From: deadface@hotmail.com

Ahh... where to begin? How about the opening act?

Econoline Crush actually turned in one of the best "unknown" opening acts that I've ever seen. Sounding like NiN/Ministry Lite, the band was tight, clean-sounding and driven, although I'm not certain they are the best choice to open up for KISS. The lead singer knew how to play to the crowd, proclaiming such witicisms as "This song is about sex", "This song is about fucking!" and the ever popular "This song is about sex, drugs and rock and roll!". SHEW! The lead guitarist looked like a cross between Robert Smith and Bruce Springstein, with some Loverboy leather pants thrown in for good measure and could do some mean side-kicks that would make Bruce Lee roll over. All in all, I was actually impressed and will probably even get their CD, albeit at a used store.

And KISS...

To me, it was by far their best stage show that I've seen. If I was as young as I was when I had first seen them, and never heard them play the same tired set, I would have been in heaven, instead of a place of moderate bliss. I mean, guys, didn't you do a few other albums than KISS and Destroyer? Where for art thou, Christine 16 and Hard Luck Woman? (Granted, I was exctatic that they didn't play their Casey Kasum Top 40 record holding song--biggest drop in one week-- I Was Made For Loving You)... I really feel they should change the set a bit. Frag, I wouldn't mind if Gene spit fire to a new song, or even puked a 'lil blood to something else... and why NOT play some songs from Creatures, The Elder or Dynasty? (I deliberately left off Unmasked, as we all should). There's a wealth of songs that should be played live... Rocket Ride comes to mind. Ditch King of the Night Time World, Cold Gin, Firehouse, 100000 Years, Shock Me and a few others... add back NY Groove, Creatures... why not even play Heaven's On Fire? Didn't Ace also do that song on one of his albums? Have I bitched enough?

The show REALLY was great... the pyrotechnics were great, the return of massive confetti was welcome, the 3-D was pretty good--but the show kicked ass even without it. And maybe I know why they don't do Hard Luck... Peter can't play and sing anymore? Paul sang Black Diamond... Peter looked a bit beat to me, but unlike others I didn't think his solo was that bad... what was bad was the balding 45yr olds in full KISS gear in the audience... Kinda hard to pull a ponytail up, eh, Curly?

I really was left wanting more...

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