 Among the comic book creators, fans and professionals at last weekends Boston Comic Con were two figures who stood head and shoulders above the crowd! But then again, anyone in platform boots would be!
If Ara Asadoorian and John Soner entered the show they may have just blended in with the crowd, but as the Starchild and the Demon, they turned heads and posed for a ton of pictures.
“I saw the KISS Forever booth when I first walked in and was curious,” said Matman. “But when the Demon and Starchild walk by me and John Cimino (Swass Cast and Hero Envy), we became a couple of 10 year olds and chased them down.”
Since 2009, KISS Forever have been rockin’ the Worcester, MA area and giving fans the ultimate KISS experience. Yes, the make up looks great, the stage show looks like KISS, but KISS Forever have it where it counts…the sound! These guys sound like KISS!
“When I interviewed Ara (Paul) and John (Gene), I was so impressed by their enthusiasm,” Matman adds, “and I loved that no matter who wanted to stop for a picture, they posed. And everyone wanted a picture.”
Their set can last up to two hours and contains classic KISS like Deuce, Detroit Rock City, and Do You Love Me. Sadly, the set list doesn’t include Shandi, Crazy Nights or anything off the solo albums. But, we can’t have them playing a ten hour set!
“The band want to play outside the Worcester area and I can think of no place better than my 44th birthday party this summer,” said the Matman obviously hinting at something.
To find out more about KISS forever, go to their site at www.kissforeveronline.com
And get ready for an interview with Ara and John coming soon to Secret Identity.
 by Brian LeTendre
As a longtime rock/metal fan, I was a little ashamed to find out in late January that the legendary Van Halen had a new album coming out in the beginning of February. Billed as the return album of David Lee Roth, I found myself wondering why there wasn't more hype across the music scene for an album that fans have been waiting almost thirty years for. I wondered if it was because the album wasn't going to be any good, and when I heard the uninspired first single entitled "Tatoo," I pretty much wrote the album off.
But then a funny thing happened. I saw the album on sale right after release, and decided to give it a shot. I guess the band wanted to really sneak up on people with this album, because once you get past that first single, A Different Kind of Truth is a really good Van Halen record.
In fact, as soon as I got to the second song, I knew I was listening to Roth-era Van Halen. "She's the Woman" is the kind of rolling, riff-filled tune that should have been released as the first single for the album. It's also the point in the album where I realized something--Wolfgang Van Halen is an amazing bass player. Not only did I not miss Michael Anthony, but I was consistently wowed by what Wolfgang brought to each song. He's that good.
But most Van Halen fans are more concerned with how David Lee Roth and Eddie Van Halen sound on this album, and I'm happy to say, they sound great. David Lee Roth in particular sounds really good. He doesn't go for some of the high notes that he was known for back in his heyday, but his vocals are strong throughout. Eddie's riffs and solos have that loose feel to them taht captures the fun of the old Van Halen days, but there are not as many hooks and really memorable riffs on the album compared to put it in the same class as Van Halen, 1984, or 5150. In fact, the lack of really standout songs makes the album sometimes feel like one of Roth's less memorable solo efforts than the legendary reunion album that it should feel like. Eddie's drums are stellar as always, but there were a few songs where it felt like he was trying to compensate for the lack of great riffs with a few too many fills.
Don't get me wrong, though. A different Kind of Truth is a really good album, and there are a few songs on it that I think will be remembered as classics. The aforementioned "She's the Woman," "China Town" and "Big River" have great riffs and that rolling sonic attack sound that is classic Van Halen. And outside of the mediocre "Tatoo," there isn't a lot of clunkers on the album. I don't find myself skipping songs during a playthrough, and that's the sign of a solid album for me. Without a doubt though, the real star of A Different Kind of Truth is Wolfgang Van Halen. There are times on this record where he conjures images of Billy Sheehan on 1986's Crazy from the Heat, and it feels like the rest of the band let him loose on this record in a way that they never did with Michael Anthony.
If this is the last Van Halen record we get, it's not a bad note to go out on. Even if it isn't the epic return to form we were hoping for, A Different Kind of Truth does the legend of Van Halen justice.
4 out of 5 Welcomed Reunions
 In another ‘Hell Freezes Over’ moment, prog rockers UK have reformed featuring the classic line up of John Wetton (bass/vocals), Eddie Jobson (keyboards and violin) and Terry Bozzio (drummer). The trio is hitting the road in May for a small American / Canadian tour who and then a quick trip to Japan!“When ASIA hit in 1982 I went out and got the back catalog of every member of the band,” Matman said humming ‘Heat of the Moment’! Since I was a big fan of John Wetton the band I really fell for was UK. It was ASIA before there was ASIA.”
The band formed in 1977 around Wetton and drummer Bill Bruford who both were together in King Crimson. Both brought in one musician (Wetton brought in Eddie Jobson and Bruford took guitarist Allan Holdsworth). Following one album and tour, Holdsworth and Bruford split. Wetton and Jobson returned in 1978 with drummer Bozzio and the now classic album ‘Danger Money’!
After a tour and live album ‘Night After Night’ the trio disbanded. Wetton went onto ASIA, Jobson to Jethro Tull and Bozzio went onto to form the incredibly underrated Missing Persons.
Now the Press Release…
“Now, 33 years after their farewell concert, the three legendary players of the original trio - Jobson, Wetton, & Bozzio - have reunited to reenact that final tour one last time.
The music of UK has influenced progressive bands from Yes to Rush; guitar heroes from Malmsteen to Vai; and hard-rock bands from Van Halen to Dream Theater, leaving the individual members of UK with unsurpassed reputations as the definitive “musicians’ musicians.”
For tour dates and info please go to http://www.ukreunion.com.
 Since the first time I heard his voice, Glenn Hughes has always been my favorite singer!
His time in such bands as Trapeze, Deep Purple, Hughes/Thrall, Phenomena and Black Sabbath not only is the stuff of legends but some of the greatest music ever recorded! But what you hear is only a part of the story of Glenn Hughes.
‘Glenn Hughes: The Autobiography’ is not only a look at rock n roll history, but a study into the life of a drug addict as his life not only spiraled but free fell out of control. Within the pages you hear from Glenn himself, how drugs not only ruined him, but ruined his career. It is depressing to read how one of the most talented musicians in the world couldn’t get work because he was too unpredictable. But the story has an incredibly happy ending with a drug free and sober man who wears his faith o his sleeve and has resurrected his career.
When I first heard Glenn’s voice I was mesmerized, but never knew what was going on behind the scenes. In the pre internet world his issues were known and reported but not to the depth it would be scrutinized now. In 1986 I went to see Black Sabbath in New Haven, CT and I can remember looking up on the stage and thinking “that’s not Glenn Hughes”! That was because he was fired the show before and was replaced by the late Ray Gillen. After reading this book, I now know the whole story… and am still waiting to see Glenn Hughes live.
Co written with Joel McIver, ‘Glenn Hughes – The Biography’ is an incredible read that really tugs on your emotions as it takes you for a wild ride. You don’t need to be a fan of his music to get something out of this easy to read book. You see how despite the loving upbringing, kind personality and unquestionable talent, anyone is susceptible to the lure of drugs and the hell it will put you through.
I’m so thankful that Glenn has survived and is now in a great place! This book is not only the chronicles of a wild and sometimes out of control rock star but the tale of a true survivor!
Matman Rating: 5 out of 5 strangers to love
Megadeth's new album Thirteen arrived in stores this week, and the band celebrated the release by playing their new single Public Enemy #1 on Jimmy Kimmel Live. Here's the best part though--they came out in full Halloween costumes, with Mustaine dressed up as Frankenstein's Monster, Ellefson as The Wolfman, Broderick as Phantom of the Opera and Drover as Dracula. They looked awesome and the rocked. Check out the video below, and expect a full review of the new album after I listen to it a few hundred more times.
--Brian
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