Kieran James

This book is a collective effort on the authors' part to remember KISS, one of the most important hard-rock bands of the 1970s and 1980s. Arguably KISS was the first major act in rock music history to present rock music as Entertainment Product firstly and music only secondarily. We discuss the original, democratic concept of the Fab Four - Gene, Paul, Ace, and Peter - as well as Simmons' and Stanley's subsequent American Dream ideology. We go on to analyse the current version of the band in the light of the original line-up. We find that the KISS fan base is divided with some fans accepting Simmons' current view that the four personas can be utilized by anyone chosen by the band's leadership; a second group which tries to correct the alleged historical injustices committed against Frehley and Criss; and a third group which is cynical about the current version of the band but mostly holds its peace. Includes bonus 68-page Metallica book.

This book is the memoir of Kieran James, and details his experiences as co-founder of West Perth Football ClubOs unofficial cheer squad (hardcore support) from 1984 to 1986 (Western Australian Football League / WAFL). Using MarshOs theory of the Oillusion of violenceO, the author links the cheer squad to the academic literature on British soccer hooligans, Italian ultras, and other soccer supporter groups from around the world. The book details OtraditionalO, OhotO support for West Perth Football Club among teenaged supporters from middle-class and working-class backgrounds. The findings conform to Armstrong and HughsonOs idea of fluid Opost-modernO Oneo-tribesO where affiliations are very loose and people can easily adjust their degree of commitment to a group and / or leave the group when their personal priorities change. The book also allows the reader to relive great WAFL matches and meet again key players from the era.