Another fantastic Indianapolis KISS Expo happened Saturday 2/2/2002. The day featured Bill Aucoin, Eric Singer, Andre Augustine, SSG and tribute band Mr. Speed. Also spotted at the Expo were Bill Starkey, Dale Sherman and The Goddess of Thunder.

Attendance seemed in the neighborhood of 650-700 fans. Indianapolis always has a strong turnout. A very good place for a KISS Expo. I was however disappointed in the mood of the crowd. At most of the KISS Expos the fans can get pretty loud when they want. The crowd this year was a little more quiet than usual. I helped out with the announcing duties and nothing seemed to get a rise out of the crowd like past Expos.

The selection of merchandise available this year was better than the previous year. A lot of older type merchandise littered the vendor tables. I am a fan of fan-made items. Really the only I spotted that was a really cool fan-made item were these drawings done on wood. Very cool work. As far as the regular items of course t-shirts, mugs, pins and of course audio.

I spent most of the day zoning out when I wasn't talking to fans or talking on stage. I have had a cold for a couple weeks and just can't seem to shake it. So once again, not much of a review. I did have a good time talking with Andre Augustine. A really great guy to talk with if you ever get a chance to meet him. He greeted me early in the day with "nice haircut." A deep joke, considering he hadn't seen me for a couple years. Ouch!

Bill Starkey & Dale Sherman came and hung out at the KISS Freaks table for most of the day. Of course I always have a blast hanging out with those guys. If you haven't met them you should definitely attempt it. They are great guys.

SSG seemed to do very well. They are one of the bands that had participated in the KAOL series cds. I didn't hear much of their set, but I did hear All-American Man. Very well done.

I missed most of the Q/A's with Bill Aucoin and Eric Singer. I usually do miss that stuff unless I am involved in some way.

Eric Singer performed with a couple of his "friends." The vocalist/guitarist was Eric Dover. Eric was in the band Jellyfish, sang on the first Slash's Snakepit album and tour, and is currently playing rhythm guitar for Alice Cooper. The bassist was Stefan Adika, who has played with Gilby Clarke (Guns n' Roses), L.A. Guns and Dad's Porno Mag. Both guys played in Glamnation, a glam rock tribute, with Eric Singer. From the crowd reaction they performed well. I think the crowd was the loudest of the day when they were on stage.

I did get to see the first couple of songs from the tribute band Mr. Speed. They do a great job. Nice tribute band. Worth seeing if you get the chance.

I brought the "Gong" to the Expo. I didn't however bring the stand it sits on, due to needing an oversized truck to get it there. Just to much of a hassle. I got several people asking "how much for the Gong." Which is always the case when I take it anywhere. Fans also like to get their picture taken in front of it also, which is cool.

Special thanks to my wife Michelle, Ted "Ted of Thunder" Wilson & Dusty White for helping out at the KISS Freaks table. Overall another great event by Keith Leroux. Hopefully Keith will continue to do an Indianapolis KISS Expo every year. If you have any photos from the Expo you would like to share, please email them to sstierwalt@kissfreaks.com