Roctober Comics KISS Nite
From Roctober Comics & Music (Chicago, IL) via Joe D. KISS Hell Fanzine
You Wanted The Best, This Is The Best We Can Do! Thursday July 23, 1998 marks the release date for Roctober Magazine #22. Called "The Best Zine in Chicago" by Chicago Magazine, and "A waste of money" in the hardcore publication Genesis, Roctober celebrates it's recent notoriety with the unveiling of The KISSUE, a salute to KISS! To celebrate the release of this issue, The Empty Bottle (Chicago, IL-1305 N. Western Ave.) will host a release party at 10PM, Thursday July 23rd. In addition to door prizes, celebrity guests and oddball KISS video screenings, the evening will feature a spectacular musical line up.

Headlining will be The Polkaholics, Chicago's Punk Polka superstars. On the Empty Bottle stage they will be debuting their original KISS tribute Polka, "KISS My Polka." If that was the sole musical event, as Israeli-born Gene $immons might say dayenu (it would be enough). However before The Polkaholics take the stage, the audience will be treated to an event never before seen in Chicago Rock history! Four separate, but equal KISS tribute bands, will take the stage that evening, each saluting an individual founding member of KISS! The Empty Bottle audience will the honored by the presence of...

  • "THE GENE TEAM"-ALL GENE SIMMONS tribute band
  • "The PETER PRINCIPLE"-All PETER CRISS tribute band
  • "SPACEWALK"-ALL ACE FREHLEY tribute band
  • "EISEN"-All PAUL STANLEY tribute band

    This historic evening will also see Roctober #22 available for purchase for the first time, wherein Roctober turns its esteric eyes towards KISS with articles, interviews and comics celebrating their carreer and the fanatical worship by their followers. Included in the issue are features on tribute band Strutter, KISS conventions, Bruce Kulick, 50's Rockabilly singer Jumping Gene Simmons, and much more. Of local interest is Cynthia Plaster Caster's dissection of KISS' 1977 tribute to her "Plaster Caster." and Funkadelic cover artist Pedro Bell's recreation of the KISS album art he was offered back in the day.

    Making this magazine release an event is the bonus 8" vinyl record included with each copy. Though the record is a tribute to KISS, it features no cover versions of KISS songs, but rather songs about KISS, in styles ranging from Polka to Hip Hop to Grindcore. The EP kicks off with THE POLKAHOLICS festive "KISS MY POLKA" and ends with Grindcore sensations DROPDEAD saluting the tape manipulations KISS used as an outro to "Black Diamond." Also featured on the record are SOCIAL PARASITE, featuring KISS HELL fanzine editor Joe D., THE GOBLINS, DJ JOSH TAYLOR and CAL UMETZITY. Most notable however, is the vinyl debut of KISS song subject, CYNTHIA PLASTER CASTER who steps into the musical ring with a duct with puppet TV star Ratso (of Cable access show "Chic-A-Go- Go).

    Roctober will be available AT THE SHOW for $4.00. The record is only available to members of Roctober-for more info. fax.(773)288-5443.