08/11/2011
TOMMY TALKS ABOUT KISS COFFEEHOUSE PARTY
By Steve Palisin
The party will rock and roll all afternoon and night on Saturday.
A fifth anniversary party for the KISS Coffeehouse at Broadway at the Beach in Myrtle Beach, with events starting at 10 a.m., will center around two special guests from the group: drummer Eric Singer and lead guitarist Tommy Thayer.
Thayer was on hand for the second-year celebration in September 2008, after KISS co-founders bassist Gene Simmons and guitarist Paul Stanley marked the grand opening in June 2006.
Singer and Thayer will take photos, meet fans and answer questions, before a KISS Army concert and after-party to round out the evening.
Thayer, who sports the spaceman makeup, took a few minutes Tuesday afternoon by phone to talk about the group and the coffeehouse.
Question | How does this extra interaction with fans, such as through the party this weekend in Myrtle Beach, remind you how the KISS name, concept, sound and look have remained a cultural touchstone for fans through the decades?
Answer | It just shows you the uniqueness of KISS and what it promotes. � It�s just a opportunity, now that we are off tour, to get together with some of out dearest and nearest fans, at a KISS Coffeehouse. What other bands can say something like that?
Q. | What�s your greatest memory as the guest of honor for the KISS Coffeehouse second anniversary celebration?
A. | There was a kid named Todd who won a contest to sing �Forever� with me on stage. We took submissions from hundreds of fans who emailed their version of them singing our song �Forever.� He won, and he had a great voice. It was a cool, interactive thing to do with fans.
Q. | Did you have a favorite KISS song before you joined the group, and what�s a tune you love performing on stage from almost a decade on stage with the group?
A. | I remember one of my first favorite KISS songs, from the first KISS album, in 1974. That was �Black Diamond.� It�s always been one of my favorite KISS songs. In live performance, I love �God Gave Rock �N� Roll to You.� It�s actually more complex than other KISS songs. It�s a very guitar-driven anthem, which I love.By Steve Palisin
The party will rock and roll all afternoon and night on Saturday.
A fifth anniversary party for the KISS Coffeehouse at Broadway at the Beach in Myrtle Beach, with events starting at 10 a.m., will center around two special guests from the group: drummer Eric Singer and lead guitarist Tommy Thayer.
Thayer was on hand for the second-year celebration in September 2008, after KISS co-founders bassist Gene Simmons and guitarist Paul Stanley marked the grand opening in June 2006.
Singer and Thayer will take photos, meet fans and answer questions, before a KISS Army concert and after-party to round out the evening.
Thayer, who sports the spaceman makeup, took a few minutes Tuesday afternoon by phone to talk about the group and the coffeehouse.
Question | How does this extra interaction with fans, such as through the party this weekend in Myrtle Beach, remind you how the KISS name, concept, sound and look have remained a cultural touchstone for fans through the decades?
Answer | It just shows you the uniqueness of KISS and what it promotes. � It�s just a opportunity, now that we are off tour, to get together with some of out dearest and nearest fans, at a KISS Coffeehouse. What other bands can say something like that?
Q. | What�s your greatest memory as the guest of honor for the KISS Coffeehouse second anniversary celebration?
A. | There was a kid named Todd who won a contest to sing �Forever� with me on stage. We took submissions from hundreds of fans who emailed their version of them singing our song �Forever.� He won, and he had a great voice. It was a cool, interactive thing to do with fans.
Q. | Did you have a favorite KISS song before you joined the group, and what�s a tune you love performing on stage from almost a decade on stage with the group?
A. | I remember one of my first favorite KISS songs, from the first KISS album, in 1974. That was �Black Diamond.� It�s always been one of my favorite KISS songs. In live performance, I love �God Gave Rock �N� Roll to You.� It�s actually more complex than other KISS songs. It�s a very guitar-driven anthem, which I love.
Q. | What extra publicity have the A&E series �Gene Simmons Family Jewels� and Simmons� role on Donald Trump�s �Celebrity Apprentice� provided for the band�s continuing popularity?
A. | Gene and Paul together have continued the KISS legacy for 40 years. You have to really tip your hat to both of them. �Gene�s TV shows have been very popular, and I think that has brought some awareness, too. � Paul is producing the new KISS studio album. When it comes to � the mission of what KISS is, looks and sounds like, he�s more hands-on in that. Sometimes Paul doesn�t say as much, and he keeps a lower profile, but that shouldn�t conceal the fact that he�s more of the driving force behind KISS.
Q. | With KISS members entertaining frequently for U.S troops around the world, how humbling an experience do you bring home each time?
A. | It�s something we take a lot of pride in. The Wounded Warrior Project was something we got involved in a year ago. � My dad is a retired brigadier general who was in the Army. I�ve been around this stuff a long time. All the troops: They are the real heroes of the country.
_______________________________________
If you go:
What | KISS Coffeehouse�s fifth-year anniversary party
Who | KISS drummer Eric Singer and lead guitarist Tommy Thayer, and a concert by the KISS Army band
When | Saturday
Where | KISS Coffeehouse, Broadway at the Beach
How much | $50, $100 or $150 ages 11 and older, and free for ages 10 and younger with an adult-rate ticket
Details | Deadline to buy tickets is Friday, available only at www.kisscoffeehouse.com
Schedule |
10 a.m.-noon � Professional photographs (for $100 and $150 ticket levels only)
12:30-5 p.m. � Meet-and-greet with Singer and Thayer
7-7:30 � Question-and-answer session with Singer and Thayer
8-10 � KISS Army concert in Celebrity Square
10:30 � After-party with KISS Army
The party will rock and roll all afternoon and night on Saturday.
A fifth anniversary party for the KISS Coffeehouse at Broadway at the Beach in Myrtle Beach, with events starting at 10 a.m., will center around two special guests from the group: drummer Eric Singer and lead guitarist Tommy Thayer.
Thayer was on hand for the second-year celebration in September 2008, after KISS co-founders bassist Gene Simmons and guitarist Paul Stanley marked the grand opening in June 2006.
Singer and Thayer will take photos, meet fans and answer questions, before a KISS Army concert and after-party to round out the evening.
Thayer, who sports the spaceman makeup, took a few minutes Tuesday afternoon by phone to talk about the group and the coffeehouse.
Question | How does this extra interaction with fans, such as through the party this weekend in Myrtle Beach, remind you how the KISS name, concept, sound and look have remained a cultural touchstone for fans through the decades?
Answer | It just shows you the uniqueness of KISS and what it promotes. � It�s just a opportunity, now that we are off tour, to get together with some of out dearest and nearest fans, at a KISS Coffeehouse. What other bands can say something like that?
Q. | What�s your greatest memory as the guest of honor for the KISS Coffeehouse second anniversary celebration?
A. | There was a kid named Todd who won a contest to sing �Forever� with me on stage. We took submissions from hundreds of fans who emailed their version of them singing our song �Forever.� He won, and he had a great voice. It was a cool, interactive thing to do with fans.
Q. | Did you have a favorite KISS song before you joined the group, and what�s a tune you love performing on stage from almost a decade on stage with the group?
A. | I remember one of my first favorite KISS songs, from the first KISS album, in 1974. That was �Black Diamond.� It�s always been one of my favorite KISS songs. In live performance, I love �God Gave Rock �N� Roll to You.� It�s actually more complex than other KISS songs. It�s a very guitar-driven anthem, which I love.By Steve Palisin
The party will rock and roll all afternoon and night on Saturday.
A fifth anniversary party for the KISS Coffeehouse at Broadway at the Beach in Myrtle Beach, with events starting at 10 a.m., will center around two special guests from the group: drummer Eric Singer and lead guitarist Tommy Thayer.
Thayer was on hand for the second-year celebration in September 2008, after KISS co-founders bassist Gene Simmons and guitarist Paul Stanley marked the grand opening in June 2006.
Singer and Thayer will take photos, meet fans and answer questions, before a KISS Army concert and after-party to round out the evening.
Thayer, who sports the spaceman makeup, took a few minutes Tuesday afternoon by phone to talk about the group and the coffeehouse.
Question | How does this extra interaction with fans, such as through the party this weekend in Myrtle Beach, remind you how the KISS name, concept, sound and look have remained a cultural touchstone for fans through the decades?
Answer | It just shows you the uniqueness of KISS and what it promotes. � It�s just a opportunity, now that we are off tour, to get together with some of out dearest and nearest fans, at a KISS Coffeehouse. What other bands can say something like that?
Q. | What�s your greatest memory as the guest of honor for the KISS Coffeehouse second anniversary celebration?
A. | There was a kid named Todd who won a contest to sing �Forever� with me on stage. We took submissions from hundreds of fans who emailed their version of them singing our song �Forever.� He won, and he had a great voice. It was a cool, interactive thing to do with fans.
Q. | Did you have a favorite KISS song before you joined the group, and what�s a tune you love performing on stage from almost a decade on stage with the group?
A. | I remember one of my first favorite KISS songs, from the first KISS album, in 1974. That was �Black Diamond.� It�s always been one of my favorite KISS songs. In live performance, I love �God Gave Rock �N� Roll to You.� It�s actually more complex than other KISS songs. It�s a very guitar-driven anthem, which I love.
Q. | What extra publicity have the A&E series �Gene Simmons Family Jewels� and Simmons� role on Donald Trump�s �Celebrity Apprentice� provided for the band�s continuing popularity?
A. | Gene and Paul together have continued the KISS legacy for 40 years. You have to really tip your hat to both of them. �Gene�s TV shows have been very popular, and I think that has brought some awareness, too. � Paul is producing the new KISS studio album. When it comes to � the mission of what KISS is, looks and sounds like, he�s more hands-on in that. Sometimes Paul doesn�t say as much, and he keeps a lower profile, but that shouldn�t conceal the fact that he�s more of the driving force behind KISS.
Q. | With KISS members entertaining frequently for U.S troops around the world, how humbling an experience do you bring home each time?
A. | It�s something we take a lot of pride in. The Wounded Warrior Project was something we got involved in a year ago. � My dad is a retired brigadier general who was in the Army. I�ve been around this stuff a long time. All the troops: They are the real heroes of the country.
_______________________________________
If you go:
What | KISS Coffeehouse�s fifth-year anniversary party
Who | KISS drummer Eric Singer and lead guitarist Tommy Thayer, and a concert by the KISS Army band
When | Saturday
Where | KISS Coffeehouse, Broadway at the Beach
How much | $50, $100 or $150 ages 11 and older, and free for ages 10 and younger with an adult-rate ticket
Details | Deadline to buy tickets is Friday, available only at www.kisscoffeehouse.com
Schedule |
10 a.m.-noon � Professional photographs (for $100 and $150 ticket levels only)
12:30-5 p.m. � Meet-and-greet with Singer and Thayer
7-7:30 � Question-and-answer session with Singer and Thayer
8-10 � KISS Army concert in Celebrity Square
10:30 � After-party with KISS Army
