Letters

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPlEhZZjKX4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDSV4Hf-fPI When the tribute thing first started to gain exposure I searched online for the bands I grew up listening to and found some good ones. Right away I noticed that you could divide these bands into two categories. The Cream of the crop and the once a month Weekend Warrior type bands. Cream of the crop being bands like Atomic Punks, Iron Maidens, Thundherstruck and Led Zepagain. Naturally being a lifelong KISS fan I wanted to find the cream of the KISS tributes. I started out by searching for (Tommy Thayer�s old band) Cold Gin, Strutter and a few other names that I remembered from the past. Eventually I found a band that had a really good look but like most tribute bands did not have good videos. I contacted them and asked if I could bring a crew and videotape one of their shows for a project I was putting together. They said yes and I drove from Los Angeles to Arizona to see them play. That band was called The Original KISS ARMY. To their surprise I was true to my word and showed up with a three man crew. At first they were a little reluctant with the camera�s in their faces but when they saw I was truly a KISS fan they opened up and began their share their stories of lifelong KISS devotion. Gary Stevens (Paul Stanley) life was changed after seeing KISS in 1976 at Coba Hall. Val (Ace Frehley) loved KISS so much as a kid that he would take his copy of KISS Alive to church. Mike Sivo being from New York, his first recollection of KISS was when his sister saw them perform at the Daisy in 74. These guys were actually fans of the band and not just using it as an excuse to perform. Val referred to the band as KISS evangelists. Their job is to bring new fans to KISS. Needless to say the show was great. The fans were really into it. Knowing I had a long drive back to Los Angeles they offered me one of their rooms to crash for the night. I was impressed. They were not just a great band but really cool guys. Though this video isn�t the documentary I intended for it to be I want to share it with KISS fans all over the world and what better place than KISS online. I hope you post it and that KISS fans really enjoy it.