Here are a few photos taken over the weekend while the crew was packing the KISS gear for shipment to Europe.

The top photo was taken in Fran Stewart's garage -- he's Paul Stanley's guitar tech. Check out this collection of fan art and other cool items he's collected over the years! The bottom photo is the band's costumes being prepared for shipment.

Photos by Fran Stewart and Paul Bassett.

By Chuckmonster

My friend and fellow KISS fan J.S.L went to Vegas a few weeks ago, theoretically for a family getaway, but really just to go play KISS Mini Golf. Nothing could stop him from filing this report with us. Take it away J!

Took my family to Vegas just to play mini golf?

Yup.

But not just any mini golf, KISS mini golf! Located across the street from the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, KISS Mini Golf by Monster is an 18 hole glow in the dark mini golf course and it rocks... literally.

Me and my crew arrived at opening time 10am and were greeted on the red carpet by an enthusiastic employee who asked "Are you ready to rock"? We said yes, because we were.

When you first walk in you are instantly transported to the land of KISS, which for me was like returning to my childhood complete with sound track provided by the 'all-KISS-all-the=time-DJ' perched in a custom KISS DJ booth. The place is bursting at the seams with KISS memorabilia, everything for the casual or diehard fan.

Oh and there is also mini golf. The golf game play itself is extremely basic with no moving parts and very little difficulty. That being said... who cares! The DJ keeps things moving with music (some expected but also plenty of obscure tracks) trivia contests and challenges (best golf club air guitar etc) and the vibe is just so rocking that we smiled for 90 minutes straight. The props are amazing including a life size stage with animatronic KISS, a giant Paul Stanley boot and of course the 18th hole Gene Simmons giant face challenge - hit it straight up the tongue for a hole in one!

Legendary rock band will hit Simpsonville this summer as part of its 2013 Monster Tour.

By Hal Millard

Blood, fire, and pyrotechnics will blast the Charter Amphitheatre at Heritage Park in Simpsonville later this summer when the legendary rock band, KISS, brings its 2013 Monster Tour to town, it was announced Friday.

Original members Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, along with long-time members Eric Singer (drums) and Tommy Thayer (guitar/vocals), will hit the stage on August 13 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets go on sale May 3 at 10 a.m. at www.ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster outlets, charge-by-phone at 1-800-745-3000, or at the Charter Amphitheatre ticket office from 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

The concert is in support of the band's 20th studio album, "Monster." The 12-song (plus bonus track), straight-ahead rock 'n' roll album, features collaborations from all four members.

Promoters said the Simpsonville concert will be the only Carolinas' date for the band which, over the course of its storied career, has racked up 100 million in world-wide album sales.

Ace, we hope you have a wonderful birthday! Enjoy your day!

KISS will bring their 2013 MONSTER World Tour to the Charter Amphitheater in Simpsonville, South Carolina on August 13th.

A KISS Army members-only presale will take place on Tuesday, April 30.

Regular general public tickets will go on sale Friday, May 3 at 12pm EST.

Hello Gene,

I wanted to share my bad ass KISS tattoo with you it was about 11 hours of some serious pain but it was worth it. I am a huge fan and as you see I dedicated my skin for life to my favorite band. I grew up on KISS I am 47 years old and last year I finally got to meet all of the members of KISS it was my childhood dream, I am a true fan as you see by my ink. I appreciate everything you do and support your band and want to thank you for being the Hottest Band in The World with out a doubt. I have a room in my home that is all nothing but KISS collectibles and I have some great collectibles. I bought a ticket to meet you in Indy I purchased the best ticket possible. I know Bruce Kulick’s guitar tech Don St. Thomas have known him for 25 years we used to hang out long ago when he played in my buddy's band Simon Bar Sinister Don is a great guy and he will be performing at the Expo Saturday night. I am sending you some photos of my tattoo, my KISS room, and one of me and my sister attempting to dress as KISS back in 1977 when I was around 11 years old we would paint our face and pretend we were putting on a KISS concert.

Thank you for all of the great years of KISS.

Loyal and dedicated KISS fan!

Peace & Love,

Michael Mandarino

LETTERS

Hi Everybody!

This is our version of KISS Symphony on 04.07.2013. This is my KISS Tribute Band call "Love Gun" from Brazil.

Enjoy!
Dú Colferai



LETTERS

KISS will bring their 2013 MONSTER World Tour to the Meadowbrook Amphitheater in Gilford, New Hampshire on August 7th.

A KISS Army members-only presale will take place on Monday, April 29 at 10am EST.

Regular general public tickets will go on sale Friday, May 3 at 12pm EST.

Official KISS Album and Tour Magazine Article

By KELLY MICHAEL STEWART and CHRIS ALEXANDER

After the myriad KISS compilation albums, concert staples and international chart-topping favorites, there still exists a staggering array of material—some of it forgotten, dismissed, undervalued or just plain ignored. And while any list of any kind will always be subjective, we two card-carrying KISS ARMY members have picked our own dream lineup of KISS songs that some may call filler, but we think are absolutely killer…

“Love Theme from KISS” (KISS, 1974): This actually started off as a different song with vocals called “Acrobat,” which was a staple of the band’s early live shows. But when the time came to record it, producers Kenny Kerner and Richie Wise suggested they rework as an instrumental and retitle it. Despite it not being a ballad—or actually a love song—“Love Theme from…” was a popular moniker at the time, and they though they could capitalize on that trend. In the end, they wound up with one of their more unusual songs, which got lost on an iconic debut album filled with KISS favorites.
—K.M.S.

“Comin’ Home” (Hotter Than Hell, 1974): A rarity in the KISS canon, this is one of the few songs co-written by Paul Stanley and Ace Frehley. “Comin’ Home” was also one of the first tunes that wasn’t part of their earlier demo material, and is a testimony to the life on the road they had just started out on.
—K.M.S.

“Goin’ Blind” (Hotter Than Hell, 1974): Gene Simmons wrote “Goin’ Blind” with his friend and former Wicked Lester bandmate Stephen Coronel in 1970, but it first appeared as a KISS track here. The song marked a departure for the band, and was the closest thing to a ballad on KISS album up to that point. Despite being one of the strongest songs on Hotter Than Hell, “Goin’ Blind” never made it into the band’s ’70s live set list, so for many years—until Unplugged—it remained somewhat forgotten.
—K.M.S.

“Strange Ways” (Hotter Than Hell, 1974): Frehley wrote it, Peter Criss sang it and it just might be the best damn song on Hotter Than Hell. The production of that classic platter is muddy and distant, marring some of the material, but that works in the lumbering “Strange Ways’ ” favor. Heavy, dark, with a purring Criss vocal and a blistering one-take solo that stands among Frehley’s best.
—C.A.

That is, if you work at Sixthman!

Here's Sixthman staffer Alex rocking the Starchild facepaint at work yesterday. Sixthman is hard at work with preparations for KISS Kruise III! Alex writes, "Got dressed up for work today..."

What a fun place work must be when you can wear KISS makeup to the office!

KISS IS EVERYWHERE!

Check out the KISS inspired design on the side of a North Carolina furniture store's van!

By Andrew McMains
A classic rock ballad, "Beth" by KISS, that inspired a thought balloon—"Wouldn't it be funny to hear Beth's side of the story?"—is now a short film. The four-and-a-half-minute piece from Bob Winter, executive creative director at Crispin Porter + Bogusky in Miami, centers around a 1970s-era phone call between Beth and an actor portraying Peter Criss, the band's original drummer and co-writer of the song.

Beth is home, cooking meatloaf and wondering when Peter will get home. Peter is in the studio, unable to commit to a time (he keeps repeating a refrain in the song, "What can I do?") and anxious to get back to recording. He and his bandmates are inexplicably dressed in full costume and face paint, despite being nowhere near a concert hall. Ah, but hey, what says KISS more than makeup and platform boots?

Only a limited number of cabins remain for the upcoming KISS Kruise III.

KISS and Sixthman together can’t be stopped. The inaugural KISS Kruise voyage united the KISS Navy to sail across the open seas. The second adventure proved the strength of the KISS Navy once again, who rocked the boat with such intensity that the sea begged for mercy! It’s time to reunite the KISS Navy for The KISS Kruise III, as we navigate towards the shores of adventure!

This kruise is so hot, it’s even Hot in the Shade! KISS Navy owns Halloween, and this year it’s no different. The Norwegian Pearl is set to host the best Hallows’ Eve celebration in the world. We’re sailing from October 28th – November 1st, so grab your face paint, your krazy costumes, your sunscreen and join us on board where we rock n roll all night and party everyday!

KISS NAVY, WE WANT YOU!

Cruise Itinerary (Subject to change)

Monday, October 28, 2013 - Depart Miami, FL (approx 4:00 PM ET)
Tuesday, October 29 - Key West, Florida 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday, October 30 - Day At Sea
Thursday, October 31 - Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday, November 1 - Arrive Miami, FL (approx 8:00 AM ET)

For more details, visit the KISS KRUISE III website at www.thekisskruise.com!

A recent benefit concert featured six tribute/cover bands ranging from KISS to ZEPPELIN, and was hosted by a VAN HALEN band known as VH NATION.

The "TEAM SHANE" benefit was for Shane Harper, who is undergoing treatment for aplastic anemia, a disorder in which the bone marrow greatly decreases or stops production of blood cells.

This video, recorded by Chris Ann Colvin, features Chris Giordano, Scott Fredricks, Andy Watts and Jay Kelly doing the KISS classics "Detroit Rock City" and "Deuce", rockin' for a good cause.

The President of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame finally explains why KISS is not in the Hall!

We spotted the President of The Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame Jann Wenner walking back to his Hotel after the Induction Ceremony last Thursday in LA. So I went up to him and asked him why KISS is not inducted yet.

As you can see his reply says it all!

Thanks,
Russell Dannecker