KISS and make-up like Thiss

Alex de Vos
Melbourne’s KISS THISS is as close as audiences will get to the real thing, according to musician Mario Riccioni.
The guitarist, who plays rock idol Ace Frehley in the KISS tribute band, said the group had everything down to a tee, from the look to the sound.
Even before the lead singer has opened his mouth, two hours in wardrobe and make up ensures audiences are convinced they’re watching the flamboyant New York rockers in the flesh, he said.
Riccioni attributed the simplicity of covering KISS to his tribute band’s success.
“KISS is the most copied band in the world and I think it’s because it’s the easiest – all you have to do is put on the make-up and people instantly know who you are,” Riccioni said.
“The aim of a tribute band is to convince the audience they’re looking at the real thing.
“I watched a film about the life of Elvis Presley, played by Kurt Russell. He doesn’t really look like him but halfway through the film I was convinced I was looking at Elvis.”
Riccioni said the only struggle for KISS THIS was trying to mimic Frehley’s voice, which he described as complex despite the perception of listeners.
“It’s a lot harder than anyone thinks,” he revealed.
“If you listen to a lot of their music, it’s not the same song played 100 times over – all their songs have different tempos and styles – they’re very versatile.”
Riccioni said it took five years performing the songs to master the sound of the iconic ‘70s rock band.
“After an amount of time the audience is convinced they’re looking at the real thing and we’ve been told more than once we sound like them,” he confessed.
Riccioni said his love affair with KISS started at an early age but subsided when he began to pursue a career in music.
But, growing up, the band was never far away when he was learning to play the lead guitar.
“When I was younger I was a KISS fan but after a few years I discovered other types of music,” he explained.
“My first recollections of playing lead guitar are listening to KISS and you always tend to have an attachment to that.”
Years later and his love affair with painted faces and long tongues ignited again when he discovered members on the hunt for the new Ace Frehley.
“When I saw an advertisement looking to play the roll of Ace, I couldn’t resist,” he said.
Riccioni said he’d never looked back.
“It’s a lot of fun playing someone else – it’s not just playing music, it’s like acting.”
KISS THISS will perform at Buckley’s on December 12.