Almost Kiss , hailing from Kansas is one of only 6 Kiss Tribute acts to be officially endorsed by Gene Simmons.
Almost Kiss performs at festivals, college campuses, corporate events and private functions.
They’ve performed from Missouri to Texas to Wisconsin and even the Caribbean.
They feature authentic vintage instruments, makeup and custom made costumes and boots.
Scott Jensen who portrays Gene Simmons in the group spoke to us about Almost Kiss.
Q – Scott, when you’re part of a Kiss Tribute group you can pretty much book the act any day of any week of any month and people will come out to see you won’t they?
A – Absolutely. 100%
Q – I almost knew you would say that. I mean what else are you going to say?
A – (laughs)
Q – Most Kiss Tribute groups will name themselves after a Kiss song. But you guys are Almost Kiss.
A – Almost.
Q- That’s probably because you’re one of only a handful of groups that are endorsed by Kiss. Is that how you’re able to do that?
A- Well, I think you’re partially correct on that. But, Yes we are endorsed by Gene and Paul. There’s an old saying, ‘Almost only counts for horseshoes and grenades’. And you can add tribute bands to that with Almost Kiss.
Q- What does it mean to be endorsed by Gene Simmons? Does it get you higher paying gigs?
A- Well, you can put that on the resume’. Do you remember Gene Simmons ‘Family Jewels’?
Q- Yes.
A- Well, that was where he endorsed us on that show. He goes ‘There’s 5 of these tribute bands I really like ‘ and we were one of ‘em that he mentioned.
Q- How Did you come to his attention? How did he hear about you?
A- He is also a part owner of a restaurant chain Rock’n’Brews. They were opening a Rock’n’Brews here in Kansas City and they wanted a Kiss Tribute to play the Grand Opening. His P.A. ( Personal Assistant) did a search and found us and called us and asked if we wanted to play the Grand Opening and we said “ Absolutely”. It was a woman who called and she said Gene and Paul will be there and they want to sit in with you for a song which was thrilling. And they did. From then on we had this semi-relationship, a relationship between a musical icon and a tribute band. We played a couple more of their Grand Openings, one in Atoka, Oklahoma and one in Tulsa, Oklahoma. And then we were on the tv show. So, that gave us a little bit of cred ( credibility) if you know what I mean. Just a little bit.
Q- What was it like to have Gene Simmons singing alongside you? That must have been an incredible feeling.
A- It was very surreal. I had to figuratively pinch myself that this was really happening because this is the guy that I grew up staring at , his poster on my bedroom wall when I was a kid. Now I’m onstage standing next to him.
Q- Just imagine what it would have been like if he’d have shown up in costume.
A- Oh, I would have high tailed it to the door. 9laughs) It was one thing to stand next to the man Gene Simmons but as the Demon, No. People always asked me back in the day ‘Are you gonna dress up to go to the concert?’ Hell, No! I’m not dressing up to go to the concert. They’re onstage. I’m not onstage. I think all those people who come to Kiss concerts dressed up are kind of bozos.
Q- They’re just showing their love and appreciation for the band.
A- Yeah. I guess you could look at it that way. I just think at a Kiss concert I’m there to see them. I want to see the band.
Q- Was it hard to find guys to fill the other roles in your band?
A- Yeah, in a way it was because you really got to be dedicated to do this. We’re not a band that goes in and you’re wearing street clothes and you play the Kiss songs. We’ve actually dissected these songs down note for note and then of course the costuming and the choreography. It’s a job. I’ve been lucky in 27 years to have been through 8 members. That’s not bad for 27 years.
Q- Is there someone in Kansas who can design your costumes?
A- No. The closest guy and he does amazing work is David McBrayer and he’s out of Dallas, Texas. He’s the go to guy for every Kiss Tribute band in the world. He replicates the costumes to the t. I mean they’re as close as you can get without hiring Gene’s costume maker. I’ve got about 10 of his costumers. I’ve got a couple ‘Love Gun’. I’ve got a couple ‘Alive’, ‘Hotter Than Hell’ and ‘Dynasty’. I tried to get one of each era. All the guys will get together a week before a show to decide which era we’re gonna wear at the next show so we all match.
Q- I’m not going to ask you how much these costumes cost but I assume they’re expensive.
A- It’s not cheap. You’re not going to go down to Wal-Mart and buy this. They have to be custom made and they’re handmade. There’s nothing made on an assembly line. There’s one person swing all the studs on or all the sequins. It’s pretty meticulous but we get paid pretty well when we do our shows. So one show will pay for the costume.
Q- Do you have competition in Kansas?
A- No. We’re the only Kiss tribute band within probably 400 miles. I put Almost Kiss together in ’98 so we’re celebrating our 27th year this year ( 2025).
Q- That’s a long time!
A- It’s way too long. (laughs)
Q- That’s probably why you started your own booking agency for Tribute bands.
A- Yeah. I play in 13 different tribute bands that I also manage. I’m a retired government worker so I’ve got nothing but time on my hands to do this. So, the next most popular band I have is probably my Bon Jovi band. I have a Bon Jovi tribute band that is really popular.
Q- I’m surprised at that. I realize Bon Jovi had a lot of success but not as much as Kiss.
A- Different generations. The Bon Jovi crowd is turning 60. They grew up in the 80’s. So, they’re empty nesters. They have expendable income and they like to go out and re-live their youth.
Q- You say you’re retired but you didn’t say what you’re retired from.
A- I worked for 44 years for a library system doing all their HVAC, heating and cooling. I’m still running a heating and cooling company on the side. In fact the name of the co. is Hotter Than Hell Heating And Cooling.
Q- While you were doing HVAC work were you also doing tribute band gig?
A- Oh, absolutely. Thank God I had a boss that understood. There were times when I’d have to take off for a week to play a run of shows. He was very cool about it. I had plenty of PTO ( Paid Time Off) and I would take off for a week and do a run of shows in Alabama and come back and go back to my regular life the next week.
Q- You did have an understanding Boss.
A- Yeah. He was very cool. He’s still my friend to this day.
Q- In these 13 bands you’re in who are you in say the Bon Jovi band?
A- I play the role of the bass player who nobody knows who he is but it doesn’t really matter. I’m in a Cars Tribute band. I’m tall and skinny so I play Ric Ocasek. Being the bass player a lot of times he’s kind of the forgotten person in most bands.
Q- Unless you’re Gene Simmons.
A- Unless you’re Gene Simmons, correct. Then you’re the center of focus.
Q- What happens if someone wants the Kiss tribute band on the same night someone wants the Bon Jovi tribute?
A- Whoever reached out to me first gets the gig.
Q- That being the case you could be working every weekend in the different bands you’re in.
A- I do, especially during festival season. None of these bands are bar bands. So, from April through October we’re really busy doing festivals and fairs. That’s where the moneys at. Then when the Winter comes around we’ll do some casino gigs. They got deep pockets. We’ll do some corporate gigs. A lot of corporations hire you to play a Christmas party or a Valentine’s Day party or some kind of co. retreat and there a couple big music venues here that pay really well and seat 500 plus.
Q- You’ve really got it down!
A- Pretty much. As I’m getting older my time is more valuable. So, if I’m going to be away from my family I’m going to be compensated or I’m not going to do it. It’s pretty simple.
Q- As more and more of these Classic Bands pull off the road the interest in not only your Kiss Tribute but all your Tribute bands will no doubt continue to grow.
A- Absolutely. I’m going to go until I can’t go anymore.
Q- Scott, I’m going to close this interview by telling you something that I believe you’ll both appreciate and understand especially since you play the Gene Simmons character In Almost Kiss.
I knew a girl, Katherine Kovack Marshfield from Syracuse, New York who lost her life to what was reported as being a drunk driver while she was walking down South Avery Avenue in Syracuse on August 22nd 1987.
She was 22 years old.
A- Oh, My God !
Q- So my brothers who also knew her went to her wake. And as I was standing with one of my brothers by her open casket her mother turns to us and says “ She was my Rock’n’Roll baby and her greatest dream was to meet Gene Simmons.” My brother then said “ Well, Gary just interviewed Gene Simmons”. At that moment I realized just how fortunate I was to be able to be doing what I’m doing. Some people go to their grave never having their wish come true.
A- Amen.
Q- And that’s true for both of us.
A- Amen. That’s honestly choking me up.
©Gary James
