The Water Rats, London
Monday 29th May 2017

KISS UK Tour Support May 2017

With the four members of USA act The Dives hailing from both sides of the country and the middle, it might seem unlikely that these musicians would ever even meet, let alone form a band – until you hear them play. Featuring tight harmonies and infectious hooks, The Dives’ music sounds fresh and familiar at the same time.

Based in NYC, the new band – still under a year old – wasted no time writing original material, rehearsing and leaping onto the club circuit. When asked to describe The Dives’ sound, Evan Stanley, lead guitarist and vocalist, says “Power Pop”. Sergio Ortega, bass and vocals, explains, “It’s a rock band playing pop music. Big hooks, but rattier than Top 40.”

The band is comprised of guitarist and lead singer Evan Stanley, guitarist and lead singer Mike Lefton, bassist and singer Sergio Ortega and drummer and singer Jimmy Meier. When Stanley moved to NYC to attend college at NYU/Tisch’s Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music, he was determined to start a band. After a little trial and error, he was introduced to New Jersey native, Mike Lefton. A brotherhood was formed instantly as the two found musical commonalities beginning with their influences and work ethic. And the beginning of a band was formed. Mike reached out to fellow New Jersey native, Jimmy Meier to give the band a beat. With a gig booked, they scrambled to find a bass player. A friend recommended an unlikely fit, Sergio Ortega. Unlikely because Ortega is an incredibly talented musician best known for guitar, banjo and mandolin and has toured the world with Broadway phenomenon Ramin Karimloo, as his guitarist and musical director. The group asked Sergio to sit in for that show and never let him leave.

2017 is lining up to be a very exciting year for The Dives. Currently putting the finishing touches to their debut EP, due out later in 2017. The band will be touring throughout the year, and kick this off with their debut UK headline show as well as supporting KISS across the UK in May 2017. Please see dates below:

UK Dates
Saturday 27th    The SSE Hydro  Glasgow support to KISS
Sunday 28th    Barclaycard Arena Birmingham support to KISS
Monday 29th    The Water Rats  London headline

Tuesday 30th    Manchester Arena  Manchester support to KISS
Wednesday 31st    The 02   London support to KISS

For The Water Rats headline show tickets are priced £7 (subject to booking fee) and are on general sale 9am GMT Friday 21st April 2017 through www.livenation.co.uk. The Dives will be onstage at 8.30pm

KISS tickets are available now through www.livenation.co.uk 

Happy 25th Birthday to the album that started it all for me!

Hard Rock Café in London are thinking of having a special KISS night on the 30th May with an area reserved for fans. They're planning a KISS playlist for the night as well as 2-4-1 on pizzas, and free access to use the Beer pong table.

Could be a good opportunity for a fan meet up. If anyone is interested please contact us here or via Facebook.

Tommy Thayer will be performing a free Meet & Greet with fans at guitarguitar in Camden on the 1st June. He'll be meeting fans, signing autographs, and also previewing a very special new Epiphone guitar as well.

You can register on this site: https://guitarguitar.co.uk/news/article.asp?id=138772

Here's the 2nd piece of artwork from UK KISS fan Jonathon Gough. This time a very cool shot of the band from the Crazy Nights era.

UK KISS fan Jonathon Gough has sent in a few paintings that he has been working on over the past few years. They're created with soft pastels, oil pastel and acrylic paint. Jonathon is trying to arrange for prints to be created and may also sell the originals at some point. Look out for more of his pictures over the next week.

First one is Revenge era Eric, Paul, Gene & Bruce.

Gene was featured on the front page of the BBC website today giving an emotional tribute to Chuck Berry. Video is on their site at the link below:-
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-39551142

Just heard the news that fellow KISS Army member & Iconic Eye bassist Gary Slater has sadly passed away. I personally met Gary at several KISS shows and he was a great guy, very approachable and had lots of time for other fans. Gary wrote a great trip report about his Cobo Hall adventure here: https://www.kissinuk.com/kisscr48.htm

RIP Gary (Grunge on the forum), you will be missed.

New York based band The Dives have announced that they will be opening for KISS on the UK leg of the upcoming tour. The Dives feature front man Evan Stanley (Paul's son), Mike Lefton, Jimmy Meier and Sergio Ortenga. When asked in the video below what the connection with KISS was Evan's answer is "well, I came out of a Love Gun"!