From AussyAce

Yesterday, Wednesday July 6, KISSTROYER's Gene Simmons appeared on the fornt cover of Nationally Distributed Mens Magazine THE PICTURE. The band also featured in a 3 page spread (hmm? is that a good choice of words?!?!) and Q&A. For those of you interested in obtaining a copy, it will be on news stands across the country this week. Please open the attachment to see what the cover looks like.

Also . . . . . For those of you who attended the wild Geelong and Ballarat shows last year they are on again ! GEELONG THE SPHINX HOTEL SATURDAY JULY 16 and BALLARAT THE GEORGE HOTEL FRIDAY AUGUST 19. (see attachment for more detail or www.kisstroyer.com)

Ladies & Gentlemen !

Your voices have been heard and the response has been overwhelming for the KISSTROYER Interactive Show on Friday July 29 in the GERSHWIN ROOM at the ESPY !

After 2 months the opportunity to vote for your songs has closed but fear not there are still tickets available to purchase via the ESPY Bottleshop, Living Flowers or on the night (see dates page at www.kisstroyer.com for more detail).

Come in and enjoy what fellow KISS fans have deemed the most desirable songs. It will surely be a night to remember and we are very excited to deliver a host of new songs never performed by KISSTROYER before with many never been performed live by KISS either. Songs will span the entire 30 year repotoire of KISS! Buckle up and enjoy the ride ! It will be a 2 hour spectacle and walk through KISSTORY.

Get in early to avoid dissapointment and also catch Australia's Wild, Amazing tribute to Van Halen . .our very own X-HALEN www.xhalen.com. Doors are at 8.30pm X-Halen kick off at 9pm !

Greetings to the KISS Army! A lot of exciting things have been happening since the April release of "KISS Cover to Cover". We wanted to touch base with you to give you the scoop!

For our home town KISS fans, "KISS Cover to Cover" is now available at both NYC Virgin Megastore locations. Conveniently stocked in the KISS section of the stores, "KISS Cover to Cover" is easy to spot due to its original and well received cover art! Stop by the Times Square or Union Square locations in New York City to pick up your copy on the most unique KISS tribute ever! The current issue of "KISS Kollector" Magazine, the official magazine of the KISS Kollector Fanclub, features a nice review of "KISS Cover to Cover." We would like to thank eveyone at KISS Kollector for their support!

We also have word from the publishers of THE OFFICIAL KISS MAGAZINE that "KISS Cover to Cover" will be featured in the upcoming issue of the magazine! We will let you know as soon as it hits the stands!

TributeAlbums.com has been completely redesigned to provide a more entertaining experience. The new "BLOG" features a story about the V. O. G. version of "God Gave R n' R to You" that appears of the "KISS Cover to Cover" CD! Stop by the site and check it out!

"KISS Cover to Cover" is the first and only KISS tribute album to celebrate the songs that KISS has covered over the years. In addition to the musical content of the CD, "KISS Cover to Cover" also features enhanced content viewable on your home computer. Pop it into your computer and enjoy song histories, artist bios, photos, and more.

Visit us online at:
[www.tributealbums.com]

From: EricSinger.com

Alice Cooper’s band currently touring, Eric Singer and Friends, consist of Eric Singer (drummer with KISS since ’91), Ryan Roxie (Slash’s Snakepit), Damon Johnson (Sammy Hagar) and Chuck Garric (Dio).

Patrons entering filed past a dazzling array of KISS merchandise and memorabilia. The Kiss Army lapped it up, their ranks spanning from teens through to those well into their 50s. And as with all fanatics many were keen to talk about their obsession and make others understand it.

A much delayed flight left the American tourists in the unenviable position of being rushed straight from the airport to a fully sold out venue without any of their instruments. Taking the stage at midnight, they borrowed the support band’s equipment, leaving Singer to make do with a vastly scaled down kit. He had no time to familiarise himself with it before a packed house. Not for the faint hearted. The delay obviously caused Singer some angst. Diplomatically poking his head through the curtains he placated the crowd with promises of a great performance to come, a chance to chat later and signings. The promises were kept.

Support band, a somewhat “Matchbox 20ish” sounding Stand assured us of a “volume assault” to follow them and that’s exactly what was delivered. Despite all the problems, Alice Cooper’s band took the stage looking enthusiastic about the opportunity to play at a smaller venue for an “up close and personal” with the people. During the performance members of the support band became impromptu stage hands: continually assisting the band with adapting and adjusting their gear while the players never missed a beat.

Singer quickly established why he is revered as a messiah of the drums. Getting the most out of Stand’s kit he led a team of top class musicians and vocalists to grind out a string of familiar hits. Except this was no ordinary cover band. The Led Zeppelin and Genesis T-shirts seen on the stage augured the very 70s theme of the night. Covers followed of T-Rex, Thin Lizzie, Cheap Trick (a well received revival of Surrender), Sweet (Fox On The Run) of course Alice Cooper (School’s Out) and Kiss (Nothing to Loose, Strutter, I Love It Loud, Black Diamond).

Homage to AC/DC was given with a rendition of Highway to Hell complete with choreographed guitar moves at the front. Clenched fists abounded in the crowd during this song as they appreciated the Aussie link. Introduced by Roxie as “straight from the loins of Alice Cooper!” daughter Calico made a cameo, establishing her rock pedigree as she led the band for Cherry Bomb. The show’s conclusion brought the much anticipated meet-and-greet. A couple of hundred fans quietly queued with their Kiss memorabilia and various bits of drum kits to be signed. Eric Singer was the reason The Corner was filled to the gunnels and he patiently sat and ensured none left disappointed.

Paul Cuthbert and Angie Valcanis - Beat Magazine

[More of Eric Singer]

From: KevinConradArt.com

Markosia Enterprises (the home of the soon to be released Shadowmancer comic book) has signed Jazan Wild's Carnival Of Souls!!! Written by Stefan Petrucha and penciled by Kevin Conrad, the news will be officially announced at the San Diego Comic Con with creator Jazan Wild signing books throughout the weekend at the APComics booth. Stop by and pick up an EXCLUSIVE SDCC LIMITED EDITION special sized comic book and 3 song cd sampler from the soon to be released JAZAN WILD CD - inspired by the book. The first of 3 issues of Jazan Wild's Carnival Of Souls will released this Halloween! The Cd is produced by 2005 grammy winner Bob Kulick and will contain a digital version of Issue #1.

[Kevin Conrad's KISS Artwork]

From: KatsEyesProducts.com

Eric Carr, what more can I say? Soon it will be his birthday. Since ascending to heaven, the angles are surely rockin'. So many interviews, news articles, and facts about the fox have been written. With this piece, we salute the legacy of this most talented individual, Paul Caravello, a.k.a. Eric Carr.

Not an original member of Kiss, Eric Carr was automatically accepted and held in high regard by KISS fans across the world. I can just see him standing high above his kit at the end of his solo. At less than 5 feet 8 inches and 145 pounds, Eric looked 7 feet tall at the end of his super-human drum solo. Eric was born Paul Caravello in Brooklyn, New York on July 15, 1950, and has two sisters, Loretta and Sissy. Loretta is involved with the official Eric Carr website. Occasionally a fan can purchase a personal piece that belonged to Eric by visiting that site. As a boy, Eric hoped to become a scientist, astronaut, or artist. Then it happened... He discovered rock n' roll the way so many others did in the early '60s, due to the arrival of the Beatles and the British Invasion. Ringo Starr was the inspiration that moved Eric to take up the drums by age 14. Eric began drumming on magazines until his parents bought him his first proper drum set shortly thereafter. Left handed in everything he did, except play drums. As so many young aspirating musicians, Eric had a long road ahead and his share of dues to pay on his journey to the top.

In the meantime, Eric was of age to fight, our nation was at war in Vietnam. Eric avoided the military draft by purposely failing the mental and physical examinations. He did the just opposite of everything he was supposed to. Further proof that not only Eric was talented, he was smart. I can imagine this as a comical episode of Eric's at his review. Although most people know Eric was a gas range repairman, he also worked as a file clerk for the Department Of Criminal Justice. He also sliced cold cuts in a Queens supermarket, and later worked with his father delivering refrigerators and mixing cement. Just months before Eric joined Kiss, he was still working with his dad repairing gas ranges. Eric was an excellent repairmen in Brooklyn and he enjoyed working with his dad, a sign of close family ties. Eric's parents still show their support of Eric's legacy and dedication to the fans by appearing expos on occasion.

The year is 1966. Paul Caravello, and the Cellermen, were hired by a young 16 year old up-and-coming singer, Crystal Collins. Crystal and the Cellarmen soon entered a Brooklyn recording studio, and recorded "When I Grow Tired" and "No Matter When". Crystal performed on lead vocals, with the Cellarmen and Eric doing background vocals. These recordings were pressed on the Jody label. The label also recorded the Cellarmen's other release, "I Found You". Eric did lead vocals and played drums on this piece. The recording had some airplay though is was not a great success. The band performed at Bar Mitzvahs and weddings throughout NYC. During the '70s, Eric had become a great admirer of such hard rock acts as Led Zeppelin and the New York Dolls, although his bands throughout the decade, Creation and Mother Nature/Father Time, were more disco-based. I wonder if he ever listened to KISS? Eric narrowly escaped a club fire, and saved the life of a female singer during the 1970's. The fire claimed the lives of two of his then band members. Eric would live on to become "the premier drummer" of the 1980's.

In the meantime, Eric made plans for his higher education. Could you score a 96 on your algebra test? Well the fox did. He attended college for a few years, but left to pursue his first love, music. Before applying to Kingsbourgh college, Eric was accepted to Princeton University. But, due to lack of funds, he soon moved on. Next Eric joined Salt and Pepper. This was another step along his climb to stardom. Like so many other greats, there are those that just want to Rock and Roll. Lucky for us, Eric decided to Rock.

At the birth of the new decade, the '80s, Eric had become frustrated that his previous bands had failed to break through to the big time. He was looking for something better. As fate would have it, KISS' drummer, Peter Criss, was looking to make a move too. Peter was leaving KISS. In June of 1980, a friend happened to bump into Eric. The friend relayed to Eric that KISS was holding auditions to replace Peter. So, Eric submitted his application to KISS in an orange envelope so it would stand out. He managed to get a try-out through KISS' management, and jammed with the band on June 23rd. Before leaving his audition with KISS, he asked for their autographs, thinking he may never meet them again. One week later, on July 1st, Eric was invited to join KISS. With a massive tour of Europe and Australia already booked and fast approaching, Eric and the guys brainstormed to come up with a stage name for the new member, and a persona that would fit in with the band's look. Eric Carr's early stage name was Rusty Blade. I like this name.Of course, the name was later nixed, but Eric, being playful as usual, used it as his hotel check-in name when on tour. When Eric Carr joined the band in 1980, there was talk of him actually recording a KISS solo album. Therefore, the band commissioned Ken Kelly, the legendary artist who painted the 4 solo album covers, to paint one of Eric. The painting still resides with the Cravello family.

Caravello was officially dubbed Eric Carr, and after a failed attempt at being the hawk, Eric became the Fox. Eric's drumming fit perfectly with the band. His speed and technique made him an immediate success among KISS fans. He generally had more of a heavy metal drum sound than his predecessor. Strangely, KISS did not make full use of his talents until their 1982 release, "Creatures of the Night". The drums were intended to sound like guns or cannons being fired. Check out the tracks on this recording and feel the proof. Eric's live drum solos of this period still echo in my head. This tremendous sound was like that of heavy hitters, Led Zeppelin's John Bonham and Deep Purple's Ian Paice. KISS was entering a new era. At this point, it seems that Eric was pointing the way.

Eric remained a member of KISS for the remainder of the '80s. His talents can be heard on such hit albums as Lick It Up and Animalize, among others. He played venues the world over. KISS' members Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley wrote the majority of the band's songs during Eric's decade of KISS drumming. It is known that Eric was responsible for co-writing such hits as "All Hell's Breaking Loose"," "Under the Gun", and "Little Caesar". Eric performed lead vocals on "Little Caesar". Shortly after KISS finished their Hot in the Shade tour, Eric was shockingly diagnosed with cancer. Despite what was believed to be a successful operation to remove his tumor initially, he lost his battle to cancer on November 21, 1991, at the young age age of 41. Gene and Paul, as a tribute to Eric, included an unreleased drum track from 1981 on their 1992 album, Revenge. The track is rightfully called "Carr Jam 1981."

Eric's work is still just a CD away. It is as clear and magnificent as the day it was recorded. And as previously stated, I am sure the angels are jamming to Eric's beat. Eric, in my opinion, is KISS as much as any other member, past or present. In 1999, two releases became Eric Carr Icons. These are the biographical home video, "Tale of the Fox" as well as an EP titled "Rockheads". "Rockheads" included original music from a children's cartoon Eric was creating towards the end of his life. The characters are of course rock stars. "Rockology" was released in 2000. On July 15, in memory, take out your favorite KISS CD from the era of Eric Carr, and ROCK WITH A LEGEND.

[Check Em Out]

From: KISSArmyNorway.com

KISS Army Norway & Voices Music Entertainment proudly unveiled the Ken Kelly painting that will become the cover for the upcoming Norwegian tribute CD. Kelly painted both the classical Destroyer and Love Gun covers. A large bunch of national press and special invited fans were present at Sentrum Scene in Oslo where the event took place. The KISS tribute album will be released september 5th and will be called ? Gods Of Thunder ? A Norwegian Tribute To KISS?.

Executive producer Stig Karlsen clame that the album will bring tribute CD's to a new level both musically and visually. The album consist of #1 chart topping and award winning bands from Norway. Among them millionselling Espen Lind, and World Idol winner Kurt Nilsen who won over US platinum artist Kelly Clarkson in last years final. Billboard US top 100 hundred artist Stage Dolls and the members from TNT Ronni Le Tekro & Tony Harnell are also on the album. The Norwegian superstars Wig Wam do ?I Was Made for Loving You? with former KISS-guitarist Bruce Kulick who wanted to pay tribute to his Norwegian fans. Gene Simmons Norwegian favorites Shirleys Temple, the band behind the song Asshole do "God Of Thunder".

[More Here]

From: Sack Trick

The Sheep In Kiss Make Up CD is still selling well, (both online on the mail order section of www.sacktrick.com and through Cargo Records in shops across Europe and Hellion Records in Brazil) it seems you've all been spreading the word for us again haven't you? More nice people are sending us emails to say how much they've enjoyed the record (see the Sheep Reactions Page at www.sacktrick.com), the latest of these people only being Bob Ezrin- the guy who produced the original Elder album for Kiss! We got a short email forwarded on to us after sending him a copy. He said he "loved it". Let me repeat that again in capitals...BOB EZRIN WHO PRODUCED THE ELDER FOR KISS LOVED OUR VERSION OF HIS RECORD!...You may or may not know how much that means to us, but it'd be an understatement if I said it was quite a lot.


Comment by KISSFreaks: This KISS tribute CD is unique. It ROCKS! I have listened to the Sack Trick "Elder" track and in a short period, these guys covered the whole LP.
Take a listen, You will want a copy!

[Get Yours While They Last]

From: Sack Trick

Isn't this the best gig Sack Trick could ever do? Doors open about 3pm and we'll be onstage about 7pm. It's going to be a full day of Kissmania with Kiss trader's stalls and all manner of Kiss related stuff and special guests including Kiss producer Eddie Kramer and UK full Kiss tribute Hotter than Hell, who are celebrating the 30th anniversary of Kiss Alive! by playing the whole album. That's going to be heroic.

More info and tickets at:
www.hotterthanhell.net and
www.jbsdudley.co.uk .

From: Dani Vargas (Unplugged Paul Stanley)

I just wanted to let you know about my KISS tribute band. We’re called AKISSTIC. Located in Hollywood, Ca. We’ve just begun playing this year and already getting a great response from KISS fans here in Los Angeles. We’re the only all Unplugged Tribute I know of to the the Hottest band in the World!

[Check It Out!]