Tag: kiss
Baldur’s Gate 3’s next patch is a big one, and it’ll let you kiss dudes on the forehead
Good news, people who like watching their Tav munch on the lips of Baldur’s Gate 3’s gang of companions (we’re not judging, by the way), the game’s next patch is inbound next week and it looks like it’ll let you casually plant a big wet smooch on the foreheads of your favourite party members.
It’s been a little while since we last got a properly beefy patch for Larian’s RPG, with the late November one that brought the game a new epilogue and its fearsome honour mode being the most recent non-hotfix update for the game. To be fair Larian has had some save and ban issues to sort out on Xbox since that point, so it’s been busy.
Now, though, we’re back in business! Patch number 6 for the game has now been confirmed to be coming next week, and as you can see in the video Larian’s included with its announcement of that, forehead kisses are on the menu. Alongside these “improved smooches”, you can look forward to “new camp idle animations, new legendary actions in honour mode, and plenty of bug fixes.”
Kiss star Gene Simmons on sleeping with ‘5,000’ women and farewell tour
WITH a heavy heart, Gene Simmons is washing off his Demon alter-ego warpaint, hanging up his knee-high metal boots and, er, putting away his cow-sized tongue.
As the Kiss bassist and co-lead singer prepares to bring the band’s farewell tour to Britain, he’s in reflective mood.
Gene Simmons is washing off his Demon alter-ego warpaint, hanging up his knee-high metal boots as Kiss as a touring band comes to an end[/caption]
The man behind the make-up addresses claims that the he has slept with approaching 5,000 girls[/caption]
“For 50 years, I’ve had the privilege of wearing more makeup and higher heels than your mommy ever did,” says the hard-rock colossus with a talent for hilarious turns of phrase.
“It’s the end of the touring band because we have enough self-respect,” he continues. “We don’t want to be like boxers who stay in the ring too long.
“If I was in the Rolling Stones, who are great by the way, I could strum a guitar wearing sneakers and T-shirt and it would be fine.
“I admire Mick Jagger for pushing the limits but I can’t keep doing it with 40lb of studs and armour and eight-inch heels.”
Having said that, Simmons is hellbent on Kiss bowing out while they’re still on top and fighting fit.
“I’m in great shape, we’re sounding great — and we introduce ourselves as the hottest band in the world!” he exclaims.
Talking from his home in what he calls “the hills of Beverly” in between dates, Simmons proves himself to be an intriguing combination of raconteur, rock historian with just a little bit of Spinal Tap.
In fact, he’s just what you’d expect from someone who loves to sing: “I want to rock and roll all nite and party every day.”
The rocker, born in Israel 73 years ago to Hungarian Jewish parents, also has the rare distinction of being a teetotal wildman.
“I never drink or smoke or get high. That’s just my preference,” he says.
“I’m not here to shake my finger at anybody. Go to the pub all you want but it doesn’t appeal to me in the least.”
In the Kiss man’s world, “party means girls”.
Though he’s long been faithful to his wife, actress and former Playboy model Shannon Tweed, legendary lover Simmons is thought to have slept with nearly 5,000 women.
“I’ve heard all about those numbers,” he laughs when I broach the subject.
To what extent are they true? I venture. “Confirmed,” he replies in a low comedy rumble.
Simmons says: “For me, an insane heterosexual male, party means girls. I was like a vulture, waiting on the sidelines until all the guys got drunk.
“But the prettiest girls didn’t get drunk so I’d walk in and choose whichever — as you Brits say — birds I liked.”
Now it’s time for a Simmons Kisstory lesson. It is 50 years since “four knuckleheads from New York City”, including fellow remaining founder member Paul Stanley, formed the band.
“We wanted to be The Beatles on steroids,” says Simmons. “We couldn’t shine their boots, not in our wildest dreams, but we were completely inspired by them.
“We loved the idea of four guys in a band where everybody is a star and everybody sings. Only The Beatles had done that.”
He first saw John, Paul, George and Ringo as one of the 75million Americans who watched The Ed Sullivan Show in the Sixties.
“That show made The Beatles in the States,” says Simmons. “You were immediately struck by the sound of girls screaming. And I thought, ‘Well, that’s a good job!’ ”
Unlike the Fab Four, however, Kiss decided to play fast, loud and heavy, wear outlandish costumes and daub their faces with the iconic makeup.
Simmons remembers how he transformed into the Demon in the Seventies: “We were in a loft, a fire trap with no windows — one way in and out.
“One of the guys suggested we go to a coffee shop where they sold all sorts of things including clown gear. We bought some black and white makeup and two $15 mirrors — and created a look that has stayed on our faces for half a century.”
‘My imagination soared’
Simmons can’t fully explain where his Demon design came from but says: “I’ve always been fascinated by horror movies, Godzilla and comic books so maybe I’m a result of that.”
His love of stories about monsters and superheroes goes back to his childhood.
“I was born in Israel in 1949, my mother being a survivor of Nazi Germany,” he says.
“When we landed in New York in 1958, I couldn’t believe my eyes. Buildings that went off into the sky, thousands of cars everywhere and not a blade of grass.
“I’d never heard of television and had never been to a movie theatre so when I saw Superman and King Kong, my imagination soared.
“As a nine-year-old boy on the beach, I tied a towel round my neck, knowing in my heart that if I jumped high enough, I could fly through the air like Superman.”
Wind forward to 1973 and Simmons is dressed as the Demon for the first time.
He recalls catching sight of himself in that cheap mirror: “It was bizarre. I was aware I was inside there somewhere. I felt like one of those knights in shining armour.”
As for stepping on stage in full battle regalia for a Kiss show, he compares himself to a boxer slugging it out.
“When you get in that ring, you want to knock the s**t out of your opponent. Your chest expands and adrenaline courses through your veins.
“You’re very much Jekyll and Hyde, the same person in a different body with a different mindset.”
Over the years, Simmons has nursed a few wounds from his Demon antics.
“I’ve stepped off stage black and blue,” he says. “A few hours later, I’m hurting like hell and I’m thinking, ‘Where did I get that? Don’t you remember, you smashed into the amp!’ ”
But it’s the face paint, which Kiss controversially dropped in the Eighties, which sets them apart.
“I love U2 and Radiohead but our imagery supersedes all that,” says Simmons.
“We’ve become part of pop culture for good or bad. People might hate us but, when Halloween comes by, you’ll see all the Kiss costumes at parties. There are huge Kiss floats at carnivals in Brazil — but nobody is dressed up like Thom Yorke!”
So how much time does Simmons need to get ready for a show these days?
“It takes me the longest, because my makeup is the most intricate,” he answers.
Once in full Demon attire, he has to stay in character for at least another seven hours.
Allowing for pauses between the various duties, he explains: “We do soundcheck for about an hour before greeting the fans for another hour. Then we’re on stage for two hours.
“After our shows, it takes us another hour to get settled down, take off the makeup and shower. I’m a real working man!
“Most bands just turn up, get out of the limo, go on stage for 90mins/two hours and go home.”
At the beating heart of Kiss are the two stalwarts — Simmons and Stanley.
Like all bands that last 50 years, the pair have had their ups and downs but it’s a relationship which commands respect on both sides.
“You’ve got to understand that you’re not God’s gift and that you don’t know every-thing,” says Simmons.
“I’m pretty good at all sorts of stuff but Paul is better at other things. If you have the right combination, then one plus one equals three.”
Here, Simmons gives a fascinating insight into how they work together.
He talks about the creation of his signature anthem, God Of Thunder, which was actually written by Stanley.
“Paul told me I only ever wrote about monsters. Then I said to him, ‘All you ever write about is silly girl stuff and falling in love’.
“So we woke from our stupors. He came up with God Of Thunder and I went home right away and did Christine Sixteen — and both were hits.”
Now, in 2023, the live Kiss journey is nearing its end but there are numerous other projects for Simmons and Co to still look forward to.
He says: “We continue in ways that nobody would ever have imagined.
“There’s a Kiss museum in Las Vegas. Still to come is a Kiss movie, Kiss theme parks and a Kiss stage show going round the world, all kinds of stuff.”
So how does he feel about hanging up his boots?
“The saddest part is that original members Ace [Frehley] and Peter [Criss] aren’t going to be with us at the finish line,” he replies.
Now, in 2023, the live Kiss journey is nearing its end but there are numerous other projects for Simmons and Co to still look forward to[/caption]
‘At the final ever show, I know I’ll be crying like a 12-year-old girl whose foot is being stepped on’[/caption]
“Perhaps they were shooting stars. Not everybody is designed to run a marathon.
“I personally asked Ace and Peter, ‘Do you want to come out for our encores and celebrate this thing you helped build in the beginning?’ and the answer was No.”
The End Of The Road tour is due to wind up this December at Madison Square Garden in the band’s hometown of New York.
There won’t be a dry eye in the house and, for Simmons, it’s a mixture of “intense, deeply felt feelings”.
“Pride is foremost,” he decides. “Few bands last half a century on their own terms.
“At the final ever show, I know I’ll be crying like a 12-year-old girl whose foot is being stepped on.”
Even as he thinks about it, Simmons wells up but he signs off by quoting one of his Beatles heroes.
“All things must pass, as George Harrison said many years ago.”
KISS TOUR UK DATES
- Plymouth June 3
- Birmingham June 5
- Newcastle June 6
- London July 5
- Manchester July 7
- Glasgow July 8
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Madonna, 64, shares steamy kiss with boxer Josh Popper, 29, as pop star confirms new relationship with racy PDA pic
MADONNA has apparently gone Instagram official with new boy toy Josh Popper.
The 29-year-old boxer is a real knockout.
Madonna kissed new boytoy Josh Popper[/caption]
The singer seemed to confirm rumors she is dating the boxer[/caption]
Rumors had been spreading that the 64-year-old Material Girl was dating the much younger pugilist.
On Tuesday, Madonna shared a photo of herself kissing the masked man, seemingly confirming the whispers.
The pair were dressed all in black, as she celebrated the Jewish holiday Purim.
The singer was wearing a black lace mask, as Josh donned a black scarf and cap, exposing only his eyes.
The two locked lips through their respective coverings.
Madonna captioned the photo “Killers who are partying,” as she dressed as Queen Esther, the heroine of the religious story.
CRAZY FOR YOU
Josh is a New York City-based boxer who attended Rowan University in New Jersey.
At one point, he was recruited by the Indianapolis Colts and he trained with the Arizona Cardinals.
He is also the co-founder of Bredwinner’s boxing studio, which is how he met Madonna.
The pair became acquainted with one another after Popper began training the Queen of Pop’s son David Banda.
The Papa Don’t Preach singer was even seen supporting Popper during a couple of boxing matches.
The boxer may also be recognized by his guest appearance in the Bravo reality show Summer House.
He appeared as a personal trainer to series regular Samantha Feher.
TAKE A BOW
It’s been nearly a year since Madonna said goodbye to boyfriend Ahlamalik Williams after three years together.
The superstar told friends she was single again after deciding things were not working out with the 29-year-old dancer.
The couple — who have a 35-year age gap — started dating in 2019, and Madonna regularly shared photos of him on social media.
But they were not seen together for several weeks, and friends said they amicably decided to separate.
A source said: “Madonna has thrown herself into a busy social life and has been seeing her friends and family after the split.
“She has a packed schedule, working on her upcoming biopic, new music and looking after her family.
“Things have been on and off with Ahlamalik for a while. There’s a lot of love but for now they have decided to separate.
“They are still on good terms and there are no hard feelings but they are at different places with their lives.
“They spent months together on tour and in lockdown, but now he has moved out of her home.
“With them both working on other things, it was hard to keep their romance alight.”
Ahlamalik first met Madonna while dancing on her Rebel Heart tour in 2015.
During their romance, she helped him land a lucrative deal with fashion designer Stella McCartney and collaborated with him on a song as he tried to launch his own music career.
Josh trained Madonna’s son.[/caption]
The singer was celebrating the holiday Purim[/caption]
She broke up with dancer Ahlamalik Williams last year[/caption]