KISS [ tickets ] has announced the first batch of 2001 tour dates for its farewell tour, according to a group spokesperson. The new dates will take the masked foursome to Japan and Australia in March and April of next year.

In mid-March, KISS plans to head to Japan for a run that was originally set to take place last month, but was subsequently postponed. Six make-up dates spanning from March 13-22 were announced on Wednesday (12/20), but the Japanese promoter was making slight changes to that itinerary at press time, according to a spokesperson.

Following the Japanese dates, KISS is scheduled to begin a six-date Australian outing in Perth on March 29. Early-April stops in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney follow, including a two-night stand at Melbourne�s Rod Laver Arena. A final Australian date is set for April 13 in Gold Coast.

On Friday night (12/22), KISS will be the subject of VH1�s debut episode of �FanClub,� a documentary-style program that will feature an in-depth look at some of the band�s fans, footage of the band�s current tour and new interviews with the group�s members, according to a VH1 press release.

KISS guitarist Ace Frehley is slated to serve as co-host on Saturday night (12/23) at New York City radio station WNEW during the station�s weekly Saturday Night Rocks program. Frehley will spend four hours spinning KISS records and telling stories about the songs and the band during the show�s annual Merry Kissmass special, according to show host Eddie Trunk�s official website.

The farewell tour began in March. KISS has not yet announced when and where it will end.