Dressed To Kill Live
It may have been just over 20 years since KISS actually played on Irish territory, as their ’96 show in the point depot (now O2 Arena) was cancelled, but rest assured this is the next BEST thing – at a much lower price. Just ask Gene Simmons!!
Dressed To Kill from England are not only the ‘world’s longest running tribute’ to KISS, having formed in October 1990, but they are also the ‘official choice of KISS bass player Gene Simmons’ having been personally requested to appear on his highly successful TV shows ‘Gene Simmons: Rock School and Family Jewels.’ They have also had the pleasure of playing to original KISS lead guitarist Ace Frehley in 1995 at a European KISS Convention in Lausanne, Switzerland and playing with ex-KISS members Peter Criss, Mark St. John, Bruce Kulick and current KISS/Alice Cooper drummer Eric Singer.
‘Undoubtedly the world’s top tribute act’ said Steve Beebee in a review, published in the world famous Kerrang! Magazine immediately after seeing KISS tribute act Dressed To Kill. Powerplay magazine also rated the band with a whopping 10/10 powerpoints for their live show. Very few tribute acts can claim such critical acclaim… but Dressed To Kill can with pride.
It all started when a drummer 'willing to do anything to make it' was snapped up by a rhythm guitarist/bassist duo. Soon after, a lead guitarist answered an ad by the then trio". Now this might sound to most Kiss fans exactly how Kiss formed, but this particular story wasn't set in New York in 1973, it was early 1990 and in England, exactly how 'Dressed To Kill' was formed. After much consideration the 'Love Gun 1977' costumes were chosen for their eye catching appearance and their association with the band at the height of its success.
Their debut gig was on October 30th 1991 at Crystals Nightclub, Loughborough, and was well documented by 'Kerrang!' magazine who dedicated three full pages of colour pictures and a full review by journalist Ray Zell. This unprecedented coverage for a first concert paved the way for a mighty successful nineteen year long career as a tribute to the boys from New York.
Perhaps one of very many significant moments in the bands' career was their first London Kiss Convention at the Astoria II where the 'Catman' himself - original KISS drummer 'Peter Criss', joined them onstage to play 'Strutter', 'Deuce' and 'Firehouse'. In his Kerrang review of the event, Dave Reynolds intimated that the Dressed To Kill drummers' performance far excelled that of Mr. Criss!! If you thought that was something….it’
In June 1996 Dressed To Kill completed an extremely successful two week tour of Japan with the 'cream of the tribute bands': The Bootleg Beatles, The Counterfeit Stones, The Royal Family (Queen) and T-Rextasy. Dressed To Kill played to more than 10,000 people over seven shows (Nagoya, Osaka, Hiroshima, Fukuoka, Tokyo, Sendai and Niigata), held a packed press conference, made a large number of personal appearances and conducted many TV, radio, newspaper and magazine interviews. Japans' largest TV station NHK filmed the show at the Tokyo Ariake Coliseum and screened it on August 2nd (transmitted to Europe via Satellite). The overwhelming success of the tour opened the door for the ‘tribute scene’ in Japan.
In a change to their line-up, in November ’05, DTK debuted their new ‘Peter Criss’ - none other than Talksport/Heart FM Radio DJ Ian Danter! To further enhance their ‘live’ front-line they have also since acquired an amazing new ‘Ace’ in the form of Danny James.
In 2006 DTK headlined the 10th UK KISS expo and the special guest was none other than ex-KISS manager Bill Aucoin, who was so impressed that he immediately phoned KISS legend Paul Stanley to praise them! Paul was thrilled to hear that they were still going strong, having heard some early tapes of the guys back in ‘92.
Dressed To Kill have performed practically every song that KISS have ever written and recorded known to the most die hard fan throughout their nineteen years. They ensure to have you rocking and rolling all night long! The well known phrase of ‘You wanted the best,….. you got the best,…..the hottest band in the world’ certainly, without question, applies to these guys.
The future is looking exciting as Dressed To Kill are negotiating promotional work with KISS’ new distributing label in the UK & Europe incl. playing at future KISS album/video launches, press calls, etc. In addition to their first ever Irish show there are more European shows in the pipeline, including a tour of Scandinavia, a ‘Tribute Festival’ in Holland and, perhaps most prestigious of all, tours of Russia and even Australia in 2009! They are also discussing extensive appearances for the Hard Rock Café throughout the world with special attention paid to Asian territories such as Malaysia, Singapore & Indonesia.
NOW the time has finally come for DTK to rock Belfast with very special guests Pay*Ola. Pay*Ola are no strangers to a Belfast, or any irish audience, having supported the like of Status Quo, Audioslave and many more. Dressed To Kill aim to ensure you all have a crazy night at the Spring & Airbrake on Saturday 14th March. Tickets available from all usual ticketmaster outlets, online at www.ticketmaster.ie and www.geturticket.com. This is ONE you don’t EVER want to miss!!!!
Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/
