Baltimore cover bands

Love Gun

There are a lot of Kiss tribute bands that tromp around stage in full clown makeup, including the quasi-famous group Mini Kiss (each of its members is approximately four feet tall). But, unlike Mini Kiss and other Kiss tributes, Baltimore's Love Gun looks and sounds like the famous Detroit-based rock band. Anyone who's ever seen the real Kiss perform will be amazed at how spot-on Love Gun's performances can be. It's the attention to detail that puts the band above imitators who are merely playing dress up. Mike Phillips plays a replica of Gene Simmons' axe-shaped guitar, and wears the same high-heeled, dragon head boots. George Decampo mimics Ace Frehley's guitar-playing, and wears the same futuristic space suit. Steve Atkinson performs with Paul Stanley's over-the-top swagger and sex appeal, and Rick Kunkel has a drum set nearly as massive as Peter Criss'. But that's not all: A Kiss show would not be a Kiss show without pyrotechnics, smoke and "Gene Simmons" spitting fire and blood. The shows get a little smoky, especially in smaller venues, but a night with Kiss is totally worth asphyxiation.

Lineup: Mike Phillips, vocals and guitar; George Decampo, vocals and guitar; Steve Atkinson, guitar and vocals; and Rick Kunkel, drums and vocals

Web sites: www.myspace.com/lovegunrocks
www.angelfire.com/rock3/lovegun_tribute