(RockAndMetal.com) (06/07/04)

Edited By Michael Bennett

NEW YORK, NY, USA - Simmons Records/Sanctuary Music Group will release the highly-anticipated solo album from GENE SIMMONS tomorrow, entitled "Asshole."

The release marks just the second solo album from the "God Of Thunder" since his self-titled platinum solo debut way back in 1978.

Produced by Simmons, a founding member of KISS, this forward-thinking, genre-splitting effort, is an ambitious musical tour-de force through Simmons' psyche - revealing yet another side to the multi-talented artist.

"Doing a solo record is important because I write so many different kinds of songs."

"I literally have hundreds of songs that are demoed up that aren't right for Kiss, and some songs that weren't used on Kiss records I still like, like 'Carnival Of Souls' and 'Sweet & Dirty.'"

"In assembling the album, I went and reviewed over a hundred songs that I had lying around, and then it was by process of elimination I determined what would go on the record."

"But at the end of the day, above and beyond style, I had to like the songs." stated Simmons.

Like his 1978 solo album, "Asshole" is a model of versatility - drawing together an eclectic swath of styles including Hard Rock, Blues, Thrash, Neo-Psychedelia, Beatlesque Pop, Rap, Progressive Rock and power ballads.

"My taste is eclectic and all over the place. I love all kinds of artists, from Patsy Cline to The Beatles, Motown to Hoobastank."

"As for the record's stylistic diversity, I'm a child of The Beatles. They created this sort of hybrid white version of American music."

"They could do it all-- Little Richard, country, pop, soul, psychedelia. They had no rules."

"That had a major effect on me and that influence comes through on the record," Simmons said.

Transcending genres and confounding expectations, "Asshole" resounds with a surprise at every turn.

Like the artist's 1978 solo debut, a number of musical luminaries join in on the fun.

Bod Dylan and Simmons co-wrote the album's 'Waiting For The Morning Light.'

Frank Zappa posthumously shares co-writing credit on 'Black Tongue,' and the Zappa family: Dweezil, Ahmet, Moon, Gail and Frank Zappa himself all sing and play guitar on the song.

Other guests featured on the new album include Jane' Addiction's Dave Navarro, ex-Kiss members Bruce Kulick and Eric Singer, new Simmons Records/Sanctuary Music Group signing Bag, as well as Gene Simmons' longtime live in Shannon Tweed and their two children, Sophie and Nicholas.

Drawing together over three decades of record making, "Asshole" is a grand, and swaggering portrait of Gene Simmons in the 21st Century - a brave musical statement from a man unafraid of pushing the envelope and exploring new boundaries.

"Asshole" Track Listing:
1. Asshole
2. Carnival of Souls
3. If I Had A Gun
4. Weapons
5. Waiting For The Morning Light
6. Whatever Turns You On
7. Sweet & Dirty Love
8. Beautiful
9. Dog
10. Now That You're Gone
11. Black Tongue
12. I Dream A Thousand Dreams
13. Firestarter

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