CD Review
Kiss Tribute
Buffalo Rock City
WNY’s Tribute To Kiss
Now available on CD, all digital stores and streaming media, is the best KISS tribute album ever made: “Buffalo Rock City”! The recording’s proceeds are geared to help the Compass House Foundation, a charitable organization which helps the homeless youth in Buffalo, New York.
Lifelong KISS fan and tribute band, KISS THIS! founder and guitarist, John Jeffrey, assembled the album. He felt it important to have a quality, KISS related release, which was large in part, represented the Western New York music scene.
Collaborating locally and via remote locations, “Buffalo Rock City” was carefully recorded, to ensure the final product would sound like a complete album of work. To create a solid foundation, ALL the drum and bed tracks were recorded in the SAME studio on the SAME day.
Being that “Buffalo Rock City” serves a greater purpose, it was decided the songs would, generally, elevate those in need. The choices are all NON-cock rock KISS songs. John Jeffrey says, “While KISS is famous for their tongue-in-cheek innuendo, it made sense to record songs which resonate with the struggles some people may experience, and interpersonal things most people may struggle with, day to day.”
The album presents hits and GREAT B-sides from KISS’ entire history as a recording band. This includes songs from their 1974 self-titled debut, all the way up to the last ever (so far!) KISS studio album from 2012, “Monster.” The album features remakes of songs that were first sung by all FOUR original members of KISS (Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley & Peter Criss). It includes songs originally played by all members of the group: all FIVE lead guitarists (Ace Frehley, Vinnie Vincent, Mark St. John, Bruce Kulick & Tommy Thayer) and the focal drummers from the band’s studio recordings: Peter Criss, Eric Carr, Eric Singer, and Anton Fig.
“Buffalo Rock City” features the “best of the best” musicians from Western New York. In addition to KISS THIS!, there’s DoDriver, an all original act, handpicked by KISS members and their manager Doc McGhee, to open for KISS on the Sonic Boom tour at Darien Lake on August 13, 2010.
Contributions to the collaboration album were also made by National/World-wide recording artists, Robby Takac (vocals), Tommy Henriksen (vocals/bass), Tommy Denander (guitar), Deen Castronovo (vocals), Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal (guitar), Philip Shouse (bass/guitar), Jeremy Asbrock (guitar), Ryan Spencer Cook (vocals) & Mitch Weissman (vocals). These “celebrity guests” have toured and recorded with Asia, Ace Frehley, Alice Cooper, Doro, Accept, Gene Simmons, Guns N’ Roses, Journey, Ozzy Osbourne, The Hollywood Vampires, Goo Goo Dolls, Michael Jackson, Toto, The Dead Daisies, Paul Stanley, and Beatlemania.
The above was taken from the press release.
We recently caught up with John Jeffrey to ask him about the release.
“Once we hammered out the list of songs we wanted to do it became a wish list of who I can get to be on the record.” Some politely declined for various reasons but Jeffrey was able to round up a very satisfying lineup. Jeffrey also said “We listened to how the original songs were mixed and paid homage to what was done on the original recordings.”
Not only is this a terrific album but it should be noted that as previously mentioned it also helps a good cause in assisting the Compass House Foundation. The purpose of the Compass House is to provide runaways and homeless street youth a safe shelter and other essential services.
It is truly a win-win for everything regarding this album. Buffalo News’ Pop Music Critic Jeff Miers also gave the album high praise as he chose it as one of the best albums released in 2020.
Check out the links below for ordering info.
The release is available for PRE-ORDER now!!!! All ordering information can be found at www.BuffaloRockCity.com and more details can also be found at their social media page: Buffalo Rock City – KISS Tribute Album (facebook.com/WNYTribute2KISS)
Compass House: www.compasshouse.org
KISS THIS! www.facebook.com/SpaceAceBuffalo
