Its Hotter Than Hell in Worthing!

Hotter Than Hell: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Hotter Than Hell with guests Röxxi Red, The Factory Live 7 March 2026

Hotter Than Hell raise the rock and roll heat in Worthing at The Factory Live. One of the best Kiss tributes out there, the glam, the boots, the make up, the blood and of course, the songs!

Shout it out loud!

Hotter Than Hell: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

A chilly Saturday night in Worthing at The Factory Live was set to host Hotter Than Hell for a night of KISS. It promised to be a 70’s KISS style show featuring the iconic make up, the costumes, blood spitting plus the KISS classics, all played live! Hotter Than Hell is Europe’s ultimate Kiss tribute band, founded in 2003 by front man Marty McStravick, with its band members coming from all over. They have been voted as one of the hottest Kiss Tribute Shows in Europe, they deliver the ultimate night out in tribute to the Hottest Band in the World!

Hotter Than Hell: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Now, I never saw KISS back in the day, however, I was the non-trendy kid at school who purchased the KISS album Destroyer on 15 March 1976, and tonight it is hard to believe it was almost 50 years to the day when producer Bob Ezrin and Kiss launched that album.

Hotter Than Hell: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

The guys had climbed into their 7 inch heels, squeezed into body hugging outfits and wearing that trademark make-up that truly made KISS stand out from the crowd. The guys who make up Hotter Than Hell were ready to deliver an incendiary set at The Factory Live with a 90 minute stage show. This was indeed a almost a pure copy from the 1970’s period in the bands history.  Music from the monsters of rock, KISS about to rumble through Worthing as one of Europe’s most well known tribute acts, were here!

Hotter Than Hell: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Hotter Than Hell: The Band

Marty McStravik as Paul Stanley:  “STARCHILD”

Hotter Than Hell: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

I have to give a huge heads up to front man, ‘Paul Stanley’. He really pulled the band together. He bounced and flicked his hair whilst delivering a totally on point, pin sharp performance. He was a presence on the stage, some fabulous playing and with his presence he was in charge of both the stage and the fair sized crowd. “Paul” had the performance copied to perfection. I last met Marty a few years ago, and he is still totally on point!

Mike Vos as Gene Simmons: “DEMON”

Hotter Than Hell: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Bassist  ‘Gene Simmons’ looked fabulous, he was menacing with his delightful demon face paint, on display from time to time was his tongue, not quite as long as Gene’s! At one point having blood pouring from his mouth and spilling down his chest.

Bram Duckworth as Ace Frehley: “SPACEMAN”

Hotter Than Hell: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

‘Ace Frehley’ nailed some truly impressive guitar playing. His makeup was absolutely spot on, and together with his outfit provided a memorable moment of the gig when during a guitar break his guitar pick up glowed and started to produce smoke from the instrument. Fabulous stuff.

Jeremy Mudge as Peter Criss: “CAT MAN”

Hotter Than Hell: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

The man at the back, behind the drum kit, ‘Peter Criss’ was awesome in handling of the sticks. He provided a solid performance giving an energetic backing and support to the band. He was tucked away behind his kit, but thankfully a the rearranged lighting meant we could see him between those massive cymbals and the smoke.

The Set: You wanted the best….

After strapping on those 7” leather boots, make up perfectly applied Marty and the guys rocked onto the stage. We were pinned to the wall with the opening riff from Detroit Rock City. What a start! and the fun had begun! The sound was incredible, and we all waited to see if they sounded like KISS – I can happily still confirm – HELL YES! The band got down to business, we were then led into Deuce and Kings Of The Night Time World.

Other songs from the KISS catalogue early in the set included Heavens On Fire, Dr Love and the mighty Strutter. Hell, these guys are good, real good! Ace took over proceedings at one stage and gave his rendition of the classic New York Groove. I always felt that the released version was good but was lacking in power, but Hotter Than Hell powered it up with some great playing and vocals from Ace. The band throwing it all together for this one as they romped around the stage in their giant boots. Enjoyed that one! The crowd joining in with the “I’m Back!”.

Hotter Than Hell: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Lick It Up and Crazy Crazy Nights powered at us and had the crowd truly rockin’, then… God Of Thunder,  The Demon powers up with the bass and then it started with a slow trickle, the crowd could smell and see the blood! It started with a trickle and then gushing and running down “Genes” chin and chest – there was loads of it! He prowled the stage with the red stuff dripping onto the stage and running down his leather gear.

Let’s just be glad for the time together…

Lick it Up, another favourite KISS song for me, and one I can actually play, was on the set list and Hotter Than Hell formed up in a tight line and stormed through the riffs.

Sadly, no pyrotechnics tonight, it would have set off the smoke alarms. The ceiling above the stage is also fairly low and so may have caused problems and perhaps a few folk down the front may have lost an eyebrow or a fringe! That was a shame as I know these guys are 100% dedicated in giving a full on authentic KISS experience.

Hotter Than Hell: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Everybody’s got to rock n roll 

A great polished performance that will leave you wanting more. A wonderful version of God Gave Rock and Roll to You was fired up along with other notable songs such as Parasite and Shock Me. All the band members had their solo slots, and had a chance to show off their abilities on guitars, bass and drums. Some great playing from the kings of the night time world!

Hotter Than Hell: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Shout It Out Loud, another stormer of a classic was included, no slow numbers tonight! Not sure, but it sounded as though the sound levels went up a notch for this one. An ear shatteringly good version. I Was Made For Loving You and then finally, we saw the crowd pumping the air and singing along Rock And Roll All Night closed the show.

Like it LOUD? Turn it up – this was recorded live.

These guys may be Hotter Than Hell, but this damn good all rockin’ KISS tribute is certainly one worth going to see. You got to just make sure you get down the front with a KISS T Shirt and make up the next time they come this way. I would definitely go see them again.

They are a great bunch of musicians and despite the makeup they are very friendly and The Demon doesn’t bite! They had time for everyone and did lots of signing and posing for photos. And always appreciate a quick word with Marty.

Hotter Than Hell: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Paul Stanley set about smashing up and old guitar, it was held aloft before being handed out to the crowd. And with the Factory Live crowd going wild with appreciation, the four members of Hotter Than Hell came to the front of the stage, bowed to the audience and said their goodbyes. Well, at least until the next time!

Hotter Than Hell raise the rock and roll heat in Worthing. One of the best Kiss tributes out there, the glam, the boots, the make up and songs

HOTTER THAN HELL are on Facebook

Also must give a shout to the guys on the sound mixing desk. A terrific job. The lighting was cool, and good to see some down front lighting back on the performers, we could see everyone even with the additional smoke.

Röxxi Red

Röxxi Red are a UK Based Glam Metal Band

Röxxi Red: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

These guys were a new outfit for me, and they immediately set about winning me over, and the crowd. Damn, this was a finely polished performance full of killers and no fillers. Their set was most definitely in the fast and furious bracket.

“Röxxi Red are the UK’s most notorious glam rock band and represent nothin’ but a good time! With their sleazy, in your face image, along with their larger than life sound, these guys will guarantee everyone the time of their lives! Their proficiency to match the sound and energy of notorious bands such as Motley Crue, Poison, Ratt, Cinderella, along with their own material, makes them one of the best glam metal bands out there right now!”

Röxxi Red: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Every electric, valve frying sound is perfectly nailed down into place with the chugging heaviest rock riffs I have heard in a while and some inspired guitar breakdowns reigned supreme. This was a band that grabs you by the throat and pulls you in. It’s a familiar delicious 70’s / Glam / rock sound, and they put down some damn fine banging tunes.

They opened up with Love Sick and the wonderful Naughty Naughty. Think of Steel Panther! This was a loud, fast and a great start to a set guaranteed to fire up the crowd. They started originally just playing covers and then started introducing their own material, as used to open the set. It works well, their material stands up really strong up with the covers they played.

Their set was dominated by some meaty songs and fuelled with some mighty fine riffs, top thumping bass lines some fabulous drumming fills, top that off with the front man, Röxxi Red,  unbridled energy and vocal work. Their sound is direct, no fuss and manage to bring a new freshness to some old thumping monster rock classics. It’s that mix of retro rock style that makes them so enticing to watch and they do no wrong in my view!

Röxxi Red: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

They’ve got a really modern tone and look with sounds firing out from the 70’s Glam, punk, some trashy blues rock and roll and some traditional heavier tunes thrown in for good measure, and it works. Their front man is astonishing, he didn’t stop for a breath, he sang, he kicked and danced through the entire set.

Songs including those covers were Ain’t Nothing But A Good Time, Girls Girls Girls, Panama (one of my favourite Van Halen songs!), Welcome To The Jungle another Poison track Talk Dirty To Me, it showcased their sound and it stays pretty heavy yet it is all skilfully well-balanced, featuring a mash-up of crashing, powerful bass and drums. You can dance to these guys, shake your hair or head bang it up in a mosh pit.

They closed the set with one of their own songs, Gimme More. Röxxi Red give an unparalleled show in terms of stage presence, tunes and tempo, they give you a mini-festival in 40 minutes! They are now firmly on my “must see” list. These guys are the real deal, catch them live if they play near you.

A Video! Röxxi Red live – Gimme More

Röxxi Red on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RoxxiRedBand86/about

And Finally:

Words, Videos and Photos for Scene Sussex by Ian Bourn.
No AI or filters used, its pure and straight down “the lens”!

Thanks to Hotter Than Hell and Röxxi Red
Thanks to the Factory Live team.

CONGRATULATIONS to The Factory Live: Prestige Awards , an organisation launched to celebrate businesses and individuals that consistently offer excellent products and services to local residents, has crowned The Factory in Worthing as South England ‘Live Music Venue of the Year’ for 2025-26, a second consecutive win for the intimate venue on the South Coast, who were also awarded the title in 2024-25. Well deserved guys!

We work hard with the artists, the venues and the crowd to bring you the best photos and reviews across the area. Keep Music LIVE! Follow us on Twitter and on Facebook.

Please note all original images / video are copyright, please do not copy. If any of the featured artists/promoters/venues want copies of the images – or more if available – please just get in touch.

All original pictures / video – NO AI/Filters used! Copyright to IANB/MEDIA WORKS/ SCENE SUSSEX – Ian “The Lens” Bourn 2026.

Got an event coming up? Need some gig photography, promo shots, previews or reviews? – please get in touch! See you down the front – come and say “hi!”