Love Gun Band and Crew
“If I could travel back in time to only one day in the past, I would go back to a day in the summer of 1977. That is when I first saw KISS. The "Love Gun" album had just been released and KISS was on tour. I was completely awed by what I had just seen and heard. The flames were so tall I could feel the heat even from 20 rows back. Girls all around me were screaming as Gene stalked the stage. Ace's guitar seemed to explode in a cloud of smoke. Peter was thundering on the drums. Paul Stanley became my hero as he was the best of Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith and Alice Cooper all in body. I want each and every person that sees LOVE GUN perform to feel just the same as I did back in 1977. I want everyone to experience the rush of being sweaty, ears ringing, hair full of confetti, covered in stage blood and catching a "LOVE GUN" guitar pick in their hands! We have cut no corners putting this tribute band together. We have worked on the details and rehearsed long hours to bring you the very best. LOVE GUN began as just a dream many, many years ago. Now, through our passion and dedication we bring you LOVE GUN”
Russ Stanley
"Once upon a time (circa 1978), there was this little kid watching TV one afternoon...a little kid absolutely mesmerized by what he saw and heard coming through the television set. He watched in wide-eyed amazement as four masked musicians delivered a sonic and visual assault on the senses unlike anything he had ever experienced before. Was it rock & roll? Was it science fiction? Was it horror? Was it fantasy? It was all this and more. It was KISS, and it was the coolest thing I had ever seen. To say that KISS had an impact on me would definitely be an understatement. They were the reason I developed an interest in music early on, and they continue to inspire me to this day. Though I've always been a guitarist in bands I've played in, I always thought it would be a lot of fun to play "Gene" in a KISS tribute act. Just when I figured it probably wasn't much more than a pipe dream, I saw LOVE GUN's ad searching for a bassist. I knew it was time to pick up the bass. I knew I had to call the number. After a fortuitous meeting and audition with the band, I am happy to call LOVE GUN home. What can an audience expect from a LOVE GUN show? The same thing that drew me to KISS all those years ago. Fun and pure escapist entertainment for anyone hungry for KISS. Could LOVE GUN possibly have an ulterior motive? Absolutely. Call it selfish, but we do this for ourselves too! This is for all the KISS fans. There is a kinship among KISS fans unlike that of any other group. We're all in this together, so come celebrate the KISS legacy with us. LOVE GUN wants you...see you at the show!"
James Simmons
"I am what the other guys in the band refer to as a casual KISS fan. To me, KISS was just that band from the 70's that wore makeup. I really didn't start paying any attention to music until the 80's when I started on the drums. Sure I had played KISS songs in cover bands, but since joining LOVE GUN I am discovering just how brutal KISS was. Ironically, Peter Criss was a huge influence on most of the drummers that I looked up to in the eighties. Now I worship at the altar of Peter Criss. His book 'From Makeup to Breakup' is my bible. My name in the band is Junior Criss so I can carry on the moniker. Peter Criss provided the heart and soul of KISS in the seventies and their impact from then is still alive today. Portraying the iconic figures of KISS in full costume and makeup is a new experience for me in my musical career. When we step up on that stage, its because we wanted the best and we are the best...'you pull the trigger of my Looove, Love Guunnnn!!!!!!' "
Jr. Criss
“I was born in 1986--I have an older brother that is 11 years older than me...thank god he introduced me to good music. I have my earliest memories of being mesmerized by KISS since I was about three...although my mom said she remembers me getting her to paint my face like ACE and GENE when I was two--When I was very young I remember watching over and over on VHS--KISS Meets the Phantom of the Park...I would walk around saying "ACK" just like ACE. I kept wanting a guitar and got toy guitars until I was about 7--and shortly began lessons when I was about 9. To me--the ONLY band/music artist was KISS---and I wanted to be just as "COOL" as ACE!--Don't forget the KISS merch my 2 aunts got me every KISSmas haha...
I got to see my first KISS show for their "Reunion" tour in 96 at the New Orleans Superdome. This was my very first concert. I was in awe at the antics ACE did. I was fortunate to marry my wife Brittany who is an avid rock 'n'roll lover also---Brittany and myself are raising our two kiddos--Emma and Cary to be ROCKERS! too!!! My Son Cary is 11 and has been taking drum lessons since he was about 6. Emma is 15 and does singing and dancing and learning Bass. As a family we have been to multiple KISS concerts and consider ourselves DEVOUT KISS ARMY SOLDIERS!
My employer of 14 years was making commercials highlighting its team members about how great of a place it is to work--and how their opportunities enable its team members to have great qualities of life. I suppose I am such a big KISS fan--that they decided to make a commercial about me LOL.
The commercial led to LOVE GUN seeing me--and knowing that I am a devout KISS FAN, that plays guitar, has a Les Paul, and has a Marshall Stack(I actually have 3). When LOVE GUN contacted me for the opportunity--I felt like I won the lottery--I could not believe I was being asked or recruited to join the ULTIMATE KISS TRIBUTE! I am thrilled and thankful to be part of the LOVE GUN FAMILY!”
Cary Frehley
LOVE GUN CREW
"I got my first exposure to KISS with 1979's Dynasty album listening to "I was made for Lovin' you". I then watched numerous TV appearances and read KISS comic books. My dream was to be a rock star like Paul Stanley. Fast forward to 1996 in New Orleans, I got to watch the original line-up perform on the Reunion Tour. I was hooked on the incredible stage show. So, when LOVE GUN asked me to help work behind the scenes I couldn't resist. Working with LOVE GUN has been a dream come true."
Brian Johnson
"I remember as a child in the seventies being fascinated by KISS. I would spend countless hours drawing the KISS logo in an attempt to do it justice. More recently, my interest in KISS has been rejuvenated after learning my childhood friend leads a double life as James Simmons! After attending a LOVE GUN show I was hooked. I began helping out where I could and was soon asked to become an official crew member. I am proud to be part of such a great group of people giving their all to provide a quality live KISS experience."
James Davis