Formed in 1999, performing a full KISS tribute show (with makeup and costumes) under the guise of KISS THIS! - The Starchild, Kevin Blakita - lead guitar/vocals, The Space Ace, John Jeffrey - lead guitar/vocals, The Catman, Billy Eberts - drums/vocals, and the Demon, Taylor Stursa -bass/vocals; bring all of theatrics and bombast of a classic KISS show to fans all around the country.

KISS THIS! is America's premier tribute to the "Hottest Band in the World." Founder John Jeffrey is a life-long KISS fan who has connections to KISS going back to the mid 1980's, as the founder and creator of the KISS Underground fanclub (1987-2007). His loyalty and his work for the band has been acknowledged by KISS members past and present, as he has been mentioned on the group's "Hot In the Shade" album, their coffee table book "KISSTORY," and has a 2 page article written about him in Gene Simmons' book, "The Ultimate KISS Fanzine Phenomenon." Jeffrey has performed onstage with KISS drummer Eric Singer at a fan expo he helped organize in 1996, and both Jeffrey and Taylor Stursa were invited by Gene Simmons to perform onstage with Simmon's solo band in 2018 for the KISS classic "I Love It Loud."

Having formed the band with it's original lineup in Western New York, Jeffrey performs the role of Ace Frehley (the Spaceman), citing the legendary guitarist as his main musical influence and emulates Frehley's stage persona, both visually and musically. Not only does Jeffrey replicate Frehley's mannerisms, but he has acquired the "Frehley tone," with an arsenal of Ace Frehley signature Les Paul guitars, including a customized axe which bellows smoke in tribute to Frehley's signature "smoking guitar." Ace was so impressed with Jeffrey's replica that he borrowed the guitar for a performance in 2022, when Frehley's own 'smoker' was malfunctioning.

Fronting the band is KISS THIS! co-founder Kevin Blakita, who embodies the role of the Starchild - Paul Stanley. Blakita - best known for his six string capabilities, winning awards for Buffalo, NY's "Best Guitarist" several years in a row, has found comfort in the somewhat different role he acquired in KISS THIS! as one of the main vocalists of the group and all around "ring master." Blakita's "KISStory" dates back to mid 1970's, when he was first turned on to the group after getting the band's second legendary live album, "KISS Alive Il." Blakita received the double live album as a 'prank' Christmas present from his parents, as the vinyl albums were hidden inside the cover of a Sonny & Cher record.

The resident 'Demon' and bassist of KISS THIS! - Taylor Stursa - had the KISS fandom start for him when he just started growing his bat wings as a mere youngling. Watching Gene Simmons perform onstage for the first time as a little kid was the reason he picked up the bass guitar to begin with. Stursa personifies Gene Simmons and truly embodies the Demon persona, as he grunts, groans, sticks out his tongue, breathes fire, and spits blood, while pounding out the bass lines on his signature Gene Simmons "Axe" and "Punisher" bass guitars.

For drummer Billy Eberts, it was the summer of 1978, when his older cousins introduced him to KISS via the "Love Gun" album at the age of 5 years old, Eberts had never heard of the band, but was intrigued by the music, imagery and costumes. When not playing with KISS THIS! Eberts drums for Donnie Vie's Enuff Z'Nuff and Warner Music Group artist, Sydney Irving.

Playing songs from all eras of the the band, the group's stage show is fashioned after KISS' legendary productions from the 1970's. From the deafening sound of blistering amplifiers, along with a fully functioning, automated replica KISS (logo) sign, their ever growing production never fails to wow the "KISS Army." KISS THIS! puts on a show not to be missed!

In addition to performing live, in 2020, KISS THIS! started their own series of KISS tribute records, entitled "Buffalo Rock City:" Releasing multiple CDs and vinyl, the albums features performances by KISS THIS!, along with collaborations with other Western New York based musicians, and World-renowned artists a s well. March 2026 marks the release of the first KISS THIS! sole band album, "ALIVE! at the Loft - Unplugged at War Cannon Spirit Distillery.