Gene Simmons To Rock New Restaurant Venture

Legendary Rocker Partners With Restaurant Impresario Michael Zislis And Concert Promoter Dave Furano To Open and Franchise A New Restaurant Concept For Music Lovers

LOS ANGELES, March 12, 2012 -- Gene Simmons, rock legend and media mogul, is parlaying his love for music into a new restaurant and entertainment venture called Rock & Brews ™. The concept captures the excitement of live concerts in an authentically themed backstage environment including Rock & Brews' "The Great Wall of Rock," rock posters and rock art and multiple flat screen televisions.

Rock & Brews serves rock musicians' favorite foods and highlights an ever-changing, award-winning craft beer selection with hundreds of artisanal breweries featured from around the world.

The first Rock & Brews is scheduled to open just south of Los Angeles International Airport in the beach community of El Segundo, Calif., on April 3. Several others are in the works in the Los Angeles area, including one at Los Angeles International Airport, as well as locations in Maui, Hawaii; Denver; Atlanta; Tokyo; and Los Cabos, Mexico. The expansion plan anticipates the opening of four Rock & Brews in 2012 with aggressive plans for continued expansion worldwide beginning in 2013 and beyond.

Rock & Brews was inspired by Michael Zislis, a notable force on the L.A. restaurant scene, and Dave Furano, a veteran concert promoter, who are Simmons' partners in the venture.

The Food and Drink

Rock & Brews' casual American menu features a broad selection of "Opening Acts" appetizers, "VIP" salads, hand-crafted burgers, "Headliner" sandwiches, "Front Row" pizzas and "Encores" desserts. The emphasis is on quality comfort foods that feed the soul as much as the appetite.

With hundreds of craft beers to choose from, craft beer is the top grog at Rock & Brews. More than 40 craft beers are available on tap via a state-of-the-art draft system with hundreds more available in the bottle or can. Selections include lagers, pilsners, pale ales, fruit, malty, hoppy, Belgian, dark, on-deck and bottled beer and a knowledgeable staff to help guests navigate the selection. Red and white wines are also available.

The Concerts

Rock & Brews features large screen televisions throughout that continuously screen concert videos and live recordings of the greatest rock concerts of all time with state-of-the-art sound.

The Atmosphere

With an ambiance reminiscent of being back stage at a rock event, Rock & Brews features a casual, friendly, energized environment decked out with picnic tables, concert lighting, and retractable projection screens and speakers that create a 360-degree experience. The venue is designed to be family and dog friendly with a play area for kids and a large open-air area where four legged guests can howl to the tunes.

Hosted by Simmons, Furano and Zislis, Rock & Brews opening bash on April 3 will benefit Wounded Warrior Project™.

Rock & Brews is located at 143 Main Street in El Segundo, Calif. For reservations or information, call 310.615.9890 or visit www.rockandbrews.com.

SOURCE Rock & Brews

FOURTH ANNUAL REVOLVER GOLDEN GODS AWARD SHOW PRESENTED BY EPIPHONE® SET FOR WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11, AT CLUB NOKIA IN DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES

GENE SIMMONS TO BE HONORED ALONG WITH PERFORMANCES BY MARILYN MANSON, SLASH FEATURING MILES KENNEDY AND THE CONSPIRATORS, EVANESCENCE, SIXX:A.M. AND BLACK VEIL BRIDES; SHOW TO BE BROADCAST ON XBOX LIVE

GRAMMY MUSEUM TO LAUNCH NEW EXHIBIT: "GOLDEN GODS: THE HISTORY OF HEAVY METAL" ON DAY OF SHOW

America’s only hard-rock and heavy-metal award show is back for 2012! The fourth annual REVOLVER GOLDEN GODS AWARD SHOW presented by Epiphone^® will take place Wednesday, April 11, at Club Nokia in Downtown Los Angeles. For the first time ever, the event will be broadcast live in its entirety on Xbox LIVE, as well as on the Xbox and Revolver Facebook pages. Tickets go on sale today Wednesday, February 15, via Ticketmaster, click here.

“Our exclusive collaboration with Revolver Magazine on the Golden Gods event shows just how far Xbox LIVE has come as an entertainment destination,” said Ross Honey, GM of Xbox LIVE Entertainment & Advertising. “We’re excited to deliver this live original content to all Xbox LIVE members globally.”

Also on April 11, The GRAMMY Museum, next door to Club Nokia, will open its new exhibit Golden Gods: The History of Heavy Metal. Mounted in coordination with Revolver, the exhibit will feature never-before-displayed artifacts including instruments, stage props, handwritten lyrics, clothing and costumes, alongside original album artwork, posters and live-performance and interview footage. The exhibit will also feature a variety of interactive displays. “We are thrilled to be partnering with Revolver to tell the story of metal,” states GRAMMY Museum Executive Director Bob Santelli, “and offer fans the opportunity to engage with their favorite artists in such a personal way.”

Hosting duties for the GOLDEN GODS awards show will be handled by FOZZY frontman and WWE pro-wrestling legend Chris Jericho, who returns for the third consecutive year. The nominees in 11 different categories, plus the recipient of this year’s prestigious “Golden God Award,” were revealed today at a press conference held at the GRAMMY Museum in Los Angeles. Host Chris Jericho was on hand, along with Alice Cooper, Munky (Korn), Zakk Wylde (Black Label Society), Vinnie Paul (Pantera, Hellyeah), James Michael (Sixx:A.M.), Vinny Appice (Heaven & Hell, Kill Devil Hill), Black Veil Brides, Mike Portnoy (Adrenaline Mob), John Moyer (Disturbed, Adrenaline Mob), Michael Starr (Steel Panther), Wendy Dio (wife of Ronnie James Dio) and pro motocross rider Brian Deegan to announce the nominees.

Beginning today, fans everywhere can cast their vote to decide who will take home the awards for “Best Guitarist” (presented by Epiphone^®), “Best Drummer” (presented by Drum Workshop^®), “Best Vocalist” (presented by Rockstar Energy Drink^®), “Album of the Year” (presented by Marshall Amplification^®), “Best Live Band” (presented by Samson/Zoom^®), “Most Metal Athlete,” “Comeback of the Year” (presented by Eagle Rock Entertainment^®), “Riff Lord,” “Paul Gray Best Bassist” (presented by Dean Markley^®), “Best International Band” (presented by Musicians Institute^®) and “Most Dedicated Fans.” Voting starts today at: www.GoldenGodsAwards.com and ends on April 1. The complete list of nominees in each category is listed below.

The Golden God Award, given to one special honoree a year who embodies the spirit of hard rock and metal, will go to KISS demon Gene Simmons, whose band will release their highly anticipated 20^th studio album, “Monster,” this year. (Previous honorees include hard-rock and metal legends Alice Cooper, Rob Halford of JUDAS PRIEST and Dave Mustaine of MEGADETH.) Simmons commented, “It’s an honor and privilege to accept the Golden God Award. A God is only as powerful as the faithful who worship him. Signed GOD OF THUNDER.”

Adding to the celebration, The 2012 REVOLVER GOLDEN GODS AWARDS SHOW will feature one-of-a-kind special performances and collaborations that honor both the past, present and future of heavy music. The night’s hard-rocking musical performances will include sets by MARILYN MANSON (in his first U.S. performance in nearly three years); iconic GRAMMY-winning guitarist SLASH featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators; EVANESCENCE; SIXX:A.M. featuring Nikki Sixx of MÖTLEY CRÜE, James Michael, acclaimed rock producer and songwriter, and DJ Ashba of GUNS N’ ROSES (in their first performance in almost four years); and 2011 Best New Band Golden God Award winner BLACK VEIL BRIDES, who will perform their only U.S. show of 2012 so far. More performers will be announced in the coming weeks.

"Every year, the Revolver Golden Gods grows bigger and more badass. The 2012 edition is without question the most epic one yet, from the performers and presenters to the nominees and honorees,” states Revolver Editor in Chief Brandon Geist. “And this year, with the GRAMMY Museum launching its tie-in ‘Golden Gods: The History of Heavy Metal’ exhibit, and Xbox LIVE broadcasting the show around the world as it goes down in its entirety, the event will truly encompass the full timeline of heavy music and span the globe. Epic, indeed."

“Epiphone and I are thrilled to participate in the Golden Gods Awards Show and celebrate some of music’s best talents – including this year’s performers from our Epiphone/Gibson family Nikki Sixx and Slash,” said Jim Rosenberg, President of Epiphone. “We are excited to share this year’s event with Epiphone players and metal fans across the globe with the show’s inaugural live broadcast. Every year, the show gets better and better!”

Cast your vote now at GOLDENGODSAWARDS.COM.