Ian Kurz isn’t just playing music—he’s living inside it. Whether he’s strapping on a guitar to channel Paul Stanley in Destroyer: Canada’s KISS Tribute, hammering out high-energy covers with M.I.A. (Misfits in Action), or stepping behind the console to produce his own work as Ian K, Kurz moves through the modern rock world with a mix of grit, precision, and pure heart.
As frontman for Destroyer, Kurz doesn’t simply imitate Paul Stanley—he honours him. From the stage banter to the mirrored boots, his performances blur the line between homage and hologram. The voice, the stance, the rhythm guitar—it’s all there, note for note, move for move. For decades, Destroyer has carried the KISS legacy across Canadian stages, and Kurz, as the Starchild, is the band’s magnetic core. When he looks out at the crowd and shouts “Let me hear ya!”, you swear you’re in ’77 Madison Square Garden.
But that’s just one side of the coin. On other nights, Kurz trades the leather for jeans and jumps into M.I.A. (Misfits in Action)—a Top 40 classic rock cover band that’s as much about good times as great tunes. Their sets rip through everything from Van Halen to The Tragically Hip, with Kurz driving the party like a human jukebox on overdrive. It’s a different kind of showmanship—less makeup, more muscle—but no less electric.
Then there’s Ian K, his outlet for writing and recording original music that carries his own fingerprint. A veteran producer and songwriter, Kurz has released a string of tracks that fuse arena-sized guitars with radio-ready hooks and the kind of lyrical honesty that separates lifers from pretenders. His studio work reflects the same meticulous energy he brings to the stage—balancing nostalgia and edge, grit and melody. Each release adds another layer to his evolution as both artist and craftsman. Check out his newest tracks “Those Days” and “What Is Wrong With You” streaming everywhere.
Ask anyone who’s seen him live, and they’ll tell you the same thing: Ian Kurz doesn’t fake a single moment. Whether it’s KISS pyrotechnics, bar-band sweat, or late-night studio takes, he shows up ready to burn the room down and build something real from the ashes.
Rock ’n’ roll is full of characters. Ian Kurz just happens to play all of them—with soul, skill, and a stage light burning at full wattage.
Photo: Stuart Roberts
