Gene Simmons

Do drugs make musicians more creative?

Do drugs fuel creativity? Is an addled mind essential to making great music? Does sobriety cause creative impotence? What if Jimi Hendrix had suddenly decided to enter a twelve-step program? Would Are You Experienced? have sucked? To answer this nagging question, you have to take a look at rock's re ... More >>

The ten things rockstars do to try to remain relevant when their stars start to fade

We all have to make a buck, and musicians are absolutely no different. When their music careers start to fade, they still have to pay the bills. And with the endless parade of also-rans appearing on Celebrity Apprentice, we are continually reminded just how low some will go to keep their name in the ... More >>

Colorado Dems celebrate Obama victory Gangnam style at downtown watch party

It was after 10 p.m. that a woman wearing a blue dress and a donkey mask came up to us and put her snout, through which her eyes were visible, up against our face -- so we were peering at each other through a tunnel of plastic hot with her breath. "Our ovaries are safe for four more fuckin' years!" ... More >>

Why do musicians endorse candidates?

There's probably a certain amount of sincerity involved when a famous musician endorses a political candidate. But even the most un-cynical, democracy-loving patriot will have to admit that there's a hell of a lot more to the rock star/candidate public union than just fiscal policy. Endorsing a poli ... More >>

Bob Dylan is a man out of time

The music fan's guide to voting

The defining narrative of American politics since the turn of the millennium seems to be that 'We the people' are screwed no matter who gets elected. Elect a Republican: We engage in pre-emptive war, the national deficit skyrockets, and we sacrifice education and infrastructure investment. Elect a D ... More >>

A dozen of the best looking members of the KISS Army last night at Comfort Dental Amphitheatre

See Also: - Ten most clichéd rock moments from the KISS show last night at Comfort Dental Amphitheatre - Ten best KISS quotes - This KISS fan's dream car can be yours for $10K - The five most shameless examples of KISS's merchandising efforts - Hair today, gone tomorrow Speaking as a card-carrying ... More >>

Ten most clichéd rock moments from the KISS show last night at Comfort Dental Amphitheatre

See Also: - Ten Best KISS quotes from Comfort Dental - Best looking members of the KISS Army - This KISS fan's dream car can be yours for $10K - The five most shameless examples of KISS's merchandising efforts - Hair today, gone tomorrow KISS was doing clichéd rockstar antics before Spinal Tap mad ... More >>

Is there anything Gene Simmons won't exploit?

Kiss: The five most shameless examples of the band's merchandising efforts over the years

Legendary bass player and merchandising tycoon Gene Simmons has announced a new restaurant chain creatively titled Rock & Brews that will satisfy hungry classic rock fans craving to eat in a place that looks like a glorified backstage area. The franchise will debut this year in El Segundo, CA, and a ... More >>

Tom Mink on $425K settlement in Howling Pig/"Junius Puke" case

"Junius Puke."​Update: Yesterday marked exactly eight years since officers in Greeley arrived at the home then-UNC student Tom Mink shared with his mom, confiscating his computer and more because of complaints about the way he'd portrayed a professor in his fledgling Internet publication, The ... More >>

What's the first music you bought with your own money?

Can you guess which member of Team Backbeat bought this record?​Do you remember the first album you bought with your own money? Of course you do! It's like the first person you kissed or the first one who broke your heart -- it's a monumental, life-changing moment in your life that's unforgett ... More >>

Scott Ian of Anthrax on Worship Music, comic books, Doctor Who, VH1 and interviewing Ozzy

Scott Ian of Anthrax​Anthrax (due Wednesday, October 19, at Summit Music Hall) is one of the Big Four thrash bands from the '80s and the only one originally based on the East Coast. More than most metal bands, Anthrax seemed willing to smile and display a wicked yet playful sense of humor -- e ... More >>

Twitter Tuesday: Neil Hamburger is a real, awesome jerk

He's so gross, it's endearing. ​Neil Hamburger is an asshole. He's the kind of comedian that was born unlikable; even though he's funny sometimes, most of the time he's just alienating. Plus, he's gross to look at, and that says a lot about a person. But for the love-haters of Hamburger, ther ... More >>

The 20 bands that inspire tattoos like no other

An average Misfits fan.​Personally, it's been the "One Bad Album" rule. That's all it takes for a band's musical reputation to be asterisked forever, which makes getting a tattoo of that band, well, risky. You have to wonder how often thirty-somethings across the land hear "Nice Chi' Pep's tat ... More >>

Giga Pudding! Giga Pudding! GIGA PUDDING! Is moot on a troll roll?

​The internets are alive with the sound of music today. Specifically, they are alive with the music of Giga Pudding, some sort of obscure Japanese gelatin product that sports one of the most bizarre, irritating ad jingles of all time; the two-minute ad appeared embedded at the top of every boa ... More >>

Puff piece: Hugh Hefner: Playboy, Activist, and Rebel

The ten most cringe-worthy/awkward interviews

Celebrities get lucky with interviews most of the time. Networks cut down strange content, or if the interview is too weird, they never make it into print. Regardless of studio and agent watchdogs, countless interviews have made us uncomfortable enough to cringe, even if we couldn't pull our eyes an ... More >>

Extract

Guess where I'm drinking?

Lori Midson​Contrary to popular belief, the perfectly contoured, come-hither tongue in the above photo does not belong to Gene Simmons. Or to his long-lost cousin, brother, son, groundskeeper, guitar tuner, leather cleaner, ass-kisser, make-up artist or chauffeur. It is, in fact, the tongue of an ... More >>

The Boss was made for loving you

Bruce Springsteen is on the brain this morning, mainly because everybody's talking about his halftime performance during the Super Bowl last night, and tickets just went on sale for his upcoming show at the Pepsi Center. I got a copy of the new disc on Friday and have only had a chance to really giv ... More >>

Phillip Bailey to be inducted to East High School Heritage Hall

Scratch and Dent Sale: Kiss Army

The Westword.com Blog Shortcut, July 11 Edition

Q&A With Wayne Coyne of the Flaming Lips

Nashville Pussy

Saturday, May 12, Bluebird Theater, 303-830-8497.

Various Artists

Plant Music
Plant Music Records

Impossibly Passable

Vampires of Moscow

Dandy Man

The Dandy Warhols' Courtney Taylor-Taylor wanders through celebreality.

The Beatdown

After more than two decades, Blackie is still lawless.

Mudvayne

Lost and Found (Epic)

Supagroup

Tuesday, July 6, Larimer Lounge, 303-291-0959.

Kiss

Tuesday, June 15, Coors Amphitheatre, 303-830-8497.

Fresh Ear

Terry Gross brings a breath of Fresh Air to Denver.

Pinball Wizards

Become part of the machine at Lyons Classic Pinball.

The Beatdown

Kiss me, I’m a rock star -- at least for one night.

This Week's Day-by-Day Picks

The Message

Boulder Weekly editor Pam White creates a world in which romance novels and feminism co-exist.

The House That Bubblegum Built

Buddha Records introduces a new generation to an old formula.

Shearer Delight

The voice of Flanders is the voice of reason, absatively posilutely.

Dialing for Dollars

It's out with Howard Stern and in with more Britney as radio conglomerates chase the almighty buck.

Best jukebox

Goosetown Tavern

KISS-ed Off

This rock-and-roll road trip runs out of gas before reaching Detroit Rock City.

They're Not Wimps

The Weaklings want to kick your ass.

Winning Hands

Tricky vs. Metallica

It was the tag-team grudge match of early '97. Guess who won.

Feedback

KISS and Sell

Gene Simmons is offering the deal of the century on a slightly used rock band.

PLAYLIST