09/08/2012
COUPLE SHARES LOVE OF KISS!
KISS couple: Allegan's Angel and Jeff Justice are members of KISS Army, Navy to attend Allegan County Fair show
By John Liberty
Angel and Jeff Justice, of Allegan, refer to their story as a piece of "Kiss-tory."
The couple met 10 years ago on a Kiss online fan forum. Jeff lived in Michigan; Angel resided in her hometown of Baltimore, Md. Their mutual appreciation for the band helped spark a relationship that is coming full circle when the couple will see Kiss perform on Tuesday at the Allegan County Fair, just a couple miles from their home.
Together, they have seen 35 Kiss concerts, own more than 300 pieces of Kiss memorabilia -- everything from rare goblets to signed concert posters to a lunch box -- and dedicated most of their newly-finished basement to one of the most popular rock bands of all time.
"One day he walked into the chat room and we hit it off. That was history, or as we say Kiss-tory," said Angel Justice, 42. "The fact that each other knew as much about Kiss and our passion was equal, we were just able to connect."KISS couple: Allegan's Angel and Jeff Justice are members of KISS Army, Navy to attend Allegan County Fair show
By John Liberty
Angel and Jeff Justice, of Allegan, refer to their story as a piece of "Kiss-tory."
The couple met 10 years ago on a Kiss online fan forum. Jeff lived in Michigan; Angel resided in her hometown of Baltimore, Md. Their mutual appreciation for the band helped spark a relationship that is coming full circle when the couple will see Kiss perform on Tuesday at the Allegan County Fair, just a couple miles from their home.
Together, they have seen 35 Kiss concerts, own more than 300 pieces of Kiss memorabilia -- everything from rare goblets to signed concert posters to a lunch box -- and dedicated most of their newly-finished basement to one of the most popular rock bands of all time.
"One day he walked into the chat room and we hit it off. That was history, or as we say Kiss-tory," said Angel Justice, 42. "The fact that each other knew as much about Kiss and our passion was equal, we were just able to connect."
The Justices, who own several businesses together including Justice Brothers Music & Pawn and a tattoo shop, will be closing the pawn shop for the day and bringing all their employees to the concert. Angel Justice said she bought 10 tickets, rented a stretch Escalade limousine and will cater a pre-party at their home. The entire group will then ride in style to see Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley and Co.
"We had a stellar year, this is our thanks. They all love Kiss, so what better reward?" said Jeff Justice, 41.
As longtime members of the Kiss Army, the band's fan club, they also paid extra to receive a meet-and-greet with Stanley, who will also sign his guitar for them. It will be one of the highlights of their collection, much of which is displayed in their basement. Their "Kiss Room" features a pool table, two pinball games, a full bar and tons of Kiss collectibles, including Kiss holiday lights over the back slider door.
"We don't go out," Angel Justice said of their basement.
"Why bother?" Jeff Justice said.
"We just come down here and put Kiss on all night long," she said.
They framed their passes and photos from last year's "Wet, Wild & Rockin' Kruise," where the Justices and around 2,400 other Kiss followers went on a cruise with the band during late October. The band performs throughout the four-day vacation, both in and out of makeup. They were able to hear stories from the band's manager and interact with members of the crew.
They've already purchased tickets for this October's cruise, where they've graduated to lieutenant level of the Kiss Navy. They're considering paying to renew their vows -- they've been married five years this year -- on the cruise as part of a "Kiss blessing."
Angel Justice said she started listening to Kiss at 7 after she was attracted to her uncle's "silver and shiny" vinyl record cover for the band's 1978 album, "Double Platinum." She continued to listen to the band and frequently dressed up as members of Kiss for Halloween.
Jeff Justice started playing music at 4 and has been to around 300 concerts, he said. Former Kiss member "Ace Frehley is the one who got me into music and I fell in love with that Gibson (Guitar) sound. That's why I'm a Gibson freak to this day."
About a decade ago, when the band's website could no longer support the busy fan forum, Angel Justice said she decided to start her own from Baltimore. Jeff Justice found the forum and the two quickly connected, they said.
After four months of talking online, Jeff Justice decided to travel by train to Baltimore and meet Angel.
"I found it to be good," Jeff Justice said of his visit.
They stayed in touch before she eventually left her full-time job and relocated to Michigan. Through it all, there's been Kiss.
They cite "Destoyer" as their favorite album. Jeff can't pick a favorite song, but Angel digs "Do You Love Me?"
The couple said they expect Tuesday's concert to be "a treat." They said they can predict the band's setlist and anticipate a lot of banter from the band. After traveling all over to see Kiss, the band is coming to them.
"We love this. This is what we're all about. The closer we can get to Kiss, the happier we are," Jeff Justice said.
http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2012/09/kiss_couple_allegans_angel_and.html
By John Liberty
Angel and Jeff Justice, of Allegan, refer to their story as a piece of "Kiss-tory."
The couple met 10 years ago on a Kiss online fan forum. Jeff lived in Michigan; Angel resided in her hometown of Baltimore, Md. Their mutual appreciation for the band helped spark a relationship that is coming full circle when the couple will see Kiss perform on Tuesday at the Allegan County Fair, just a couple miles from their home.
Together, they have seen 35 Kiss concerts, own more than 300 pieces of Kiss memorabilia -- everything from rare goblets to signed concert posters to a lunch box -- and dedicated most of their newly-finished basement to one of the most popular rock bands of all time.
"One day he walked into the chat room and we hit it off. That was history, or as we say Kiss-tory," said Angel Justice, 42. "The fact that each other knew as much about Kiss and our passion was equal, we were just able to connect."KISS couple: Allegan's Angel and Jeff Justice are members of KISS Army, Navy to attend Allegan County Fair show
By John Liberty
Angel and Jeff Justice, of Allegan, refer to their story as a piece of "Kiss-tory."
The couple met 10 years ago on a Kiss online fan forum. Jeff lived in Michigan; Angel resided in her hometown of Baltimore, Md. Their mutual appreciation for the band helped spark a relationship that is coming full circle when the couple will see Kiss perform on Tuesday at the Allegan County Fair, just a couple miles from their home.
Together, they have seen 35 Kiss concerts, own more than 300 pieces of Kiss memorabilia -- everything from rare goblets to signed concert posters to a lunch box -- and dedicated most of their newly-finished basement to one of the most popular rock bands of all time.
"One day he walked into the chat room and we hit it off. That was history, or as we say Kiss-tory," said Angel Justice, 42. "The fact that each other knew as much about Kiss and our passion was equal, we were just able to connect."
The Justices, who own several businesses together including Justice Brothers Music & Pawn and a tattoo shop, will be closing the pawn shop for the day and bringing all their employees to the concert. Angel Justice said she bought 10 tickets, rented a stretch Escalade limousine and will cater a pre-party at their home. The entire group will then ride in style to see Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley and Co.
"We had a stellar year, this is our thanks. They all love Kiss, so what better reward?" said Jeff Justice, 41.
As longtime members of the Kiss Army, the band's fan club, they also paid extra to receive a meet-and-greet with Stanley, who will also sign his guitar for them. It will be one of the highlights of their collection, much of which is displayed in their basement. Their "Kiss Room" features a pool table, two pinball games, a full bar and tons of Kiss collectibles, including Kiss holiday lights over the back slider door.
"We don't go out," Angel Justice said of their basement.
"Why bother?" Jeff Justice said.
"We just come down here and put Kiss on all night long," she said.
They framed their passes and photos from last year's "Wet, Wild & Rockin' Kruise," where the Justices and around 2,400 other Kiss followers went on a cruise with the band during late October. The band performs throughout the four-day vacation, both in and out of makeup. They were able to hear stories from the band's manager and interact with members of the crew.
They've already purchased tickets for this October's cruise, where they've graduated to lieutenant level of the Kiss Navy. They're considering paying to renew their vows -- they've been married five years this year -- on the cruise as part of a "Kiss blessing."
Angel Justice said she started listening to Kiss at 7 after she was attracted to her uncle's "silver and shiny" vinyl record cover for the band's 1978 album, "Double Platinum." She continued to listen to the band and frequently dressed up as members of Kiss for Halloween.
Jeff Justice started playing music at 4 and has been to around 300 concerts, he said. Former Kiss member "Ace Frehley is the one who got me into music and I fell in love with that Gibson (Guitar) sound. That's why I'm a Gibson freak to this day."
About a decade ago, when the band's website could no longer support the busy fan forum, Angel Justice said she decided to start her own from Baltimore. Jeff Justice found the forum and the two quickly connected, they said.
After four months of talking online, Jeff Justice decided to travel by train to Baltimore and meet Angel.
"I found it to be good," Jeff Justice said of his visit.
They stayed in touch before she eventually left her full-time job and relocated to Michigan. Through it all, there's been Kiss.
They cite "Destoyer" as their favorite album. Jeff can't pick a favorite song, but Angel digs "Do You Love Me?"
The couple said they expect Tuesday's concert to be "a treat." They said they can predict the band's setlist and anticipate a lot of banter from the band. After traveling all over to see Kiss, the band is coming to them.
"We love this. This is what we're all about. The closer we can get to Kiss, the happier we are," Jeff Justice said.
http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2012/09/kiss_couple_allegans_angel_and.html
