Odds & Ends: Scott Stapp, KISS, Grace Potter, Aloe Blacc

In a video posted on his Facebook page, Creed singer Scott Stapp says he’s broke and living in a Holiday Inn.

In the 15-minute video titled “Public Statement #1,” Stapp begins by summarizing various rumors that emerged during the last few weeks, including stories that he had died as well as gossip that he was drinking, taking drugs and in rehab.

“I’m sober as can be,” Stapp says in the video.  “Once the rumors started coming out I began getting blood and urine tests once a week just in case … someone tried to call me on the carpet about it, I could prove [sobriety].”

Stapp goes on to say that he is under “some kind of vicious attack” and that an audit of his label and personal finances revealed that “a lot of money was stolen” from him.

He also said that the people who are allegedly responsible for his current financial situation had threatened to reveal intimate details of his life if he went public with his accusations.

According to Stapp, the IRS has frozen his bank accounts “two or three times,” leaving him “completely penniless.”

Stapp says he’s going to fight “every single individual that’s involved with this” and that he’s looking for “an honest, good attorney that’s ready to fight and take it all the way to the top.”

Admit it.  You’ve always wanted to be in KISS.  You’ve dreamed of trading guitar licks and makeup tips with Paul Stanley, talking marketing trends with Gene Simmons and perhaps sitting behind the drums and pounding out “Rock and Roll All Nite” during the band’s sold out concert in your hometown.

Now you can join KISS via the magic of the band’s new smartphone/tablet app that features technology enabling you tp put the band in your pictures

The KISS Official Photo app includes photos of all members, as well as pics of album art, instruments used by bandmembers and other items, such as Simmons tongue, Stanley’s Starchild boots and more.

The app can also be used in conjunction with the band’s KISS ME! contests where fans submit photos of themselves dressed as their favorite bandmembers.  Click here for more details

The KISS Official Photo app debuted on the Apple App Store earlier this week and will be available for Android smartphones and the Apple iPad in early 2015. 

Now you can have Grace Potter and The Nocturnals playing live anytime you want.  The band recently launched “Vaulturnal,” an online site to market live recordings. 

The first concert download to be offered on Vaulturnal” is the band’s complete Aug. 19, 2013 headlining show recorded at Tanglewood Music Center in Lenox, Mass., a performance Potter described as a “barnburner.”

Potter and The Nocturnals plan to release several recordings each year that will be available as high-quality downloads as well as on CDs.

“We’ve been talking for a long time about launching a live site for fans to access our music, and we have a fanbase that really does feed off the live-music experience,” Potter said.

Students who create the best public service announcement (PSA) about the importance of hearing protection just might win a free concert by Aloe Blacc.

Starkey Hearing Foundation program “Listen Carefully” has launched national video contest designed to raise awareness of hearing problems.  Sure, loud music can damage hearing but anything blasting the ears ranging from football games to lawn mowers to hairdryers can affect hearing in as little as 10 seconds, says the program.

Students ages 13-18 who are enrolled in accredited U.S. middle or high schools can submit their 30-second PSA videos to the “Listen Carefully Contest.”  Deadline is Dec. 31 and voting for qualifying entries runs Jan. 13-31.  After the finalists are notified Feb. 1, Blacc will perform a private concert at the grand prize winner’s school. Click here for more info.