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BIO: Carlos Espada A.K.A The Demon
Carlos Espada is a renowned Gene Simmons impersonator who has appeared on countless TV shows, in print, and worked on official product with his childhood hero, Gene Simmons. Carlos has received praises from a wide array of media and KISS themselves. Carlos also plays Gene Simmons in the New York City based KISS tribute band, KISSNATION. Carlos is currently one of the most sought after Gene Simmons impersonators in the KISS world.
IN THE BEGINNING
At the tender age of four, while sitting in front of the television, a commercial for these superheroes came on. There was one breathing fire and drooling blood, there were bombs going off, smoking guitars, and all of them had these great costumes and make-up. When he asked his older brother who’s that? The reply was “They are a rock band called KISS.” Carlos was hooked!
For his fifth birthday the same brother bought him KISS ALIVE! Inside there were photos and letters from the band. Needless to say, he played the album until it wore down. Carlos recalls, “I was the only kid in Spanish Harlem who listened to KISS
LEAVEING HIS MARK ON A LEGEND
Carlos has had many brushes with Gene Simmons, meeting him at signings for Alive 3, where he gave Simmons a customized treasure toll wearing his idols make-up (which later appeared on the Speaking In Tongues DVD) But it was during the reunion tour press conference where Carlos would show Gene Simmons just how much he touched his life. Carlos was one of the very few KISS fans allowed on the US Intrepid to witness the Second Coming. After finding his way to the press only room, Carlos walked up to Simmons. “I have meet Gene out of make-up many times, put when I saw Simmons as The Demon I was 5 years old all over aging. I told him how much KISS has helped me through the hard times in life. So I wanted to give him something in return & with out thinking about it I kissed his boot.” This left a big mark on Simmons as he would go on to talk about this event with everyone of the press. It was reminiscent of when Gregory Hines kissed the feet of Sammy Davis Jr. It was done out of respect and admiration of someone who touched Carlos’ life.
A BOY STARTS A BAND & WORKS WITH HIS IDOL
Little did he know how close he would become with his heroes after managing & playing with KISSNATION. The first KISS related event the band would be hired for was to make an appearance for Sony Signatures unveiling the KISS ACTION FIGURES from Todd McFarlane Toys at the 1997 Licensing Show (held in New York City)
The band would do appearances/interviews for the SCI-FI Channel, 20/20, WPIX News, CNN & more, promoting the KISS ACTION FIGURES.
In 1999 Carlos befriended Digger, president of a New York City toy company called ART ASYLUM, (the toy company behind the 24" singing KISS dolls). KISSNATION was hired by ART ASYLUM to perform on the rooftop of the company’s Brooklyn studio. Keeping in touch with the people at ART ASYLUM, Carlos would later start to work for the company as a P.R person & then later as a Shop Manager. Working on such toy lines as Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Eminem, Alice Cooper, Dark Angel, etc…
Carlos supervised the production of KISS toy lines, KISS 'N'The Box & KISS Minimates. Carlos recalls the event "It was great to work on a toy line of your childhood heroes. Aside from having my name on official KISS products, the next best thing was the look on Gene Simmons face when he saw the "N" THE BOX figures and gave it a big thumbs up!" Carlos & Gene did a full day of media blitz for the toy line. Carlos appeared on Extra, Fox News, VH1 & MTV News, etc.
KISSNATION would go on to help with a number of events to help KISS promote such products as The KISS BOX SET and GENE SIMMONS biography, KISS & Make-Up.
Carlos would appear in print (Daily News, HUSTLER magazine & more) & Television spots (CNBC's show titled POWER LUNCH, Extra & more) with his childhood idol, Gene Simmons.
In 2003 KISSNATION would receive endorsements from Silvertone¨, Ampeg¨, Epiphone¨ & Crate¨, all helping KISSNATION complete the KISS look. Silvertone¨ continues to work closely with the band and have developed a positive and strong relationship. Carlos would go on to help Silvertone¨ during the 2003 Namm convention. Carlos worked as a bodyguard for one of his childhood heroes, Paul Stanley. When Stanley spotted Carlos at the event, he simply asked, "Why aren't you in Make-Up?"
2005 promises to be a good year for Carlos Espada. Carlos is currently a free lance consultant for several international toy & musical instrument companies, and is working on a business plan to create a musical instrument company that will specialize in producing bass guitars and guitar accessories that feature artistic, cutting edge designs, yet still maintain the functionality and reliability that is demanded by professional musicians.
Quotes:
"The perfect Jewish afro" Gene Simmons of KISS"Watching Carlos is like watching Gene" Paul Stanley of KISS
"Carlos Espada is the closest thing to the vintage Gene Simmons that exists today. From the video clips I have seen thus far, I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up replacing the Demon himself in KISS once Mr. Simmons retires." Don Lemmon & Hollywood's most sought out fitness & nutrition consultant
"You (Carlos) look's so much like a young Gene Simmons" Bill Aucoin - Former KISS manager
HUSTLER INTERVIEWS KISSNATION'S CARLOS ESPADA AND GENE SIMMONS...
The following is an excerpt of an article titled, I'm With the Sham Band, from the May 2002 issue of HUSTLER written by Kim Cooper and Lisa Sutton. The article is about the groupies that are attracted to tribute band members. KISSNATION's Demon, Carlos Espada, along with the real Gene Simmons himself, was more than happy to oblige to be part of the article...read on and enjoy
Gene Simmons, who claims to have fucked thousands of female fans, has no such remorse. Musicians who impersonate Simmons often find themselves imitating his sleazy ways as well. This is one, if not the main, reason that there are more than a dozen Kiss-tribute outfits, stacked heels, blood capsules and all touring the national scene.
"There's plenty to go around, it's all good." says the genuine Simmons when asked his feelings on faux Genes using his costume to derive sexual satisfaction from Kiss fans.
The perks that come with being in a Kiss band can far exceed the usual fan adulation, according to New York City based Carlos Espada, a/k/a KISSNATION's Gene. "I've played in original bands before. They're alot of fun, but playing in a tribute band is great. There's no selling; people know what they're there to see. I've been all over the USA, and the groupies are there because of who you're playing."
The perks that come with being in a Kiss band can far exceed the usual fan adulation, according to New York City based Carlos Espada, a/k/a KISSNATION's Gene. "I've played in original bands before. They're alot of fun, but playing in a tribute band is great. There's no selling; people know what they're there to see. I've been all over the USA, and the groupies are there because of who you're playing."
~Hustler Magazine May 2002 issue
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