beats," offers Metallica's Kirk Hammett, "Metallica would not sound like we do today. Plus, they also showed me how cool one could look in just a leather jacket and denim."

When the Ramones front man, Joey Ramone (nee Jeffrey Hyman), passed away on Easter Sunday, 2001, U2 dedicated three songs to Joey at a subsequent concert in San Diego. The Irish foursome had made their devotion to the Ramones well-known for some time. At a show at New York's Irving Plaza in late 2000, Bono had told U2's audience, "We got started on the poetry and rock of New York City. The music of Patti Smith, Television -- but more than anybody, the band that got us started when we were fifteen, sixteen -- Larry was fourteen, still is -- was the music of the Ramones."

"This record is dedicated to the memory of Joey and Dee Dee, members of an incredible band that I had the privilege of managing for over two decades," said the album's Co-Executive Producer and Ramones manager Gary Kurfirst, "with a special thanks to Johnny who un-retired just in time to be the driving force behind this project." Partial proceeds from the sales of We're A Happy Family - A Tribute To Ramones will benefit the Lymphoma Research Foundation, New York City.

From: Allen Tate
Eric Singer - KISS Drummer 1992-1996, 2001-2002 and Mike Brandvold - KISSOnline.com Webmaster Special guest(s) will do question and answers, photo and autograph sessions. If you missed last year's Expo, don't miss this one. It's gonna be even better! Live performance by KISS Tribute band KISS Alive - Chicagoland's Authentic KISS Show.
[Click for more information]

From: Richie Ranno
May 3rd & 4th at the Meadowlands Sheraton, Rt 3, E. Rutherford, NJ. Tribute bands: KissNation & Slippery When Wet (BON JOVI TRIBUTE) will perform. More bands to be announced. Guests to be announced in February. The web site is: http://www.starzcentral.com/kissexpo

Here are some photos from last weekend's Philadelphia KISS Expo featuring special guests Bill Aucoin and Bruce Kulick. Enjoy!
[Go to the Features Section to see the images]

Rune Oslo sent in this great image of Buffy Tyler Playboy Playmate! Great stuff! I hope to personally do some more of these in the coming months. I hope you enjoy what the fans of KISS Freaks have done also. If you have created one please send it in, I love to see them and so do the fans of KISS Freaks. If you have one to contribute email it to: sstierwalt@kissfreaks.com

1st annual Denver KISS Expo
Saturday September 6th, 2003 11am-10pm
Official website: www.geocities.com/murderinhighheels
Contact Jim Ryan at denexpo2003@yahoo.com
Confirmed guests: Jesse Damon---solo artist and KISS songwriter
KISS tribute band SSG and Mr. Speed
Ron Keel
Lots of other surprises KISS make up contest, KISS trivia contest and much more.

From: Planet Rock
G'day to all you KISS fans out there, Want all the behind the scenes info on the hugely anticipated, one-off KISS SYMPHONY CONCERT in Melbourne Australia in February 2003? Well check out our exclusive interview with the guys themselves. That's right! Listen to Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley and Peter Kriss chat about their huge plans for this spectacular concert that will see KISS perform with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra!!!
[Click Here]
Rock on!
The team at Planet Rock. www.planetrock.com.au

Hey KISS Freaks,
I had a blast this weekend at the Peter Criss event. I haven't really had time to write a review, but I have quite a few images up for your enjoyment.
[Go to the Features Section to see the images]

Just added to the site this week, more Kineik Motion Cards! Now for sale are the Ace Frehley and Gene Simmons Motion Cards. These are the coolest! If you ever wanted one get them while they last. These are very hard to find these cards. Check out more great bargains at the KISS Freaks Klearance Store!

Paradon Collectibles just released these very cool KISS clocks. These are an official KISS release featuring five different designs. The band members of KISS picked out the 5 images for them to use. No KISS fan should be without this limited edition collector clock. This signature series clock features a quality all metal case with battery operated quartz movement.
[Order them right here at KISS Freaks!]