Destroyer makes it Mount Pleasant Rock City

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This Halloween promises to have a few extra treats in store for those who enjoy fire-breathing, blood spitting, large explosions, black and white face paint and, of course, black spandex. All will be available here on campus thanks to Destroyer, a local Kiss Tribute band.
Warriner Auditorium will host a performance from Destroyer at 7:30 p.m. this Sunday. Destroyer will be in full Kiss make-up and uniform, from Kiss’ Alive-era.
The concert promises to reenact a vintage Kiss show from 1976, which will include a complete stage, including the trademark wall of Marshall amplifiers, as well as the lit-up K-I-S-S letters in the background.
All of which requires armies of stage designers and lighting technicians all employed by the gentlemen of Destroyer. Other members of the Destroyer crew include pyrotechnicians and seamstresses for the costumes.
Destroyer is no stranger to the world of Kiss tribute bands; all four members have been involved in impersonating Kiss for many years now. Tony Smith, Mount Pleasant resident, and Gary Stevens, Detroit resident, have been in numerous other bands, such as Cold Gin, Strutter, Kiss’d and Hotter Than Hell.
Smith can be found behind the drums in Destroyer, playing the “catman” Peter Criss; Stevens takes the front-man position of Paul Stanley, while Jeff and Chris Hoyt of Houghton Lake round out the line-up as “the demon” Gene Simmons and “space” Ace Frehley, respectively.
Destroyer is a nationally recognized group who plays all over the country, painted like everyone’s favorite rock group. They can be found playing at bars, small clubs, and, of course, Kiss conventions.
“We normally play venues from about 350 to 850 in capacity,” stated Stevens.
All four members are avid Kiss fans, which is really a no-brainer, considering their chosen professions. Stevens and Smith have been to every Detroit Kiss show since 1975, including the frightful years without the make-up.
The band, however, only plays songs that feature the original four members in make-up. The set scheduled for this Sunday will feature songs up to and including the “Destroyer” album.
“We have also added four new songs to the set, which are going to be a surprise,” explained Stevens.
Some things that will not be a surprise are the pyrotechnics, which are slated to be featured in the show. The huge flashes and gigantic booms that are synonymous with Kiss shows will be no slouch for Destroyer, thanks to the help of a few technicians who have worked shows for Rob Zombie.
“We’re blowing more (explosives) than Rob Zombie, actually we’re blowing more than Kiss is right now on tour,” said Smith.
Destroyer has been together since 1994, when they played their first show on Halloween at Rubbles, 112 W. Michigan.
“We’re excited to play here again and at a bigger venue. The 1994 show was a lot of fun, but this year’s show should be great,” explained Smith.
Aside from the fact that the show will leave you wanting to rock and roll all night, it also offers a costume contest and a Kiss trivia contest which include cash and prizes.
Tickets are $10 in advance and available at Cook’s Music, 613 N. Mission St., and Guitar Central, 600 S. Mission St., and The Turntable in Midland. Tickets at the door are $15.
“We’ve sold about a 100 or so tickets, it should be a killer show,” Smith said.
Immediately following the show there will be an autograph signing where you can get something signed by Gene or Paul, er, sorta.