This article ran Thursday just before KISS' Perth show.

THE Mileto family's old KISS-inspired van has been restored in time for the band's Perth performance tonight.

Sal and Joanne Mileto, and their family, will drive the Ford Transit van, which is adorned with paintings of KISS band members, to the concert.

The van has done its fair share of travelling around Collie, appearing in several Christmas pageants, but tonight's trip promises to be a real highlight.

When legendary rock band KISS first toured Australia in 1980, Nick Percat was another eight years from being born.

While KISS have completed several world tours and even a much anticipated reunion tour since that inaugural Australian visit, Percat has not only entered the world, he has set his own mark in the cut-throat world of motorsport.

The Adelaide-born speedster turned plenty of heads when he won the 2009 Australian Formula Ford Championship, but rocketed to fame two years later when he won the Super Cheap Auto Bathurst 1000 at his first attempt in a Holden with Garth Tander.

He drove in the Dunlop Development Series as part of the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide last year and will be back in front of a "home" crowd this weekend after clinching a last-minute deal in the Porsche Carrera Cup with the local Team BRM outfit with the support of Coates Hire.

While he will be keen to catch up with family and friends after hours this week, Percat will be hanging around on Sunday night to catch KISS and Motely Crue in action at the biggest post-race concert ever seen in Adelaide.

Last night, at the Perth Arena was easily the best night of my life. It had always been my dream to once in my life see KISS live, and it finally came true. Being brought up with the band from my dad, being a huge fan, I was always listening to their music, but just one day hoped to finally see it for real!

On the night of the 28th of February I can say I finally saw the best show on Earth. From hearing 'Alright Perth' it was already amazing, and seeing my idols in the flesh was something to be thankful for, sang along to every song and loved every minute, still cant believe it happened! Being in awe of Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley and the amazing stage show they're renowned for, and the real approach to music and how it should be played! This is a night i will never forget, and I would like to thank you, KISS, for giving me passion for music and making a big dream come true!

Thank you!
Bo Rocco

LETTERS

By Corey Stephenson

They've been blasting audiences away for decades and haven't toured Australia for seven years, but when it comes to putting on an unforgettable rock show, time and age are no barrier for KISS.

Kicking off their Australian tour in Perth, the band best known for their costumed characters, explosive stage shows and Gene Simmons' freakishly weird tongue, not only thrilled established fans but also smashed away the fears of the uninitiated who may have thought they're just a decorated gimmick for endless merchandise.

They are, of course, exactly that – and a whole lot more.

Blasting out tracks from new album Monster, along with crowd favourites like Shout It Out Loud, Calling Dr. Love and God Of Thunder, lead singer Paul Stanley led KISS fans through a night of fire, explosions and platform-raising madness that was impossible not to enjoy.

(Even for this reviewer whose previous exposure to KISS comes mostly from Family Guy and the song at the end of Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey.)

KISS fans flock to Perth Arena for a night of rock 'n' roll!

Thanks to WA Today and photographer Matthew Tompsett for these great photos!

Lachy Reid chats to fans after KISS and Motley Crue at Perth

Here's KISS with the Perth KISS Army at the packed Perth Arena on Thursday night.



Photo by Dean Snowden for KISSOnline

Australian KISS Army members in Perth before today's concert. Also pictured is the KISS Beer car that was spotted outside the band's hotel.

Bottom four photos: Paul Kane/Getty Images AsiaPac

HOLDEN V8 Supercar driver James Courtney is feeling like a rock'n'roll superstar as the Clipsal 500 roars into town.

In the photos: (Top) Holden V8 Supercars driver James Courtney with his pit crew in full KISS make-up. (Bottom) James being painted up by make-up artist Sam Gehlken as Gene Simmons from KISS. Photos by Calum Robertson.

By Anna Vlach / The Advertiser

In the lead-up to the four-day motorsport carnival, which begins today, the 33-year-old and his pit crew - Grant Milnes, Glen Fisher and Justin Burns - transformed into KISS look-alikes.

Joking that he may have dislocated his tongue, Courtney said he loved playing "the demon", Gene Simmons.

"I felt like a rocker when I had the make-up on," he said.

Courtney was also living out a boyhood fantasy by "becoming" a member of KISS, who will perform at Sunday's after-race concert.

"They are an iconic rock band," he said.

"Dad would have them on in the car when he was driving me to go-kart meetings.

This awesome Paul Stanley tattoo belongs to Roger Utsola of Norway.

My teacher, Mr. Magnotti, is a KISS fanatic! Eyewitness news came in and filmed us in Brooklyn, N.Y. (yes, KISS' hometown), and they saw his whole classroom covered in KISS pictures, toys, plush animals, boots and a Paul Stanley flag that we stand and salute everyday while he plays the trumpet fanfare! He is crazy but teaches us every grammar rule by using KISS and Sesame Street. These are his heroes.

We have learned about more than just the 150 KISS concerts he attended. We try to be the best in his class because he will give KISS toys and tickets to the ones who do well. He has given KISS potato head figures, bobble heads of Paul, Eric, Gene and Tommy, singing dolls, KISS ARMY dog tags, glasses, hats, shirts, pez dispensers, CDs, xmas ornaments, drumsticks and comic books.

He showed us the picture he cherishes of the art painting he bought from Paul. He dragged the math teacher to 4 concerts in one week in September, even though we had school, he came in so excited! He shares his love of ENGLISH through KISS. If it were not for you guys, I would be dumb.

Please look at the channel 7 eyewitness news link of his classroom, you will see why we love him. He is a hot drummer for his cover band, all because of Eric, whom he idolizes. The guy is KISS crazy, you may know him from the M cap he wears at all of your concerts.

Enjoy the link! (You can see KISS all over the walls!) http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/local/new_york&id=8998758

Best,
AG

Here are some of the many great KISS tattoos found on the KISS Army Tattoo Club Facebook page.

KISS Army Tattoo Club

Look who invaded my local servo to get a KISS ice cream. Hope you like it! It's ME! Hope Paul see's it!

Jack Shaw
Australia

LETTERS

KISS IS EVERYWHERE

From the very famous Mexican tv show "El Chavo" here it is - Quico painted as the Catman! Santiago and Sofia (my kids) discovered this in one episode, they really surprised me, they are always aware of KISS stuff!!!!!

Rodrigo Acuña

LETTERS

KISS IS EVERYWHERE!

Here are some of the many photos we've received of the KISS Army representing KISS at Carnival celebrations around the world! Fans in these photos are from Germany, Holland and Spain.