Simmons Family / LA Derby Dolls Photo Gallery

LAist.com photographer Michael Zampelli captured the Los Angeles Derby Dolls event, in which Sophie Simmons - along with her parents - sang the national anthem.

The gallery includes photos of Gene, with Sophie and live-in girlfriend Shannon Tweed, as well as the two female roller derby teams the LA-Riettes (a super-squad of the best skaters from the LA Derby Dolls league) and Santa's Little Helpers. The LA-Riettes adopted a jewish theme, and won with a score of 75 to the Santa's Little Helpers' score of 68.

Click here to view.

Albertan bands Turn It Up & Soul Side In play in front of Gene Simmons

Rhonda Nye of CityTV.com's City Scene interviews two Canadian bands that were handpicked to play in front of Gene Simmons during his recent trip to Edmonton. Turn It Up of Red Deer, Alberta, and Edmonton's own Soul Side In. Gene is also featured in the following video:

KISS to record new album in 2009, future tour

Not so long ago, Gene Simmons spoke to Billboard Magazine of his frustrations with the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for not having KISS inducted by now. There's been much talk about the possibility of KISS recording a new album for several months, although Gene denied the idea because he was/is not happy with the way the recording industries in the music business have been working.

Recently it was confirmed that KISS now will record another album. It is now said that Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons will start recording in 2009. This will be the first new album recorded by KISS since Psycho Circus in 1998.

Gene stated at the Billboard Touring Conference in his keynote address back in November that they are working out details for an upcoming tour, possibly this coming summer.