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***INDY KISS EXPO***
Indianapolis, IN
March 21, 2010
Details & Tickets

MR.SPEED PHOTO SHOOT

10.20.2009 | MrSpeedOnline.com

Last night we took part in another photo shoot. Once again our aim was to improve upon our promotional material as well as updating our web site. So we gathered at an undisclosed location with our good friend Karen Menyhart behind the lens.

The whole evening got off to a later than normal start due to an overturned tractor trailer on the freeway that all of us were using to get to the site. We really put Karen through her paces with this shoot. We all arrived by 6:30 PM and by 8:00 PM we were under way. Individual shots were the first order of business and they were then followed by the group images. We referenced many tour books and magazines to try and capture the look that we have all come to know and love.

To the right is a sample of what it looked like from behind the scenes. Three hours later we felt that we had captured a good number of images to use. In the end we’re hopeful that very soon you’ll see a fresh look to many of the pages here at our site. We hope that the time devoted to improving our image gives you, the fans, the sense that we really do care about paying tribute to the legend that is KISS.

TV Commercial for "A Homecoming KISS" in Cadillac, MI.

Fans welcome MR.SPEED to the Old Fashioned Days Festival
1,500 fans of all ages welcomed MR.SPEED to the 29th Annual Brunswick Old Fashioned Days Festival last night. A perfect setting in the Cleveland suburb saw one of the largest crowds in the festivals history rock and roll to the sounds of classic KISS for 2 hours. An intense energy filled the air surrounding the stage as fans both young and old sang in unison to their favorite songs. Early indications are that MR.SPEED will very possibly return to the event in 2010 based on last evenings performance. Check the “Gallery” page for live images of the band in action.

“MR.SPEED visits Cadillac to promo September Show”.

From 06.21.2009 | MrSpeedOnline.com

We just returned from our brief visit to Cadillac, MI. The trip was set up to help promote our upcoming show there this September. We met up with Jim Neff on Friday and went over our itinerary for the next day. On Saturday we set about our whirlwind tour of the historic KISS town. First stop, McGuire’s Resort to set up and sound check for our acoustic show on Saturday night. From there we sped off to Cadillac High School to tour the auditorium in which we’ll be performing on Saturday, September 26th. Once that was completed we were off once again to McGuire’s Resort to get into costumes and make-up for the filming of a local cable ad and Cadillac News interview.

Both the interview and the commercial will run in advance of our show to alert fans that this is one event that they won’t want to miss. All of this was great fun and meeting with the fans that turned out for our acoustic performance was inspirational to say the least.

We can’t thank Jim enough for his hospitality and generosity over the two days that we were there. We’d also like to thank Kayla Kiley from The Cadillac News for a great interview along with Eric Wotila for making us look good on film. Also the McGuire Family for the amazing accommodations. Lastly we would like to thank Cadillac’s Mayor Bill Barnett for his generosity in supplying the PA for our show.

Mark your calendars and make plans now to get to Cadillac on September 26th for
“A Homecoming KISS”.

“At last…MR.SPEED Unplugged from Chicago”.

From 10.19.2008 | MrSpeedOnline.com

Click Here to view the fan submitted video of our performance associated with the world premier of Paul Stanley’s “ONE LIVE KISS” DVD release. Thanks to the Andrews family for sending us their contribution. Enjoy!

The Gibson Sound: A Night with Henry Juszkiewicz and Special Guest Ace Frehley
On Tuesday, November 11th we were fortunate enough to be a part of a very special event at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The event was part of a week long celebration honoring Les Paul in association with the Rock Hall and Case Western Reserve University.

By invitation only Joe and I along with our wives Tina and Ann entered the building just before 6:00 PM. Very few fans had arrived by the time that we pushed our way through the revolving door and as we did we saw Ace himself ascending an escalator surrounded by security and a few Rock Hall employees. As we patiently waited in line to enter the main theater on the top floor of the hall Ace passed by us two more times still surrounded by the same entourage. Moments later we met up with a few friends that support our band and prepared ourselves for entrance into the theater.

We have been to the Rock Hall a handful of times but had never been to this particular theater near the top. An exclusive and intimate setting we found as we entered the room for the next two hours. We took our seats in the very front row on the right hand side. Numerous images began playing in my mind as the moments slipped away to the start of the program. Most notably was the last time that we had seen Ace. That being on stage in Myrtle Beach when he joined us for our now legendary performance of the KISS classic “Shock Me”. The stage this evening was simplistic in décor with numerous acoustic and electric guitars standing guard. A Marshall amplifier sat silent among them as if almost teasing them to a dual.

At just about 7:30 PM Henry Juszkiewicz took the stage. He is the Chairman & CEO of Gibson Guitars. Henry shared with us his storied history of his days with Gibson from the mid-eighties until today. His stories were vast and vivid to the

say the least. But to be honest you could feel the suspense building because we knew that Ace was there so the atmosphere took on an almost pre-concert feel. His introduction was subdued to say the least but as he strolled on to the stage just after 8:00 PM we knew that we were experiencing something special once again. With his familiar black shades and thin shoulder-length hair Ace took his place at the center of the stage. Visibly unsure of himself and quite uneasy with a regimented program Ace quickly took control and reminded everyone why he is so endearing to all of us as KISS fans. Being asked questions as to how he came up with some of the signature riffs for classic songs such as “Cold Gin” and “Shock Me” he simply replied that “he stole them”. That’s right, he stole them from the likes of The Who and Free. But just as he tipped his hat to those two bands in particular he also noted that his riffs have also been stolen by contemporary artists such as Buckcherry. For me the feeling in the room took on an almost comedic feel reminiscent of the “Tomorrow” interview from 1979. Ace seemed more at ease poking fun at the various questions that were being asked more than answering them directly. At one point we witnessed an instant classic Ace moment as he struggled with his posture on the stool to which he was sitting. He accidentally tugged on the chord that was plugged into his cherry sunburst Les Paul and dislodged an acoustic guitar from its stand. Everyone roared with laughter as the strings rang out their vibrations over top of the gasps from everyone in the crowd. Ace himself seemed unphased by the mishap and very lazily grappled with the guitar to put it back on the stand. Ace introduced a short video montage during the event that showcased film footage from his days with KISS as well as his more recent “Rocket Ride” tour from this year. All of the signature effects that he is known for were highlighted which got an immediate reaction from the crowd. He even treated us to a little history of how each of the effects came to be from the very earliest incarnation of the smoking guitar up to the rocket launching effect used back in 1996.

Ace Frehley Jams with MR.SPEED

Ace photos by Al Soluri -

I wish that I could express for you just how incredible I feel today. It's the kind of feeling that I wish for all of you to experience at some point in your life. Last night I was given the opportunity to jam with Ace Frehley! So as the notes of our performance rang out Ace approached the stage to address and thank the crowd that had waited patiently to meet him. I could feel all of my senses really coming to the surface and my emotions were definitely on overload. It seemed as if time stood still as my memory conjured up years of trips to record stores and poster shops. The thousands of times that I've watched KISS videos and read interviews from Grooves, Hit Parader & Metal Edge magazine.

Ace emerged from behind our backline wearing Joe's Les Paul and the years of dedication to this band that I love came stumbling toward me. Here I was on stage with Ace in Myrtle Beach but in my head it was Largo, Anaheim, Cobo and Tiger Stadium all rolled into one. We didn't know what song he would want to play and as he thanked everyone for coming out he turned and shouted "Shock Me"! We were backing up Ace on a KISS classic that had everyone there singing along. The feeling was incredible and the fans faces were priceless. This is why I'm a KISS fan.

To be fortunate enough to have been involved with this event and have it conclude like this is something that no one can take away. As the song ended and the crowd exploded with applause I didn't want it to end. Ace began to exit the stage only to turn around and embrace me with a hug that seemed surreal and sincere at the same time. I thanked him for this special moment in my life and he told me that "everything's going to be ok".

To everyone that was there, thanks for helping to make it special. To Brian & Skip from the Coffeehouse and Keith at KISSONLINE - what can I say? Words are not enough. From the bottom of my heart...thank you!

Rich Kosak - MR.SPEED

PRESS RELEASE - New Drummer Joins Mr.Speed

12th December, 2008 | MrSpeedOnline.com

Mr.Speed announces the addition of Andrew Sgambati as their new drummer. Andrew most recently filled in for the band for the 2008 Dayton Expo and it was a huge success. Andrew is a New Jersey native who recently relocated to Myrtle Beach, SC to work for the KISS Coffeehouse. With this opportunity, Andrew will now be relocating to the Cleveland area in the next couple of weeks to officially start with MR.SPEED. Please keep an eye on the website and our tour schedule so you can check out our new Catman in person!

THANK YOU to everyone who participated in our Guest Bartending event
at P.J. McIntyres Irish Pub on Friday night.

Through the gifts of your time and donations, we were able to raise over $15,500 to support
the Barry Winovich Endowed Chair for ALS Research at the Cleveland Clinic.

With your generosity, we can continute to support the Cleveland Clinic
and its mission to identify the cause and cure for ALS.

Forever Grateful,
Barry Winovich and the Bright Side of the Road Foundation

From KISSONLINE.com

Here are a few photos from the Dayton KISS FAN FEST.

Though the event was billed as a KISS FEST, this one was all about Paul Stanley! Though not present, Paul was definitely there in spirit as several hundred fans enthusiastically celebrated the release of Paul's 'ONE LIVE KISS' DVD. Fans were treated to a Q&A with the film's director, Louis Antonelli, and a screening of the entire concert & additional unreleased footage from Paul's LIVE TO WIN Tour!

The day also featured two great performances from KISS Tribute bands - KIDS and MR. SPEED. KISS collectibles were on sale through out the event and everyone in attendance received a 'ONE LIVE KISS' laminate, guitar pick and over sized postcard.

Just another great day of celebrating with fellow members of the KISS Army!

The top and bottom photos were taken by Joe 'Big Dog' Frey for KOL. The middle photo of the bands, KIDS and MR. SPEED, was provided by Tony Nealeigh.

Joe appears in The Cleveland Plain Dealer

Photo by Peggy Turbett/The Plain Dealer

The license plate: SHOCK ME

The car: 1999 Chevrolet Blazer.

The owner: Joe Hess, 33, bank employee, in his $1,200 custom-made Ace Frehley Kiss costume.

The reason: My sister bought me my first Kiss album, Love Gun, in 1978 when I was 4 years old, and I’ve been hooked ever since. I loved their whole mystique: The fact that you didn’t know who they were, the explosions, the fire, the blood, the catchy music and, of course, the toys: the Kiss dolls, the Kiss comic books, the Kiss lunch boxes.

Kiss consisted of four guys: Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley, Peter Criss and Gene Simmons. I always liked Ace. He had the coolest costume, and he had the best guitar solo in “Shock Me.” His guitar would start smoking as if it was on fire.

I was looking to start my own Kiss tribute band in “Established Kiss tribute band looking for Ace.” 2000. I put an ad in Scene that said, “Ace looking for Gene, Peter, Paul.” Diagonal to my ad was another ad: The name of the band was Mr. Speed. Mr. Speed is what we in the Kiss world call an obscure song because most people don’t know it.

We do everything the way Kiss does. We have the lighted logo. We have the stack of Marshall amps. Our costumes are dead replicas of theirs. We have the smoke, the blood. We even use the same kind of makeup they do.

“Shock Me” was the first song I had to learn. It was kind of my identifying moment with the band. That’s why I put it on my license plate.

Most people mistake what SHOCK ME means. People driving by, they’ll flip me the bird and stuff like that. Like they want to see if they can shock me. A lot of people take it that way. They moon me.

Christopher Evans, Plain Dealer Reporter

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