Tommy Thayer replacement guitarist Ace Frehley when leaving Kiss in 2002 , the use Frehley 's makeup and became `` Spaceman '' Tommy Thayer recorded two studio albums with the band Kiss , Kiss Symphony : Alive IV ( 2003 ) , and Sonic Boom ( 2009 ) . Thayer and St. James were later reunited in a Kiss tribute band called Cold Gin , with Thayer playing Ace Frehley , and St. James playing Peter Criss . The band did n't go unnoticed by Kiss themselves , and they were invited to play at Kiss rhythm guitarist Paul Stanley 's birthday party .