"Man, where are the anthems of our youth? What happened to music that meant something? The Who at the Kingdome or Kiss at the Coliseum? Where is the "Misty Mountain Hop"? Where is the "Iron Man" of today? Look at this. These bands are bottles of bleach. It's beer and lifestyle music. It's like the next world war's gonna be sponsored by...don't know, I mean, what?"
- Cliff Poncier, "Singles"
OMG! KISS Rules!
I now know exactly what Cliff was talking about in 'Singles' after last Sunday's Kiss show at Key Arena. 35 years of face paint, platform shoes, chest hair, fake blood, and spark-shooting guitars is quite an impressive feat. I can't say I ever wanted to see Kiss live in concert before, but for some reason this was the year I decided to cross them off my personal bucket list, and I'm so glad I did. From the beginning of the show it became perfectly clear that I had been missing out on one of the most entertaining rock bands ever to set foot on a stage. I was absolutely flabbergasted by what an unbelievable live show and overall rock experience it was, and can tell you without a doubt it was one of the best rock and roll concerts I have ever seen.
I'm sure if you are a Kiss fan, and have seen the band before, the knowledge that their live show is uncontested in the spectacle department is a complete and utter no-brainer. I apologize ahead of time for being a Kiss concert virgin. You may be happy to hear that my world was tipped upside down right after the announcer said those famous words to start the show. The first notes of "Deuce" and the explosion that followed detached my jaw, and I realized immediately that Kiss was much more than meets the eye.
"Strutter" was next and the crowd went ballistic, showing major love for the band. After "Let Me Go, Rock n Roll" and "Hotter Than Hell", it became clear why Kiss has maintained the ravenous fan base throughout the years. Throughout their history they have been and continue to be a fans' band. The Kiss Army Fan Club, providing second-to-none entertainment, and surely the constant crowd interaction during their shows are all factors. Paul frequently tousled his hair and talked to the crowd, and it definitely helped shrink Key Arena down and give the show a much more intimate feeling.
The set list was 88% greatest hits, and 12% new tunes as both "Shock Me" and "Modern Day Delilah" sandwiched "Calling Dr. Love". Again this is a newbie talking, but not having paid much attention to anything regarding the musicians who have taken the spots of Ace Frehley and Peter Criss over the years, I was certainly impressed by both Tommy Thayer as The Spaceman on lead guitar and Eric Singer as The Catman on drums. Both showed big-time chops on their respective instruments. Tommy channeled Ace's stage moves but was in a league all of his own talent-wise. He owned the stage on each and every solo, especially the blazer he riffed as part of "Cold Gin".
The big debate, that isn't even a debate at all according to metal enthusiasts, has always been whether Kiss is actually a heavy metal band or not. Kiss surely showcased their metal roots on "100,000 Years" off their 1974 self-titled debut. This song was pretty heavy live, and brought to mind a very metal band from the same era, Judas Priest. Kiss does have some recurring themes in their stage show as well; Gene's demon outfit, the fire blowing, and the spitting of fake blood are all possible influences on black metal imagery. Kiss' music may be hard rock at best, but they certainly started out heavily influenced by the new wave of black metal that was flooding the US at the time. The epic drum solo in "100,000 Years" was handled flawlessly by Eric Singer, who was lifted and rotated on a robotic drum riser.
A ferocious and massive presence in his full Kiss regalia, Gene Simmons showed off that marvelous tongue all night long. When it came time for the ultimate in concert theatrics, the Demon was surrounded by fog and an eerie green. By far my favorite part of the whole show was seeing the classic blood-spewing display that is Gene's trademark. He banged on his axe-shaped bass, shook his head like a possessed animal, and unleashed fury in the form of some sort of bloodlike liquid. It was breathtaking, especially since it was broadcast on three giant JumboTrons. Then, without warning, Gene flew up into the sky and stood perched in the rafters. I had to wipe my eyes, because I had just seen old Gene Simmons fly to the ceiling to play bass 75 feet above the crowd.
Holy Crap!
Then they played the song I so wanted to hear all night, "Black Diamond". Gene came back down just in time for the party to boil over as everyone's favorite Kiss song; "Rock and Roll All Night" was the choice to end the main set. The crowd went bananas while the huge stage was set ablaze with pyrotechnics. Each member took their places on platforms which elevated them to the top of the huge screen and four huge guns shot bazillion scraps of confetti into the arena sky. It was glorious, and an impressive display of rock and roll concert excess.
I wish all encores were just like what Kiss had up their hairy sleeves. "Shout It Out Loud" lead off. An obvious crowd pleaser which was indeed shouted out very loud by yours truly. Song two put an ear-to-ear grin on this rock guy's face. "Lick It Up"! Ever since I first saw the video for this hard rocker, I have always loved it. The four Kiss guys of the time, Paul, Gene, Vinnie, and Eric walking down the street in very tight paints sans face paint.
It ended up that Gene wasn't the only trapeze artist of the night, after a little stage was uncovered right in front of where I was sitting. Paul asked if we wanted him to come out in the crowd, and he did, by swinging out from the stage to the very back of the floor seating onto that rotating stage. "Love Gun" ensued with a solo Paul shaking his money maker for everyone in the back of the Key. The night ended with that all too-familiar bass and guitar gallop of "Detroit Rock City". The encore was more stripped down, but still packed the punch of some final explosions to send us on our way.
The Kiss experience was something else. I had full sensory overload of fire, video, confetti, and rock by one of America's most famous and entertaining rock and roll circuses. After seeing Kiss for the first time, I've joined the fan club, decorated my entire music room with Kiss gear, and later I'm going to paint my face like Gene, and take a bubble bath with my new Kiss rubber duckies.
