LimeWire Music Blog

There are three things Gene Simmons loves (in the following order): women, money and himself. (Don’t believe me? Check his 2006 book, Sex Money KISS, for reference). As Simmons wheels, deals and helms a reality show, Gene Simmons Family Jewels, music still pops into his life every so often, especially when it’s an opportunity to make a few bucks.

Today KISS’ camp announced that the band’s upcoming three-disc album— its first in 11 years — will be sold in the U.S. and Canada exclusively through Walmart and Sam’s Club. Produced by singer/guitarist Paul Stanley, Sonic Boom, also features a completely re-recorded greatest hits CD as well as a live DVD shot in Argentina during the band’s recent, record-breaking KISS ALIVE 35 South American tour. The set will retail for $12, with pre-orders starting in September on Walmart.com.

Obligatory press release gush from Gene Simmons: “Sonic Boom may be the best new record we’ve done since Destroyer! It is Rock And Roll Over meets Love Gun. The world’s biggest retailer had better get ready for the hottest band in the world and hire more cashiers before October 6th!”

Obligatory press release gush from Paul Stanley: “Through all of the albums that are considered our classics, we tried to always find ways to give our fans extras that went beyond just the music. Besides our making the best KISS album in decades, Walmart has made it possible for us to include a bonus CD with 15 of our most famous songs and an additional live DVD, shot during our recent concert in Buenos Aires. So in every sense, Sonic Boom is the ultimate return to classic KISS form. You wanted the best, you got the best!”

To promote Sonic Boom, KISS announced today a special KISS ALIVE 35 show at Detroit Rock City’s legendary concert venue, Cobo Arena, on September 25th. This historic structure, which is slated for closure, has hosted KISS concerts on numerous occasions, not the least of which was the series of shows that were recorded to become the KISS ALIVE! album. Tracks made famous on KISS ALIVE!–including “Rock and Roll All Nite,” “Deuce,” “Black Diamond,” and “Hotter Than Hell”–are well represented on the greatest hits disc included with Sonic Boom. The Detroit show, which will live another 35 years in KISStory, features opening act Buckcherry and goes on sale to the public at 5pm EDT on August 21st.

In related news, Gene Simmons is apparently working on a Las Vegas-style show: “Just got back from SINGAPORE,” he blogged yesterday on genesimmons.com. “A group of us (myself, Radical’s Barry Levine and Stomlion’s Edmund Shearn) went over to meet potential partners for our VEGAS SHOW. What kind of show, you ask? What kind of project is it? You’ll have to wait a little longer to find out. But, what we CAN tell you is that we already have a Vegas hotel that will be the first home of the project. We intend on taking the show around the world to different stages…perhaps in different languages.”

Though similar exclusive deals have already been done between Walmart and the Eagles, AC/DC and Foreigner, my sense is that Simmons would fare much better in a Las Vegas Cabaret act than Angus Young or Don Henley.

SONIC BOOM CD Track Listing:

1. MODERN DAY DELILAH
2. RUSSIAN ROULETTE
3. NEVER ENOUGH
4. YES I KNOW (NOBODY’S PERFECT)
5. STAND
6. HOT AND COLD
7. ALL FOR THE GLORY
8. DANGER US
9. I’M AN ANIMAL
10. WHEN LIGHTNING STRIKES
11. SAY YEAH