By now, we all know that Gene Simmons would sell his mother for a buck – KISS condoms, KISS coffee shops, KISS coffins…

But KISS yard gnomes?!?!? It’s true. KISS fans will soon be able to have “Dr. Love” or “The Starchild” watch over their azaleas…courtesy of Grilla Covers  www.grillacovers.com)

My dog is going to love this…

Coincidence or not, an unreleased Phil Lynott track has popped up on the 25th anniversary of his death.

“The Story of My Life” features Snowy White on guitar, and was recorded in 1981. R.I.P., Phil…

An animated Ozzy Osbourne will soon star in a Brisk Iced Tea web commercial, reprising the beverage’s popular ’90s ads that featured clay puppet animation.

The Prince of F-ing Darkness recorded his Brisk voiceover in Chicago on December 9. In the 30-second spot, Osbourne instructs viewers on how to be normal, Ozzy-style. He suggests, among other things: going on cruises, believing in commercials, and substituting “Shoot,” “Darn” and “Fudge” for less savory curse words.

The complete Ozzy web video will be available for viewing on the Brisk Facebook page on January 14.

Here’s the commercial teaser:

If you haven’t heard by now, Def Leppard singer Joe Elliot has a new band – the side project called The Down N’ Outz.

Interesting band it is – basically The Quireboys (The London Quireboys in the U.S. – remember that great song “7 O’Clock”? No?), fronted by Elliot, and playing nothing but Mott The Hoople related cover tunes. Got to give them credit for the strangest concept ever, huh?

They’ve just released a new album called “My Re-Generation”, and the new single is “Overnight Angels”. Would you like to see the video? Of course you would…

Cheap Trick brought in the New Year with an appearance on Austin City Limits. The show was actually taped in March of last year, but premiered New Year’s Day on PBS.

Here’s the setlist:

01. Way of the World
02. When the Lights Are Out
03. I Want You to Want Me
04. Sleep Forever
05. Heaven Tonight
06. Miracle
07. Miss Tomorrow
08. Sick Man of Europe
09. Surrender
10. Voices
11. Dream Police
12. Gonna Raise Hell


And if you have a few minutes, THE ENTIRE SHOW ! You’re welcome…

Watch the full episode. See more Austin City Limits.

Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler, Dave Grohl, Norah Jones and more celebrated the work of Paul McCartney as part of the 33rd Annual Kennedy Center Honors tribute.

The December 5 event aired last night (Tuesday 12/28) on CBS in prime time, paying tribute to the 2010 Kennedy Center Honorees: McCartney, country legend Merle Haggard, Oprah Winfrey, choreographer Bill T. Jones, and composer Jerry Herman.

McCartney was the last of the five honorees to be saluted, and Tyler cranked up the energy of the evening, performing a medley of the final four songs from Abbey Road, the Beatle’s last studio album – ‘She Came in Though the Bathroom Window’, ‘Golden Slumbers’, ‘Carry That Weight’ and ‘The End’:

I’m not a Star Wars fan, but, man this could take taunting the neighbor’s cat to a whole new level! And it’s only $300! Too late for Christmas, but Valentine’s Day is just around the corner (hint, hint…)!

Hong Kong company Wicked Lasers has manufactured “the most dangerous laser ever created,” a lightsaber with a blue beam that can burn retinas and set skin on fire.

The Spyder III Pro Arctic features a 1 watt laser the company warns is the most powerful portable laser available. The beam is a thousand times more powerful than sunlight on skin and the manufacturer warns it could cause cancer.

It’s definitely not something you want to give to your seven-year-old Star Wars fanatic.

Cautions Wicked Lasers:

Warning: Extremely dangerous is an understatement to 1W of laser power. At close range, this Class 4 beam will cause immediate and irreversable retinal damage. Use with extreme caution and use only when wearing proper safety goggles with an O.D. of 3+ is required and 4.4+ for longer exposures.

For your convenience, the Arctic comes packaged with free safety glasses.

World Lasers says it ships the lightsaber to over 70 countries…and, yes, thank you for asking, the U.S. is one of those!!!!

Wishing you a safe and happy (INSERT YOUR FAVORITE, POLITICALLY-CORRECT, NON-DENOMINATIONAL, SEASONAL HOLIDAY OF CHOICE HERE)!!!

-Gonzo

Dave and Uncle Ted sing “The Christmas Song”

Would a drum lesson from Neil Peart of RUSH help? Sure couldn’t hurt, huh?

The Drum Channel recently did an upgrade to their site, and are offering a free video lesson from their Neil Peart Masterclass Series.

Check out the lesson here:

http://www.drumchannel.com/articles/Neil_Peart_Master_Class_Frontiers_of_Composition_and_Articulation_Lesson_9

Here is the complete list of lessons in Neil’s class – and make sure to check out all of the exceptional Master Classes offered at DrumChannel.com.

Last week, Bruce Springsteen teamed up with his “Darkness on the Edge of Town”-era E-Street Band (Steve Van Zant, Clarence Clemons, Max Weinberg, Gary Talent, and Ray Bitten. The Band was filled out by Charles Giordana – taking the place of the late Danny Federici – David Lindley on violin, and a horn section).

The show was set up to promote the old/new Springsteen album, “The Promise”.

The crowd was smaller than Springsteen is used to – only 60 people were selected to attend the show at Asbury Park, New Jersey’s Carousel House – but The Boss and Company put on a stellar show. Watch 30 minutes or so from the show here: