February 21st -
 KISS in Australia. Wow. We're having a ball. Everyone's very excited. The airport was jammed with fans wishing us well.
For more info, log onto KISSONLINE.COM.
New letters posted...
"Let me tell you how nature planned it."
"I am continually amazed at how people react to your reactions."
"...will you consider performing it for the upcoming KISS/Symphony show...?"
February 17th -
We are off to Australia for our KISS SYMPHONY (read all about it at KISSONLINE.COM). Everyone is looking forward to this one of a kind event.
On March 20th, GENE SIMMONS TONGUE magazine will be holding our FOURTH ISSUE PARTY at the KEY CLUB in LA. Lots of surprises planned. And, thanks to you, our magazine is a smashing success.
And, before I leave for Australia, I will be handing in my new book (the debut release on SIMMONS BOOKS/NEW MILLENIUM) - "Sex Money Kiss". Will give more info about the book shortly.
There will also be a spoken word version of the book on SIMMONS AUDIO/NEW MILLENIUM read by myself.
New Lady in Waiting!
February 7th -
 Bob Ezrin, who produced our best records, dropped by to say hello and after rehearsals took me next door to see PERFECT CIRCLE -- the new Virgin Records band that features Maynard from Tool on vocals and Twiggy Ramirez from Marilyn Manson. Took some fotos for GS TONGUE. Maynard, you may recall, appeared in a stellar lineup featuring Rage Against The Machine's Tom Morello and some of the Faith No More guys to cover "Calling Dr. Love" for our KISS MY ASS tribute record a few years back.
And, KTLA's lovely Mindy Barbano dropped by to say hi.
February 6th -
Ladies and gentlemen: kindly stop sending e mails telling me you have a band and would I be interested. Either send us your stuff, or don't. Talking about it is useless.
I want winners, not talkers. I want artists with a "take no prisoners" attitude. Everybody talks. Few people deliver.
Can you?
New Lady in Waiting!
February 3rd -
 Went to the premier of Jackie Chan's new SHANGHAI KNIGHTS . Owen Wilson and Jackie are hilarious and the film itself looks and sounds very good. After the premier, we went to the after party, where Jackie welcomed us and was, as always, charming.
At the party, ran into Producer Arthur Sarkissian, who produced Jackie's RUSH HOUR and produced a movie I acted in called WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE. And, also kibitzed with Director Brett Ratner, who we ran into in Australia, when we were on a PR visit to promote our KISS SYMPHONY concert. Brett was there with Sir Anthony Hopkins to promote his RED DRAGON. Brett also directed RUSH HOUR. He is about to direct SUPERMAN VS BATMAN, which he says has a knockout script. Can't wait.
Go see Shanghai Knights.
February 2nd -
THE FILM COMPANY (name to be shortly announced) is almost up and running. My partner and friend Rich Abramson and I have been working on it for some time and will announce details about projects in the near future.
Do not send us scripts. We're swamped with projects and simply cannot get to new material.
 SIMMONS RECORDS is reborn. As some of you know, Simmons Records existed in the 80's through RCA/BMG. We released a few bands and did okay. I'm proud to say I have a new joint venture partner (to be announced soon). Details will be announced soon.
If you know of local talent in your area and want me to hear it, send me stuff to:
SIMMONS RECORDS
PO BOX 15097
BEVERLY HILLS, CA. 90210
POP - I'm looking for talent in their teens or early twenties. You don't have to write songs. But, you better have the talent. It can be almost anything.
ROCK - If you're the coolest local band in your area, but you think you've got SOMETHING DIFFERENT, send me your stuff. You should be able to write songs.
RAP - Sure. But, don't send me the usual "MC Criminal" routine. Give me something different.
COUNTRY? - Probably not straight country. But, if you're Shania in her teens, send me your stuff.
I know there is talent out there that can't be put into a genre -- I'm looking for you. If you're the next MOBY or PRINCE...send me your stuff.
Do Not --- call and ask what I thought of your stuff.... Do not call and ask when you can get our stuff back (you won't)... Do not call and ask for my opinions and advice...Just look at it the way a farmer plants his seed. If the fruit grows and ripens, you'll win. All the conversation in the world will probably not help. I just don't have the time to have one on one conversations with everyone. There aren't enough hours in the day. And, to be quite honest with you, most of the stuff is so far away from being marketable, that no matter what I say, the chances are slim. So, best to put your best stuff out there, and don't torture anyone with follow up calls. If they (or I) want you, you can be sure we will be all over you.
Again , I will NOT respond to submissions. Please do not take it personally.
Good luck.
SIMMONS DVD, I'm proud to say, is a joint venture with the same entity. It's releases will focus on visual projects I'm working on, like: GENE DOWN UNDER. I filmed the goings on at my recent Australian Lecture Tour. It was a lot of fun and that material will see the light of day by Spring.
I've also got two other visual projects we've agreed to do. We will announce them soon.
SIMMONS BOOKS is a joint venture with New Millennium (Stephen Hawkins' new book...Bill Maher's new book...Bob Evans "The Kid Stays In The Picture"). I've just finished writing the first release and the initial layout pages look fantastic. The art department at NM are very talented and I think you'll get a kick out of it.
It was a thrill to see my first book, "KISS AND MAKEUP" become a New York Times Best Seller. You all seemed to like it and I appreciate it. I hope my new book will meet with your approval as well. Release is slated for April.
I'm also working on two other book titles for later release. Details to follow soon.
SIMMONS AUDIO is a joint venture with New Millennium that will release AUDIO books...like the first release: Gene Simmons reading his KISS AND MAKEUP. It's available by simply looking at the top of this page, or by clicking HERE.
Other celebs will be reading books in the future.
GENE SIMMONS BASS AMPLIFIER -- will shortly be available in music stores.
I'm in negotiations with an amplifier company. And, if they get their act together, we can do this...or I'll simply do it with another company.
And, we're rehearsing...and it's going great. Leaving with the band this month for the KISS SYMPHONY - Melbourne, Feb 28th at the Stadium (all 60 members of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in full KISS makeup) -- will also be a PAY PER VIEW around the world...and other surprises.
Then, off to the SOLD OUT IN ADVANCE Japanese mini-tour and then back to the USA.
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I'm proud to say I just came back from a taping of the audio portion of KING OF THE HILL. I'm a big fan of the show and Mike Judge, in particular. I play the part of Jessie, a roadie of a Christian rock band that's appearing at MessiahFest. I'm told they will take our voices and animate to them.