Feature Article For Kat's Eyes Products

This is an interview I did with Psycho Circus Comic Artist, Kevin Conrad. Read This and Be Inspired! Tia

Tia: As a child, at what age did you realize that you had an interest in art? And, what age did family and friends recognize the fact that you had a natural talent as an artist?
Kevin: My earliest memories of drawing are of boring my friends to tears because that's all I wanted to do, probably I was around 4 years old. I remember drawing all of the Halloween decorations for my second grade class, I think that's probably when it hit home with my family, that, as you say, I had a 'natural talent as an artist'.

Tia: What was the first drawing or piece you remember doing that influenced your future as a comic book artist?
Kevin: I was eleven years old, I still have the picture. It's on my site in one of my message posts Here. I stopped over my best friend's and he was copying a picture out of a Marvel comic. I thought to myself - 'I can do better than that', and promptly sat down and drew a pic of Iron Man from one of his comics. That's all it took, I was hooked, we drew heroes, made our own comics, you name it. From that point on, I knew I wanted to end up in comics.

Tia: Did you lean towards the study of art while growing up? What special classes or schools did you attend to develop your skills?
Kevin: I've been drawing all of my life, my high school art instructors structured an advanced program for me because of my commitment to art. I was talented sure, but I wasn't the most talented. I have to say I probably was the most committed though. In my senior year, I had my final 3 required courses and then 5 periods of art! I also have a 2 year degree in applied science with a major in commercial art.

Tia: Do you play any musical instrument? As a KISS fan, did you or do you ever wear KISS makeup?
Kevin: Yeah, I've played the drums off and on since high school. I had a band that actually got good enough to play out for a brief period in the 80's. I still have them, and jam once in a while with a few of the neighbors, I have a couple of cousins who want to get together and start jamming, I'm looking forward to that! They know a bunch of Kiss tunes!
Yeah, I dressed up as Paul Stanley for Halloween back in '79, the pic is on my website. Unfortunately, I picked probably the gayest costume he ever wore - the Dynasty outfit!

Tia: What was your first KISS album or tape? What was your impression of KISS and their music?
Kevin: Kiss Alive! In vinyl. The same friend who I started drawing heroes with turned me on to them. He bought the album and played it for me. My first impression was mixed. I didn't quite know what to make of them. After hearing it a few times though, I was sucked in for life! I couldn't get enough of them and I probably turned more of my friends off of them due to my insatiable need to have anything and everything Kiss. By the way, my friend who so obviously impacted my future is a letter carrier and no longer listens to Kiss - go figure!

Tia: Who was your favorite member of KISS as a young fan? Later, as the Psycho Circus comic artist, and when you had the opportunity to meet members of the band, did you maintain the same favorite member?
Kevin: My favorite was always a toss up between Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons. Paul always seemed to be surrounded by beautiful women and Gene just had the coolest, bad ass look. I've always been a fan of the same things as Gene - comics and horror movies, OLD horror movies. I never got to meet the band while doing the comic, I did get great seats for the Psycho Circus tour though. I met Gene, Paul, Bruce and Eric Carr during the Crazy Nights tour, I won the KISS PLATINUM EXPRESS CARD from my local radio station and I was able to use it 3 or 4 times during that tour. I met Ace at a local club during the BAD BOYS tour with Peter Criss. That was when I was working on Spawn. Sean Delaney was a good friend of one of the colorists on Spawn and he hooked me up with Sean, who then hooked me up with Ace's management. I'd have to say hands down, Eric Carr was and is my favorite member of Kiss, he saved their asses in the early 80's and he was a great guy. Probably one of the most powerful drummers I can think of. I got to talk to him for quite a while back stage at one of those Crazy Nights shows. Original members, I'd say probably Paul now, he just seems more serious about the music than Gene.

Tia: When did you draw your very first KISS piece? Can you describe it?
Kevin: It's probably the piece that's on my website - Here - I was 15 when I drew it, there are also a few more up there as well.

Tia: How did you get selected to be the Psycho Circus artist?
Kevin: Todd McFarlane knew I was a huge Kiss fan and he was gearing up to do the book. I got asked, and I jumped at it!

Tia: While working on the Psycho Circus series, how much freedom did you have to create the characters and apply them to the plot?
Kevin: Well, that was pretty much the penciler's job, I did throw in plenty of 'Easter Eggs' for the fans though. Things that would mean nothing to average comic reader, but everything in the world to a Kiss fan.

Tia: Will you tell what the process is to create just one page of a comic book? How long does it take to create one comic page? How long does it take on average to develop the art used in one issue?
Kevin: Generally, from story to pencils, to inks, to colors to letters, you have 4 - 5 weeks to complete an issue. The process goes in just that order. The penciler gets the script, pencils a page, sends it to the inker then it goes to the colorist then letterer. Aside from story and letters each stage takes generally a day. The inkers deadline for a complete book is usually around a week after the penciler and the colorist is usually a week after the inks. Some good examples of Pencils to Inks of some KPC pages can be seen - Here

Tia: Which issue of the Psycho Circus series did you enjoy working on? Why?
Kevin: I would say any and every issue I worked on with Clayton Crain. The guy was the coolest, I had a lot of freedom as an inker to change things - re work things. The one that probably is closest to my heart is the last issue. I co-penciled the cover with Clayton and he inked it. I penciled that cover the morning of my Mom's wake.

Tia: Were their any comps or perks for doing the Psycho Circus series? If so, what kind of things did you get or get to do?
Kevin: Well, the biggest perk for me is that I'm now enshrined in the halls of KISSTORY forever! How cool is that? I was invited to be a guest at a couple of NY Kiss Expos as well.

Tia: What are your current projects? Do you have any plans or have you been considered to do further KISS related work in the future?
Kevin: First and foremost, I just finished penciling my first full length comic, called Jazan Wild's Carnival Of Souls. It has a definite KPC flavor to it, and you can buy it at your local comic book shop come Halloween. By the time this interview goes live, you will be able to order it directly at my site, or go directly to the publisher and order it - There .
I'm also working for Top Cow and Marvel inking a bunch of stuff.

Tia: One last thing; can KISS fans purchase autographed prints or originals of your works? Where can these be viewed?
Kevin: My sites a mess right now, but I do have prints available for purchase as well as orginal art (including a handful of KPC pages). I do commissions as well.

[Visit Kevin Here]

From: Andrew Laidlaw

Check these out! It looks real but don't try to buy one. It hasn't been made yet...

From: Las Vegas Review Journal By: Sonya Padgett

Pamela Anderson has one. Ed McMahon does, too. So it was only a matter of time before rock icon KISS got theirs.

Call it their Sin City comeuppance: a video slot machine featuring the band's hit song "Rock and Roll All Nite" and the members' famous mugs in full makeup. The game was unveiled by Progressive Gaming International Corporation Tuesday at the Global Gaming Expo with founding members Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons on hand.

The band was in good company; across the convention center, actress Morgan Fairchild was launching International Game Technology's Penny Megabucks game featuring her likeness. And Don Cornelius was also at the Expo to introduce IGT's Soul Train game.

The celebrity slot machine is nothing new. A slew of famous people have paired their names and likenesses with gaming machines at past expos, including Pamela Anderson, Clint Eastwood and others. It's a formula that apparently works well for gaming companies. And the celebrities.

"Well, we try to get ourselves involved in every aspect of the American culture," Paul Stanley said. "And this is just another way" to do that.

Morgan Fairchild thought it would "be a hoot" to have her name and face on Penny Megabucks machines. Surrounded by fans wanting to get a look at her and the machines, Fairchild likened her association with the game to playing a role.

"I'm always looking for great parts, unexpected roles," she said. And the thought that she might make someone a millionaire is fun, she added.

Don Cornelius got involved with IGT's Soul Train slot machine because it was flattering to the show.

"I thought it was a fun idea and I was invited, of course," Cornelius said. "I think it will appeal to fans of the show, fans of soul music crowd that likes to dance."

The celebrities have their reasons for lending their names to the machines. But fans don't really care; they were just glad for the chance to meet their favorite stars.

"It's past due," said KISS fan Thomas Denison, an expo attendee from Las Vegas.

He was filming Stanley and Simmons as they greeted a long line of fans next to their game. With the giant KISS sign hanging above the machines, it will stand out in casinos, he said, and even draw players of all ages, just because they're KISS fans.

"I first saw them in concert in 1976 and I was 5. They kind of bridge the age gap. It's the makeup," he explained.

"I tinkered with the idea of bringing their action figures and having them sign them but that might have been too geeky."

Looking at the line of fans waiting to get their photos taken with the two rock stars told Rachel Duarte, a representative of Cliff Castle Casino in Camp Verde, Arizona, everything she needed to know about the game itself.

"I can tell it's popular," she said. "We really have a market for KISS machines because we get a lot of rock groups in our (city) and I think machines like that will really appeal to our target market."

From: KISSAsylum By: Russ Dannecker

Kevin Harvick, driving the #47 RaySat/KISS NASCAR Chevrolet, finished 3rd at the Cheerios Betty Crocker 200 at the Richmond International Raceway on September 8, his best finish this year (so far). According to Kevin, "It is really fun to drive a truck as good as out RaySat Silverado was tonight. We dropped back in the field a little when we pitted and started working our way back toward the front. The truck was really fast, we just couldn't get a long enough green flag run there toward the end to get a good run on Todd (Bodine, finished 2nd) and Skinner (Mike, race winner). But we were fast. Randy Goss, David Dollar and everyone on the No. 47 team and at Morgan Dollar gave me an awesome truck to drive tonight. I really had a great time racing the truck. As the race wound down, we all started getting more aggressive and more aggressive and do what you need to do to get by, but at the same time, be smart. We ran out of time to get back up there and race them for win. But it was a good night and a good run for this team. I just want to thank everyone at Chevrolet and Silverado brand for putting this program together. It was cool to have KISS/KISS Army on the truck tonight. It was just fun to be back in the truck series" (truckseries.com).

From: Joe Coppola

Please make sure to check out the updates on angelo-coppola.com. There is a whole page with pics from the Chicago KISS Expo where I performed. There is even a video of some of Angelo's performance as well. Also thanks for all the votes on KidKountry.com & remember to keep voting. Thank You!

From: TommyThayer.com

In our first full concert performance in over a year, KISS played to a packed Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio Saturday night.

This private-ticket KISS show was a special appearance by us for Honda Corporation and with a set lasting over 90 minutes, the crowd loved every minute of it.

We flew into Columbus Friday night for a quick sound-check rehearsal at the arena followed by a night on the town for some dinner and nightlife which we enjoyed.

The Saturday night concert rocked from start to finish opening with "Detroit Rock City" and ending with the confetti-strewn "Rock & Roll All Nite" with many KISS classics in between.

We had a great time and after a year lay-off it felt awesome to get back onstage and do a kick-ass show.

My good buddy, PGA Championship winning golfer Shaun Micheel hung out with us for the weekend in Columbus.

The deal is that I give him guitar lessons and he teaches me to be a better golfer.

Here's Shaun and I backstage before we went on Saturday night.

[Visit Tommy Thayer]

From: PeterCriss.net

Just when I think I am better with 9/11. It hits me like a ton of bricks. It's that time of the year, September 11th. I go right back to the hurt and loss of the innocent souls who were murdered that day. As a New Yorker and American, we grieve. I and my family send our prayers to the families of those who lost their lives trying to save the lives of others, you are the true heroes. May God look down on you with all His love.

God Bless - The Criss'

[Visit Peter Criss]

From: EricSinger.net By: Tia

Lincoln has often been compared to Kennedy. But, did you ever wonder about Eric Singer and who he can be compared too? After extensive research, I have found that Eric can be compared closely to no other drummer than Animal.

Jim Henson may have intended that Animal be a singer. But, Animal loved the drums so Henson's singer became a drummer. In comparison, Eric Singer became a drummer.

Muppets have their origins in the 1950s. Animal was soon born to the muppet family. Eric Singer was born in 1958 in Cleveland Ohio.

Eric is currently on tour with Alice Cooper. Alice appeared on the Muppets on October 30, 1978. Animal was the drummer behind Alice when he performed on the Muppets. So, both drummers have laid down a cool beat behind legendary Rock Artist, Alice Cooper.

Animal is a fan-oriented person. While on tour, "Muppets On Location: Days of Swine and Roses," on a loading dock, the show stopped in the middle for an autograph session. Eric loves his fans too. Between performances, he often stops off at KISS Expos to sign items for his fans.

Did you know that Animal once had a drum solo onstage with Buddy Rich? When asked about his professional influences, Eric sited Buddy Rich as being the most influential drummer upon him.

In conclusion, Animal and Eric Singer have striking similarities. Many childhood fans of Animal are now dedicated fans of Eric Singer. Rock on Animal… Rock on Eric…

[Visit Eric Singer dot Net]

From: Steve Stierwalt, Jr. of KISSFREAKS

We know you have wanted a different kind of KISS website for getting those hard to find items at better prices. That is what we are going to deliver! Formerly KISSShop.com we have transformed into something bigger and better than ever before. You will not believe the fantastic deals we have in store for those who access this site in the coming months. In the words of the greatest band on Earth, "You Wanted the Best, You Got the Best!"

We currently have over 600 items in stock and ready to ship. Over the next 30 days we will continue to grow at a rapid rate, so please stop by often to see what we do next! Enough talk go to the site and see for yourself the outstanding bargains at Rock Bottom prices at the: [KISS Army Warehouse]

From: KISSOnline.com

In their first full concert performance in over a year, KISS played to a packed Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio Saturday night. The private-ticket KISS show was a special appearance by the band for Honda Corporation and with a set lasting over 90 minutes, the crowd loved every minute of it.

The band flew into Columbus Friday night for a quick sound-check rehearsal at the arena followed by a night on the town for some dinner and nightlife.

The Saturday night concert rocked from start to finish opening with "Detroit Rock City" and ending with the confetti-strewn "Rock & Roll All Nite" with many KISS classics in between.

After the show Paul Stanley summed it up, "Doing a kick-ass show like last night with one rehearsal after such a long break, proves to us once again that we are not only in KISS, but KISS is in us."

Song List From: KISSFucco
Detroit Rock City
Deuce
Makin Love
Lick It Up
Christine 16
Firehouse
Got To Choose
I Love It Loud
Love Gun
Let Me Go Rock N Roll
100,000 Years
I Was Made 4 Loving You
Shout it Out Loud
---------------------------
Cold Gin
God of Thunder
God Gave Rock N Roll 2 You
Rock N Roll All Nite

From: John

[Check Out The Fans]

From: Kulick.net

Bruce will be heading to Mexico in December to appear at the KISS Expo Mexico II. Bruce will be playing with an ESP line-up featuring himself, Eric Singer, John Corabi, and Chuck Garric. The shows are scheduled for December 9-10, 2005. More details are forthcoming, and will be posted as soon as they are available.

From: Mike ____ & Jim Frangella

By: Tia of Kat's Eyes
More Photos Coming Soon

Chicago! Were you there? If not, your gonna wish you were. The 2005 ChicagoLand KISS Expo blew into the windy city suburb of Countryside Illinois on Saturday, June 3. The troops moved into the ballroom to take part in what has become a ritual for KISS fans, "The KISS Expo". Jim Frangella promoted the event and was supported by vendors and fans from all over the country.

About 40 tables full of nothing but pure KISS memorabilia began to fill the room by 6 A.M. Red eyed and running on pure adrenaline, KISS dealers were set and ready for the fans that were welcomed into the hall at 11. The most diverse collection of vintage and contemporary pieces of KISSTORY were made available to the fans in the upper mid-west on Saturday. Minutes from Chicago and less than a few hours from everywhere else, this event was a hit!

Smiles of fans both young and old spread across the masses as they were greeted by drummer, Eric Singer, who took a day out of his busy schedule to sign hundreds of autographs. The catman is currently touring with Alice Cooper. Be sure to catch Alice as he visits a venue in your town. Eric Singer always talks to each fan and gives them what they want, a look into his life as a rock star. Moreover, a member of The Hottest Band In The World! For fans that have not had opportunity to meet Eric, a word to describe him would simply be WOW! Fans passed by his table and had everything signed that one can imagine. It always starts like this when a fan speaks, "I saw you at...", and Eric listens intently as fans describe their KISS memory of choice. I had the opportunity to hear Eric field questions about KISS and lots of interest that always lies in the new lineup. Eric described Tommy as being so talented and a heck of a nice guy. This writer's opinion is that KISS is Alive and will be for a very long time. I believe new material and a tour will once again sell out stadiums around the world.

A big favorite in the hall was on display, an official KISS Motorcycle. Man this thing is nice. I don't have the details yet, but I want to tell you more about this work of engineering and art! I'll update you on this bike soon.

The ultra NEW KISS site KISSArmyWarehouse sold their wares across one end of the room, announced their launch next Friday. To celebrate the new venture, this KISS Glass Award that was once presented to KISS by Miami Arena commemorating their sold out Reunion show in 1996 was given to this lucky KISS fan. Hans at KISS4Sale took this shot. The cool KISSArmyWarehouse contribution to the expo was their dedication to the people hurting in the wake of the largest disaster in modern US history, Hurricane Katrina. Over $700 was gathered at the event to help those in need. Eric did a Q&A with the fans and announced an upcoming Indy event being put together to benefit the victims of Katrina.

Prior to Eric's Q&A, Bill Starkey, the founder and leader of the largest non-militant army in our country, told fans how a 1970s rock and roll uprising of KISS fans in Terre Haute, Indiana, was recognized by Gene, Paul, Peter, and Ace as the work of "The KISS Army". In Bill''s words Saturday, "Just look around the room. The KISS Army is Alive and Well!" A friend of Bill and army member present at the radio station conflict in Terre Haute was once again in support of his leader at this event. Drummer and Founder of Byar Drums, Jim Byar took a seat next to Bill to meet the fans.

KISS fan / college dean, Collette Shaw, of KISSFiction signed her book, "Won't Get Fooled Again", and talked to the fans. Wendy Moore was signing and selling her book, "Into the Void". If KISS manufactured one, Allan and Karen Mullins, promoters of the Cincinnati KISS Expo, probably had one on their table. KISS4Sale was represented by owner, Hans, at the far end of the room with a huge lot of great KISS collectibles. Warren Lapine, of the Official KISS Quarterly magazine is starting to be a regular around KISS Expos. Not to be confused with one that has issues, Warren definitely had issues at the event. Back issues and subscriptions of this cool contribution to the KISS community could be purchased from the creator himself. Don't wait; get yours now! KatsEyesProducts had quite a variety of pieces to pick from. This trio loves to talk to the younger fans especially. It is always interesting to hear the children talk about KISS just like the whole thing just started. I get the sense from the kids that there was Buzz Lightyear and now there is something new and cool to love, KISS. Even as a veteran fan, I have to agree, "We are just getting started".

Late in the evening, Angelo Coppola, Nine Year Old Boy Drummer, opened for the tribute bands. To see him in person, it is hard to imagine how a person of his age could pack such a punch behind the drums. Sheer talent! This boy is destined to become a star. Kings Of The Nighttime world hit the stage with their unplugged set. Paraphrasing Gene as he once explained, to do it with amps is one thing; to do it natural is another. A sign of a true musician. Becoming veterans among the tribute bands, by far the nicest, best looking, and the only all-female band, Black Diamond, ripped out another hard rocking show for the fans. If you get the chance, be sure to see a tribute band. I love this line and enjoy sharing with you what a "tribute band" Paul once screamed as he addressed the fans, "We're not KISS. We don't pretend to be KISS". Maybe not significant here but just to point out that when you see a tribute band, you will remember the experience. They Rock!

All good things come to an end. Just like a monumental KISS concert itself, the doors close, the vendors tear down, lights out, and on to the next Big KISS Blowout, a KISS Expo in your town. Be sure to check out the Baltimore / Washington Expo on October 16!

From: KISSOnline

QUESTION: With all the classic KISS costumes through the years, what's your favorite era of Gene Simmons? --- Michael Carlton, Arlington, VA

ANSWER: I never considered anything we wore 'costumes'... I wore outfits. An outfit is something you wear. A costume is something you put on to pretend and we never pretended. My favorite outfit was probably the Destroyer armor outfit. Variations of the armor went as far back as the photo session for Hotter Than Hell, photographed by Norman Seefe in Los Angeles in late 1974. At that session, someone gave me a Roman chest plate. I loved it immediately and saw it as a logical extension of my wearing, what I perceived as "war paint" and going off to war. The armor felt right. It wasn't until we worked on Destroyer, that it felt right, conceptually. We actually started wearing early versions of the outfits while we toured Europe in support of Alive I in early 1976, but didn't start wearing the full outfits until we went out with Destroyer. Versions and variations of the armor were to appear and re-appear. During the Creatures Of The Night period, I redesigned the armor and added pieces. And of course, when we went back with Ace and Peter for the reunion of the original members during the late 90's, I resurrected it.

QUESTION: Recently in the press you said that KISS might not tour for two years. Is that something that's set in stone? I sure hope not. --- Chris Guillory, New Haven, CT

ANSWER: Touring is never as easy as fans believe it is. Right place and right time isn't just a phrase, it's real. We've also come to a place, where each of us (myself included), wants to spread our wings and try different things. When will KISS tour? No one knows exactly. But as far as I'm concerned, nothing is more important than touring with KISS. Nothing gives me that kick.

QUESTION: When you're writing KISS songs, what comes first; a title, a melody or a chorus? --- Jules Van Kampen, Utrecht, Netherlands

ANSWER: Writing songs just doesn't come in a 'paint by numbers' kit. Sometimes someone says something or I hear a phrase or the sense of it, like Little Richard said during a lyric "You've got nothing to lose." It struck me as the backbone of a song I could write. Or when I heard The Stones, "Brown Sugar," I immediately told Paul I would write my own version of a streetwalker and call it "Black Diamond." Unfortunately for me and fortunately for the band, Paul beat me to it and wrote his own "Black Diamond." "Deuce" began as a bass riff. "Christine Sixteen" began as a guitar riff. "Calling Dr. Love" began as a phrase the 3 Stooges used. "Calling Dr. Howard, Calling Dr. Fine..."

QUESTION: The legacy of KISS has influenced many for over three decades, in your opinion what will KISS mean 100 years from now? --- Francis Wright, Charlotte, NC

ANSWER: What KISS will mean 100 years from now may not be all that important. Maybe the most important thing, is that KISS has been a part of people's lives, mine too. Children have been named Beth and Christine. Fans have tattooed their bodies with our faces. Hopefully, the world is a slightly better place because of KISS.

From: Fernando

Today officially the sale of the tickets for the KISS EXPO MEXICO II started in Ticketmaster, and also in KISS Lounge. People can buy GOLD and PLATINUM Tickets, which include autographs & pictures with ESP.

From: The Oregonian By: By Sophia Tareen

Straight-laced Pacific University may be loosening up a bit.

The newest member of its board of trustees is the lead guitarist of KISS, the 1970s heavy metal band known for its elaborate makeup and costumes, stadium pyrotechnics and high-volume mantra that spoke of the need to "rock and roll all night and party every day."

Tommy Thayer, a Cedar Hills native and 1978 graduate of Sunset High School, was elected this summer to the board of trustees. He joined business executives, doctors and former Gov. Vic Atiyeh on the board guiding the 2,500-student liberal arts college.

On the road, Thayer wears the sequined black leotard abandoned in 2002 by Ace Frehley, a founding member of KISS. He becomes "The Spaceman," duplicating Frehley's trademark makeup that includes a white base with a silver-and-black mask around both eyes.

He is the only rock star on the Pacific University board.

The board's 37 other members unanimously voted to add Thayer. Trustees said they wanted to notch down the average age of board members — Thayer is 44 — and maybe find a potential donor. And even earn a little attention.

"I made it clear that I expect to see them all at the next Portland concert," Thayer said. "I told them I'd provide the earplugs."

Board members said Thayer's father, Jim Thayer Sr., past president of the Beaverton Chamber of Commerce, recommended his son for the position. The elder Thayer is a retired colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve and civilian aide to the U.S. Secretary of the Army. He also serves as a trustee at Reed College and on the Tuality Hospital Foundation.

When The Spaceman takes a break from touring and belting out KISS anthems — with lyrics including "I'm a hooligan/I won't go to school again . . ." — Thayer will come to Forest Grove four times a year for daylong budget meetings and debates over the finer details of building design as the school expands to Hillsboro.

"It's an opportunity to get involved in the home front and be a little less conventional," Thayer said. "You never know, maybe I'll end up taking some classes!"

From: Patricia Milligan

The KISS tribute band DESTROYER, (not the Houston area band!)will be performing Thurs. Sept. 8 @ City Streets in Sundance Square in downtown Ft. Worth Tx.This is the finals for the battle of the bands for the radio station 93.3 the bone. The winner will open Bonebash ON Sept. 10th opening for Night Ranger among others! DESTROYER needs the local KISS ARMY to mobilize and help carry them to victory as the competition is based on audience response alone. Check out the DESTROYER website@ www.thekisstribute.com. re:info on the battle check out the bones website @93.3thebone

From: Steve, KISSFreaks.com

[Check Out The Warehouse!]

From: KISSExpoChicago.com

The Official Chicago Expo Website is online at http://www.kissexpochicago.com

Saturday September 3rd at the HOLIDAY INN - COUNTRYSIDE 6201 Joliet Road, LaGrange/Countryside, Illinois 60525-3958. 1-(708) 354-4200, featuring KISS Drummer ERIC SINGER. For Dealer information contact JIM FRANGELLA at kissarmy3@sbcglobal.net

Special KISS Expo room rates are available, call no later than August 13th for the KISS rate - Event Expo Room code is KIS.

From: GeneSimmons.com

Proud to announce FOUR ADDITIONAL NEW TELEVISION SHOWS I'm fortunate enough to have created, or co-created, have been sold. NEW LINE TV, and MADISON ROAD are our new partners. And, when paperwork is signed, sealed and delivered, will post new info re our television shows.

If you're keeping track:

MY DAD THE ROCK STAR - Nickelodeon
MR. ROMANCE - Oxygen
GENE SIMMONS ROCK SCHOOL - VH1
HIT MEN - Touchstone TV
GENE SIMMONS FAMILY JEWELS - A&E (next year)
plus FOUR NEW SHOWS
plus...gulp...TWELVE (12) additional shows waiting in line...

From: By Robert Lloyd, New York Times Staff Writer

"Lovely" and "moving" are not words I ever would have thought to apply to anything connected to mega-tongued, fire-spitting KISS frontman Gene Simmons. (I hear you say "Beth," but that was Peter Criss.) Yet they are the very terms to describe "Gene Simmons' Rock School," a teenage reality makeover competition that premieres tonight on VH1, in a sort of "academic rock block" with the neither lovely nor moving nor remotely real "Tommy Lee Goes to College" (getting its cable-TV "second window" premiere, following its NBC bow Tuesday).

Arranged more or less along the lines of the Jack Black film "School of Rock," "Rock School" finds Simmons, sans all but his ordinary daily makeup, taking a post at a 450-year-old English prep school in order to transform 10 classically trained young musicians into a fighting rock unit. (Their baptism of fire will be to open for Motorhead!) Like that film, it promises to be a story of transformation and empowerment in which the teacher will himself be taught.

Simmons, who briefly taught sixth grade in Spanish Harlem before rock stardom turned him into a different sort of professor, says he wants to know whether he would have been any good at the job. And notwithstanding his pupils' initial impressions of him as "arrogant," "intimidating" and "a bit of a weirdo," the evidence on screen suggests he would be. He may not know how to behave in a public-radio interview, but he can talk to kids and has a natural sympathy for the misfit and underdog — rock 'n' roll being traditionally a venue in which the last become first. "Rock is about finding who you are," Mr. Simmons, as he gets to be called, tells his charges. "You don't necessarily have to play your instrument very well at all. You can just barely get by and you can be in a rock band."

There are some superfluous bits of exaggerated business: Simmons arrives in a limousine, flanked by blond hotties; deputy headmistress Mary Ireland is set up as a kind of watchful nemesis. But by the standards of the genre, the show is exceptionally genuine, in part because it focuses on kids, and in part because the teacher thoroughly knows and loves his subject. Tonight's episode ends with the choosing of a lead singer — appropriately, it is the class outcast, an intense little kid with ginger hair who "speaks Elvish" and sings out of time and out of tune, but with full-body attitude. It's a killingly sweet moment — "People are going to say, come, Josh, sit at our table," he excitedly foresees — that had me near tears, I don't mind saying. (Well, I do a bit — but it did.)

"Tommy Lee Goes to College," on the other hand, in which the Mötley Crüe drummer spends a semester (or so) at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, is almost pure artifice. It also is built upon a movie trope — it is, essentially, the 1986 Rodney Dangerfield vehicle "Back to School," in which a rascally old millionaire upsets the groves of academe. You have to wait until the end credits to read that "Some elements have been produced and/or edited for comedy," but you will have worked that out long before then, from the sound and visual effects, the non-documentary camera placement, and the scene in which a "mobile army of interior decorators" arrive to "pimp" Tommy's new (off-campus) dorm room. "Now it's tight," Tommy tells pleased roomie Matt. "Got the cappuccino machine crackin', the flatty [that's a flat-screen TV to you] .... Dude, look at the snazzy alarm clocks."

Though Tommy declares his intention to "treat this with nothing but respect and love," and tells his "hot tutor" Natalie "I didn't come here to just goof around and party," the fact is that he has come not to study and learn — he isn't even enrolled — but to make a television show. Once you accept "Tommy Lee Goes to College" as merely an old-style campus comedy, it's entertaining enough, in its lunkheaded, vaguely sexist way.

The star may actually have a brain in his head, but the comedy, in the first couple of episodes at least, is built almost entirely on his lack of aptitude — horrified confusion is his nearly constant expression. But some sort of triumph surely awaits him at the end (in tonight's episode he does manage to correctly identify a Turkish filbert in his horticulture class); and, of course, whatever happens here, he can always go back to being plain old Tommy Lee, a well-paying job for which he is uniquely qualified.

From: George DeCampo

Saturday, October 16 - The Pikesville Hilton Lounge Baltimore/Washington KISS Expo exclusive . . . LIVE KARAOKE! Pick a KISS song, then sing it accompanied by a live band. Don't miss it!

Sunday, October 17 - Vendors and dealers from across the U.S. selling tons of new and vintage KISS memorabilia! A food court so you can have lunch without having to leave the Expo! A KISS museum including authentic costumes and rare memorabilia! A KISS look-alike contest with a $100.00 cash grand prize! Face painting! Door prizes!

Pikesville Hilton
1726 Reisterstown Road
Pikesville, MD 21208
Tel: 1-410-653-1100 or 1-800-HILTONS
Fax: 1-410-415-6232

Ticket price: $15.00 in advance or $18.00 at the door.
VIP Passes are available!
For $20.00, you enter the expo one hour early and get to be first in line for autographs!
For advance tickets and VIP Passes, please send payment to:
The Baltimore/Washington KISS Expo
2849 Westminster St
Manchester MD 21102-1787

[Go To It!]

From: Steve, KISSFreaks.com

Thanks to all of those that entered to win. Here are the winners: Paul Turner from Jacksonville, FL and C. Kable from New Orleans, LA.

From: FullOnClothing.com

Full On Clothing is offering a Beatles and KISS Tribute tshirt. Get yours for just $18 while they last. This just goes to prove that the 50s had Elvis, the 60s had The Beatles, and the 70s brought the world KISS.

[Go Get It!]

From: ExecutiveInnRivermont.com

Metal Legends Tribute Show - 2-Shows:

7:00 - Ozzy & Led Zepplin $10.00

9:30 - AC/DC & KISS $10.00

Tickets to Both Shows $15.00

[Tickets Available Here]