Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider think KISS are making a terrible mistake by presenting new members in the classic makeup worn by founding members Ace Frehley and Peter Criss. Particularly, Tommy Thayer, who took over for Frehley in in 2002.
“I don’t see how people could accept this,” Snider recently told Eddie Trunk. “Tommy Thayer? I’m sorry. It’s insulting. Not only did he play with a tribute band of KISS, he’s imitating Ace in his entire act!”
Thayer worked as a co-writer on KISS’ 1989 release Hot in the Shade and played guitar on 1998′s Psycho Circus, but didn’t officially join the band until the period just before KISS Symphony: Alive IV in 2003.
Thayer has since been part of two albums, 2009′s Sonic Boom and 2012′s Monster, which also include new member Eric Singer, who took over for late drummer Eric Carr.
Singer originally performed without makeup, before Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley reunited with Criss and Frehley in 1996. Singer then began wearing Criss’ makeup when he returned in 2001; a year later, Thayer started dressing as Frehley.
Snider said it’s an insult. “My theory is, they forgave KISS for I Was Made for Loving You, and anything is acceptable after that,” he said. “It was a disco song, people! It’s not okay! It was never okay, and they’re playing it live now. Unbelievable. They play I Was Made for Loving You, a fricking disco song!”
The worst of it, added Snider, is when KISS perform Shock Me, a song associated with Frehley, complete with Thayer mimicking all of Ace’s old moves. “Oh, my God — that’s disgraceful,” he said. “When KISS replaced Ace and Peter, and they brought in guys [Carr and Vinnie Vincent] who had their own makeup and their own thing, that was acceptable. That was awesome. They were their own characters.”
additional source: ultimateclassicrock.com
76 Responses
I agree with Dee. I can 1/2 way understand Eric Singer as he has been in KISS for many years but Tommy Thayer is just sickening. How can Thayer look in the mirror and have any dignity at all. That paid puppet needs a reality check. If I was him, I would be ashamed of myself. It’s just sad to see the band in this current version. Along with the Tommy’s pathetic imitation he musically attempts to play and sing like Ace. His playing style and moves just don’t work. What a total joke. KISS just has to swallow the pill that they are becoming what they thought they would never be, a circus act.
I guess, for someone like Thayer, this is the best paycheck and gig he could find. For someone like him, given the fact that he IS a good player but he is also no creative, original guy who could win an audience by being special or recognizable in any way, this is the best he could get. Just like he was responsible for some more or less adminstrative tasks before joining the lineup, he administrates Ace’s part in Kiss as long as they will let him. This way, of course will light no fire in any fan’s heart like when Kiss had their heyday and all four of them made an impression on people. There are so many guitarists out there who, like him, impersonate famous players’ style and moves to make a living … in Kiss there is no room left for originals and own ideas, this circus will repeat itself until the end. Like a street organ fed with the same old worn-out punching tape playing to the ever-smaller audience every year … So, from that point of view, he is the perfect fit.
I understand Singer replaced Carr before the reunion but Thayer coming in in Spaceman character and saying he is a member of Kiss writing songs on the past two albums but it my understanding they play no songs from the new albums on thier live shows so to me that makes him poor Ace replacement by imitating Ace’s moves as if their trying to pull off a ruse. I don’t think any fan thinks that’s Ace but I love old kiss even 80’s Kiss though they are no longer my all time favoret band that goes to Iron Maiden
All Tommy and Eric are are consolation prizes. That is the harsh reality. If you got a parrot to sound exactly like Paul Stanley, would you say the parrot is as good as Paul Stanley?
“Stanley the parrot”- a gene demo on you tube that Paul claims “strutter” was musically based on.
Shannon: with the way Paul has been sounding in recent years, I’ll take the damned parrot.
LMFAO
didn’t dee put out a cd and/or do a gig called “dee does broadway” in which he sang show tunes? does anyone remember?…I guess that’s my point..
Dee talks about that in the full interview which I’ll podcast soon
thanks, wayne for acknowledging me in this wacky world of yours.
dee is jealous of paul. that’s why he’s attempting paul pose on the “smashes, thrashes & hits” but his hands are tiny and inflexible.
At least Dee can still sing.
He can sing!
Too bad we don’t hear it on record more.