This story is featured in CityBeat’s Jan. 10 print edition.
Kiss themselves may have just played their last Cincinnati performance in October of last year, shortly before their final ever concert held in New York on Dec. 2, but the spirit of the band and the music live on. This is thanks in part to fans like the group of Cincinnati area musicians and organizers who host the annual Kiss Off event, held this year on Jan. 27 at the Southgate House Revival.
The event, now in its fourth year and the first since COVID, acts as a fundraiser for storied local venue the Southgate House Revival. The Kiss Army (Kiss fans) joins forces with the Salvation Army for a yearly one-night volunteer fundraiser concert which helps out with the Southgate House Revival’s equipment expenses.
Organizer Tina Sullivan, vocalist for local band Phantom Queen and owner of Bang Bang Hair Salon says she used past experience with a similar group show to put together the first Kiss Off shortly after Southgate House Revival’s 2011 relocation, when photographer friends mentioned having trouble photographing shows because of the new venue’s lighting rig.
“Morrella (Raleigh, general manager of Southgate House Revival) and all the people at that place are like family to me, and I couldn’t think of anyone who deserved help more than they did,” Sullivan told CityBeat. “They’re always so giving and supportive of our local scene here.” This year’s goal will be a new sound system for the Lounge stage.
Sullivan, who bought her first record, Kiss’ self-titled debut, as a child at Phil’s Records on Dixie Highway, says the Kiss theme is due in part to the band’s huge catalog of songs to pick from and the opportunity for attendees to dress up. She compares the shows to Halloween, complete with a costume contest for the finest dressed Kiss lookalike.
“Everyone brings it and gets so pumped up about it,” Sullivan said. “If I had to mention just one highlight, I’d say having the best rock photographer in town (Steve Ziegelmeyer) who’s actually shot the real Kiss probably too many times to count, comes every year and shoots the whole show, free of charge because that’s how much he wants to show his support for the local music scene and all things Kiss.”
Local musicians perform Kiss classics at this year’s Kiss Off fundraiser on Jan. 27 at 8 p.m. Info: southgatehouse.com.
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This article appears in Dec 27, 2023 – Jan 9, 2024.