In'side Shareware 1995 April/ish0495.iso/magazin/sonstige/digikiss.txt

Text File | 1995-08-25 | 34KB | 712 lines

Digital KISS
An Online Newsletter for Fans of The Hottest Band in the Land

July 1995
Volume I, Number II

***BIG MONEY FOR A BIG KISS***
by Stomp

KISS fans have never been known to hold back their opinions on
their favorite band. Any move the band seems to make is followed
by a flood of opinions both positive and negative. This has been
the case once again as fans sound off on the trend of high
priced, KISS entertainment. While many fans are howling with
delight, there are many others offering feelings of alienation
(i.e.: "We can't afford this stuff!).

This all began with KISSTORY, and the trend has continued with
the new, official KISS Army merchandise and the latest, the KISS
Conventions. I have come across a variety of feelings from fans.
Some simply feel left out because they can't afford these items,
while others are angry at Gene and Paul accusing them of out and
out greed. I want to take a look at this issue and offer my
thoughts and opinions.

This whole controversy got its start when the band began offering
the mammoth KISSTORY book for the lofty price tag of $150. The
reaction from many fans was immediate:

"How can they charge $150 for a book?!?!" This was the general
question many fans asked. Well, my simple response to that is get
the book and you'll understand. I can say this now having
received and absorbed this monstrosity fully. As soon as I lifted
the book from the package, the only thing I could think to say
was "Holy Shit!!!" Sure I had some doubts when I first ordered
it, but now there is no question the book is worth the price. The
band has sold well over 10,000 copies of KISSTORY, and I have yet
to hear a single negative comment from anyone who possesses one.

I'm sure what I'm saying won't change some people's minds. To
them, they won't pay that price no matter how spectacular the
product is. Well, I do feel sorry for those people. I wish every
KISS fan could afford the book.

The bottom-line is, the band did whatever it had to do to put
this thing together and then had to decide what to charge. Why
did KISS bother to do this book in the first place??? Well, so
many fans have been asking for something like this for years and
the band responded. If the band is going to invest time and money
into this, they are certainly entitled to recoup their investment
as well as make a profit.

The same goes for the upcoming conventions. I fully expect them
to be totally worth the $100 ticket price. Since we're a month or
so away from the convention I'm attending, it's hard to determine
how great the shows will be, but I know that anything the band
itself puts together generally has quality stamped all over it  -
unless we're talking about some of the albums from the 80's -
sorry guys. (Editor's Note: Stomp's opinion does not necessarily
reflect that of the Editor of Digital KISS).

What it comes down to is this: KISS has never put a (Love) gun to
anyone's head forcing them to buy KISS merchandise. But buy we do
whether it's official KISS stuff or the plethora of bootleg KISS
collectibles out there. Which brings me to another point: KISS
collecting is big business, and there are people definitely
making a good buck off their name. Aside from last year when they
raided the Detroit convention (not to be confused with the
upcoming "official" conventions) to reclaim stolen stuff that is
rightfully theirs, KISS has been very cool about this. They have
not cracked down on bootleggers and other people selling things
with their name on it. Hey, I'll admit it, I've bought plenty of
"unofficial" merchandise and I'm happy with the vast majority of
it. Now that KISS themselves are putting out extremely high
quality stuff, I couldn't be happier. They fully deserve to make
money off it.

This isn't to say I blindly order every item. For example, I will
likely not buy the $650 leather jacket, but that's my choice and
everyone else has that same choice.

Is KISS targeting its hardcore fans??? No question about it, but
don't confuse targeting us and taking advantage of us.

One last note to the individuals who do their own KISS fanzines
or are involved in organizing other KISS conventions: Don't stop.
Just because the band is putting together the fanzine KISSNATION
and doing the conventions, they do not want us to cease. This is
another thing I feel some people are misinterpreting. First of
all, KISSNATION is very much a fan project as it's basically
being written by fans anyway. As for the conventions, the fact is
that the one thing that's always been missing from them is KISS
themselves.

OK - I've rambled on......Let's hear what you think!


***KISSbit: A recent issue of Hit Parader Magazine listed the top
100 hard rockers.  Gene was number 20 and Paul checked in at
14.***


***KISS CONVENTIONS AT BURBANK AND LAS VEGAS, June 17 and 24,
1995***
by R. Scott Bolton

Stomp may have not been to an official KISS Convention yet, but
I've been lucky enough to attend two: The first "official" U.S.
Convention in Burbank and the Las Vegas Convention.  Folks, let
me tell you - if you're a KISS fan, it's $100 well-spent.

At the Burbank show, the doors didn't open until 12:30PM that day
but the line began somewhere around 9:00AM.  When the line did
start to move, it moved very, very slowly.  Of course, this was
the first day of the convention and things were still being
ironed out.  If you want to help the line move a little quicker,
friends, have your picture ID and your credit card ready when you
arrive at the door.  Things went much smoother and the Las Vegas
show, proving that the band and its excellent staff are
definitely working out the bugs.

Each convention guest is given a very nice, full-color program
containing about thirty pages.  In a sense, it's a mini-version
of KISSTORY in that it tells a brief history of the band and
features some rare photos - all of which you'll see once you
enter the convention.  Put your program in a safe place and hang
onto it forever.  According to some of the dealers at the
convention, the program will become a very nice collector's item.

There weren't as many dealers at the Burbank show as I would have
hoped and all the really good merchandise was sold by the time I
got in.  However, you can pick up vinyl copies of "Revenge,"
"Alive III," "KISS My Ass" and, soon, "Creatures of the Night."
There is no bootleg stuff sold at the conventions (unless someone
sneaks it in).  Since KISS is sponsoring these conventions
themselves, they're making damn sure nobody's making money off of
"illegal" merchandise.  The Las Vegas show had a few more dealers
(including Peter Arquette, who I'm sure most of you fans have
dealt with) and some interesting items, including rare KISS vinyl
(i.e., "Creatures of the Night" with the original cover, solo
album picture discs, etc.)

Unlike most people, I really like the new official KISS
merchandise.  I can't afford it, but I like it.  I did buy a
great t-shirt with black-and-white art from the first KISS comic
book printed on it.  It was pricey at $45, but I had to have it.
The official KISS KONVENTION t-shirts are emblazoned with the
words, "Fuck you, you blew it" and the convention dates.  Pretty
cool, but you can't very well that over to your parents' house
for Sunday dinner.

The KISS museum is stunning.  You may think you've seen this
stuff before in magazines, in KISSTORY, or in old videos but
there's nothing like seeing the old costumes in the flesh.  The
handwritten lyrics and original artwork (for albums, posters,
magazines) are cool, too.  You can also see Peter Criss' original
drumset and Eric Carr's Chikara tom-toms.  My favorite piece was
Paul Stanley's awesome broken mirror Iceman guitar (one of only
two ever made!)

Both Eric's and Bruce's clinics are fun.  More of a Q&A session
than a clinic, these allow fans to ask questions of the two
newest members of KISS without them having to share the spotlight
with Gene and Paul.  (It still sounds funny calling Bruce a new
guy since he's been there over ten years).  Both Bruce & Eric
play a little during their clinics and, again, it's fun to talk
to them one-on-one.

Tribute bands differ from town to town - however, I caught COLD
GIN in both Burbank and Vegas.  It was awesome.  These guys are
so close to the original band it's almost scary.  There were no
pyrotechnics but the band's vigor more than made up for it.  Oh,
yeah - and there was a gorgeous girl who took her top off, too.

When Paul and Gene join Bruce and Eric on stage for the full band
Q&A, things get real noisy.  It helps that they pass around a
microphone so that questions can be asked that everyone can hear.

Some interesting answers in Burbank: One of the reasons the new
album has been delayed is because the band wasn't happy with the
writing.  They pretty much threw everything out and started from
scratch.  Also, a major boxed set is in the works.

Some interesting answers from Las Vegas: The complete KISS
catalog will be released sometime in December or January with new
re-mastering and new booklets included.  Featured will be the
"Creatures of the Night" CD with the original cover.  Also, Bruce
said that he is happier now in the band than ever because it's
more of a focussed four member band than ever before.

An interesting answer from a question asked at both conventions:
A reunion tour, in makeup, with Peter and Ace is unlikely because
the band's "heart isn't in it."

The unplugged session in Burbank was very, very cool but seemed a
little more like a straight set than requests.  In fact, I was
convinced  that was the case  until I started seeing some of the
set lists from the other conventions.  Obviously, the band was
still working out some kinks in Burbank and played only a set
list as opposed to taking requests.  In Vegas, they started out
with a set list, but soon played requests, including "Let's Put
the X in Sex," which may have been performed live for the first
time.

One of the highlights of the Burbank show occurred when Peter
Criss joined his former bandmates on stage and sang both "Hard
Luck Woman" and "Nothin' to Lose".  It was a reunion that had the
Burbank fans cheering at the top of their voices.  Peter sounded
great, by the way.

The autograph session in Burbank was chaos.  The band simply
said, "Come forward and get your autographs."  If you're a lover
and not a fighter, you'll still get your autograph, it'll just
take longer.  Hang in there: Gene has said time and time again
that the band will stay until everyone gets their autographs.  In
Vegas, things went smoother but there were fewer guests than in
Burbank.

Tickets are still available for the remaining shows (listed
below).  If you haven't got your tickets yet, please do.  Call
1-800-905-KISS for more information or to order.

Saturday, July 1 - Houston, TX - Houston Hobby Airport Hilton
Sunday - July 2 - Dallas, TX - Dallas/Ft. Worth Airport Marriott
Tuesday, July 4 - New Orleans - Radisson Hotel New Orleans
Clarion
Thursday - July 6 - Miami, FL - Radisson Mart Plaza Hotel
Saturday, July 8 - Atlanta, GA - Atlanta Hilton & Towers
Sunday - July 9 - Nashville, TN - Nashville Convention Center
Tuesday, July 11 - St. Louis, MO - St. Louis Airport Hilton
Thursday - July 13 - Indianapolis, IN - Ramada Plaza
Saturday - July 15 - Chicago, IL - Hyatt Regency Woodfield
Sunday, July 16 - Minneapolis, MN - Radisson Hotel South & Plaza
Tower
Saturday - July 22 - Detroit, MI - Cobo Hall Conference &
Exhibition Center
Sunday - July 23 - Cleveland, OH - Sheraton Cleveland City Center
Tuesday - July 25 - Toronto, ON - Toronto Hilton International
Thursday - July 27 - Montreal, PQ - La Chateau Champlain
Saturday - July 29 - Boston, MA - Westin Hotel Copley Place
Sunday - July 30 - New York City, NY Park Central Hotel
Tuesday - August 1 - Pittsburgh, PA - Pittsburgh Expo-Mart


***KISSbit: "KISS MY ASS" the video continues to show up on the
Billboard Charts for long form music videos. It has been
certified gold.***


***SEATTLE CONVENTION REPORT (June 20, 1995)***
By  Adem   Tepedelen

I showed up a little early, in hopes that I could get in right at
noon, when the doors were supposed to open, but when I was told
my name wasn't on the list I nearly freaked. I told the woman I
was on Mercury's guest list (a perk of being a music journalist!)
and she instructed me to stand aside -- the beginning of my
aggravating wait. After every ticket holder had gone in, they
started to let people in who wanted to buy tickets, which was the
line I was stuck in, even though I supposedly had tickets waiting
for me. After some shifting of lines and much confusion I got in,
found my name on the guest list (without my plus one, but they
gave it to me anyhow) and proceeded into the room with the
costumes.

I was filming the convention with my old super 8 camera I bought
at a thrift store for $5, so it was nice to be able to see the
costumes from all angles. Since the person I was attending the
conference with couldn't be there until 2pm, I set about filming
as much of the "museum" stuff as I could. One thing I really
enjoyed about the room with the costumes was they always had a
cool selection of KISS tunes blasting through a PA.

The original Eric Carr "Hawk" costume is hilarious! It does look
like Big Bird (with sequins!). There were other cool items in the
displays with the costumes, such as Peter Criss' make up kit from
the "Dynasty" tour, which as you can see from the tape covering
his name, used to belong to Ace! My friend noticed one of Ace's
costumes had two right boots on...oops.

Now that I was starting to really get pumped up about the
convention (after I got over my aggravation) I was feeling the
$200 I brought burning a hole in my pocket and I decided to check
out what was for sale. Well, their three "collectibles" tables
that were being swamped by the several hundred people who had
come in before me, and I couldn't really even see what they had
for sale. I went back later, after they had been almost totally
cleaned out, and bought some old copies of a fanzine called
Firehouse. There was also a booth selling all the recent vinyl
releases (except "Creatures") at great prices, so I picked up
" KMA " for $10, the  Mighty Mighty   Bosstones /KISS "Detroit Rock
City" 7" for $5 and a KISS This fanzine for $5. My buying frenzy
would then be completed by purchasing  KISStory  for $150.

My friend showed up at 2pm, we had lunch and spotted the only
people at the convention who put on make up (three girls, but no
Ace!). At  3pm  Eric Singer started his clinic so we went back in
to check it out. He bashed along to a bunch of different Kiss
tunes and then came out and answered questions and gave away free
stuff. His least favorite tune to play is "Rock and Roll All
 Nite ," and he praised Bruce as a very solid rhythm player. After
about 45 minutes Bruce took to the stage and played " Zeptune ." He
also mentioned that "Rock and Roll All  Nite " is his least
favorite to play! I think the questions asked of both he and Eric
were much more interesting than the questions posed at the band
Q&A, although no amazing tidbits of information were revealed,
sorry!

Once the clinics ended at  4:30pm , we went back to get a closer
look at all the museum stuff. My first time through I had only
filmed them, so now I could get a good look. I became a little
disappointed when I realized that about 75% of the memorabilia
there was also pictured in the program. I know that it's cool to
see stuff up close, but I figured there was going to be a lot
more from their personal collections. I certainly enjoyed
everything, but it only took about 45 minutes to thoroughly look
at it all. One thing I really like were some of the fan drawn
artwork and the drawings of the cartoon characters, The
 Rockheads , Eric Carr was working on before his death.

The Q&A started promptly at  6pm  and after everybody had been
sitting patiently on the floor, people decided that they needed
to stand to watch KISS sit on stools and answer questions. After
about a half-hour the band convinced everyone to sit down and
things became much more enjoyable. The questions that most people
asked were usually prefaced with some form of "You guys are the
greatest, etc.," and more often than not, the people didn't have
a question, they just wanted to get up and say how great the band
are! While I understand their enthusiasm, it made the Q& A a
little boring for the rest of us. One funny thing was when
someone asked about how many children they all have. Gene said
"two that I know of," someone in the audience yelled "liar" and
Gene just sat there with a big smirk on his face. The usual
reunion, when's the new album/tour, box set questions were asked
and given the same stock answers you've probably heard/read a
million times. Bruce and Eric got basically no questions asked
directly to them and when someone asked Bruce to scoot forward he
made some remark that he would if "someone asked him a  fucking
question!"

The unplugged session was great, however, they shouldn't have
made it sound as though it's anything-goes, all audience
requests, because it clearly was nothing of the sort. People
constantly shouted songs and were totally ignored, and when
someone yelled for "Deuce" Gene even said, "We can't play 'Deuce'
acoustically." Why not, I thought that was the whole spirit of
this show? It's not as though they don't know it! Once I got over
the fact that it wasn't an all-request show (by any stretch of
the imagination), I really enjoyed it. There were a few glitches
-- Mr. Speed and  Shandi  were tried, and then dropped -- but
overall the performance was great by all of the members. They
tried doing a country version of "God of Thunder" with Paul doing
one verse, Gene part of another and Bruce pulling off a
note-perfect countrified solo! It was hilarious!

They played a total of 26 songs including:
Coming Home
Mr. Speed
Plaster Caster
Do You Love Me
Domino
Got to Choose
World Without Heroes
 C'mon  and Love Me
Nothing to Lose (Eric vocals)
I Want You
Going Blind
Take Me
See You Tonight
Hard Luck Woman (Paul vocals)
Black Diamond (Eric vocals)
I Still Love You
Rock Bottom
Forever
 Shandi
Goodbye
I Love it Loud
Calling Dr. Love
God of Thunder
Hotter Than Hell
Christine Sixteen
Detroit Rock City (which they claimed they had *never* done
acoustically, but actually had on Howard Stern's radio show).

After the Unplugged session the band stayed on stage and let the
crowd mob the stage for autographs. This was a really awful
method, as a handful of strong, pushy individuals would stand in
one place and get all their stuff signed while the rest of us got
shoved around. It was bedlam, to say the least. I got Paul and
Gene to sign their solo albums and Bruce to sign "Alive III" for
me, and after that (took at least 45 minutes of getting shoved
around in a mob), I had no energy left to fight for Eric's
signature. He and Bruce didn't seem to be as into it, and also
weren't getting the same attention as Gene and Paul. I'm glad I
was persistent and got their autographs, but this was a bad way
of doing it. At least in SF, where they had a table set up and
people could only get one signature per person, you could have
said something to them and actually met them. This was a fight to
get a signature,  nevermind  actually saying something to them,
because they had fifty different things being shoved in their
faces to sign. After about an hour and 15 minutes the band left
and the stage was set up for the "tribute" band Gene's Addiction.

Having the tribute band on after KISS had left the convention was
a bad idea. The poor guys went on at 10:30 (all dressed as Gene
and wearing nuns habits) and played to a very small crowd. I have
to say, though I felt sorry for them going on when they did, they
were a poor choice for a tribute band. I think what most fans,
myself included, wanted was a band that emulated KISS, with
costumes, pyro, stage moves, etc. Instead we got four Genes in
habits! And the drummer didn't even have THAT on, just a t-shirt
and shorts! Well, I was pretty tired and burned out, so I filmed
one song and left so that a disappointing tribute band couldn't
tarnish the rest of my great day. I definitely left with a smile
on my face and, despite my small gripes, had an experience I'll
not soon forget!


***KISSbit: Portions of " Strutter " and "Rock and Roll All  Nite "
were used as bumper on the Howard Stern show recently.***


***REVIEW: DRESSED TO KILL ("KISS Fans Salute KISS")***
by R. Scott Bolton

Most of you have heard - and probably own - the official KISS
tribute album, "KISS My Ass" and some of you have probably heard,
"Hard to Believe," featuring none other than Nirvana, the  Melvins
and others doing KISS covers.  But how many of you have heard
"Dressed to Kill," the latest in the seemingly  neverending  line
of KISS tribute CDS?

I picked up a copy of "Dressed to Kill" at the Burbank Convention
and following is my review of the CD track by track:

#1 - "King of the Nighttime World" as performed by  RAZAMANAZ
(featuring Michael Kelly Smith, formerly of  BRITNY  FOX and
CINDERELLA) - Pretty much a note-for-note re-recording of the
song from "Destroyer" save for the lead vocalist's voice here
being much weaker than Paul Stanley's.

#2 - "I Was Made For  Lovin ' You" as performed by GOOD GIRLS
DON'T, the all-girl band from New Jersey - Another note-by-note
re-recording featuring a very sexy-sounding female voice instead
of Mr. Stanley's.  A slick, sexy cut.

#3 - "Sure Know Something" as performed by BOBBY  BANDIERA ,
guitarist of  SOUTHSIDE  JOHNNY & THE DUKES - A smooth, jazzy re-
recording of a underrated KISS classic.  Very cool.

#4 - "I Want You" as performed by ADRIAN  DODZ , East Coast Hard
Rockers - Another re-recording that depends too much on the
original recording.  Not bad, but nothing special.  Some
interesting guitar fill.

#5 - "God of Thunder" as performed by FUEL, New Jersey's latest
alternative rockers - FUEL gives a little more drive to the
classic KISS song, making it seem to move a little faster without
actually going faster.

#6 - "Breakout" - as performed by GLEN EVANS, drummer of NUCLEAR
ASSAULT - Another note-for-note recording with decidedly lesser
vocals.  Evans played all instruments on this cut.

#7 - "Love Gun" - as performed by  FLIPP  of Minneapolis - If you
hated what Toad & The Wet Sprocket did to "Rock and Roll All
 Nite ," just skip this track.   FLIPP  has made "Love Gun" a
country-flavored ballad with acoustic chord  strummings  and twangy
vocals.  I liked it, but...

#8 - "Hotter Than Hell" - as performed by KISS tribute band
HOTTER THAN HELL - Doesn't sound as much like KISS as you might
imagine but features some chunky guitar sounds.

#9 - "Parasite" - as performed by ENDANGERED SPECIES featuring
Scott  Metaxas  of PROPHET and David  DiPietro  of  T.T.  QUICK -
Another pointless re-recording that offers none of the players'
original input.

#10 - "Beth" as recorded by  FIENDZ , new Jersey  punkers  - An
entertaining little pop-punk rendition of the Peter Criss
classic.  Poppy, punchy and fresh.

#11 - "Rocket Ride" as performed by New Jersey progressive
rockers  RELAYER  - Note for note music recreation, lousy vocals.

#12 - "Rip It Out" as performed by HAPHAZARD - Straight forward
recording of Ace's solo hit with a decidedly different set of
vocals.

Is DRESSED TO KILL worth your money?  If you're a KISS fan who
likes covers, perhaps.  Otherwise, stick with  KMA .


***KISSbit: Ace Frehley will be inducted into the Rock Walk Hall
of Fame on July 25th at 1:00PM.  Ace's handprints will take their
place beside his former bandmembers Gene and Paul (Bruce, too).
A special plaque will be awarded for late KISS drummer, Eric
Carr.***


***ACE FREHLEY AND PETER CRISS JOIN FORCES ON TOUR***
by R. Scott Bolton

The other half of the original KISS, Ace Frehley and Peter Criss,
are heading out on the road together.  Naming this tour the "Bad
Boys are Back Again...for the First Time in 10 Years," Ace &
Peter will tour together for a series of dates beginning July 6,
1995.

Ace says, "We just felt like being on the road together.  So we
figured, let's just take our bands out on the same package and
fuck what people think or say."  Peter adds: "We both still talk
to Gene and Paul, but not about reunions."

Ace's band consists of Richie Scarlett on guitar and vocals,
Steve Werner on drums and Karl Cochran on bass.  Peter's band,
CRISS, is Mark Montague on bass, Mike "Angel" McLaughlin on
guitar and Jason Ebs on vocals.

Though no set format has been scheduled for each evening's
performance, it seems likely that CRISS will open the show, ACE
will follow and then the two will do a brief set together.

Following are the FREHLEY/CRISS tour dates (as of June 29, 1995):

July 6, 1995 - Montreal - Metropolis
July 7, 1995 - Ottawa - Barrymore's
July 8, 1995 - Toronto - RPM
July 9, 1995 - Windsor - California Roadhouse
July 13, 1995 - Edmonton - T-Rex
July 16, 1995 - Edmonton - T-Rex
July 17, 1995 - Edmonton - Thunderdome
July 19, 1995 - Saskatoon - Ryly's
July 20, 1995 - Calgary - Back Alley
July 22, 1995 - Vancouver - Commodore Ballroom
July 23, 1995 - Seattle - Off Ramp
July 26, 1995 - West Hollywood - House of Blues
July 27, 1995 - Ventura - Ventura Theatre
July 28, 1995 - Sanata Ana - Galaxy Theatre
July 29, 1995 - San Diego - Coach House


***KISSbit: The winner of the KMA video contest was treated to a
dinner with the entire band at Dan Aykroyd's House of Blues in
West Hollywood.  Don't feel bad - it wasn't me either.***


***KISS WEDDING IN LAS VEGAS***
by R. Scott Bolton (reprinted from Rough Edge Online)

Weddings are supposed to be celebrations of love, a once-in-a-
lifetime ceremony treated with the ultimate respect and honor.

So what the heck is a KISS wedding?

We decided to find out for ourselves, heading out to Las Vegas
for the June 24 KISS Convention at the Sahara Hotel.  There,
Natalie (Tash) Kowalewich and Rik Fedyck would bond to become
known as "The Fedycks."  The couple were to be married during the
convention, with the veteran rock band taking part in the
nuptials.

We met Rik and Tash at their room where we were introduced to
Tash's mom and aunt and Rik's best friend.  Everyone was very
nice - something that seems to be a standard for KISS fans (this
proven by the generally polite and tolerant behavior at the
recent KISS conventions).  In fact, it wasn't long before we were
all chatting like friends - this despite the fact that we'd only
communicated via email prior.  Before long, however, it was time
for the big plunge.

The wedding party journeyed downstairs to the Convention hall.
There, we were guided backstage where we chatted with COLD GIN
guitarist Tommy Thayer (in everyday garb) and COLD GIN bassist
Spiro (in full Gene Simmons makeup and costume).

It wasn't long before KISS joined us.  They were all very
pleasant and friendly.  Anybody who doubts the band's claim that
they're no longer rocking for the money - but for the fun of it -
need only spend a few minutes with these guys.  Gene greeted
everyone, then posed for photos with Spiro and a female fan
sporting Gene's makeup.  Paul kept offering advice to Rik and
Natalie, telling Natalie at one point, "From here on in, it's all
up to you..."  Bruce, towering over everyone else (he's so damned
tall!), proved to be somewhat shy after all, briefly chatting
with everyone and then sort of hanging in the background.  Eric
was somewhat more active, grabbing a Diet Coke and making jokes.
At one point, Tommy, trying desperately to get things organized,
explained to Gene that he would follow the rest of the party but,
until then, he was to stay backstage with the bride.  Gene smiled
lasciviously, much to the everyone's delight.

After the band had signed the guest book and assorted
memorabilia, the first strains of "Every Time I Look At You,"
from "Revenge," were heard from the convention hall.  Lining up,
Paul (as best man) and Rik began walking out on stage, followed
by the wedding party (relatives, friends, photographers and a
certain online rock'n'roll journalist), followed by the bride and
Gene (who was giving her away).

The Convention crowd, well over 400 of them, went nuts at the
sight of Gene and the Tash.  However, once the minister began his
spiel, the audience fell quiet.

What followed was a genuinely touching and fully respectful
wedding.  Gene didn't wag his tongue during the nuptials, Eric
didn't make any jokes.  Paul stood, hands clasped, a pleased
smile on his face throughout.  Bruce stood near Eric, watching
silently - as did the audience.

Rik and Natalie became "the Fedycks."

As the minister announced, "I now pronounce you husband and
wife," the convention audience let out a glorious cheer and the
wedding party took their bows and left the stage.  The band
stayed on to begin their Q&A.

So what exactly is a KISS wedding?  It's just like any other
wedding.  A celebration of love and a once-in-a-lifetime ceremony
treated with the ultimate respect and honor.  It's an all-out
party you throw with your friends.  In this case, however, "your
friends" just also happened to include Gene Simmons, Paul
Stanley, Bruce Kulick and Eric Singer...

Special thanks and congratulations to Rik & Natalie Fedyck.  It
was a wonderful weekend, guys - thanks for the invite!


***SNIDER ON KISS***
by Steve Snider

First, I would like to personally welcome you (back) to the
second edition of Digital KISS. I think this newsletter is going
to be very big, and with your help, it will be.  When R. Scott
Bolton approached me concerning Digital KISS, I, of course, was
thrilled to death, I will be more than happy to write about one
of the best rock bands of all time.

Each issue I will be choosing a KISS release to view
introspectively.  I value your comments,  suggestions, and please
feel free to e-mail me at [e-mail].  And, if you think
I'm full of shit, tell me...I may or may not ignore you...

The year is 1975.  Archie Bunker is delivering his brand of
Americana weekly with the hit show "All in the Family." Steven
 Spielberg 's film "Jaws" sets new box-office records. Hawkeye, BJ,
Colonel Potter and the gang poke fun at the Korean war, but with
a serious twist.  Bruce  Springsteen  just released "Born to Run"
and a football player named  OJ  Simpson ran for an unprecedented
23 touchdowns and rushed for 200 yards 6 times that season.

1975 was also the year a relatively unknown band named KISS
released "KISS Alive" and an impressionable lad of 13 years old
was introduced to rock music that will forever alter his life and
that of the rock world for ever.  That lad was me (of course).  I
listened to that album until it was ruined and instantly went out
for another copy (much to the chagrin of my mother).  KISS: Paul
Stanley, Gene Simmons, Peter Criss and Ace Frehley, the
flamboyant four, electrified the music industry with their wild
makeup, explosive (literally) stage show and down to earth kick
ass rock and roll.  They achieved moderate success with their
first three releases "KISS," "Hotter Than Hell," and "Dressed to
Kill," but hadn't made that much of an impression.

Then came "KISS Alive," at Cobo Hall, Detroit Michigan.   The
album is a masterpiece of live music recording, even by today's
standards.  The band is tight and totally in sync, proving to the
whole world that they are a band to be reckoned with.  I on the
other hand, took a simpler approach.  I thought they were
different, loud, rude, mad at authority and I genuinely liked
their music.  My parents on the other hand, thought they were
Satanic and when they heard the rumor that KISS meant Knights In
Satan's Service, they hit the roof.  Being good Baptists they
forbade me to listen to them, which strengthened my resolve to
listen to KISS even more.

The music is simple, straightforward rock and roll, a signature
sound that is as evident in 1975 as it is with their latest
studio release "Revenge".  The lineup has changed over the years,
and KISS' popularity has waned, but there is no denying that, in
1975, Gene, Paul, Ace, and Peter, were at the top of their
musical form, with a tightness that comes from familiarity, good
song writing, chemistry and a genuine love of performing.  "KISS
Alive" is rated as being in the top five best live albums ever
recorded, and with good reason.   I listen to "KISS Alive" about
every few weeks and each time I do, I am amazed at the good
solid, loud, crude and rude rock and roll.

That is all for now KISS fans, until next time.....Rock On!!

SPECIAL THANKS THIS ISSUE TO ADEM   TEPEDELEN FOR HIS REPORT ON THE
SEATTLE CON AND TO RIK AND NATALIE (TASH) FEDYCK FOR ALLOWING US
THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENJOY THEIR KISS WEDDING.  CONGRATULATIONS,
GUYS!

DIGITAL KISS STAFF
R. Scott Bolton, Editor-In-Cheif
Chris Stompanato, Co-Editor

WRITE TO US AT DIGITAL KISS!
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or via telephone at [phone].

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address above.  Make checks out to R. Scott Bolton.

Please send us your news, your notes, your stories, your photo,
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