On December 11th, KISS vocalist and guitarist Paul Stanley will sing the "Star Spangled Banner" at the San Antonio Spurs' game against the Los Angeles Lakers at the AT&T Center and meet with fans before the 8:30 p.m. nationally televised tip-off at the arena's grand opening of the Rock & Brews restaurant he is unveiling with bassist Gene Simmons. Stanley recently spoke with San Antonio Express News about craft beer, culinary possibilities and being grateful for rock ’n’ roll. An excerpt from the interview is available below.

Q: Which is trendier, rock ’n’ roll or food?

Stanley: "One doesn’t rule the other. Rock ’n’ roll is essential. The foundation of Rock & Brews certainly is a love of classic rock. But then that foundation is used to build something very unique, almost a lifestyle, where people can enjoy great beer, great food, and I don’t mean franchise slop. (It’s) a food experience where if you want to bring your children out for the day, you don’t have to eat cardboard pizza served by somebody dressed as a rat."

Q: What about the national anthem?

Stanley: "I did it at Dodger games. I starred in Phantom of the Opera. So I consider myself a singer that sings rock as opposed to a rock singer. “The Star-Spangled Banner” is a real interesting one in that people tend to obliterate it when they do it and turn it into a showcase for vocal gymnastics instead of singing it as it was written. If you’re looking for showboating, you’re not going to hear it. The anthem should be sung with respect."

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Stanley performed the first-ever Soul Station concert at The Roxy in West Hollywood on September 11th. His R&B band has now confirmed three California shows for February 2016. Dates are as follows:

February
26 - The Coach House - San Juan Capistrano, CA
27 - The Canyon - Agoura Hills, CA
28 - The Rose - Pasadena, CA

Tickets go on sale on Friday, December 4th. Go to PaulStanley.com for details.

Soul Station is a ten piece coalition of some of today’s leading musicians paying tribute to an era of great soul music.

“When I was a boy, before I ever saw The Who or Led Zeppelin, I saw Solomon Burke and Otis Redding. I saw the Temptations. It’s tragic to think that so many people are missing out on experiencing the power of so many great bands, artists and that incredible music,” said Stanley. “That music is part of the foundation of all the music I’ve made and Soul Station is my chance to celebrate it for a night that’s real and live.”

To clarify further he adds, “I don’t play guitar in the band and we don’t do a single KISS song. That’s not what this is about,” Stanley continues. “It’s magical to hear those songs played right and we’re making magic.”

“We’re living in a time of being fed canned pre-programmed backing tracks and lip syncing in place of the electricity and passion of real live R&B,” says Stanley.

“When I was a boy, before I ever saw the Who or Led Zeppelin, I saw Solomon Burke and Otis Redding. I saw the Temptations and all that music is part of the foundation of the music I’ve made. Soul Station is my chance to celebrate it for a night that’s real, live and faithfully recreates the sound with the respect it deserves. Whether it’s the Stylistics, the Dramatics, the Temptations, Smokey and the Miracles, Blue Magic and on, these songs, arrangements and sound just blow you away.”