Shot of Poison is a group of talented, veteran, rock musicians who've created the world's best tribute to the 35th anniversary of the greatest, hard-rocking, glam-slam party band ever - Poison. Shot of Poison's intention is to bring audiences the look and sound they expect, to make the very best modern-day Poison experience. For these guys, the word "supergroup" is truly apt.
Since their first show in December 2017, SOP has achieved major milestones and amassed numerous distinctions that few other tributes ever do.
Drummer Ken Gilman, after leading the top local '80s glam/rock tribute, M80, throughout the first half of the 2010s, saw that, in the high-end tribute world, a big market gap existed for a modern-day Poison tribute, and he became determined to launch a durable band who knew the business and would do it right. The first step for "Kenny Rockkit" was to find the other half of the rhythm section.
Long-time original rocker and recording artist Adam Boc agreed that a professional Poison tribute would be a blast. In 2012 he had founded AfterFab, the first and best tribute to the solo careers of The Beatles, and built it into a theater-level attraction throughout New England and beyond. Eager to put his extensive experience behind a new tribute project, he became bassist "Bobby Dollface."
A mutual friend of the pair, Bruce Bennett, jumped at the chance to tribute one his favorite bands and to become guitarist "B.B. SeVille." Equally accomplished as a guitarist, producer, sound architect, and entrepreneur, the owner of Next Day Disc and The CD Recycling Center of America is also a long-time band leader. In 2013, he founded Cold As Ice, America's best tribute to Foreigner, and built it into a top draw throughout New England. Bruce and Adam now also collaborate as concert producers, collectively named Rock Stage Productions.
Singer Frank Pupillo, "Fret Michaels," then joined the fold. A top drummer across many genres, most recently country acts Trigger and Ashley Jordan, Frank also performs in the acoustic duo, Deuces Wild. He has credentials as an event producer and promoter, as well. His Octo Rock Cinema Productions has worked with venues small and large, up to and including Hanover Theatre and Indian Ranch Amphitheatre, where he has produced the multi-band CountryFest and HairFest concerts.
In 2023, original drummer Kenny left for other other pursuits, and Shot of Poison welcomed Phil Cefalo, "Philthy Rokkit," to the fold. Phil had spent many years touring with the nation's top Aerosmith tribute Draw the Line and Bon Jovi tribute Wanted Dead or Alive.
These tribute professionals make Shot of Poison exceptionally credentialed, capable, and committed to doing justice to the music of Poison. They've spared little expense to assemble a big, celebratory, theatrical, nothin'-but-a-good-time show for the fans. Please see the Band Member Biographies page for more about the members.
"Poison is absolutely iconic among the '80s glam bands," says Adam Boc. "They struck a chord with legions of fans who grew up with them and love them dearly to this day, for the good times they represented." Poison has over 2.4 million Facebook Likes, which is more than monster classic-rock acts like Bad Company, Steve Miller Band, and John Mellencamp. They've sold a whopping 50 million records worldwide. Their videos receive tens of thousands of views per week on YouTube, and the Comments reflect outpourings of appreciation."
Thanks to Poison singer Bret Michaels becoming an icon for a second time in the 2000s by starring in several of the highest-rated reality shows of all time, Poison has remained a household name for thirty-five years.
Shot of Poison aims to do ample justice to the accomplishments of Poison, and, for good measure, also donates a portion of all their merchandise sales to charity.
Since their first show in December 2017, SOP has achieved major milestones and amassed numerous distinctions that few other tributes ever do.
- Organically attracted over 11,000 Facebook followers and hundreds of thousands of online video views.
- Performed in numerous large theaters and amphitheaters, including three 10,000-capacity amphitheaters.
- Recognized among "the best of the best" tribute artists in America by E! Entertainment in 2021 and invited to perform on their television show, Clash of the Cover Bands, from executive producer Jimmy Fallon.
- Publicly praised by Poison lead singer Bret Michaels who, on video, invited them to perform a song live on stage with his band, which happened in 2022 in Foxborough MA.
- Performed alongside original '80s rock stars at major national festivals Monsters on the Mountain 2022 in Gatlinburg TN and Rocklahoma 2023 in Pryor Creek OK with acts including Quiet Riot, Night Ranger, Warrant, L.A. Guns, Skid Row, Yngwie Malmsteen, Vixen, Extreme, Queensryche, Autograph, Stephen Pearcy (of Ratt), Godsmack, Limp Bizkit, Bush, Enuff Z'Nuff, BulletBoys, Steven Adler (of Guns N' Roses) and many others.
Long-time original rocker and recording artist Adam Boc agreed that a professional Poison tribute would be a blast. In 2012 he had founded AfterFab, the first and best tribute to the solo careers of The Beatles, and built it into a theater-level attraction throughout New England and beyond. Eager to put his extensive experience behind a new tribute project, he became bassist "Bobby Dollface."
A mutual friend of the pair, Bruce Bennett, jumped at the chance to tribute one his favorite bands and to become guitarist "B.B. SeVille." Equally accomplished as a guitarist, producer, sound architect, and entrepreneur, the owner of Next Day Disc and The CD Recycling Center of America is also a long-time band leader. In 2013, he founded Cold As Ice, America's best tribute to Foreigner, and built it into a top draw throughout New England. Bruce and Adam now also collaborate as concert producers, collectively named Rock Stage Productions.
Singer Frank Pupillo, "Fret Michaels," then joined the fold. A top drummer across many genres, most recently country acts Trigger and Ashley Jordan, Frank also performs in the acoustic duo, Deuces Wild. He has credentials as an event producer and promoter, as well. His Octo Rock Cinema Productions has worked with venues small and large, up to and including Hanover Theatre and Indian Ranch Amphitheatre, where he has produced the multi-band CountryFest and HairFest concerts.
In 2023, original drummer Kenny left for other other pursuits, and Shot of Poison welcomed Phil Cefalo, "Philthy Rokkit," to the fold. Phil had spent many years touring with the nation's top Aerosmith tribute Draw the Line and Bon Jovi tribute Wanted Dead or Alive.
These tribute professionals make Shot of Poison exceptionally credentialed, capable, and committed to doing justice to the music of Poison. They've spared little expense to assemble a big, celebratory, theatrical, nothin'-but-a-good-time show for the fans. Please see the Band Member Biographies page for more about the members.
Thanks to Poison singer Bret Michaels becoming an icon for a second time in the 2000s by starring in several of the highest-rated reality shows of all time, Poison has remained a household name for thirty-five years.
Shot of Poison aims to do ample justice to the accomplishments of Poison, and, for good measure, also donates a portion of all their merchandise sales to charity.