"Buffalo Rock City" is the FIRST EVER KISS tribute "collaboration" album. While there have been many other KISS tribute records released over the years (more than 50, since the very first, "Hard To Believe" record in 1990), all of the other releases have been compilation records. Compilations of different source material , varying in quality and sonics, making most of them unlistenable.
"Buffalo Rock City" contains 13 songs (12 tracks and a bonus *collector's track*), all of which were recorded in the same approach, like a singular "band" recording an album. All of the drums and bed tracks were recorded at Watchmen Studios in Lockport, NY (engineered by Doug White) on January 23, 2020. The rest of the tracks were recorded locally and remotely - from all across the world - all building upon the same sonic foundation, to ensure "Buffalo Rock City" sounded like a complete "album" of work. And it does!!!!
The album features the "best of the best" musicians from Western New York, as not only does the album include the East Coast premier, award winning tribute band, KISS THIS! (founded by "Buffalo Rock City" producer John Jeffrey), but also includes great artists such as DoDriver, an all original act, who were handpicked by Doc McGhee and the members of KISS, to open for KISS on the Sonic Boom tour at Darien Lake on August 13, 2010.
The album also features several professional, pro circuit, National and Worldwide musicians, who donated tracks to the record as well. Contributions were made by Robby Takac (vocals), Tommy Henriksen (vocals/bass), Tommy Denander (guitar), Deen Castronovo (vocals), Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal (guitar), Philip Shouse (bass/guitar), Jeremy Asbrock (guitar), Ryan Spencer Cook (vocals) & Mitch Weissman (vocals). If you're not familiar with some of these names, these "celebrity guests" have
toured and recorded with - Asia, Ace Frehley, Alice Cooper, DORO, ACCEPT, Gene Simmons, Guns N' Roses, Journey, Ozzy Osbourne, The Hollywood Vampires, Goo Goo Dolls, Michael Jackson, Toto, The Dead Daisies, Paul Stanley and Beatlemania.
To add to to authenticity of this project, "Buffalo Rock City" was mastered by Jay Messina. Anyone who knows the KISS recording history lore, knows Messina's connection with KISS goes back to 1976, as he engineered and mixed the band's breakout album "Destroyer." Messina, once again engineered and mixed the band's 1979 release, "Dynasty" and co-mixed KISS' next record, "Unmasked" (1980). Jay Messina, who arguably knows more than anyone, what a KISS album should sound like, did an amazing job in the mastering process of "Buffalo Rock City."
Aside from the purpose of creating a great sounding CD of cohesive KISS covers, "Buffalo Rock City" was also done with another goal in mind. That goal is to raise money and awareness for the homeless community in Western New York. Producer, John Jeffrey, has aligned himself, and the album, with the Compass House foundation. Located in Buffalo, NY, Compass House is a homeless shelter, which runs not only an Emergency Shelter, but operates a Resource Center, a Rapid Re-Housing Program and a Transitional Housing Program, with their mission being to provide runaway, homeless and street youth with safe shelter and services, in an environment that supports dignity, respect and self-reliance. Proceeds of the sales of "Buffalo Rock City" will be donated to the Compass House foundation.
"Buffalo Rock City" is available for pre-order on CD now and will be released World-wide on December 15, 2020.
TRACK LISTING:
"Black Diamond" (featuring Bumblefoot & Deen Castronovo), "Detroit Rock City" (KISS THIS!), "Hard Luck Woman" (featuring Robby Takac), "New York Groove 78/80" (featuring Tommy Henriksen & Tommy Denander), "Dirty Livin'" (featuring Ryan Cook and Philip Shouse), "Hard Times" (featuring Philip Shouse), "I've Had Enough (Into the Fire)," "Back on the Streets," "Street Giveth and the Street Taketh Away," "Jungle" (DoDriver), "It's My Life" (featuring Jeremy Asbrock), "Freak," and the bonus *collector's track* "While the City City Sleeps (featuring Mitch Weissman).
Final sequencing is TBD and we will update upon confirmation.
All pre-orders will receive a free download of "Hard Luck Woman" (featuring Robby Takac of the Goo Goo Dolls), which is one of the featured tracks from upcoming release. Please visit
www.buffalorockcity.com and BuffaloRockCity on Facebook for more updates.
released December 15, 2020
Produced by : John Jeffrey & Joe Teresi
Associate producers: Jody Velletta, Shawn Przybylak & Gene Schmidt
Mixed by: Brad Lauchert
Mastered by: Jay Messina
Buffalo Rock City 2020