KISS FAQ - State of Release, Book Trailer & My Mental Health

A bit of a whirlwind time here for me.  Many things going on; many things I have to do; but certainly nothing in offer in complaint.

Right now, of course, the big news is that the KISS FAQ book is slowly making its way out to store.  How is that possible when the release date in many places has the book still coming out September 11 (and some others as September 1)?  Well, it’s a long complicated story that isn’t that unusual in the publishing world, but namely it comes down to this – the editing process that involves not only myself but a certain number of people over at Backbeat Books went so smoothly that the book was able to go to print a few weeks ahead of schedule.  Thus, it was back for shipment to the distributors by the first week of August. 

Naturally, Amazon was one of the first to get it, and they distribute their own books.  They don’t have multiple physical storefronts for people to walk in off the streets to buy books; customers buy online; thus, there’s no need to get a shipment of books from a publisher, then redirect a few copies here and there to multiple stores around the country.  Which leads to why Amazon can have it available for shipment very quickly … and why physical storefronts will try to get books out on the shelves as soon as possible if Amazon has it.  Therefore, KISS FAQ is in stores now, with a release date still set for September.  Nature of the beast these days.  It was funny seeing Amazon immediately sell-out of the book after a day, however, only the next day to report that they had it back in stock.  Makes me think it is moving much quicker than they had anticipated (and with the book now listed in multiple “Hot 100 New Books” lists, KISS FAQ is proving itself fast there).

As I said, it’s a situation that I cannot complain about – I’m already getting several amazingly positive reviews about the book already, even before the real promotion for the book starts in September.  If you’re curious, here’s some links to a few of the reviews already out there:

Mystery writer Bill Crider’s review was the first I saw and really had me glowing with the following quote:  “It’s a book to keep nearby so you can dip into it when you need something to cheer you up.  It’s so entertaining that even non-fans should get a kick out of it.  Check it out.”

Bill Crider's Review

Greg Barbrick’s review is also very positive, although he does admit to not going much for the Beatles comparisons I make in the book.

Blogcritics.org

A nice review at bookgasm by Rod Lott for the book:

Bookgasm

In addition, this one over at rockrockblog is quoted by my publisher as saying, “So well-written and entertaining that even non-fans will find it interesting.”

rockrockblog

To know people who are not fans are enjoying KJSS FAQ as much as the fans emailing me and messaging me on Facebook about how happy they were with it has really made me feel proud of the book.  I can’t say much more on that front, to be honest.

Meanwhile, last weekend saw a group of friends over to film a “book trailer” for the book that was requested by Backbeat Books to post on their website to help promote KISS FAQ.  Working pretty much as the writer/director/producer of the six-minute trailer really had me on edge most of the week, but everyone seemed happy with the results and I am hopeful that it will be used.  If so, I’ll post when it’s available for viewing.  Even if something happens it isn’t used, I’m still very happy with how everyone pulled together to help make it possible, from my wife Jill, to our friend Sarah and her kids, to new friend Corky and of course the big man in fandom himself, Bill Starkey (KISS Army founder), who helped out with the trailer and a podcast we did together afterwards.  Keeping my fingers crossed there.

Finally, I walked into a Books-a-Million this past week and saw my book on the shelf.  There is nothing quite like the feeling of seeing a new book out for the public to discover on their own and pick up to purchase.  That’s really the ultimate high of doing all the research and writing involved, beyond that, of course, of actually having a completed manuscript in your hands.

So what’s next?  Well, promotion for the book is still on-going, especially as the book hits more stores come September.  On top of that, my publisher was very happy with the results of my KISS FAQ manuscript and I’m signed for another book with them to be published late 2013 on a topic completely outside of KISS and music for a change.  I’ve written other books besides those about KISS and as much as I like the band, it’s always great to do something else.  After all, my professional is that of being a writer, not just “that KISS guy.”

Someone asked me about all the hard work involved in getting a book out and promoting it.  Truthfully, I’ve been incredibly busy because of it, but it’s been worth every second of it.  After all, I’m getting paid to write about things I love in a way I want to write about them.  The book is getting great reviews from fans and non-fans alike.  I’m able to get together with friends and family to do fun projects related to it.  My publisher is so happy with the results that they’ve already signed me up for another book.  What could be better?  I can only hope some of those good vibes come across in the book for readers as well.  So far, it appears to be doing exactly that.

Now, back to working on a chapter for my next book.  Geesh, it never ends … grumble, grumble, grumble … Heh.

More KISS FAQ book giveaways upcoming!

Some more upcoming KISS FAQ giveaways coming via the radio:

WRQK-FM (Canton, OK)
in conjunction with Sept. 12 KISS concert in Cuyahoga Falls

MAX Classic Rock (Muncie, IN)
in conjunction with Sept. 1 KISS concert in Noblesville, IN

KCRX (Warrenton, OR)
in conjunction with Aug. 19 KISS concert in Ridgefield, WA

WLAV Tony Gates Morning Show (Grand Rapids)
in conjunction with Sept. 11 KISS concert in Allegan, MO

104.9 The Hawk (Gilford, NH)
in conjunction with Sept. 16 KISS concert in Mansfield, MA

WZXL (Atlantic City)
WMGK (Philadelphia)
in conjunction with the Sept. 19 KISS concert in Camden, NJ

WCSX 94.7 Classic Rock (Detroit)
WHMI (Howell, MI)
in conjunction with the Sept. 5 KISS concert in Clarkston, MI

KISS FAQ is out in stores already!

Have to admit, there was a bit of a surprise this past week when I got my first copy of my KISS FAQ book in the mail from Backbeat Books.  I knew I would get it soon, but with the preliminary release date being in September, I had assumed it would still be a week or two before I would see it.

Now I hear that the book has been released ahead of schedule to brick-and-mortar and online bookstores this past week!  That's fine by me, and it's a thrill to hear from people emailing me to let me know they have gotten their copy already or seen it in a bookstore somewhere, but it's a bit of a whiplash knowing that the few weeks I thought I had left before dealing with all the publicity is already upon me!

Speaking of which, this is a great photo that a reader sent me of his copy of the book with an early poster-ad for the band that features a very similar pose from the same photo session:

Not saying anyone has to rush out in a buying frenzy at the moment, but I do hope everyone reading this take a chance sometime soon to order the book or pick it up in a store!  If you do, I'd be happy to hear from everyone that gives it a try.  As stated before and in the intro to the book itself, the point of the KISS FAQ is a chance to examine topics that we know all KISS fans talk about at shows or KISS Expos, but rather - if ever - are discussed in the biographies and references guides that have been released over the years about the band.  Even the official ones, which tend to gloss over certain aspects of the band's career. (Understandably so - if you do something really goofy at one point in your career, it's not easy to say in your book, "Hey!  Remember when we really sucked at this?  Let's spend a few pages discussing how we nearly destroyed KISS with this idea!"  No matter how much fans may want to talk about it.)  I think a lot of fans will agree with the topics within the book, although I'm sure there are going to be moments for some fans where they won't agree with what is said about those same topics.  Still, that's the fun of being fans in the first place - the chance to agree or not agree about aspects of KISS.  I'm just a fan just like you and a discussion about all things KISS is what the book is all about.

Main thing though is this:  The KISS FAQ book is out and available for purchase!  With that, interviews on radio stations and other publicity is just around the corner, so the fun is only beginning!

Radio Giveaways for the KISS FAQ book!

Quick note that the following radio stations will be doing on-air giveaways of my KISS FAQ book. I'm only sure of the timing for the first station here, so you'll have to check with the other stations for more detail:

Station: KISM (Washington) - giving away books with tickets to the Auburn show next week!

Station: WFMU (New Jersey)

Station: KJKB-FM (Jacksboro, TX)

Station: KCAL (Redlands, CA)

Station: Island 107.1 FM (Key West, FL)

Station: Power 96 (Albert Lea, MN)

Station: 97.5 WONE (Akron, OH)

KISS FAQ is hitting stores!

I'll be posting a blog on other KISS-related things this weekend, but just a heads-up that my KISS FAQ book is already up for sale at Amazon.com and should be in stores soon, if not already!

Remember folks, you can buy one $4,000 KISS book or by over 170 copies of the KISS FAQ for the same price!  Sure, the one book is the size of a coffee table, but just think of the stuff you can build with 170 copies of my book!  Make a little fort for your KISS action figures!  Stack several and wear them on your feet as makeshift platform shoes!  Use them as tile for the bathroom!  Maybe even read one!  So many uses.

Seriously, for those searching it out and picking one up - I hope you enjoy it!

Can the Setlist Ever Change?

KISS is on tour.

That may seem a little silly to mention for most of you reading.  You probably already know that and I might as well be saying, “KISS is wearing makeup and there’s pyro effects at the shows!”  Thanks for the obvious there, Dale-O.

Still, here we are with KISS finally on another tour.  Not just a one-night-stand here and there like we’ve seen sometimes, but a full traveling-around-the-country tour, this time with Motley Crue in a co-headliners show.  (At least this time KISS managed to get the closing spot for the tour, unlike that earlier Aerosmith/KISS tour where KISS was always opening … but perhaps that’s a touchy subject for another time.)

As you can expect from the KISS Army, there’s been some speculation as to what songs would be included in the setlist.  As usual, fans couldn’t help but hope to hear some obscure favorites pop up, even though the band has made it quite clear in recent years that the setlist really is not one to change much between tours these days.  “People come to hear the classic songs,” as the band would say, “so there’s no point in disappointing them for a handful of fans that feel they HAVE to hear something else.”  Thus, we have another tour where the band pulls out the old chestnuts: “Detroit Rock City,” “Love Gun,” “God of Thunder,” “Black Diamond,” “Rock and Roll All Nite,” and several others.  One new song made it into the show at least; the new song off the forthcoming album, Monster, “Hell or Hallelujah”; but nothing else that seems uniquely different.

While newer fans always seem surprised, older fans take it the norm.  The band made it clear with previous tours over the past 15 years that things were not going to change, so another tour just like the others was not a shock.  Besides, this tour is a summer one that is in support of … nothing really.  As mentioned, the new album isn’t out until October (after the tour is over) and they’re already promoting the only thing there is to promote, the new single, so there’s no reason to go nuts with the setlist.  It is more of a “let’s have fun” concert tour rather than “let’s push that new album down their throats” one.

Yet, could they have changed things a bit?  Sure – people are buying tickets for the one-two punch of seeing KISS with Crue, so the band really could have been a bit more playful with the list and inserted some unusual older songs into the list.  Certainly, the list seems very heavy on the anthems this time around; perhaps a few alternatives could have made their way in replacement of stuff like “I Love It Loud” or “Shout It Out Loud.”  How’s about a couple of older songs that were concert standards like “I Still Love You” or “Tears Are Falling” in there to spice things up a bit instead of anthem, anthem, anthem?

Some fans also wonder why the band seems determined to have Tommy Thayer go through the motions of being Ace #2 again by having him do “Shock Me.”  Why even do there?  Why not highlight him with a song from … okay, there’s not much signature Thayer music in the band, but that’s not his fault, he just hasn’t been around to contribute much in the way of new music for the band.  However, he did co-write the third single off the Sonic Boom album, “Never Enough.”  It would have been a nice way to incorporate that album in the setlist and not make it feel like the throwaway it now seems (can’t even be bothered with “Modern Day Delilah” anymore?).  All right, obviously they want Tommy to take center-stage for a song and maybe “Never Enough” doesn’t do the job, but why not give him something to make him stand out more as himself instead of “Ace-clone”?  Heck, give him “Miss Mystery” from his Black ‘N Blue days – now THAT would have been something of his own, something out of the ordinary, and also something that was a big enough hit fans in the audience would probably remember it.

Ah, but we know the score.  We’re getting away from the familiar that KISS feels ticket-buyers want when they walk into the arena.  Besides, heaven forbid we remind people Thayer had a career before KISS; it may cause a riot of confusion in the audience. 

The bottom line is people are STILL buying tickets to see those same songs again, so it is not as if the band has a reason to back-up and say, “Oh, okay, you want a different list!”  The fans that wish there would be some type of shake-up can only shrug and watch the same motions to the same songs once again.  It’s fun – like watching a favorite episode of your favorite TV show – but not quite as much fun as discovering a new show for the first time.

Saying that, however, many fans for years have held out hope that KISS would suddenly decide to go in a new direction and shake up the setlist.  We still do it today, even though it’s just as obvious as my saying the band wears makeup and has pyro on-stage that things are not going to change.  With the majority happy in comfort, it probably never will.

Having a Little Fun

This is a video I did for a KAOL project back in 2001.  KAOL was a fan-project done by Kathy LaBonte and her MusiCare Online project that put together tribute albums for KISS where proceeds went to charity.  She had been involved in releasing my KISS novel A World Without Heroes back in 2000 as another charity project and was finishing the last in a trilogy of KISS tribute albums that same year, when I had the idea of this video.

The video involved enlisting the help of the man commonly seen as the creator of the KISS Army, Bill Starkey, back in the 1970s.  He also wrote the intro to my new book, KISS FAQ, which will be released in September.  Coming along for the ride was that of Steve Stierwalt, Jr., creator of the fanzine KISS Freaks, who was a good enough sport to let us film this in his home (and use the actual KISS gong he had won in an auction).

It's a fun, silly piece and I like to think we all had a good time with it.  Still, I know that some fans may find a couple of things that seems like an insult about KISS.  Okay, really one - the whole wig gag.  While I think a lot of us fans can easily joke about the many, many hair ... things that the band members have worn over the years, I also know that some fans take offense to any joking about the band at all.  It's understandable - you spend your life with people around you who make fun of your love for KISS and you think you can find some type of sanctuary around other fans, only for them to do much of the same at times.  "If you're a big fan, why are you always ragging on them?"

But no one is a fan of anything if they hate everything about it.  No one joins a fanclub of something they hate. I wouldn't be writing so many books about the band if I wasn't a fan. But a sense of keeping things in perspective helps as well.  Star Trek fans certainly can laugh about terrible episodes like "Spock's Brain," knowing that it's the bad things stand out so well because the rest of it is so good.  A sports fan can laugh about a bad season for their favorite team because "next year, it'll be better." The same holds true for the KISS Army - we may sometimes joke about the hair, Gene's tendency to go for the hard-sell, or the band's limited concert set-list, but we do while loving so many other things about the band and its history that the little annoying things stand out so much more for that reason.  In doing so, it keeps the band human and makes it even more exciting when they do pull things off that make them the band we love so much.

So, hopefully, everyone can have a laugh once in a while to keep it all down-to-earth.  We can't be sold 100% of the time on everything the band sends our way.  Some grains of salt always add a little flavoring to any meal dished out.