KISS Cover Band Guitarist Leaves To Start Vinnie Vincent Invasion Tribute Band

October 26, 2005 | Issue 41•43

AKRON, OH—Citing growing tensions between bandmates, Harvey Shapiro—aka "VeeVee," the guitarist for KISS cover band Destroyer—left the group Monday to create VeeVee's Occupying Force, a Vinnie Vincent Invasion tribute band. "I felt I had hit a creative ceiling with the cover-band experience and was ready for the challenges of a tribute band," Shapiro said. "VeeVee's Occupying Force will debut Dec. 3 at Rubber City Lanes. We're opening for Second Sighting, my brother's Frehley's Comet cover band." As a part of his new band's act, Shapiro said he is contemplating suing Destroyer for $6 million over damage to his reputation following some badmouthing at the Rock 'N' Bowl.