KISS ARMY NEWS: Paul and Peter....Going for a latte together? And what it mean if they did it again.

I just re-read Paul's book, and was once again struck by the story of Paul and Peter, just going to Starbucks together one day.......just CAUSE!

It's so sad to hear about Paul and Peter getting along, having dinner together, Peter flying to Toronto just to see Paul in "Phantom" than seeing them fall apart again, It's almost surreal to think of Paul and Peter just going to Starbucks together to grab a coffee.

I'm sure Peter made the mistakes Paul accuses him of but I think Paul made a few of his own that he forgets to mention.

 That's my issue with this book, it is so far and above all the other books in every way, that the first instinct is to take it as gospel. Because Paul put in the effort to write a detailed thoughtful introspective and at times even courageous book, it exposes Gene and Ace's books as "fluff" and Peters as lacking in insight,

 But never forget: THIS IS PAUL'S BOOK. He is the hero of his own narrative and the winner of his lifelong love/hate battle for the spotlight with Gene, what he neglects to mention is his REAL mistakes, how much of what he writes is born from envy of Gene's "natural" star power, 

Paul came off as trying too hard many times (as Peter mentions in his book) Gene never needed to try, he oozed star power and would dominate any room he walked into, leaving Paul seething with jealousy. To his credit, I think Gene was largely oblivious to this, it never occurred to him that Paul would resent him for commanding so much attention.

 That's only the tip of the iceberg, Paul has musically handicapped this band for decades, trying to turn it into an 80's metal band, a late 80's hair band and finally a smeared replica of what he believes the original KISS was all about sonically speaking. 

The problem is, like many painters, he's INSIDE THE PAINTING when he looks he sees what he wishes was there, not what actually WAS or IS there. He has a very skewered understanding of what makes great KISS  music. This myopic vision is revealed in his repeated slagging of records and musical aspects of the band that their fans LOVE.

For example, his trashing of the production and overall sound of records like DRESSED TO KILL, ROCK N' ROLL OVER, UNMASKED, even the first record, who's trashy New York Dolls/Rolling Stones/ Slade inspired Glitter rock is beloved by millions and regarded as the TRUE sound of KISS shows that though he may have been a big part of creating it, he doesn't truly UNDERSTAND IT. 

Quotes like: "we weren't that Rock n'' Rolly" when describing the first record leaves the average KISS fan scratching their head. Yes, Paul, YOU WERE that Rock n' Rolly.  And THAT is what people want to hear from a KISS record.

We get it, you love Led Zepplin, but Paul's 40-year quest to try and make KISS SOUND like Zep is a tiresome refrain for most KISS fans to hear about. 

Would Paul be surprised to learn the average KISS fan generally DOESN'T LIKE  Zepplin? The average KISS fan didn't want a Bonham sound-alike drummer in the band? That they regard Peter's unorthodox, big-band-inspired "Ahead of the beat" drumming to be a crucial component of KISS's sound?

It's on these and many other more personal issues, I'll leave alone for now, that Paul is incapable of clear vision,

 Unfortunately, in these final days, he has grabbed a stranglehold of all things KISS and controls the band with Machiavellian tyranny. 

It was Paul who told the great record producer Bruce Fairburn that he didn't know how to do his job, took over and gave us the unfocused mishmash of Psycho Circus.

 Paul alone cannot tell the story of KISS or write effective new chapters in its history, let's hope he realizes it before it's too late.

KISS ARMY NEWS: It's official! Creatures of the night IS NOT a KISS RECORD!

Well, okay, the members of KISS recorded it so I suppose it is technically a KISS record, but, Creatures of the NIGHT is without a doubt THE MOST OVERRATED KISS RECORD EVER!!! 

Why? Because it's a record for people WHO NEVER LIKED KISS TO BEGIN WITH!

 Seriously, how many mulleted metalheads have you heard saying that everything KISS has ever done sucks except for Creatures, Alive and Revenge? 

Got news for you primates, this is THE ONLY KISS RECORD that sounds like this, that means there are how many other? 25 other records that sound NOTHING like this.

This record is the real disingenuous stab at pandering to the public that Unmasked and Dynasty get a bad rep for, but those records honest, you see, KISS was never a Heavy Metal band, not until this record, Paul Stanley actually LOVES disco, that's why he wrote "I was made for loving you" Have you ever heard Gene sound more natural (Not using the stupid Cookie Moster voice) than on the Disco-Dance-Rock strut of "Charisma"?

 THAT is what KISS actual WANTED to sound like, unfortunately back in  1980, popularity cycles and the habits of younger preteen demographics were largely un-studied, thus when KISS hit the inevitable downturn of their first popularity wave, they panicked and blamed it on the music. Which is really odd considering the facts. 

What facts are those? Glad you asked, Dynasty is the #2 selling KISS studio record (4x platinum) second only to Destroyer (Estimated 6x platinum) and what is the WORST selling KISS record? Hmmm...care to guess? No, It's not The Elder, which actually stands at 482,000 at last count and is (Believe it or not) within striking distance of going GOLD in 2018.....nope, it's CREATURES OF THE NIGHT!! This record didn't sell JACK S**T when it was released....re-released in 1985 with a non-make-up cover, or at any other subsequent time it was shoved down our throats as a great KISS record, hey I'll admit it's a good early 80's Heavy-Metal record, BUT IT'S NOT A GREAT KISS RECORD, Because KISS doesn't sound like this....this is like the same band who apeared years later to record Carnival Of Souls (I didn't include that in worst sellers because I refuse to call it a KISS record)

 KISS was a great Proto-Punk style New York Rock n' Roll band, not some headbanging B**L S**T (To quote the bass player from Spinal Tap) 

You want Metal? Enjoy! But if you want KISS you're going to have to look elsewhere.....by the way....if this record is so great, why didn't any of you meatheads buy it? 

I know I bought my copies of Destroyer, Dynasty, Unmasked, The Elder and Killers (I'm a legend tonight!!!) Hell, I even bought Creatures....more than once, but all you missing links didn't...

..too busy learning how to use the wheel I guess.

KISS ARMY NEWS: Looking back on Alive 2's "Anyway You Want it"

Just listened to "Anyway you want it" from Alive two, and as I wipe tears from my eyes, a few thought spring to mind about the band we all love, (But most seem to hate?)

God, I wish KISS did more of these.

When you hear them playing as a New York proto-punk, rock n' roll band (Chuck Klosterman once wrote: "If KISS had broken up after their first record, they and it would be remembered as a seminal proto-punk masterpiece) which they originally were it sounds so NATURAL.

They weren't far off from the Ramones only difference is they had lead guitar and more straight rock, Rolling Stones songs with some Zepplin inspired riffs thrown in.

And as if to make that point before he died, on the final Ramones tribute record put together by Jonny Ramone just prior to his death, he personally asked KISS to do "Do you remember Rock N' roll Radio?"

 They absolutely STOLE THE SHOW with a devastating rendition that Johhny Ramone called "By far the best song on the record"

KISS chased success in the 80's by trying to pass themselves off as a heavy metal band, which they never were, further to that, they were a pretty f**king awful heavy metal band. But this track was from before a time when KISS wasn't worried about their every next step, from a time when they could just be and sound like themselves.

This is the sound of KISS at it's best, playing simple catchy Rock n' Roll, loud and proud, but without any stupid heavy metal, cliches ruining the experience. This track is a treasure, enjoy it for all it's worth, and in the history of KISS, it's worth a LOT

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3T4Y1ApNC3A

KISS ARMY NEWS ALERT: Vinny Vincent returns! And he's brought revisionist history and false nostalgia by the bucketload

Well HOOOOORAY!

Vinny Vincent is back! And for all the hype and praise he's getting one might think V.V was, in fact, Jesus's Rock n' Roll pseudonym when he decided he was the only one who could fill Ace Frehley's shoes' in 1982. Because the hype both prior to and following his appearance at the recently concluded Atlanta KISS Expo was of a sort that only Elvis or Jesus returning should have been able to generate.

But apparently, absence makes the heart grow crazier, and when neither the King or the Messiah showed up, the slight figure of what appeared to be my Mother at first glance, but later revealed it's self to be Vinny Vincent soaked up the hero's welcome instead.

How quickly some forget, and you may be one of them, exactly what it is Vinny Vincent brought to KISS and exactly what they were under his two-year reign of terror,

First let's do a little mud-check: How many of you think Creatures of the night and Lick it up are the best KISS records?

Umm huh, ok, now of those people who put their hands up, how many of you feel the rest of KISS's records are garbage? (Except Anamalyze of course)

Ahhhh, that's what I thought.

See, my first and biggest problem with Vinny are that I am a Rock n' Roll fan. The Sex Pistol, Eddie Cochran, The Ramones, The Rolling Stones, The Misfits, Chuck Berry, Blondie, Jesus and Mary Chain, Primal Scream, NIN, Ministry........and my favorite KISS exemplify the type of music I prefer.

Did you notice that list did not include Accept, Saxon, Armoured Saint, Testament, and even though I like some of their music Judas Priest or Iron Maiden?

That's because I'm not much of a heavy metal fan and never once in my life did I buy a KISS record for my fix of "Heavy Metal" why would I? KISS was never a heavy Metal band...

...until the man of the hour, VV showed up that is and help construct one record that a lot of people who never liked KISS to begin with, think is their best, but in reality, sold fewer copies than The Elder upon release: Creatures of the night

And another record that up until recently has caused all fans to pinch their noses for fear of catching a whiff of a record that we hoped never to hear again save for its title track and the lone, sans make-up Gene 80's gem (Fits like a glove) we didn't want to breathe in the records metallic fumes, let alone LICK IT UP as we were instructed to do, and for years this record, the one record Vinny truly held sway over (He only Co-wrote 3 songs on Creatures, and possibly played on fewer)  sat near the bottom of nearly all "Best to Worst KISS records" lists.

Ah, but let's not forget REVENGE and Vinny 3 co/writes on that record. He certainly helped up the quality of two of the record's singles, and I'll give him credit for that. But he had no influence over the record it's self, other than what material he co/wrote Paul and Gene decided to use (one of his songs was a complete dud, the "What? how much more time do we have to fill on this thing?" classic Heart of Chrome. And might I add that Revenge was a disappointment in terms of sales and was the first KISS record to fail to reach Platinum status since.....well hey! Lookee here! The last one was LICK IT UP!

So what's my point?

My point is, that if you are gushing with nostalgia over Vinny's return, then you probably never liked KISS much to begin with as his influence took them far away from what they did best, and that you would be best served going back to singing along with your cassette copies of the two INVASION records that you've been playing non-stop for the last 20 years.

As for Vinny being some sort of surviving hero who has weathered the storm of the evil KISS empire and lived to tell the tale (as Eddie Trunk would have you believe) I will refer you to the public record court documents of ANY of Vinny's lawsuits against KISS. They are a textbook for frivolous lawsuits that are jamming up the nation's courts and taking time away from legal matters that actually involve justice. And for character references, I'll say talk to ANYONE who has EVER worked with VV,  Nuff' said on that front.

Now I'm all for forgive and forget, I certainly would never be rude to Vinny if I met him, or deny him a second chance to make a first impression, 20 years is a long time and maybe he has changed? I would certainly give him the opportunity to show that if he claimed it.

And hey, who hasn't been spellbound by the Vinny Vincent story over the past decade? I always say: "Micheal Jackson, Axl Rose, and Vinny Vincent are the true three craziest people music has ever produced" and of those three I find Vinny to be by far the most fascinating.

I was so enthralled with the VV story that two years ago I emailed Bruce Kulick and asked him if he would host a "Searching for Vinny Vincent" documentary. Bruce politely declined, and I let it go.

Until last year, when the Swedish film that claimed to have found him, and that he was now a transexual appeared. I quickly re-emailed Bruce for a quick "I TOLD YOU SO" and a last-ditch invite to revive the project as the Swedish film's authenticity was called into question.

Bruce let me know that this was not his style and he was DEFINITELY not interested, to which I said, "Fair enough, I won't bring it up again"

But I'm not going to let fascination with his story get cross-wired with nostalgic historical re-writes where LICK IT UP is the greatest record ever, and Paul and Gene never did anything but abuse poor Vinny.

Paul and Gene gave Vinny the opportunity to become a household name and to ply his craft on a national stage. Without KISS there would have been no invasion records and there would certainly be no interest in his presence at a KISS expo 30 years later. Vinny owes KISS thanks for his being able to make a buck in 2018, or that anyone even knows who he is.

And THAT is my point, we KNOW who he is....

Yet, some seem in critical need of a reminder, so take this as your wake up call. Unless you think frivolous harassment lawsuits, swindling fans with phony guitars and LICK IT UP are just the greatest things this world has to offer...

...let's reserve some of this adulation for Elvis and Jesus if they do decide to make their returns anytime soon......because I may have never heard Jesus play guitar...

...but I'm pretty sure he plays EXACTLY like Ace..

...And would turn your wine to water if you suggested he trade his Les Paul in for a Jackson Flying V with an 80's whammy (jerk-off) bar.

KISS and thier battle against the rock N' Roll Hall of Fame: How Hanoi Rocks (and the New York Dolls) can and SHOULD relate.

Kiss is now a full-fledged member of the Rock N' Roll Hall Of Fame.

Disrespected for many a year, justice has finally been done......sort of.....

As of this writing, The New York Dolls are STILL waiting to be inducted, and another band that checks all the marks ticked by the Dolls and Kiss.....Influential, Legendary, Rabid following that will not die despite time passing and lack of coverage, handed down from generation to generation, treated as a minor religion.....are all qualities shared by the band whose name I will now print....

...HANOI ROCKS...

Now, I could go on and on about why they were one of the greatest bands ever, but chances are you already know that, if you don't, I have the remedy:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4sw1wZDFtc

One night in 1984 in London England at the legendary Marquee club, Hanoi Rocks proves once and for all, they are punching in the heavyweight category, and give one of the greatest performances a Rock N' Roll band has ever given

This one concert is the DEFINITIVE Hanoi Rocks recording which is essential for every music fan. I think you need to have the visual presentation as well, also, it's best to watch it beginning to end, the whole show, after you've watched it once or twice you start to realize "Wait for a second, I think this might be one of the greatest concerts of all time"

The pacing of the show, the ebb and flow of energy based on song selection, building the audience up and down until they finally let the audience on stage to close with "Blitzkrieg Bop" creates a masterpiece musically performance that is unequaled. 

I've seen a lot of music, been to a lot of shows, played a lot, toured areas bigger than Hanoi ever played in, but never saw a band (including my own) equal what Hanoi Rocks managed to pull off that night in 1984, I truly think they might have been the greatest live band of all time. A lot of bands lose something when they take their songs to the stage, Hanoi's songs explode exponentially, they were great to begin with, but once you've FULLY digested this show from 1984 I doubt anyone would argue with me that this band NEEDS to be in the Rock n' Roll Hall of fame.

 You would need to induct the New York Dolls simultaneously as you can't have Hanoi in and the Dolls out, but it could be done as part of a "GLAM-PUNK" themed part of the induction ceremony, 

It's really been a detriment to both bands that they've been associated with the L.A hair metal scene, neither one has much in common with that Van Halen sounding group of bands who paid lip service to, but never NEVER listened to either band.

Unfortunately Axl Rose and Izzy Stradlin ARE real Hanoi fans and were very public about trying to get them some recognition, that's great and I applaud them, but there were 10,000 bands trying to copy them that had no idea of or appreciation for this type of music that started parroting what they said "Oh Hanoi....YEAH, They were a big influence on us," B.S you've never listened to them and wouldn't understand them if you did.

I once heard one of the guitar players from Faster Pussycat on a podcast, he started talking about how Hanoi was a big influence on them, to be fair, their singer Taime Downe IS a big Hanoi fan and DOES get it, but when the host asked the guitar player to recommend a Hanoi record for him to check out the guitar player started stuttering..........uh....uh....well, it wasn't even the music, it was the image. in reality there was some Hanoi influence but that was because the singer wrote the songs, if it were up to this guy, they would have sounded like Van Halen, the Same thing in G N' R if it had been up to Slash (Who played a wank-off Jackson guitar prior to recording appetite) G n' R would have sounded like Van Halen.

 That scene claimed Hanoi's true musical legacy as it's final victim. but the truth remains the truth and you can go into a club in any major city on any night of the week and you will find a band that is one part punk, one part Doo-wop Ramones-style and one part Bowie, both in songs and style. You ask that band who they carrying the musical legacy for and they will tell you without hesitation: We're Glam-Punk, We' re carrying the torch for the New York Dolls and Hanoi Rocks Yes, that's right:

HANOI ROCKS AND THE NEW YORK DOLLS NEED TO BE IN THE ROCK N' ROLL HALL OF FAME.

JERRY NOLAN OF THE NEW YORK DOLLS TAUGHT PETER CRISS OF KISS TO PLAY DRUMS.....AND KICK BEHINDS, IF NESSASARY

 Peter Criss and Jerry Nolan were best friends, their relationship did not end well, but for historical purposes, I think a few blog entries detailing the link between Peter Criss of KISS and Jerry Nolan of the NEW YORK DOLLS should be recorded.

This will be the first in a series of posts detailing all available history on the historic relationship

The link between KISS and the New York Dolls needs no explanation really, the ties are numerous" Jerry Nolan one of rock's great uncredited drummers and perhaps the best pure rock n' roll, ("sorry bud, I don't do Bonham", "Let's try it again, but FASTER") drummer of all time was Peter Criss's best friend growing up, and may in large part be responsible for KISS ever existing. During his early teens, Peter Criss was in a gang, whose activities had become increasingly violent. Jerry Nolan, also a member of the gang, had been caught at home with a ruler sharpened into a prison style shank...

 ...I'll digress for a moment to tell you that Jerry Nolan was not only one of rock's greatest uncredited drummers, he was also one of Rock's greatest uncredited tough guys, Rock history books record some of the very few fights Jerry Nolan found himself in (Verry few because he wasn't a bully, and never went looking for trouble, but god help trouble if it found Jerry Nolan) One that springs to mind is of a Mafia guy who had gone to Max's Kansas City to see if he could bag one of those "Punk Chicks" he'd been reading about. While there, Jerry Nolan accidentally bumped into him and spilled his drink. The "Man Code" in these situations is implicit:  "Always to ask the guy what he was drinking and get him another drink" This is non-negotiable, Jerry being a man did just that. But there is another part of the "Man code" which needs to be followed by he who has his drink spilled: SHUT UP AND SAY "THANKS" NO TALKING SMACK. Which is what the Guido in question began to do "Ya stoopid mudda fugga, I owughta...."

The Mafia guy thought he was: 

1. A tough guy 

2. Above the "MAN CODE"

The Mafia guy was very VERY WRONG (One might say he was JERY WRONG....uhh..meh)

The moment was described by those present as the transformation of a little Irish drummer into Mike Tyson.

LEFT!....(Knock out)...RIGHT! (on his way to the floor) LEFT! (just to wake him up before he hit the ground so he wouldn't hit his head)

Jerry Nolan lit up the Mafia guy like a pyromaniac in a match factory.

Jerry told the shocked waitress to give the guy his drink once he was conscious, Jerry was an Irishman's Irishman and didn't break the MAN CODE for NOBODY.

But the fun wasn't over, knowing word would get around that he had been beaten easily by one of those "Pinko Punk's" the now conscious Guido, probably saw his future in the Mafia flash before his eyes. Knowing a frontal MAN CODE APPROVED assault would just have him back doing ceiling inspection for free. Guido (as he shall now be affectionately known) completely tossed the MAN CODE out the window, (One wonders at this point how impressed the Mafia would actually be by a non-MAN CODE APPROVED attack, but for that info, you'll have to ask them yourself) Once Regaining consciousness, found himself an empty beer bottle, according to witnesses he had to break several before he had one shaped into the weapon he planned to use on our Irish hero,

Jerry was off drinking in another part of the room when Guido snuck up on him. Guido might not have been tough but by all account, he sure knew how to stab someone, who wasn't looking, in the back.

Jery BLED and BLED, then he bled some more, there was enough blood that there was no doubt an artery had been hit, one witness applied pressure to stop the blood loss while another called an ambulance if this wasn't treated soon Jerry was going to DIE,

Jerry was held up by friends as they waited for the ambulance, and by all accounts was turning blue with blood loss.

When the Ambulance arrived, just before he was taken to the hospital, was when Jerry thought it best to fulfill his MAN CODE duties, and dying or not, those duties were gonna GET DONE.

It was a mistake by Guido to hang around and admire his handy work, BIG MISTAKE...

As the medical workers approached, according to eyewitnesses (I wasn't even born yet) Jerry by the miracle of an Irishman's god, defied medical science and launched himself 20 feet to close the distance between himself and Guido..one might imagine what came next..

No, Left, right, left this time, Just one massive over-hand right-hook that connected with the right side of guido's jaw with a sickening "SPAT" the kind of SPLAT you hear when your Mom is tenderizing meat (Yes, I know....It was My Mom, tenderizing YOUR meat and the Splat was actually....seriously, your brain needs a bath)

One punch knock-out, and full right Jaw-tooth extraction, Jerry Nolan should have been a dentist.

The ambulance workers ended up taking BOTH to the hospital that night.

Guido was never heard from again, sources say the Mob found his actions that night (from the moment he didn't accept the drink and just say "Thank you, no it's all good" EMBARRASSING.

The Mafia doesn't like to be embarrassed. Embarrass them and they'll most likely do something about it. Nothing happened to Jerry Nolan, so I'll just let your imagination tell the tale of what happened to Guido.

Peter was always known as the "Tough guy" in the band, so it's clear Peter Criss of KISS learned more than Swing Drumming From The New York Dolls Jerry Nolan.