Atlanta’s Best KISSers is the Atlanta area’s tribute to the hottest band in the world, KISS!! Many of Atlanta’s finest musicians have lent their talents and created a CD that is truly memorable. From the progressive rock feel of Detroit Rock City to the violins and flutes of Beth, Atlanta’s Best KISSers covers a lot of musical ground.

Recorded at Richenroll Studios in Alpharetta, GA (a suburb just north of Atlanta) and produced by owner Rich Grillo, the goal was to both keep the arrangements close to the original song, but also allow the artists to express their own sense of uniqueness. Both objectives meld together and create a really cool listening experience throughout the entire CD.

Artists include:
1. No Longer Mica/Detroit Rock City – A progressive rock/metal band that combines great musicianship with creative arranging skills. Detroit Rock City really shines with extra guitar harmonies and the bass guitar starting the famed guitar solo.

2. Blizzard of Mullet/Strutter - Blizzard of Mullet is derived from two separate Atlanta’s rock acts; Blizzard of Ozzy and Iron Mullet. Blizzard of Ozzy is a popular Ozzy Osborne tribute band while Iron Mullet plays the greatest rock tunes of the 1980’s and 1990’s. This really fun version of Strutter features Leigh “Goddess of Thunder” Westee on bass. Leigh has played in many KISS Tribute bands, been featured on VH1’s super fan (for KISS), and regularly performs at the KISS Coffeehouse in South Carolina.

3. Tuesday Jammers/All The Way – Tuesday Jammers is an assembly of musicians pulled from a Tuesday Jam night at a local Alpharetta bar. Guitarist Luis Roy actually modified the inner workings of his amplifier to hand craft the big, fat guitar tone that appears on the recording. Together with Art McNaughton’s rock solid drumming and dead on vocals by RATL’s Doug Hartley, this track is unstoppable.

4. Citizen Jayne/Cold Gin – Citizen Jayne is a killer rock band that is tearing up the southeast with a high energy show that keeps everyone on the feet throughout the night. Their version of Cold Gin contains all of the class riffs of the original tunes and kicks butt all over the place.

5. She Said No/Nothin’ to Lose – She Said No is a project band assembled just for the CD and stars David James on vocals and Charlie Korch on drums, both from the AC/DC tribute band , “Back in Black”. With Luis Roy and producer Rich Grillo on his home instrument, bass, Nothin’ To Lose has a fun party feel that genuinely comes from a bunch of friends getting together and enjoying the music.

6. Richie Torrance Project/100,000 Years – Like most of the musicians on this complication, drummer Richie Torrance is a lifelong KISS fan and remembered the live versions of 100,000 years that contained Peter Criss’s great drum solos. He pulled a bunch of friends together and created a fresh/new version of 100,000 years complete with an awesome drum break with a new twist. The heavy vocals from Randy P from Trap County really provide an energy that separates this tune from the rest.

7. Rich Grillo/Beth – Beth is producer Rich Grillo’s pet project. With the piano part transposed to acoustic guitar, an Akai EWI 4000 for the flute parts, and an electric sitar, this tunes has many unique elements. Combined with the amazing vocals by friend Andrew Black this tune is really something special.

8. Aquatic/Strange Ways – The Ace Frehley penned tune, Strange Ways, has always been an underground favorite of many KISS fans. Aquatic, featuring Richie Mays on guitar and vocals, Jason Monseur (from Jungol) on drums, and Rich Grillo on Bass, does this song more than justice; the song really hits you like a “tone” of bricks. Be sure to check out the huge cool guitar tone created by Richie Mays’ line of boutique guitar amps, Mahalo Amplifiers.

9. Andrew Black/Parasite – Andrew Black is a musical staple around the Atlanta area. This guy has a voice that reaches out and grabs you. Be it country, jazz, R&B, or KISS heavy rock Andrew Black not only sings it all, but leave you amazed. His version of Parasite is no exception; this track will rock your face off!!!

10. RATL/Shout It Out Loud – If you’re a fan of big guitars, big vocals and a melody that will stick in your head for days, then this is the tune for you. The energy and bombast of this song made it perfect to end the CD. RATL is a well known band around the Atlanta area and proves why with its version of Shout It Out Loud complete with the grand piano in the background to help complete the feel that Bob Ezrin created on the original.

As you can see, Atlanta’s Best KISSers, contains many gems and is really something to listen to. Even people who aren’t fans of KISS (if people like that exist) will enjoy the fun and passion that embedded in this project.