heavy-metal-rock-fan: July 2009

SKID ROW

In 1986 SKID ROW was born in a garage somewhere in Toms River, N.J. Formed by founding members Snake Sabo and Rachel Bolan. Like a bastard child of a thousand maniacs, they relentlessly pounded the New Jersey club circuit; packing houses wherever they performed. Fast forward to 1989. SKID ROW's debut album goes on to sell over 5 million copies in the U.S.A. along with a tour that takes them around the world.
1992 the band releases their second record SLAVE TO THE GRIND which debuts at..1 on the Billboard charts. Making them the first Heavy metal/Hard rock band to do so. Slave rockets to multi-platinum status. This is also followed by a massive world tour. In 1995 band relationships severely strain, but they reluctantly go into the studio to record what was thought to be their final release

SUBHUMAN RACE. Soon after, the band parted ways.

That was until late 1999 when founding members Rachel Bolan, Scotti Hill, and Snake Sabo decided that SKID ROW meant far to much to them let the music fade into rock obscurity.

There were changes to be made the question was who. Enter Texan singer Johnny Solinger. Suggested through a mutual friend the band visited Johnnys website and were immediatley interested in what they heard. A few e-mails later and the singer was on a plane to N.J. He had a quiet confidence about him when he walked through the front door says guitarist Snake. Rachel adds We knew he was the guy half way through the first song of his audition. Johnny fit the bill to a T. Great voice, great attitude and was clear on what the band was about.

With a new frontman in place the band needed a rock solid drummer. They turned to Atlanta native Dave Gara. Dave came into rehearsal and started playing and everything felt right. It was like he had been in the band forever. explains guitarist Scotti Hill. If they thought things couldnt get better, they did. In 2000 SKID ROW landed the coveted opening slot on the KISS Farewell Tour. The tour of tours. It brought SKID ROW's music back to the hungry masses.

Since then the band has logged a few hundred thousand bus miles and some 350 shows during which the band was busy writing new songs for their cd THICKSKIN that was released in 2003. That album put SKID ROW's past in perspective and future in place. SKID ROW has just put the final touches on their new CD REVOLUTIONS PER MINUTE that released worldwide October 24th, 2006 on SPV records.

KISS gallery

I WANT ROCK N ROLL ALL NITE

KISS is an American rock band formed in New York City in December 1972.

Current members
* Paul Stanley – rhythm guitar, lead vocals (1972–present)
* Gene Simmons – bass guitar, lead vocals (1972–present)
* Tommy Thayer – lead guitar, vocals (2002–present)
* Eric Singer – drums, percussion, vocals (1991–1996, 2001–2002, 2004–present)

Easily identified by its members' trademark face paint and stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid and late-1970s on the basis of their elaborate live performances, which featured fire breathing, blood spitting, smoking guitars, and pyrotechnics. Kiss has been awarded 24 gold albums to date. The band has sold over 19 million records in the United States[2] and their worldwide sales exceed 85 million albums.

The original lineup of Paul Stanley (vocals and rhythm guitar), Gene Simmons (vocals and bass guitar), Ace Frehley (lead guitar and vocals), and Peter Criss (drums, percussion and vocals) is the most successful and identifiable.

KISS on stage at summer fest milwaukee

With their makeup and costumes, they took on the personae of comic book-style characters:
The Demon (Simmons), Starchild (Stanley), Spaceman (Frehley), and Catman (Criss).

The band explains that the fans were the ones who ultimately chose their makeup designs. The "Demon" makeup reflected Simmons' cynicism and dark elements, as well as his love for comic books. Paul Stanley became the "Starchild" due to his tendency to be referred to as the "starry-eyed lover" and "hopeless romantic." Ace Frehley's "Spaceman" makeup was a reflection of him wanting to go for a ride in a space ship and supposedly being from another planet. Peter Criss' "Catman" makeup was in accordance with the belief that Criss had nine lives due to his rough childhood in Brooklyn.

Due to creative differences, both Criss and Frehley were out of the group by 1982. The band's commercial fortunes had also waned considerably by that point.

KISS ALIVE 1975

KISS UNMASKED
In 1983, Kiss abandoned its makeup and enjoyed a commercial resurgence throughout the rest of the decade. Buoyed by a wave of Kiss nostalgia in the 1990s, the band announced a reunion of the original lineup (with makeup) in 1996. The resulting Kiss Alive/Worldwide/Lost Cities/Reunion Tour was the top-grossing act of 1996 and 1997. Criss and Frehley have since left Kiss again and have been replaced by Eric Singer and Tommy Thayer, respectively. The band continues to perform with makeup, while Stanley and Simmons have remained the only two constant members.
gene simmons | paul stanley | ace frehley | peter criss | eric carr | mark st john | tommy thayer |bruce kullick | vinnie vincent | eric singer | source wikipedia

download Kiss greatest hits MP3 here click the "click me download button" after the jump.