User:Godsy/Kissing Candice (band)

Kissing Candice is an American nu-metal band from Long Island that formed in 2012. The band consists of vocalist Joey Simpson, guitarist/vocalist Tom "Dreamer" Sciro, second guitarist Nephew Suffront, bassist Mike Grippo, and drummer Michael "Pak-Man" Pak. Kissing Candice has released one full length record and three EP's.

The band has been a part of notable tours and festivals such as Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival (2015) and The Gathering of The Juggalos (2016, 2017). Kissing Candice has also toured with acts such as Aiden, Psychostick, Bam Margera, and more.

As of 2017, Kissing Candice is currently signed to Attila frontman Chris Fronzak's record label Stay Sick Recordings. The band released their first EP "Safe Word" under the label in November 2017, reaching new heights on multiple Billboard charts.

Formation and Murder EP (2011-2013)
Kissing Candice was formed in late 2011 by Joey Simpson following his departure from Dr. Acula (Victory Records). Joey entered the studio with producer/engineer Jeremy Comitas to begin work on what would become the debut Kissing Candice EP "Murder". With the help of Jeremy, Joey recruited Tommy "Dreamer" Sciro, Mike Grippo, Vishal Manglani, and Marco Caruso to complete the lineup. Murder was self-released by the band on February 14, 2012. The band relied heavily on visual elements, often photographed covered in special effects blood.

The band had their live debut Summer 2012 at the Cleveland date of the "All Stars Tour" followed by a performance on Sid Wilson of Slipknot's side stage at the first Knotfest in Council Bluffs, IA and Minneapolis, MN. In the beginning of 2013, second guitarist Vishal Manglani left the band and was replaced by Walter Dicristina. During summer 2013, the band completed their first full United States tour with Snow White's Poison Bite, Farewell My Love, and Chomp Chomp Attack.

Conjured EP (2013–2014)
Kissing Candice recorded and released their second EP "Conjured" in November 2013 and launched into their EP release tour "Conjtoured". During this period, Kissing Candice began wearing clear masks.

Immediately after the release of Conjured, Kissing Candice departed for tour with Bam Margera's Fuckface Unstoppable. Rounding out the year, the band continued doing headlining tours in support of their new EP. At this point, second guitarist Walter Dicristina left the band and was replaced with Jason Lydard.

In 2014, the band headlined the "All You Can Eat Pizz-Tour" along with supporting Combichrist, William Control, and New Years Day on the last leg of their North American tour. The band also played one of the main stages at Dirtfest.

On November 12, 2014 it was announced that Kissing Candice had signed a record contract with Victory Records.

Blind Until We Burn (2014-2017)
Blind Until We Burn On December 22, 2014 Victory Records released the new single and music video "Ghosted". Followed by an announcement that the band would be entering back into the studio with producer/engineer Jeremy Comitas to record their debut full length, "Blind Until We Burn". During the recording process, drummer Marco Caruso left the band and was later replaced with Tommy Vinton for the next tour.

"Blind Until We Burn" was set to be released June 29, 2015. Along with the announcement of the new album, Kissing Candice debuted new custom masks along with costumes through the music video for "Put 'Em Up". The band began to tour in support of this release. The band did a United States tour with Twiztid leading up to the release.

Kissing Candice was included on the line-up for 2015's Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival as a part of the Victory Records second stage. Prior to the beginning of the tour, drummer Tommy Vinton was replaced with Michael "Pak-Man" Pak. The festival made headlines due to comments made by Slayer guitarist Kerry King. Joey Simpson, Tommy Sciro, Mike Grippo and other bands from the Victory Records stage went on to respond negatively towards these remarks.

The band continued to tour in support of "Blind Until We Burn" with appearances at Rock and Shock and tours with acts such as Aiden , It Lies Within , and more. The band performed in Pittsburgh at the May 28th release party of Blackcraft Cult's new whiskey line .

Kissing Candice entered into the studio with producer/engineer Zach Jones to record a single and show off a new direction for the band. On August 19, 2016, Victory Records released Kissing Candice's new single "Taken".

In May of 2016, guitarist Walter Dicristina decided to step down from his position. He was replaced with fomer Neurotic November guitarist Nephew "Nig" Suffront. In July, it was announced that Kissing Candice would be performing on the main stage of Insane Clown Posse's yearly Gathering of The Juggalos festival. Kissing Candice joined Scare Don't Fear and did a United States tour around the dates of the festival.

To finish up 2016, Kissing Candice performed at Rock and Shock in addition to Insane Clown Posse's Hallowicked show, which included ICP, Waka Flocka Flame, and more.

Kissing Candice began 2017 by touring with ex-Mushroomhead vocalist Waylon Reavis new band A Killer's Confession along with a performance at Canadian Juggalo Weekend alongside ICP and Ice-T.

In June 2017, Kissing Candice debuted new masks and costumes before launching off on another tour.

The band was once again invited to perform on the yearly Gathering of The Juggalos Main Stage. The band performed alongside of artists such as ICP and Dope.

Safe Word EP (2017-Present)
On September 22, 2017 it was announced that Kissing Candice had previously parted ways with record label Victory Records and signed with Attila frontman Fronz' record label Stay Sick Recordings. Stay Sick debuted a new music video for the song "(De)generation" and announced November 17th as the release date for the new EP "Safe Word".

The band spent November and December on tour with Psychostick, Arsonists Get All The Girls, and Raven Black in order to support Safe Word.

Shortly after, it was announced that Kissing Candice would be providing direct support to I Set My Friends on Fire during their 10 year anniversary tour.

Band members
Current members
 * Joey Simpson – lead vocals (2011–present)
 * Tommy "Dreamer" Sciro – guitar, backing vocals (2011–present)
 * Mike Grippo – bass guitar (2011–present)
 * Michael "Pak-Man" Pak – drums (2015–present)
 * "Nephew" Suffront – guitar (2016-present)

Former members
 * Walter Dicristina – guitar (2013–2014, 2014-2016)
 * Jason Lydard – guitar (2014)
 * Vishal Manglani – guitar (2012–2013)
 * Tommy Vinton – drums (2015-2016)
 * Marco Caruso – drums (2011-2016)

EP's

 * Murder (self-released, 2012)
 * Conjured (self-released, 2013)
 * Safe Word (Stay Sick Recordings, 2017)

Studio albums

 * Blind Until We Burn (Victory Records, 2015)

Singles

 * Ghosted (2014)
 * Taken (2016)