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 All news should be considered an unconfirmed report unless verified, and all information published at KISS Asylum is attributed to the source from which it was received so that readers may judge the validity of the statements for themselves. All information is confirmed where possible, and all publication is governed by common sense.
KISS and makeup: Another bloody good show From: The Birmingham News by Mark Baggett KISS has played for what seems like 100,000 years now. They'll probably continue for 100,000 more, if their Tuesday show at the Verizon Wireless Music Center is any indication. According to VH1, KISS has played more than 3,500 concerts over more than 30 years, in front of 78 million fans around the world. On KISS' current "Rock the Nation" tour, you can expect greasepaint, costumes and fake blood, but never will you find lip-synching. There are no "extra" keyboardists or tracked backing vocals, either. Advertisement It's just KISS the way they've always been, four performers giving their fans the music loud and right between the eyes - no compromise. After seeing an original KISS concert (before they removed their makeup) and a few concerts without their makeup, we are confronted with the stark reality that KISS is now a finely tuned, well-lubricated money-making machine. To witness a major mistake at this band's show truly would be a rarity. Gone are the days of bass player GENE SIMMONS setting his hair on fire or singer PAUL STANLEY failing to break his guitar at the end of a show. Lead guitarist ACE FREHLEY has not shocked himself in a while, either. Well, we really don't know what Frehley has been doing, because he has been replaced for this tour by TOMMY THAYER. Drummer PETER CRISS has been replaced by ERIC SINGER. Thayer and Singer wore the traditional "man from outer space" and "alley cat" make-up and costumes. Even with these two replacements, it was possible to rock to the music and enjoy the overall experience of this colorful, well-orchestrated (almost too orchestrated) show. As any true KISS fan knows, Stanley and Simmons have always been the primary freaks in this psycho circus of music and theatrics. Tuesday's concert always delivered, having something visual to catch anyone's attention, be it the camera pans of the front-row "women of KISS," the synchronized presentations on walls of video screens built into the amplifiers and speakers, the close-ups of the band members playing or the incredible, colorful stage lighting. A look back at retro, vintage KISS videos on the high-resolution flat screens was well orchestrated with the show and rather touching at times. Oh, and let's not forget the fire and fireworks. The evening was filled with pyrotechnic delights. Another visually stimulating spectacle was the costumed concertgoers who proudly painted their faces and dressed to pay homage to one of the most recognizable bands of all time. A major highlight of the show was, of course, the song selection. KISS choose to reacquaint us with some of their more obscure classics, such as "100,000 Years," "Got To Choose" and "Makin' Love." But several perpetually revisited tunes adorned the set list, including "Love Gun," "Shout it Out Loud," "Detroit Rock City," "I Was Made For Lovin' You" and "Rock and Roll All Nite." Usually crowd participation at a KISS show is fun and entertaining. But this time, the crowd at the nearly full amphitheater felt a little overworked and underpaid as they were asked to sing over and over again. Still, we would advise you to see at least one of KISS' concerts during your lifetime. They are proof of the American dream, like it or not. They have made a lucrative career out of doing what they love, and from the turnout Tuesday night, it's apparent that as long as KISS keeps selling tickets, they'll have no problem filling the seats. |
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