From: Acedeuce4@aol.com

Alright. Even though I attended the Milwaukee show a week earlier, it is the Madison show I will review, if for only to defend a show it seems many are not too fond of. Madison is also my hometown.

Ok. Brothah, it was Cooooold outside, but that's the price we pay for living too close to Canada. Being that I have relatives who live in Madison, I was able to bum a ride, therefore avoiding the jangled wreck that is the concert parking lot (Don't even get me started on the fiasco that was the Bradley Center Parking Ramp!! ). As we walked through the deserted parking lot behind the Coliseum (actually, it was the Expo Center Parking lot), the anticipation was growing. See, the Coliseum is a shrine. I saw KISS in 79 there, my first concert, mind you. I love this building!! Anyway, we reached the gates, and were subsequently searched. Even my 9 year old son was frisked!! Hoy!! Once inside...the T-Shirts!! I had to see if there was going to be a Madison shirt ( a'la KISS Destroys Milwaukee-reunion tour). There wasn't. At least I found one that had the date and city commemorated on it. Kool! Let us find our seats..but first, a bathroom break, where I proceeded to read some graffitti stating that "Don screwed a chick in this stall" on Nov. 12 1996. Hope ya used protection, Don.

We sat up off the floor, second concourse, Gene's side. Nice seats, considering I had my boy with me. Kinda wanted to avoid the floor, ya know. After Caroline's spine came the main event. Strange they didn't use the Who's Won't Get Fooled Again as an opening song. Hmm. oh well. Now, rather that go through the obligatory "Paul's stage raps were great/ Ace stumbled into Gene's headstock and inflicted damage" review, I'll point out a few "Inconsistancies. One, Gene did not fly. Second, Paul did not fly. There wasn't even a stage for Paul to fly TO! (See, Paul and Gene flew during the April 97 Madison show, so you can't blame the arena ) Peter's riser (No pun intended)? Well...it rose! But it did not take it's intended journey over the audience. There weren't even screens on the side of the stage! Mind you, I'm not complaining. It was better that the reunion tour! ( My buddy Ace didn't let us down ) Nor am I complaining about the lack of a sell out. (The Madison newspaper claimed 3/4 capacity) I have theories about this, and hopefully they will put you, the loyal KISS fan, at ease. Our boys aren't losing it!!!

First off, KISS had played a show in Milwaukee...A WEEK EARLIER...85 MILES AWAY!!! When you have two concerts so close together, whadda you expect? Secondly, this was 2 days after Christmas (With tickets going on sale a month earlier ). It's no surprise that there were probably going to be some people strapped for cash. Hence, a few seats not sold. And also, you have to take into account that the Madison show was a last minute addition. Hell, the city's name doesn't even appear on the back of some shirts!!! Let me assure you that this show was barely promoted outside the Madison city limits!! Less promotion, less crowd. Natch!! Besides, the reunion tour brought out a lot of fairweather KISS fans. What we have now are the REAL KISS fans! Thank God!

So, my point is this. The Madison show was great! Sure they skimped on some effects (Which I attribute to the last-minute nature of this show ), but you know what? I'm just so happy to see them playing again!! I'm in no position to complain. Like Paul said in an interview, "If You're lucky enough to get what you want...SHUT UP! " AceDeuce4 ( KISS fan and Madisonian by birth !!! )

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