News

Sorry for short notice, but there will be an interview with Dan Bach about his KISS show at 10:10AM today on Phantom FM. http://www.phantom.ie

For those who missed the brilliant 'Dan Bach a KISS' last night on S4C you can watch it again (with subtitles!) here http://www.s4c.co.uk/clic/e_level2.shtml?programme_id=513510638

The show was excellent and followed Dan on his recent trip to Japan to see KISS in the Budokan, something he was wanted to do since becoming a fan. He was lucky enough to also attend the acoustic show and the meet & greet. Plus there is also footage of him meeting several fans in Japan as well as attending a gig by Dressed To Kill!

Dan, you have done us all proud, well done.

Wales Online have posted an article about the forthcoming 'Dan Bach a KISS' show (this Thursday @ 9:30PM GMT Channel S4C):

"A Kiss fan has spent £25,000 on the band’s merchandise and following his favourite band all over the world – and admits his obsession has cost him a few girlfriends.

But devotee Dan Griffiths, who is a dwarf, said the band “who look like freaks” helped him come to terms with who he is.

Having battled with negative feelings about his height, Dan from Aberystwyth credits the American rock band  with giving him confidence during his teens.

Now aged 45, Dan, who has been to 48 of the band’s gigs, and met his heroes on numerous occasions, has a tattoo which covers his entire back with the faces of each band member, and the Kiss logo complete with lightning bolt in the middle.

“I have tried to get their autographs tattooed as well but, even signed with permanent marker, they have never lasted long enough for me to have a tattoo session,” he said."

Read the full article here

You can also see the trailer on YouTube (main show will have English subtitles)
http://youtu.be/1Qa8qo_61b8

Congrats to @BruceKulick who married Lisa Lane yesterday in LA, both Paul, Gene and their partners were present at the ceremony. Bruce & Lisa were engaged over here in the UK last Christmas.

There's a vote running on a local radio station in Poland, KISS are presently at number one with All For The Love Of Rock And Roll. The song has been up and down for the last 16 weeks, if you would like to vote to keep them at the top you can do so here: http://ro.com.pl/lista-przebojow

Cheers,
Wojtek

Dan Griffiths recently returned from an amazing trip to Japan where he attended 2 of the KISS shows and was invited backstage to meet the band. A film crew from S4C followed him on the trip and the resulting programme - Dan Bach a KISS - is to be shown on S4C on Thursday 9th January at 9:30PM. S4C can be viewed on Sky Channel 134 and Freesat 120 (both 104 in Wales).

From S4C: Aberystwyth music fan Dan Griffiths recalls the first time he saw American rock band KISS perform.

"It was on Top of The Pops in May 1979. I thought to myself 'Wow! Who are these guys with the make-up?' I remember mam exclaiming, 'What an earth is this on the TV now!'" says Dan about the buzz of seeing his favourite band first when he was 12 years old. This was the start of a lifetime obsession.

In the S4C programme Dan Bach a KISS on Thursday 9 January, Dan will show us what it's like to be a faithful member of the 'KISS Army' as the band release a new album and embark on a new world tour.

"There is a very fine line between being a fan and a fanatic. A fan enjoys the music, follows the band and goes to their gigs. But a fanatic takes it a little more seriously. I would put myself in the 'Major Fanatic' category," says Dan, revealing a tattoo which covers his entire back with the faces of each band member, and the KISS logo like a lightning bolt in the middle.

"I just love the whole thing - the antics, outfits, make-up, and guitars. The morning after seeing them on Top of The Pops I went out and bought the 12 inch record. I've been faithful to KISS ever since," explains Dan, who has an entire room dedicated to storing his priceless collection of band memorabilia.

In total, Dan estimates he has spent at least £25,000 on merchandise and gigs all over the world - and admits his obsession has caused him to lose a few girlfriends over the years.

But there is a serious note to his relationship with the band. Dan, who is a dwarf, explains. "The first feeling when I saw them on TV was 'Wow! These guys look like freaks. And maybe at the time I thought of myself as a freak. How many dwarves are there in the world - around 1 in 50,000 people? I'm a freak and I'm unique," says Dan who strongly believes that the band has helped him come to terms with who he is.

"When I was a teenager and the kids around me were growing taller, from four foot up to six foot, the same thing wasn't happening to me," says Dan who works at the National Screen and Sound Archive of Wales. "But through KISS, and with the support of friends and family, I'm still here and I'm loving every minute."

There is one dream he has yet to fulfil: to see KISS play in Tokyo, and re-live one of their most famous gigs when they rocked the Budokan Hall in 1977. With the announcement of a new world tour, the dream moves a step closer, and the S4C programme will follow Dan to Japan, past the security guards, to the backstage area where he comes face to face with his heroes.

Click to read original article at S4C

I was sent this earlier from Loretta Carr (Eric's sister), click on the image for a bigger version.

Congratulations to KISS who were today announced as 2014 inductees to the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. After a successful campaign whereby they won the online vote (which counted as 1 out of 600 ballots) they were announced today as being amongst the successful inductees. The ceremony will take place on April 10th at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

It is currently unknown who will take part at the ceremony, but Bruce Kulick released the following statement today:-

"I woke up today with the amazing news that KISS has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame! Well it's about time! I know the fans spoke, and they listened. When you think of how influential this band has been, and how KISS is so strongly loved by fans all around the world, those who run the R n R Hall of Fame finally got it right! Fans of KISS, this award is about you as much as the band. You could no longer be ignored! Now go crank up your favorite KISS album right now!"

There is a great interview with Gene over at Rolling Stone where he hints he is open to playing with not only Eric & Tommy at the ceremony but also Ace & Peter.

People are very curious about what lineup of the band is going to play that night.
Well, Kiss is Tommy Thayer, Eric Singer, Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons. It's like, if you introduced me to your wife and I go, "Wait, where are all the other wives?" It's like, "Yeah, I was married to them and now I'm here."  You can argue that point and we'll figure everything out as time goes on. This one is for the fans. If the fans didn't care, we wouldn't be here. If it meant nothing to them, we wouldn't be here.

Bands often play with old members at the Hall of Fame. Are you open to the idea of playing with Peter Criss and Ace Frehley that night?
Sure, why not?

Last night KISS played a short set for the Brennan rock & Roll Academy at The Orleans arena, Las Vegas without make-up. They played Shout It Out Loud, Deuce, Lick It Up, Calling Dr. Love and Detroit Rock City, as well as an encore of Rock & Roll All Night with Alice Cooper, Vince Neil & others!