KISS Nothin' To Lose (The Making Of KISS 1972-75) Book Review

I just recently finished reading the book Nothin' To Lose, The Making Of KISS 1972-1975 wrote by Ken Sharp and co-authored by Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons.

If you are a fan of KISS, this is a must read. As the title of the book says, it is about KISS between the years of 1972- 1975, before KISS became the brand and were still a band trying to make it.

I found the book to be very interesting, with all kinds of interviews from not only the band members but also from bands that played with KISS back in the day, bands like Rush, Blue Oyster Cult, Bob Seger, Aerosmith, New York Dolls plus managers and road crew. And not all these people always had kind things to say about KISS. Nice to see that they didn't edit those things out. It is an honest read.

KISS weren't an over night success as you will read in this book. It took a lot of touring and recording and help from Neil Bogart of Casablanca Records and their manager Bill Aucoin.

My favorite part of this book is the story of KISS going on their first tour outside of new York. Which was a trip to Canada, playing in Edmonton, Calgary and Winnipeg. Me being from Edmonton, it was super cool to read about it.

I would have to say this is my favorite KISS book I have read. And I have read my share. Most of the stories in this book are things I have never read about before, and lots of never before seen pictures in this book as well. This is a book well worth picking up.

Mike McDonald at the Blue Chair Cafe Jan.18th 2014

On Saturday night my buddies Hurl, A-Bomb and I went to the Mike McDonald solo show at the Blue Chair Cafe here in Edmonton. For those that don't know, Mike is the lead singer of Edmonton band Jr. Gone Wild and Bunch Of Marys. Sounds like Mike is going to be busy guy this year with plans to release a new Jr. Gone Wild album, and finally an EP for his band A Bunch Of Marys, as there is no actual products out there for this project, and the show that he played Saturday night was recorded as it will be released as a live album.

The show was sold out with a capacity of probably close to a hundred people. The vibe in the room was good, the crowd was appreciative and lively. Mike did two sets of about forty-five minutes, mixing it up with some Jr. Gone Wild songs, a few songs from his Mike McDonald Band stuff, like the great song "The Longest Song In The Universe", A Bunch Of Marys song and some songs that I haven't heard before. Mike's voice was in fine form as was his guitar playing.

This was an outstanding show and should make for a great live album. Looking forward to hearing it. For my first show of the year, this was an awesome one. Good times!!!

Some footage I shot at the show.

KISS Collectible Of The Day Jan.18th

Today's KISS Collectible is a set of KISS pint glasses I got for Xmas. This set of glasses has Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer on them.

KISS Collectible Of The Day Jan.12th

Todays KISS Collectible is another Xmas present I got. The ridiculous The Demon (Gene Simmons) Hello Kitty figurine.

KISS Collectible Of The Day Jan.5th

Today's KISS Collectible is another Xmas present I got this year. KISS shooter glass set. Might have to put these to use here one day.

Favorite Concerts Of 2013

If you have read my list of favorite albums of 2013 you will be able to tell that I am no damn good at making a top ten list. So here I go with a list of my favorite concerts of the year. All shows were in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

* Feb.23rd Mickey Hart Band @ Sherwood Park Festival Place

First time I have seen any member of the Grateful Dead, so this was a must see show for me.

* Apr.1st Lucero with Shovels & Rope @ Starlite Room

This show was no April fools joke. This was a great double bill of rock n' roll. One of the best all year.

* May 10th Brandi Carlile @ Winspear Centre

I won tickets to this show, thanks to local record store Blackbyrd Myoozik. An amazing show.

* May 11th MGMT @ Starlite Room

Wasn't sure about going to this show, but was talked in to it by a buddy of mine. A very psychedelic show, short but good.

* May 30th Supersuckers with Lydia Loveless @ Pawn Shop

Another great double bill, it had been a long time since I had seen the Supersuckers. Nice to see them in a club setting again. Lydia Loveless was great too.

* May 31st Jr.Gone Wild with Carolyn Mark @ OTS Park

This amazing reunion show by Jr.Gone Wild is in my top three for sure. An epic three hour show at a hall in the middle of nowhere. A turn out of about 600 people and not one person left there disappointed.

* July 6th Audio/Rocketry with Carpenter @ Pawn Shop

Locals Audio/Rocketry with Vancouver band Carpenter made for a great night of rock. And as always Carpenter put on a high energy show.

* July 12th KISS @ Rexall Place

What can you say about a KISS show other then it was a spectacle.

* July 26th Alabama Shakes @ Hawrelak Park part of the Interstellar Rodeo Festival

Alabama Shakes making their first visit to Edmonton put on a great show to close out the first night of the festival.

* July 27th Danny Michel and The Garifuna Collective @ Hawrelak Park (Interstellar)

A musician that I had never heard before put on the best performance I saw all year. My favorite without a doubt. An amazing show.

* July 28th Steve Earle @ Hawrelak Park (Interstellar)

Steve Earle was the closer of this 3 day festival and put on one of the best shows I have seen him do in years.


* July 28th Corb Lund with Jr.Gone Wild @ Starlite Room

After the Interstellar Fest, it was a rush to get to the Starlite Room to catch this benefit show of two great bands that you won't see together often in such a small venue. Amazing show.

* Oct.13th Terror @ Pawn Shop

This show was an intense show of hardcore music and a crazy fucking crowd, intense but fun.

* Oct.16th Louise Distras opening for The Mahones @ Pawn Shop

The Mahones were good but what really caught my ears and eyes at this show was opener Louise Distras from England, just her and a guitar. She won over some fans at this show. She has got an amazing voice.

* Oct.19th The Sadies @ Arden Theatre

A band that needs to be seen live. As always a great performance.

* Nov.12th Tedeschi Trucks Band @ Jubilee Auditorium

A great three hour show by this eleven piece band of southern blues rockers.

* Nov.29th Art Bergmann with A Bunch Of Marys @ Pawn Shop

A rare show by this Canadian punk pioneer. You never know what kind of show you will get from Art Bergmann, but this show was bang on. Good stuff.