An interesting object of study of Silverstonean performance is the band Kiss. The rock band was formed in 1973 and became quickly known for their easily-identifiable image during concerts. All four members of the band painted their faces with black and white paint and wore gothic costumes with leather and metal. Their concerts commonly involved fire-breathing, blood spitting, smoking guitars and pyrotechnics. The band consistently maintained this image for ten years (when they were most famous) to the extent that it was impossible to see a picture of them without face paint. Once their popularity diminished, it was decided by the band that it was time to appear without painted face masks. Kiss first appeared with unpainted faces on MTV in 1983 and have since regained some of their popularity. Silverstone emphasized that performance must be something that a person maintains on a consistent basis, so that the image becomes the individual. Kiss wear their unique costumes to concerts to this day, and are currently on tour.
During the times when Kiss was at peak of popularity, a community of fans was formed called the “Kiss Army”. Some fans would go as far as paint their own faces like their favorite performers. Others would limit their participation to listening to Kiss music and buying their merchandise. Hence the band Kiss has formed a community based on collective performance and collective consumption. For example, Kiss’s homepage features a picture of a four-year-old boy with his face painted as a member of the band.
Whether in the end the band’s behavior may be classified as performance or play would depend on how seriously they think of their masks and demeanor. On the kiss homepage, some members are shown screaming and showing their tongues even when not wearing facemasks (like the video of Gene Simmons performing for CNN).
http://www.kissonline.com/
http://mr.kissonline.com/flash/player/
