It's Time To Put Out Or Break Up!
By: Tom Rapley

Back in early 1996 when it was confirmed the original members of KISS were reforming I was a little worried. I became a KISS fan in the early nineties, and although I was captivated by watching the 70's shows on video I did think 3 things.

ONE: KISS were too old to pull off the full spectacular show. Gene was too fat, Ace looked like a bomb had hit his face and Peter just looked well.... old! Paul was the only member I felt could put his makeup on and look like he'd stepped out of 1977.

TWO: Was this going to be a Reunion Tour and then the end of KISS. I felt the band (with Kulick & Singer) were really beginning to gel, and once they went back to the makeup they couldn't really ever take it off again.

THREE: Did anyone care enough? Yes the KISS Army would turn out, but the band had to cancel their last tour in support of Revenge due to playing half full arenas.

To my astonishment KISS blew all my doubts away and proved to me they really were the ultimate rock 'n' roll band. All band members looked superb. Gene lost weight and looked like an even more menacing Demon than he did in the 70's. Ace got plastic surgery (allegedly) and looked the part. Peter looked older, but still had that coolness which made the Catman such a popular member. Paul, as I expected, looked great.

Due to living in the UK my first chance to see the band was at Castle Donington headlining the Monsters of Rock. I had heard how well the tour was being received in the States, but I had seen very little footage. They had already proved that this was working on a far bigger level rather than just satisfying the KISS Army.

So the day arrived. I brought along a friend who didn't really know what the whole KISS thing was about. He knew "Love Gun" and "Detroit Rock City" from a hurried tape I made for him prior to the show. Then it started.... BOOM! Straight into "Deuce". I turned to my friend and he was standing there with a look of absolute astonishment and fear! The show was amazing. This WAS the band I had heard were so incredible in the 70's. They did look great, they played expertly, and the crowd lapped it up. My friend was coverted changing his nickname to Ace!

I saw them 2 more times on the Reunion Tour and both shows were equal to the Donington gig. I was a proud KISS fan. Even my friends who had teased me for years about being into some crusty seventies metal band were now showing respect. Not that they were suddenly fans, but they would comment on the fact that it was a good show and they looked cool.

Next on the agenda after the tour was what everyone wanted.... a studio album. I was so confident (as I was led to believe) that the band had really patched up their differences and this could be the best KISS album since "Love Gun". Then the reports of session musicians playing Ace & Peter's parts started flying around. I chose to ignore these stories and early reviews of the record due to wanting to judge it on my standards.

I was a little disappointed with "Psycho Circus". It was obvious Peter & Ace didn't play on much of it. It sounded horribly like a mid 80's effort, and the choice of songs was debatable. Apart from this I felt "Psycho Circus", "You Wanted The Best" and "Into The Void" were good KISS songs that could be added to the tour quite easily. I was ready to forgive, if KISS came out rocking on the tour showing the same commitement than they had on the Reunion show.

It was March this year that they rolled into London for one British date. It was the worst KISS show I have ever seen. The sound was horrible (you could hardly hear the drums), the much hyped 3D was embarassing, and the set looked bare and uninspired. To go with this, Gene looked like I had first feared, overweight. Ace also looked bad and uninterested. Paul was his usual professional self. Peter looked old. He seemed to be hitting the drums at half power. Doesn't matter who you are seeing, if it's a rock band you expect the drummer to be bashing the hell out of the skins. That's what gives rock concerts their power. The setlist was as expected. I am not too bothered about hearing "Do You Love Me" and "Deuce" all over again because they are the best songs KISS have ever penned. Apart from "Psycho Circus" I thought the new material sounded awful. "Within" should never of made it onto the record, let alone into the show.

Now with all the events surronding the band I am starting to worry. The movie was a good idea, but has flopped. The wrestling was a terrible idea, and flopped. The tour was postponed. Ace is not interested, Peter can't play, Paul wants to go into theatre, and Gene just wants $$$!

The only option left for KISS is to get back to basics or break up. They need to patch up their differences, go into a warehouse and rehearse. Learn some more obscure 70's numbers. Why not "Rocket Ride", "Strange Ways", "Let Me Know" & "Almost Human"? No 80's songs. It's disrespectful to Ace & Peter, and is there anything really good enough? "Heavens On Fire" is the most overated KISS song ever. "Lick It Up" is crass and makes no sense to the mysticsim of the make up. The boys have gotta know that the 70's stuff is the shit and that's what they got to play.

Design new costumes and a new stage. Get fit and in shape. And do a Farewell Tour for 2 years going out on top. Release Alive IV with Eddie Kramer producing. Release the box set, bring out another video. A fantastic exit would mean KISS could remain a top band, releasing material even if they weren't touring anymore. They could do Conventions, unplugged shows, etc.

A decision needs to be made, or my beloved KISS will go out quietly and embarrasingly rather than how it should be.... with a BOOM!!

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