KISSNATION
It all started in 1996 by New York City born bassist Carlos Espada and New Jersey born drummer Gerard Russo under the then name DOUBLE PLATINUM. 1997 would see the first appearance by DOULE PLATINUM when they were hired by Signature Network to help promote the release of the up coming KISS product for 1997,other noted appearances include the premiere of New Line Cinema’s “Detroit Rock City” bring New York’s TIME SQUARE to a halt! Later that year the band would go on to play for the release of the 2 foot tall signing KISS dolls designed by ART ASYLUM.
After many attempts to make the band movie forward, it became clear that Carlos and Gerard were unhappy with the line up and decided to make a few changes. Calling on long time friend and lead guitarist Ruby Rinekso along with another good friend Jon Anastasi ( both whom have stood in for past members of the band) the new line up was complete. Interested in give KISS fans a breath of fresh air. Carlos recalls “Looking at other tribute bands all over the US, all we would see was that every band replicated the same era of KISS which was the 1977 Love Gun area. We took a look at ourselves and said how are we going to stand out of from the rest?”
Kicking around ideas the boys want for broke and decide on not only shading their LOVE GUN costumes, but the one of the main KISS characters as well. Now dawning the 1982 Creatures Of The Night costumes as well as using the Fox make up, no one was sure how the average KISS fan would take it.
With a new look came a new name. “We wanted a name that didn’t lock us into any one era of KISS, incase we ever wanted to changed our costumes. I remembered back in early 96 Ruby was in a band titled KISSNATION. We thought the name was cool and would not tie us down.” Carlos explains. Double Platinum was now to be known as KISSNATION.
The gamble paid off! KISSNATION attracted fans all over the east coast. KISS fans were excited to se something new. Gone was the same boring set list that many tribute bands played, Gone was the same old costumes fans had seen time and time again. This was new this was different; this was the birth of the Nation.
By the time the new millennium rolled around KISSNATION would loose two of its members, one being founding member Gerard Russo and the other Joe Anatasi, both going on to start there own bands Gerard now the drummer of Caravel Of Souls and Jon fronting his band ALIVE.
Many members came and left, but there was still a void. KISSNATION needed members who not only love KISS, but lived it as well. To fill this void Carlos and Ruby placed an ad for two new members. The first to answer the ad was Brooklyn’s owns Paulie Z, A young guitar player with an amazing voice and complete passion for KISS. Next a drummer was needed who could sing and play double bass as well, prayers were answered when New York City born Joey Cassata walked in and blew everyone away with his ability to mimic the drumming style of the late KISS drummer Eric Carr. With a new line up KISSNATION was stronger then ever, and ready to recapture its ever growing fan base.
2001 will prove to be the start of KISSNATION’s rise to glory. Receiving a phone call from the KISS camp, KISSNATION would go on to help Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of KISS to celebrate the release of the KISS box set at New York Cities Tower Records, as well as help promote Gene Simmons’ book “KISS AND MAKE UP”.
This would carry over to this year. With interviews /appearances on VH1’s show “JUMP START”, HUSTLER MAGAZINE, CNBC show “POWER LUNCH”, as well as playing the release party at New York Cities HARD ROCK CAFE for ART ASYLUM toys new KISS toy line. A toy line in which KISSNATION’s own Carlos Espada (The Demon) worked on with Gene Simmons of KISS
NOTE: KISS MINI MATES & KISS “N” THE BOX will be release this summer.
KISSNATION a name that is on the tongue of all who see and hear them, even Puerto Rico has the fever after witnessing KISSNATION along with now KISS drummer Eric Singer appeared at the second annual Puerto Rico KISS EXPO.
So is this it for KISSNATION?
Not by a long shot! KISSNATION will continue to bring a full KISS show to you complete with Make-up, costumes, explosions everything short of the real thing. For more on KISSNATION head down to the bands official website (www.kissnation.com) to view photos of the band with Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley and Eric Singer of KISS, KISSNATION fans and much more.
“THERE’S ONLY ONE NATION, THAT’S KISSNATION”
Paul Stanley of KISS
For booking & promotional events
Contact info
Official band web site
www.kissnation.com
E-Mail address:
Kissnation2000@yahoo.com
Carlos Espada at csespada@msn.com
Phone Numbers:
Carlos Espada 917-293-0512
718-296-0749
Ruby Rinesko 646-831-0293
