"Friends, it's Eric McKenna with Major Guitars & Boogie Street Customs. I'm happy to report that we have commissioned, through Washburn's Custom Shop, a small run of Paul Stanley's PS2012 'Starfire' guitar finished in SILVER SPARKLE! That's right - the same finish as Paul's personal Starfire guitar he opened the 2012 KISS shows with!

The first guitars in this short run of Silver Sparkle Starfires has arrived at our offices and they are Drop Dead AMAZING! Stay tuned for more Custom Finished Starfire projects we have in the works throughout 2013 and into 2014.

For more information, get with us at www.BoogieStreet.com & www.Facebook.com/BoogieStreetGuitars . As always, Many Thanks to the KISS Army for all the years of support! See you on the upcoming Monster Tour!"

HOLDEN V8 Supercar driver James Courtney is feeling like a rock'n'roll superstar as the Clipsal 500 roars into town.

In the photos: (Top) Holden V8 Supercars driver James Courtney with his pit crew in full KISS make-up. (Bottom) James being painted up by make-up artist Sam Gehlken as Gene Simmons from KISS. Photos by Calum Robertson.

By Anna Vlach / The Advertiser

In the lead-up to the four-day motorsport carnival, which begins today, the 33-year-old and his pit crew - Grant Milnes, Glen Fisher and Justin Burns - transformed into KISS look-alikes.

Joking that he may have dislocated his tongue, Courtney said he loved playing "the demon", Gene Simmons.

"I felt like a rocker when I had the make-up on," he said.

Courtney was also living out a boyhood fantasy by "becoming" a member of KISS, who will perform at Sunday's after-race concert.

"They are an iconic rock band," he said.

"Dad would have them on in the car when he was driving me to go-kart meetings.

Here's the KISS MONSTER Australian Tour 2013 merchandise line. These items are now available on our KISSONLINE Australian store. (Note: All orders from this link will be shipped from Australia. Some of these items will be carried on the KISSONLINE US store soon.)

Additional items will be available at the concert venues only.

Items pictured:

KISS MONSTER Australian Tour 40th Anniversary Program / KISS Rocks Australia Can Coozie / KISS Silicone Wristband / KISS MONSTER Tour 2013 Lucite Keychain / KISS Logo Hat / KISS Metal Spinner Keychain / KISS MONSTER Australian Poster / KISS MONSTER 2013 Tour Tee / KISS Australian Flag Logo Tour Tee / KISS Skull 'N' Guitars 2013 Tour Tee / KISS Loud and Proud 2013 Tour Tee / KISS Down Under Raglan tee / KISS 'If It's Too Loud' Zip-up Hoodie / KISS Rhinestone Babydoll / KISS Lion Crest Tattoo Ladies Tee

CLICK HERE TO ORDER NOW.

Here are two more clips from KISS Down Under through the years.


"Talk To Me" - fan-filmed clip from Melbourne - 2001




"Sure Know Something" - Melbourne, Australia - 2003

Here are a few more Australian KISS clips. These are from 1995.

Fan-filmed footage - "King of the Night Time World," "Deuce," and "Makin' Love" - Australia - 1995




Australian Channel 10 TV News report - 1995

KISS OPENS AUSTRALIAN MONSTER TOUR THURSDAY IN PERTH!

By Aleisha Orr

Perth rock fans should get their face paint ready because KISS are headed to Perth.

The band will play in Perth along with 80s metal group Motley Crue on Thursday, February 28.

The two bands will perform at the Perth Arena.

The 2013 tour will mark KISS's 40th anniversary.

KISS will perform fan favorites from their treasure-trove of hits along with tracks from their recently released 20th studio album Monster, which debuted at number seven on the ARIA charts.

Irish rockers Thin Lizzy and Brisbane up-and-comers Diva will open the shows on the tour.

As we continue to celebrate 40 years of KISS, this week we'll be focusing on KISS down under in honor of the band's Australian MONSTER Tour, which launches Thursday in Perth.

Check out these cool clips from KISS first visit to Australia in 1980.


KISS Takes Australia TV Footage - 1980




KISS - Countdown - Australian TV - 1980




"Shandi" - Sydney, Australia - 1980

Paul Stanley recently appeared on the popular nationally-syndicated radio program “Nights with Alice Cooper.” Visit the link below to hear part two of the interview.

CLICK HERE to listen to part two of the interview, which starts at the 2:10:40 mark.

It is my honor, and it gives me great pleasure, to inform you The KISS Coffeehouse has been voted "Best Of The Grand Strand" once again in 2012! This now marks 4 consecutive years in a row (2009-2012)! With over 56,000+ total votes cast, by both locals and tourists alike, and over 1,000+ businesses competing for "Best Of" honors, in 68 unique, and special categories, The KISS Coffeehouse was 1 of just 68 overall winners, winning our respective category (Specialty Food & Drink - Best Coffee Shop)! The "Best Of The Grand Strand" competition is an annual competion, sponsored by Myrtle Beach's local NBC affiliate, WMBF News. The "Grand Strand" is a 60+ mile stretch of ocean front/beach along both the North and South Carolina coastlines.

Thanks again "KISS Army" for your votes, and for your continued loyalty and support, of both KISS and The KISS Coffeehouse!

We would not be here without you!

Yours in KISS,

Johnny Rock
Owner, The KISS Coffeehouse
Myrtle Beach, SC
www.KissCoffeehouse.com

By Anthony Morgan

A member of American hard rock outfit Kiss since March 2002, lead guitarist ‘Spaceman’ Tommy Thayer has favoured the use of Les Paul Standards for the most part, the majority of which have been reissues crafted by the Gibson Custom Shop. A 2006 decision would plant the seeds for the January 2013-released Tommy Thayer ‘Spaceman’ Les Paul Standard Outfit, an Epiphone creation limited to a 1,000 replicas.

“In 2006 I decided I wanted to mix it up and have them try something else with a different aesthetic, a different top on it rather than a Sunburst,” Tommy remembers. “I thought doing a silver sparkle top would be great for a Les Paul, and would be great onstage with Kiss obviously. I thought it would look great with the outfits and the stage show we do and everything, and the lighting (laughs). I asked them to make one in the actual Gibson Custom Shop.

“We were doing a show in Las Vegas (Nevada) called VH1 Rock Honors (May 25th), which was a special commemoration to Kiss. I was excited to get the guitar, because I thought ‘Oh great. I’m gonna play this guitar onstage, and debut it on this VH1 Rock Honors show.’ This was in 2006. The silver top guitar from Gibson showed up at the hotel. I was excited to see it because I wanted to play it that night, but I opened it up and said ‘Well, that’s odd. This thing looks really weird, actually.’ I wasn’t happy because they made it with the silver sparkle top, but the sides and the back of the guitar were just mahogany wood like a gold top. It was strange, so I immediately called them up and said ‘You know what we should do? We should make the sides and the back of the neck black. With the silver sparkle top, that would look fantastic.’ I sent it back. They took a couple of weeks, redid it, I got the guitar back, and that was it. It was really what I wanted then.

This awesome Paul Stanley tattoo belongs to Roger Utsola of Norway.

There's only five days left before KISS invades Australia again! The band opens their MONSTER Tour on Thursday in Perth!

KISS MONSTER AUSTRALIAN TOUR 2013:

Feb 28th – Perth - Perth Arena
March 3rd – Adelaide - Clipsal 500 V8 Supercar
March 5th – Melbourne - Etihad Stadium
March 6th – Melbourne - Etihad Stadium
March 9th – Sydney - All Phones Arena
March 10th - Sydney - All Phones Arena
March 12th – Brisbane - Brisbane Entertainment Centre
March 16th – Mackay- Virgin Australia Stadium

For additional information on KISS' Australian MONSTER Tour, visit www.themonstertour.com.

MONSTER TOUR OPENS THURSDAY

It's the news Australian rock fans have been waiting for.

KISS and Mötley Crüe. On the same stage. On the same night.

After 45 shows in the United States, it's now Australia's turn to experience the rock and roll heavyweights – and Thin Lizzy is also along for the ride.

Not only has it been five years since KISS last toured Australia, but 2013 marks their 40th anniversary and what better way to celebrate than to don the makeup and the flamethrowers at Perth Arena.
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Not only will KISS perform their favourite tracks from their treasure-trove of hits, they will also rock audiences with material from their just-released 20th studio album Monster, which debuted at No. 7 on the ARIA chart.

With combined album sales of almost 200 million, KISS and Mötley Crüe have remained true icons of rock and continue their success with attracting a whole new generation of fans.

Tickets to this explosive night of chart-topping rock hits are available from www.themonstertour.com.

KISS: Greatest Hits, Vol. 3 - In stores February 27th

Pull out the cream makeup, ready the powder and lay the eyeliner on thick… because “Psycho Circus” continues in Volume 3 of KISS: The Greatest Hits! Rediscover classics like "Bottle Full Of Wishes," "Forever," "Four Sides To Every Story," and the four-part "Destroyer."

Collects issues #7–13

My teacher, Mr. Magnotti, is a KISS fanatic! Eyewitness news came in and filmed us in Brooklyn, N.Y. (yes, KISS' hometown), and they saw his whole classroom covered in KISS pictures, toys, plush animals, boots and a Paul Stanley flag that we stand and salute everyday while he plays the trumpet fanfare! He is crazy but teaches us every grammar rule by using KISS and Sesame Street. These are his heroes.

We have learned about more than just the 150 KISS concerts he attended. We try to be the best in his class because he will give KISS toys and tickets to the ones who do well. He has given KISS potato head figures, bobble heads of Paul, Eric, Gene and Tommy, singing dolls, KISS ARMY dog tags, glasses, hats, shirts, pez dispensers, CDs, xmas ornaments, drumsticks and comic books.

He showed us the picture he cherishes of the art painting he bought from Paul. He dragged the math teacher to 4 concerts in one week in September, even though we had school, he came in so excited! He shares his love of ENGLISH through KISS. If it were not for you guys, I would be dumb.

Please look at the channel 7 eyewitness news link of his classroom, you will see why we love him. He is a hot drummer for his cover band, all because of Eric, whom he idolizes. The guy is KISS crazy, you may know him from the M cap he wears at all of your concerts.

Enjoy the link! (You can see KISS all over the walls!) http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/local/new_york&id=8998758

Best,
AG