Destroyer

Hamilton Convention Centre
Hamilton, Ontario
October 17, 2009

Years ago when Kiss was a dying shadow of itself, I glommed on to a couple of tribute bands that really had the passion for Kiss and it came through in their shows. One of these bands was Destroyer. Run by founding member Moe Rotondi, he and his band always showed the crowd a great time with everyone's favourite Kiss tunes.

Fast forward 10 or so years. I'd lost touch with the band as the internet age kicked in and I couldn't find them anywhere online. They didn't have a web site until a little lady from Hamilton picked em up and helped em out in that regard. Still, I had lost all hope that they even existed. Somehow they completely slipped under my radar and it wasn't until one day I was watching some opening ceremonies of the Calgary Stampede that I saw his Moeness rocking out in a huge production with all kinds of dancers n performers of all medium types and I thought, right on! Moe is still kickin ass!!

So the next chance I got to see the band was a year or so later. Thanks to the most awesome networking tool ever created, Facebook, I hooked up with Destroyer's lead guitarist, Tony Verna who happened to be the lead guitarist for the band Britton back in the day. Tony hooked me up with the promoter and I was in. Promised the band a buncha good shots and I think they're pretty happy with em, so we're all good.

Opening for Destroyer was another tribute band, For Those About To Rock, an AC/DC outfit that was plagued by technical difficulties but showcased an amazing singer and a totally off the wall Angus impersonator who had me wondering if his stage monitors were turned off or if he was just improvising for most of the night. I've said it before, when a band decides to go the tribute route, you better be fuckin DEAD ON in the music department or just stay home. There's definitely potential for the band but I couldn't help but feel sorry for that kick ass singer who had to be given many kudos for NOT losing it completely on stage. I know I would have!!

Anyway, Destroyer hits the stage and before you know it the Hamilton Convention centre is completely rocking. With the full pyro show, lotsa flames, lotsa smoke, lotsa concussion bombs, blood, sparks and more posing than the latest issue of GQ, I was in heaven shooting these guys as anyone who knows me, knows that I love a great show. Steve Stanley who plays Paul, does an AMAZING job pulling off not only the vox and guitars to a T, but he LOOKS like Paul too. Not just a bit, he really pulls off a great Paul with the chiseled abs and infamous Paul Stanley posing. Tony does a great Ace, singing Shock Me and dazzling the crowd with a smoking guitar solo that is one of the highlights of the show. Mike Chichkan looks like Peter wished he did. If you can picture the painted cover of the Love Gun album by Ken Kelly, you now can picture how Mike pulls off Peter Criss. He takes centre stage singing, the most obnoxious but ya gotta do it Kiss song, Beth.

One thing that always impressed me is the way Moe is with the kids. From day one I saw him at a Kiss convention step down off the stage and head straight over to a tiny little Kiss fan in the audience. Moe dropped right down to this little guy’s level and totally blew this kid away rockin out with him. And it never stops there. Any time Moe spots a kid in the audience he’s pointing and smiling at them, encouraging them to rock out, giving them the thumbs up and talking to them in between songs. It really shows a classy side of Moe that people identify with and it’s this stuff that translates into longevity for a band that attracts a three ring circus of fans to every show.

In between sets, they all step out and pose for umpteen pics, sign all kinds of autographs and just generally yap it up with the fans showing them some love. This is huge. Most bands go running for the dressing room. No rest for the wicked man. You’ve got fans and you wanna keep em? Fuck the dressing room til it’s all said n done.

I encourage you all, if you’re into Kiss and you just don’t wanna line Gene’s pockets anymore, then go support a local act who truly wants to impress you with hard work n lotsa fun wrapped up in one killer looking package that just may explode when you open it.

Destroyer Official Web Site

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