Fat Buddha Store Blog // All the News

This weekend 30 years ago KISS played their Fist gig in a New York club called Popcorn, earning themselves the princely sum of $50, and playing to around 10 folk.  Recently they were called Wicked Lester, but changed it when lead guitarist Ace Frehly joined the outfit. Paul Stanley is credited with coming up with the name whilst Ace designed the now original version of the infamous KISS logo.  June that year they recorded their first 5 song demo tape for Eddie Kramer and later on became the first signing for Bogart's new record label 'Cassablanca Records'. October this year they enter the studio to begin work on their first studio album, and the rest is as they say History.  30 years on KISS hava a back cataolgue to be proud of, numerous Gold, Platinum record sales and of course the biggest merchandise range you have ever seen. Kiss went through the 80's on a gradual decline, before coming back with a boomtastic 'Crazy Nights', a whole generation of k...

Taylor is the latest Fat Buddha recruit, but in the 6 weeks since he arrived he has helped get the stock room catalogued from front to back and is now working on various web site related tasks (he's a bit of a tecchy whizz kid!). Anyway, here is some of his favourite things from the shop.... Taylor likes Metal music, which has influenced a couple of picks me thinks. You can see the inspiration from classic metal graphics on the latest Hundreds tee and Carhartt skate decks we got in. We've got loads of art and design books in the shop, Taylor likes most of them! His love of comics means that a book on 60 Years of Manga is one right up his street. He also chose the Addict Camobot (by Mr. Jago) that we've had for a while but is still loved by vinyl figure fans from all over the world. And we now know why Leslie likes Taylor so much.....he's the only one in the shop that likes KISS just as much as him! His final choice is therefore a no-brainer.... the Gene Simmo...

Is it Xmas, did i save a child from a burning building or help old ladies across the road, none of the above, but for some strange reason, the big man answered my prayers and gave me a new KISS album, not only that he gave me a good KISS album. Many of you nay sayers will argue the use of the word KISS and good in the same sentence but i've even converted young Calum in store over to KISS, only to find out i went to my first KISS concert before he was born, man am i that old. This is a great album, sounding like the old band and being new material, great stuff, but currently in my 'Dressed to Kill' mode just now, its on the play list every day in store just now, and digging 'Lick it Up' again. MORE KISS PLEASE.

Without question, KISS are the greatest rock band ever, albums like Destroyer, Love Gun, Dynasty, Dressed To Kill, Hotter than Hell, Rock and Roll Over and i could go on and on and on, then dont forget the gem that is Unmasked from the 80's. Of course i am biased, i am the guy that went to a KISS concert in the 80s with full Gene Sim make-up, i am also the guy who has an original 1977 Pinball Machine (in working order). Also i have a scarily big set of Kiss collectables, from Xmas baubles to telephones, to dolls to water fountains, now i can add a pair of Vans to my collection. Coming in at £40 these Vans Classic Slip Ons are great and the artwork on the box is pretty sweet aswell, so what you waiting for, grab a pair here .