Published: June 23, 2009 10:37 am      

Rockin' the house | Original KISS Army to play Arcadia Theater for local organization

BY RUTH RICE

RRICE@TRIBDEM.COM

For the benefit of a local organization, a tribute band is going to rock the house.

The Original KISS Army will perform at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Arcadia Theater, 1418 Graham Ave., Windber, to benefit the disaster relief fund of the Keystone Chapter of the American Red Cross.

When choosing the Original KISS Army for this concert, Arcadia programming director Frank Cunsolo and Keystone Red Cross executive director Colleen Sherman were looking for an act for locals and that would also appeal to the Thunder in the Valley crowd.

For almost 20 years, the Original KISS Army tribute band has provided fans with an authentic re-creation of KISS, the ’70s rock band known for its trademark face paint, stage outfits and smoking guitars.

Sherman wanted to have a benefit concert because the local disaster relief fund needs replenished.

“Not every fire makes front page headlines,” Sherman said.

“The need is constant. There is no higher amount of incidents, but a greater number of multifamily events,” she said.

“We had a fire involving a family of six recently, and we provide food, clothing and shelter to all who are involved.”

The Original KISS Army is the brainchild of Gene Simmons tribute artist Jim Seda, who started the group in the ’80s and has played in other KISS tribute groups.

Seda decided to form a band after dressing up as Simmons, who played bass guitar for the original group.

Gary Stevens, who portrays rhythm guitarist Paul Stanley, first saw KISS perform in Detroit in 1976.

Val Popovic, who portrays lead guitarist Ace Frehley, played guitar in other hard-rock cover and Top 40 bands before hooking up with the KISS Army.

Mike Sivo, who plays drummer Peter Criss, began playing drums in elementary school and has been a KISS fan since the release of the group’s first album.

In addition to providing aid to victims of house fires, the Red Cross lends assistance to those affected by flooding and tornadoes.

The Red Cross also runs operations in support of deployed members of the military and their families.

“If someone has an emergency and they have a loved one who is deployed, we use military channels to send a message on behalf of the family,” Sherman said.

The Keystone Chapter of the American Red Cross also responded to the Quecreek mine rescue and Flight 93.

Sherman also is looking toward replenishing the disaster fund for next winter when a tough economy could mean that donations will be down and incidences of people cutting corners for their heating needs will be up.

“It’s like a double-edged sword,” she said.

“In a bad economy, donations are down and there’s an increase in the need for alternative heat sources, which aren’t always safe. They try to cut corners, and fires follow.”

The local chapter covers Cambria and Somerset counties and a portion of Westmoreland County that includes the communities of Seward, New Florence and Armagh.





Fundraiser

What: Original KISS Army Tribute Band.

When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday.

Where: Arcadia Theater, 1418 Graham Ave., Windber.

Benefits: Keystone Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Tickets: $32, $30 and $28.

Information: 467-9070.