My name is Marc Tacik.  I'm 31 years old.  I'm from Frederick, Md., but currently reside near Virginia Beach, Virginia since being re-activated into the military.  My occupation is a Dental Laboratory Technician who specializes in ceramics ( fabricating porcelain crowns, bridges, and veneers).

The first time I was exposed to KISS was when I was four years old in 1976 and I walked into my brother's room where they were playing music.  I heard this really eerie but cool song and asked them what it was.  They gave me the album sleeve and told me who it was.  I was transfixed at that exact moment while staring at the cover to “Destroyer” while asking them to play “God of Thunder" over and over! 

I really regret not pestering my father a lot more in the seventies so he would take me to go see KISS.  He thought they were gay and my grandmother thought they were satanic, so unfortunately I didn't get to see the band live until 1995 for the unplugged convention tour when they stopped in Pittsburgh, Pa.  The non-makeup years didn't appeal to me very much until the “Revenge” line-up, so once I got back from Germany after being stationed there due to a military obligation from `92-`94, I was on a mission to finally see them.  Anyway, the whole experience of that day was just plain awesome. The guys in the band couldn't have been nicer and willing to try and play anything the fans wanted.  Seeing all the old memorabilia and costumes took me back in time.  It was great.  I hope they do it again. 

I think I've seen KISS about 20 times since 1995, and the farthest I've traveled was during this last tour when I drove from Va. Beach to Holmdel, N.J.  The trip should have only taken about 4 hours but I got stuck in Washington D.C. and Philadelphia rush hour traffic, a thunderstorm, and stuck again behind a car accident.  The overall trip took 8 ½ hours.  I'm just glad I left early enough.  Why go through all that ?  Well, two days before that I was at the Nissan Pavilion show just outside D.C. and when I was backstage during the “Platinum Pass” experience, which was just awesome by the way, I was talking with Gene and he asked me how the show was. I told him that I missed it because I got stuck in D.C. traffic, yet again, and missed the show except for the last song, and the man hooked me up personally with a ticket to the Holmdel show!  Gene rules!! 

I would have to say Gene because like him I like the darker, more abstract things in life and can relate personal life experiences through his songs.  Plus I think he's got the best onstage persona, of KISS or any band, and a bad ass voice to go with it, mostly during the “Love Gun” and “Creatures of the Night” era.

Positive-ness.  Raw emotion.  Total freedom.  Four on the floor, straight forward, kick ass rock and roll with the best stage show, hands down.  No matter how predictable it is.

7) Most KISS fans – at some point in their lives – have had to defend their allegiance to the band.  Tell us about your most memorable experience. 

All my life I tried and tried to explain to those fools that didn't get why KISS is so great and they would constantly poke fun and say they sucked or were gay and they would laugh.  Especially when the make-up was gone and their popularity died down.  I will never forget when the “Reunion Tour” exploded all over the globe and seeing my old friends and saying one word to them…KISS!!  They didn't have sh@t to say and just rolled their eyes.  It was great. 

8) List your favorite – and least favorite - song by each member of KISS and why:

9) What is the best KISS song to “knock your platform boots” to?

Deuce!

10) What is your most prized KISS possession?

My most prized KISS possession would have to be all the great memories the band has given me, meeting the different members, and meeting some really great fans along the way and all the good times I had while listening to the music.  If I were to pick something physical it would probably have to be my outfits and custom made models that I constructed for myself.  I have a full body “Destroyer” and “Creatures” outfit of Gene's and won numerous costume contests consisting of money and trips to remote islands through the years.

11) Word association – tell us the first thing that comes to mind for the following:

12) Rate the following KISS albums on a scale from 1 to 10 . . . 1 never should have been released, 10 is a KISS classic:

* KISS: 9
* Alive!: 10
* Dynasty: 5. Wish the album was produced by Eddie Kramer instead.  Wish it was mixed like the 4th side of Alive II also.
* Creatures of the Night: 9.  Would have been a 12 if Ace cut loose on it!  If that makes sense.
* Lick it Up: 5. not bad 
* Hot In The Shade:4.  Trying to sound too much like everyone else at the time.  Like most of their eighties stuff.
* Hotter Than Hell: 8.  Would have sounded better if it was mixed like the first album, or the third.
* Asylum: 1.  Ohhh Nooo. Tears are falliiiing…cause I can't stand the albuuuum!
* Carnival of Souls: 6.  Decent.  I like the majority of it
* Dressed To Kill: 9 

13) Time for KISS Jeopardy. Answer: Gene’s tongue. What is the question?

When Gene is dead…can I have it? 

14) How do you feel about being selected as the Kreature of the Month?

I think it’s great.  To be singled out for something like this amongst other rabid fans and having them read my opinions about the band is rewarding. 

15) If KISS was to read this, what one thing would you want to tell them?

Like everyone else I would just give them praise and say thank you from the bottom of my heart for being there and really helping me through some troubled times.  You guys are the greatest!  Also…can I have some money?  LOL!!

Congratulations, Marc, on becoming the March Kreature of the Month!  If anyone would like to get in touch with Marc, you can e-mail him at mapes72@yahoo.com!