Life
By Andy Sedlak
Staff Writer
MIDDLETOWN — There may be only two bands in the world that begin applying makeup three hours before show time.
One would be KISS.
The other might be Mr. Speed, a Cleveland-based KISS tribute band that will headline Middletown’s Broad Street Bash on July 27.
Named after a song in KISS’ vast catalog of polished hard rock, Mr. Speed has doled out thousands of dollars in stage props, makeup and equipment over the past 17 years to emulate the band its members feel is one of the most iconic in rock.
“It’s definitely a different beast than most cover bands,” said Rich Kosak, who plays the part of KISS’ Paul Stanley in Mr. Speed. “With everything we go through, we try to give you the visual part of it. It’s a hard pill to swallow when (tribute bands) just basically stand there and look like they walked out of Hot Topic.”
Mr. Speed’s KISS stage set — complete with the oversize dummy amplifiers, lighted staircase and drum riser — is said to cost $10,000. Whereas some bands will ask a beer sponsor to jump on board and put some money into posters or other promotional items, Mr. Speed’s members cover costs almost entirely out of pocket. And although KISS does not endorse tribute bands, Kosak said Mr. Speed has contacts close to KISS and his band was asked to play an upcoming KISS Kruise of the Caribbean in October. They were dropped when KISS itself decided it would play.
In true KISS fashion, Mr. Speed will arrive in Middletown with smoke machines, theatrics and even some pyrotechnics.
“They’ll do as much as they can get away with — it’s easier to say sorry than ask for permission,” Tim Lewis, who had a hand in booking the band in Middletown, said jokingly.
“They sound dead-on.”
When asked if the recent heat, combined with KISS’ makeup and costumes will be a problem, Kosak was indifferent.
“We did a show in Indiana eight or nine years ago and it was 103 degrees,” he said.
“If you can’t get up there and do what you do just because it’s hot, you shouldn’t be selling yourself as a band to anybody.”
The bash will begin at 5:30, with local band 3 Feet Deep opening.
Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2871 or asedlak@coxohio.com.