Kiss for safe sex

The rock band Kiss is getting into the safe sex business, with a line of condoms featuring their trademark painted faces on the package.

The first in the series of Kiss Kondoms are billed as "Rock 'N' Rubbers" and are made of bright red latex.

They're labelled "Tongue Lubricated", and the foil wrapper features bass player Gene Simmons in his trademark black and white makeup, with his famous tongue fully extended.

Simmons swears he has not personally lubricated the condoms, but promises deserving young ladies a personal demonstration.

The rock star who claims to have slept with more than 4,600 women, including romances with Cher and former Supremes diva Diana Ross, says sex without condoms is stupid, and he wants to provide an alternative to the clinical-looking ones commonly sold.


Gene Simmons says sex is always embarrassing and he thinks a Kiss condom will lighten up the situation.

"Sex is always embarrassing for people, so when a guy whips out a Kiss condom and there's Gene Simmons's tongue hanging out it lightens up the situation," he told Reuters.

The box of three will sell for $US4.95 ($A8.82)

Two more versions are already in the works - a studded condom dubbed the "Studded Paul" and adorned with a photo of Kiss guitarist Paul Stanley, and "Love Gun Protection", an extra strength version with the entire band on the packaging.