From: GeneSimmons.com - By Robert Lloyd, New York Times Staff Writer

"Lovely" and "moving" are not words I ever would have thought to apply to anything connected to mega-tongued, fire-spitting KISS frontman Gene Simmons. (I hear you say "Beth," but that was Peter Criss.) Yet they are the very terms to describe "Gene Simmons' Rock School," a teenage reality makeover competition that premieres tonight on VH1, in a sort of "academic rock block" with the neither lovely nor moving nor remotely real "Tommy Lee Goes to College" (getting its cable-TV "second window" premiere, following its NBC bow Tuesday).

Arranged more or less along the lines of the Jack Black film "School of Rock," "Rock School" finds Simmons, sans all but his ordinary daily makeup, taking a post at a 450-year-old English prep school in order to transform 10 classically trained young musicians into a fighting rock unit. (Their baptism of fire will be tofor Motorhead!) Like that film, it promises to be a story of transformation and empowerment in which the teacher will himself be taught.

Simmons, who briefly taught sixth grade in Spanish Harlem before rock stardom turned him into a different sort of professor, says he wants to know whether he would have been any good at the job. And notwithstanding his pupils' initial impressions of him as "arrogant," "intimidating" and "a bit of a weirdo," the evidence on screen suggests he would be. He may not know how to behave in a public-radio interview, but he can talk to kids and has a natural sympathy for the misfit and underdog — rock 'n' roll being traditionally a venue in which the last become first. "Rock is about finding who you are," Mr. Simmons, as he gets to be called, tells his charges. "You don't necessarily have to play your instrument very well at all. You can just barely get by and you can be in a rock band."

There are some superfluous bits of exaggerated business: Simmons arrives in a limousine, flanked by blond hotties; deputy headmistress Mary Ireland is set up as a kind of watchful nemesis. But by the standards of the genre, the show is exceptionally genuine, in part because it focuses on kids, and in part because the teacher thoroughly knows and loves his subject. Tonight's episode ends with the choosing of a lead singer — appropriately, it is the class outcast, an intense little kid with ginger hair who "speaks Elvish" and sings out of time and out of tune, but with full-body attitude. It's a killingly sweet moment — "People are going to say, come, Josh, sit at our table," he excitedly foresees — that had me near tears, I don't mind saying. (Well, I do a bit — but it did.)

"Tommy Lee Goes to College," on the other hand, in which the Mötley Crüe drummer spends a semester (or so) at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, is almost pure artifice. It also is built upon a movie trope — it is, essentially, the 1986 Rodney Dangerfield vehicle "Back to School," in which a rascally old millionaire upsets the groves of academe. You have to wait until the end credits to read that "Some elements have been produced and/or edited for comedy," but you will have worked that out long before then, from the sound and visual effects, the non-documentary camera placement, and the scene in which a "mobile army of interior decorators" arrive to "pimp" Tommy's new (off-campus) dorm room. "Now it's tight," Tommy tells pleased roomie Matt. "Got the cappuccino machine crackin', the flatty [that's a flat-screen TV to you] .... Dude, look at the snazzy alarm clocks."

Though Tommy declares his intention to "treat this with nothing but respect and love," and tells his "hot tutor" Natalie "I didn't come here to just goof around and party," the fact is that he has come not to study and learn — he isn't even enrolled — but to make a television show. Once you accept "Tommy Lee Goes to College" as merely an old-style campus comedy, it's entertaining enough, in its lunkheaded, vaguely sexist way.

The star may actually have a brain in his head, but the comedy, in the first couple of episodes at least, is built almost entirely on his lack of aptitude — horrified confusion is his nearly constant expression. But some sort of triumph surely awaits him at the end (in tonight's episode he does manage to correctly identify a Turkish filbert in his horticulture class); and, of course, whatever happens here, he can always go back to being plain old Tommy Lee, a well-paying job for which he is uniquely qualified.

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KISS Army Warehouse is Coming!

From: KISSFreaks.com

Are you ready for something new?

Coming Early September 2005!

We know you have wanted a different kind of KISS website for getting those hard to find items at better prices. That is what we are going to deliver! Formerly KISSShop.com we have transformed into something bigger and better than ever before. You will not believe the fantastic deals we have in store for those who access this site in the coming months. In the words of the greatest band on Earth, "You Wanted the Best, You Got the Best!"

To get our new catalog and be added to the KISS Army Mailing List, use the form on the KISSArmyWarehouse WebSite or send us your name and mailing address in an email to info.

Everyone who uses the form or emails us will be entered into a drawing for a rare KISS collectible, the KISS Glass Award presented to KISS by Miami Arena commemorating their sold out Reunion show in 1996. The drawing will take place at the 2005 Chicagoland KISS Expo on Sept. 3rd. You do not need to be present to win. Take a look at this awesome collectible! You can't get this anywhere else, so why not win it for FREE for signing up for our mailing list!

[Check Out The Warehouse!]

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September 24, 2005 - KISS Returns To Owensboro, Kentucky, Or Not!

From: ExecutiveInnRivermont.com

Metal Legends Tribute Show - 2-Shows:

7:00 - Ozzy & Led Zepplin $10.00

9:30 - AC/DC & KISS $10.00

Tickets to Both Shows $15.00

[Tickets Available Here]

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You wanted the best, You got Love Me Deuce!

From: FullOnClothing.com

Full On Clothing is offering a Beatles and KISS Tribute tshirt. Get yours for just $18 while they last. This just goes to prove that the 50s had Elvis, the 60s had The Beatles, and the 70s brought the world KISS.

[Go Get It!]

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Rocking With Grand Funk In Indy

From: Kulick.net

Bruce and Grand Funk Railroad made a stop in Indianapolis, Indiana on July 23, 2005, where they absolutely rocked the Indianapolis Raceway Park! This awesome photo from the show has been graciously sent to us by Sarah Berrett and Steven Volpp. Be sure to check the Tour Dates Page to keep up to date on Grand Funk's schedule so you can catch them when they "come to your town"!

[Bruce Kulick's Official Site]

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Rock School, Friday, Be There!!!

From: VH-1.com

Episode 1: Wild man of rock, Gene Simmons, arrives at Christs Hospital boarding school and sets about teaching a music class of 13 year-olds how to rock. He's forming a new band and his first task is to pick a singer from the group of classically trained musicians.

[VH-1 Online]

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Got The Time? Just Ask Eric Singer!

From: Eric-Singer.com

Switzerland 12th of July - The famous hard rock artist Alice Cooper together with the star drummer Eric Singer of the legendary Rock n'Roll band KISS gave his only concert in Montreux Switzerland to present his new album "Dirty Diamonds" at the Montreux Jazz Festival.

TAG Heuer, in association with Mother Management, met the two rock stars that are both watch collectors and asked to see the latest TAG Heuer products. Alice Cooper said: " I have over 300 watches and the last one I bought was the TAG Heuer golf watch". Alice Cooper has handicap 3 and plays golf tournaments all over the world. Stephane Linder, chief product and product development presented the latest TAG Heuer products to Alice Cooper and Eric Singer that both are considering TAG Heuer one of the hottest brands in the world.

The stars absolutely want to visit the TAG Heuer factory in La Chaux de Fonds next time they are in Switzerland.

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Paul Stanley Answers Questions

From: KISSOnline.com.com

Question #1 - From Jess Albright, Omaha, Nebraska
I love the costumes of the 70's tours that you've brought back and worn since the 'Reunion' tour in 1996. Have you considered designing completely new outfits for an upcoming tour?
Answer (Paul): Thanks for the question! Obviously, this isn’t the first time I‘ve heard this or thought about it. Although it might be fun to design new outfits, at this point I think the impact and history associated with what has come to be known as ‘Klassic KISS’ really says it all. Does Superman need a new costume? Probably not.

Question #2 - From Dave Fernandez, Tulsa, Oklahoma
With over 30 years of record releases, what's your favorite KISS album cover?
Answer (Paul): With as many album covers as we’ve had, it’s probably impossible for me to have a single favorite. I tend to divide the album covers into two categories – those with make-up and those without it. Of the make-up ones, I probably have to say my favorites are Hotter Than Hell, Rock & Roll Over, and Love Gun. But let’s not forget the double- album inside of KISS Alive! That one salutes you and all the other true believers who made this all happen. Thanks!

Question #3 - From Nigel Morgan, Long Branch, New Jersey
Back in the days when you were first learning to play guitar, what album influenced you the most?
Answer (Paul): Thanks for your question, Nigel. I would say the first two albums by American rock band The Byrds. There was great interplay between the two guitars and great melodies on top of it. I also loved the early Who albums. A little later, the first Led Zeppelin album was the gateway to everything I aspired to for quite some time. There’s so much great music that came out of the mid 60’s, it’s worth your time to check some of it out!

Question #4 - From Brian Ross, Toronto, Canada
What's the status of your solo record?
Answer (Paul): My solo album is sounding great! I’m really determined to make it everything I want it to be, and believe you also want. Full steam ahead! I’ll see you at the finish line.

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ACE FREHLEY NEWS

From: EddieTrunk.com

Spoke to Ace Frehley Friday. Doing great and the same deal, when he has stuff to talk about musically he will be back on the show. For now he's just laying low. He did play on a track however on an upcoming CD by Kathy Valentine the bassist from the Go Go's. That's out in September. He also told me he's working in his home studio on music for soundtracks and possibly an album at some point. NO time table at all for an album or tour at this time. Told you guys I'd give you news when I had it, so there you go.

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KISS Update In A Few Words

From: BraveWords.com

There won’t be a KISS tour in 2005, but bassist/vocalist GENE SIMMONS doesn’t rule out a tour in 2006. In another questionnaire, courtesy of Marcio Siqueira from Brazil, Simmons also reveals that KISS could possibly release a new album with the current lineup. When asked: Are there any plans for a new studio album with the current line-up, I mean with Tommy Thayer on lead guitar and Eric Singer on the drums?, Gene answers, “Probably – But for now, Paul is finishing his solo album which will be a classic! And we’re all busy doing KISS things as well as outside projects.”

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Autograph Collector’s August Issue Features KISS

From: KISSFreaks.com

Autograph Collector’s August issue that features KISS on the cover. Inside you’ll find a story on KISS, their history and their autographs.

[More Here]