09/15/2012
GENE TALKS KISS, FANS, AND #1 ALBUMS
By Chris Alexander
Photo by Ash Newell
For almost four decades, the iconic circus collectively known as KISS has been thrilling the masses, with their trend-defining, still wildly absurd amalgam of muscular, no-nonsense rock music and dark fantasy theatrics. Now, after an up-and-down history that saw their legacy rise, fall and rise once more, KISS are not only deeply ingrained in the collective popculture fabric, but they are at the top of their creative game.
Their latest album -- the 20th studio album, in fact -- is called, appropriately, "Monster," and while not due in stores until mid-October, the band hit the road this summer, demolishing stages across the U.S. and Canada with fellow hard-rockers Motley Crue. "The Tour," as it's boldly calling itself, condenses both bands' performances into two 90-minute sets, but, as KISS co-founder and media gadfly Gene Simmons insists, KISS won't be skimping on any of their patented blood, bombs and pyro.
"KISS has a philosophy few other bands have," says Simmons, who is 62 and still swinging from wires and vomiting gore.
"And that's to give the fans bang for their bucks. Not just our show, but making sure anyone on the bill with us is worthy of being on hallowed ground, the Electric Church, the KISS stage. For us, the power and the bombast and, yes, the roar of the crowd and the smell of the greasepaint is what it's all about."
What KISS are also all about is the way the band has transcended the fate of many of their classic-rock ilk who are content to tour the hits and pander to the generation that first found them. Instead, a typical KISS audience contains a cross section of fans of every age, with KISS Army lifers sharing space with kids, their faces painted to honor their larger-than-life heroes.
"The KISS Army is a living, breathing thing," says Simmons, who has never been known for a lack of confidence.By Chris Alexander
For almost four decades, the iconic circus collectively known as KISS has been thrilling the masses, with their trend-defining, still wildly absurd amalgam of muscular, no-nonsense rock music and dark fantasy theatrics. Now, after an up-and-down history that saw their legacy rise, fall and rise once more, KISS are not only deeply ingrained in the collective popculture fabric, but they are at the top of their creative game.
Their latest album -- the 20th studio album, in fact -- is called, appropriately, "Monster," and while not due in stores until mid-October, the band hit the road this summer, demolishing stages across the U.S. and Canada with fellow hard-rockers Motley Crue. "The Tour," as it's boldly calling itself, condenses both bands' performances into two 90-minute sets, but, as KISS co-founder and media gadfly Gene Simmons insists, KISS won't be skimping on any of their patented blood, bombs and pyro.
"KISS has a philosophy few other bands have," says Simmons, who is 62 and still swinging from wires and vomiting gore.
"And that's to give the fans bang for their bucks. Not just our show, but making sure anyone on the bill with us is worthy of being on hallowed ground, the Electric Church, the KISS stage. For us, the power and the bombast and, yes, the roar of the crowd and the smell of the greasepaint is what it's all about."
What KISS are also all about is the way the band has transcended the fate of many of their classic-rock ilk who are content to tour the hits and pander to the generation that first found them. Instead, a typical KISS audience contains a cross section of fans of every age, with KISS Army lifers sharing space with kids, their faces painted to honor their larger-than-life heroes.
"The KISS Army is a living, breathing thing," says Simmons, who has never been known for a lack of confidence.
Combine that with international omnipresence, sold-out stadiums and an anticipated new album, and Simmons has every right to brag.
"We have every intention of making 'Monster' a No. 1 album," Simmons states matter-of-factly. "If you're a world champion, and if you have the heart of a lion, you will stay in the ring. If not, pack up and go home."
Shout it out loud
Simmons says he always enjoys the way KISS fans get in the spirit for concerts.
"You can't put your finger on it. Through the decades, the fans have always showed up wearing our makeup, some of them tattooed with our faces all over their bodies, and now, with children in tow, who are named after our songs. And when we do the KISS KRUISE in Halloween in the Bahamas, it's a gathering of the tribes."
Yes, you heard that right, a real-deal KISS KRUISE, one of thousands of branded events and products that bear the band's seal of grandiose approval.
KISS
with Motley Crue
Sunday, 7 p.m.
Comcast Center
Main St., Mansfield
Photo by Ash Newell
For almost four decades, the iconic circus collectively known as KISS has been thrilling the masses, with their trend-defining, still wildly absurd amalgam of muscular, no-nonsense rock music and dark fantasy theatrics. Now, after an up-and-down history that saw their legacy rise, fall and rise once more, KISS are not only deeply ingrained in the collective popculture fabric, but they are at the top of their creative game.
Their latest album -- the 20th studio album, in fact -- is called, appropriately, "Monster," and while not due in stores until mid-October, the band hit the road this summer, demolishing stages across the U.S. and Canada with fellow hard-rockers Motley Crue. "The Tour," as it's boldly calling itself, condenses both bands' performances into two 90-minute sets, but, as KISS co-founder and media gadfly Gene Simmons insists, KISS won't be skimping on any of their patented blood, bombs and pyro.
"KISS has a philosophy few other bands have," says Simmons, who is 62 and still swinging from wires and vomiting gore.
"And that's to give the fans bang for their bucks. Not just our show, but making sure anyone on the bill with us is worthy of being on hallowed ground, the Electric Church, the KISS stage. For us, the power and the bombast and, yes, the roar of the crowd and the smell of the greasepaint is what it's all about."
What KISS are also all about is the way the band has transcended the fate of many of their classic-rock ilk who are content to tour the hits and pander to the generation that first found them. Instead, a typical KISS audience contains a cross section of fans of every age, with KISS Army lifers sharing space with kids, their faces painted to honor their larger-than-life heroes.
"The KISS Army is a living, breathing thing," says Simmons, who has never been known for a lack of confidence.By Chris Alexander
For almost four decades, the iconic circus collectively known as KISS has been thrilling the masses, with their trend-defining, still wildly absurd amalgam of muscular, no-nonsense rock music and dark fantasy theatrics. Now, after an up-and-down history that saw their legacy rise, fall and rise once more, KISS are not only deeply ingrained in the collective popculture fabric, but they are at the top of their creative game.
Their latest album -- the 20th studio album, in fact -- is called, appropriately, "Monster," and while not due in stores until mid-October, the band hit the road this summer, demolishing stages across the U.S. and Canada with fellow hard-rockers Motley Crue. "The Tour," as it's boldly calling itself, condenses both bands' performances into two 90-minute sets, but, as KISS co-founder and media gadfly Gene Simmons insists, KISS won't be skimping on any of their patented blood, bombs and pyro.
"KISS has a philosophy few other bands have," says Simmons, who is 62 and still swinging from wires and vomiting gore.
"And that's to give the fans bang for their bucks. Not just our show, but making sure anyone on the bill with us is worthy of being on hallowed ground, the Electric Church, the KISS stage. For us, the power and the bombast and, yes, the roar of the crowd and the smell of the greasepaint is what it's all about."
What KISS are also all about is the way the band has transcended the fate of many of their classic-rock ilk who are content to tour the hits and pander to the generation that first found them. Instead, a typical KISS audience contains a cross section of fans of every age, with KISS Army lifers sharing space with kids, their faces painted to honor their larger-than-life heroes.
"The KISS Army is a living, breathing thing," says Simmons, who has never been known for a lack of confidence.
Combine that with international omnipresence, sold-out stadiums and an anticipated new album, and Simmons has every right to brag.
"We have every intention of making 'Monster' a No. 1 album," Simmons states matter-of-factly. "If you're a world champion, and if you have the heart of a lion, you will stay in the ring. If not, pack up and go home."
Shout it out loud
Simmons says he always enjoys the way KISS fans get in the spirit for concerts.
"You can't put your finger on it. Through the decades, the fans have always showed up wearing our makeup, some of them tattooed with our faces all over their bodies, and now, with children in tow, who are named after our songs. And when we do the KISS KRUISE in Halloween in the Bahamas, it's a gathering of the tribes."
Yes, you heard that right, a real-deal KISS KRUISE, one of thousands of branded events and products that bear the band's seal of grandiose approval.
KISS
with Motley Crue
Sunday, 7 p.m.
Comcast Center
Main St., Mansfield
