Original KISS drummer Peter Criss has moved quickly to dispel rumors suggesting he is attempting to charge fans an exorbitant fee for a digital copy of his new record. Following reports that his official Bandcamp page listed the digital version of his self-titled comeback album for a staggering $1,000, the “Catman” issued a statement distancing himself from the listing and attributing the error to his record label’s management of the account.
While the Bandcamp page does offer standard pricing for physical formats—$32.98 for vinyl and $14.98 for CD—the four-figure price tag on the digital files raised eyebrows across the internet. A note on the page attempts to explain the strategy, stating: “Digital purchases are discouraged. That’s why the high price,” noting that physical copies include a download code. However, Criss insists this pricing structure was not his decision.
In a message posted to social media earlier today (Monday, December 22), Criss addressed the “KISS Army” directly to clear up the misunderstanding.
“Hello KISS Army! Bandcamp had become an issue and I had requested Flatiron Recordings to disable the account associated with my records before the release day of my New record on December 19, 2025,” Criss wrote.
“I am not in control of the Bandcamp account. Flatiron Recordings is. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and for the misinformation and implication that I am charging $1,000 for a download of my New record – I am Not. Please contact Flatiron Recordings with any purchase questions. Please find another outlet to purchase My New Peter Criss Rock Record. There is a Linktree on my website www.petercriss.net of outlets to purchase my new record. Just click the link for my record and it will show you the Linktree . Please use one of those instead of Bandcamp. Thank you all! God Bless, Peter Criss.”
For fans looking to acquire the album digitally without the hefty price tag, the record is widely available on standard platforms, including the iTunes store where it retails for $9.99.
The controversy comes just days after the December 19 release of Peter Criss, his first solo studio effort since 2007’s One For All. In a recent interview with Billboard, the drummer expressed immense pride in the project, describing the recording process as a rejuvenating experience.
“I put my heart and soul into it. My voice, I’m still singing like a bird. Boy, am I lucky,” Criss told. “I felt I was in control and I was enjoying myself; you can hear me laughing on the record. We all had a great time, and we all had a part in it. It was like having a dream band. You can feel it in the music. It was just really wonderful. I haven’t had the experience of doing a record like that since maybe KISS‘ first album. I felt like I was 20 years old again.”
To achieve this sound, Criss co-produced the album with Barry Pointer and recruited an all-star lineup of friends and collaborators. The credits feature John 5 and Mike McLaughlin on guitars, Billy Sheehan and Matthew Montgomery (Piggy D.) on bass, and Paul Shaffer on piano.
Musically, Criss emphasized that he wanted to fulfill a promise to his fanbase to return to his hard rock roots after his previous, softer solo outings.
“There’s a little bit of everything in there. Now that I’m a senior citizen or whatever, I wanted to write a little about politics, a little good ol’ rock ‘n’ roll,” he explained. “Music is so powerful, as you know. You can really pour your heart and soul into something…and I did. I hope my fans love it. I promised them I would do a rock album after ‘One For All’, and I kept my promise.”
When pressed on whether this new energy could translate to a live tour, Criss remained optimistic about the possibility.
“If the album really knocks the fans out, would I go out? Sure. I wouldn’t mind getting back on stage, getting the guys together to do a couple shows. Why not?” he said. “I’m in pretty good condition for an old guy; everything is working, maybe a little bit of arthritis here and there, but I still play the drums a few times a week. So, yeah, I hope it does get to that point. I’m just gonna let it flow and see how my fans accept it.”
Peter Criss Track Listing:
- “Rock, Rockin’, Rock & Roll” (feat. Billy Sheehan and Paul Shaffer)
- “In The Dark” (feat. Billy Sheehan and Paul Shaffer)
- “For The Money” (feat. Billy Sheehan and Paul Shaffer)
- “Murder” (feat. Billy Sheehan and Paul Shaffer)
- “Walking On Water” (feat. Billy Sheehan and Paul Shaffer)
- “Creepy Crawlers” (feat. John 5, Billy Sheehan, and Paul Shaffer)
- “Justice” (feat. John 5, Billy Sheehan, and Paul Shaffer)
- “Cheaper To Keep Her” (feat. Billy Sheehan and Paul Shaffer)
- “Sugar” (feat. Billy Sheehan and Paul Shaffer)
- “Rubberneckin’” (feat. John 5, Billy Sheehan, and Paul Shaffer)
- “Hard Rock Knockers” (feat. Billy Sheehan and Paul Shaffer)
