KISS' PAUL STANLEY On PETER CRISS' Absence: 'It Wasn't Working Anymore'

KISS frontman Paul Stanley has spoken to the San Antonio Express-News about the group's upcoming "Rock The Nation" North American tour with POISON, which kicks off June 10 in Selma, Texas.

"People know when they pay to see KISS they're going to get something to see," said Stanley. "When KISS first came on the scene, I think we were a wake-up call to audiences that they were getting cheated. The idea of us coming out and sitting on stools on a Persian carpet or something isn't gonna happen. KISS remains KISS. It's walls of amplifiers, video screens built into the amps. New KISS is about as necessary as new Coke. It's still KISS, but the blade's been sharpened."

According to Stanley, KISS are digging deep into their vast catalog to unearth long-hidden gems to perform on the upcoming trek.

"Not only did we shake up the set list, but we also did two small shows (in Australia recently) in theaters where we virtually played a slew of songs that either never have been played or haven't been played in 25 years," Stanley said. "We did a two-hour set without the benefit of special effects or pyro that consisted of 'C'mon and Love Me', 'Goin' Blind', 'Makin' Love', 'All the Way', 'Got to Choose', 'Hotter than Hell', you name it. We're really fired up, because at this point on any given night we can throw in whatever we feel like playing."

With regards to the absence of drummer Peter Criss from the current tour, Paul said, "We created some great things together and I'd rather think about the positive things we did than start airing dirty laundry. The fact is, it's easy for somebody to portray themselves as a victim when they don't want to take responsibility for their position. For all the good we accomplished, I will always wish Peter well. It wasn't working anymore for a lot of reasons and it was best for the band and the audience to bring Eric [Singer] back."

As for Frehley, Stanley said, "Ace, for years, had an ambivalence, to put it mildly, about being in the band because he felt it was keeping him from his solo project. Ultimately, Ace opted out. The door doesn't swing both ways. At some point, you can only walk through that door so many times and then the lock gets changed. This is hallowed ground and you're expected to give a hundred percent. If you don't, I have a problem with that."