Matthew Morgis

When Kiss fans flood the Toyota Pavilion at Montage Mountain Sunday, Aug. 15 to see the “Hottest Show on Earth,” there will be some familiar faces on stage. Local band The SilenTreatment will be an opening act on the bill, performing prior to The Envy, The Academy Is…, and, of course, Kiss.

The SilenTreatment will be among popular acts such as AC/DC, Bon Jovi, Rush, Motley Crue and Iron Maiden who have all opened for Kiss at one point in their career. The band receiving the opportunity to perform on the main stage is the latest marking ploy by Kiss. Kiss, known not just for its catchy songs and flashy shows but also for its genius marketing plans, partnered with Guitar Center to offer unsigned local bands the chance to play on the main stage for 15 minutes across the country at each of Kiss’ tour stops.

Each local act was able to enter the contest via the Internet and have fans vote for their favorite. The top five vote getters at the end of the contest were submitted to Kiss, who then picked their favorite as the winner. The SilenTreatment — who finished fifth in the polls behind Graces Downfall, Anvil Motor, Panacea and Kids on Bikes — was selected by Kiss to play in Scranton.

“I saw the first three words on the e-mail before I opened it, and it said, ‘Thank you to all of the bands that have participated …,’” keyboardist Michael Sharkey said during a recent phone interview. “I thought we lost (and) it was a mass e-mail that they sent to all the bands. But then I opened it and it said, ‘Congratulations to The SilenTreatment …’ I was ecstatic and immediately called all of the guys. I think we’re still on cloud nine and it’s yet to sink in.”

Rounding out the group is Anthony Giamusso with lead vocals and guitar, Sam Chiarelli on lead guitar, Justin Jacek on bass and Mark Lieback on drums. The band started about four years ago when Giamusso and Chiarelli started writing music together and soon recruited Sharkey to play keyboards. The trio wrote the band’s first full-length album, “Sinful Acts of Audio.” After the album was recorded, the three later brought Lieback on board along with its first bass player Stephen Martin.

The five members soon wrote a four-song EP titled “Passion in Progress,” which was recorded at Ragman Studios. Recently, Martin parted ways with the band to pursue pharmacy studies. Close friend to the band Jacek stepped in and took up the reigns in the bass position.

The SilenTreatment have catchy, upbeat tunes and have found a following among local fans. The group is made up of astute musicians that have what it takes to write a Billboard Hot 100 chart topper. Two of the band’s singles, “Valentine” and “Pretty Little Girl” — which Sharkey said you can expect to hear at the show — have both reached No. 1 on indie-music.com’s Rock Music Chart. The band also won Best Local Original Band in the Weekender Readers’ Choice Poll that covers all of Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Many agree that The SilenTreatment’s trademark is its songs’ sex appeal. The group has a very relaxed songwriting process and has fun with it at the same time. With song titles such as “Backseat Woman,” “One Night Stand,” “Body Talk” and “So Naughty,” many of the songs are suggestive, but that is the band’s way of doing what they do best — and it’s worked. The SilenTreatment has sold well over 2,000 copies of its full-length record.

The band’s sound is unique. With influences ranging from Prince and Michael Jackson to Metallica, its songs are very versatile. They would be suitable for alternative-rock radio, pop or top-40 stations.

In addition to the playing the show, The SilenTreatment looks forward to meeting Kiss, since the members are longtime fans. A meet-and-greet with Kiss is part of the prize package for bands that win the contest.

“Everything Gene Simmons has done for that band is incredible,” Sharkey said. “We’ve taken lots of notes on that band and have listened to many interviews. We have applied some of their ideas, and we’re looking to apply many more. Really we’re hoping Gene gives us some words of wisdom is addition to letting us share the stage with him.”

For updates on The SilenTreatment, check the band’s MySpace and Facebook pages. The group produces weekly podcasts, videos and blogs. It is writing new material for a future record and is playing a few live-on-the-radio shows, Sharkey said. You can download a free song from The SilenTreatment in the online version of this story. And as for the show, Sharkey said the band has been practicing every day and promised a very entertaining set from the group. The SilenTreatment is a band to keep an eye on in the upcoming years.