From: Michael A Flasch

KISS in Columbus, what a show!!!! Please don't get angry if I skip around a lot, there were so many cool things at the show, I couldn't think straight. This was my first show on the Psycho Circus tour, but I had seen KISS before.

We got there a little late (stupid directions!), & the personalized shirts, with the date & location were already sold out. Damnit!! I love those shirts. Econoline Crush had already started, but they still sounded great from what I saw. I walked the concourse quite a few times, & I hardly saw any people with makeup on. I know this because I still remember how shocked I was (I'm still shocked) that hardly anyone had make up on. I counted, & I only counted 15 people, but to be nice, & to give somewhat of a window, I'm going to say there were 30 people there wearing makeup, in case all of them were in the bathroom when I walked through that section each time. I know some people have said there were tons of people in makeup, but there weren't. Trust me. I wouldn't be this angry if there were.

I also couldn't figure out why nobody in our WHOLE section was not moving during the whole show. Then I realized, they aren't real fans. They're probably just businessmen jackasses whose company had a few seats to the show, or just someone there for "something to do". Well, I don't take to kindly to that. In fact, I think it flat out sucks. If you're not there for KISS or the opening band, & if you're just going to stand there motionless, STAY HOME. You make the rest of the crowd look bad, & you don't belong there.

But, I digress. Our seats were real good. We were in the first row on Ace's side directly in front of the microphone. We were overlooking the pit with all the crates in it, & the crew running around. That was a side of the concert that I had never experienced before. My girlfriend got some great pictures during the show, including one of Gene looking right at us. He saw her a few times during the show, & one time she even made him laugh. She had an outfit on which included Gene facepaint, & this great blood effect dripping down onto her chest. I think Gene would approve. They were sticking their tongues out at each other, & then she started acting all crazy, & he shook his head like we were crazy. It was so cool. Speaking of blood, when Gene did his blood solo, & flew up to the stage, he started spitting on people from up there, & there was a constant stream of blood for what seemed like a few minutes. I don't think there's any way he could have had all that in his mouth. The security guards were handing out towels. It was so cool. The set list was as follows:

Psycho Circus
Shout It Out Loud
Deuce
Do You Love Me
Firehouse
Shock Me
Let Me Go Rock & Roll
Calling Dr. Love
Into The Void (Ace's solo)
King of the Nighttime World
God of Thunder (Gene's solo)
Within (Peter's solo)
Cold Gin
Love Gun
100,000 Years
Rock & Roll All Nite
****Encore 1-Beth
****Encore 2-Detroit Rock City
****Encore 3-Black Diamond

All the solo's were awesome, although Peter's seemed to be a little short. Ace seemed to have some trouble getting his guitar on the cord after the smoking effect, but I could only tell because I had more of a side view. I love Paul's flying machine during Love Gun. That is so cool, but that looks like a lot of rigging. Check it out for yourself, it's unbelievable!! Another cool thing was when Paul said that this show was the first sell out of any kind in the Shottenstein Center!! That rules!!! He also said they were going to be in Cleveland the next night, & everyone boooed. That was funny. I didn't see any laser pointers, but I've heard there have been some problems with those.

Outside the arena, they had the blow up figures up. Those things are great. Also, one thing I noticed was that during the morph before the encore, Paul's makeup doesn't appear. I assume that was done on purpose, but you never know. I was kind of disappointed when Peter didn't sing Black Diamond, but it was kind of cool to see Paul sing it. Maybe Peter wasn't feeling too good, & that's why his drum solo was short, too.

Overall, the show was excellent. Don't miss it, I'm heading to the shows in Lexington, & Dayton, so I'll write back then. KISS is the best band in the land, & they proved it tonight. I can't wait to see them again. Everyone around the nation, Raise your glasses.

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