From: Neko Taikoka
Well it's KISS WEEK here for me in Florida. I am fortunate enough to be able to see the band 3 times this week, first in Ft. Myers followed up by Orlando and Tampa respectively. Hopefully I'll be able to submit a brief review for all 3 shows starting with last nights performance in Ft. Myers.

To begin, my wife and I arrived in the Ft. Myers area after a 2 hour drive from Pinellas Park (Tampa Bay). The TECO Arena is a small venue sitting right off of I-75. People began to gather quite early and tailgate out in the parking lot. These same fools were so far gone before KISS came on they probably cannot even remember Skid Row coming out. Come to think of it though, that might be a benefit...Ha Ha!!

There was plenty of merchandise being sold on the outside 2 hours before the doors opened up. All T-shirts are $30.00 as are the tour books. I picked up a shirt, book and hat ($25.00) before going in.

The TECO Arena is a small, one level hockey arena which was packed to the rafters. At first, when Skid Row came on @ 7:00 sharp it looked like 50% of the tickets must have been sold. By the time Ted came out the place was 80% full and the it looked (and sounded) like 110% full when KISS came out.

As for Skid Row, they should be playing in someones garage and not out on tour with a class act like KISS. These guys were loud, profane and lacked any form of musical talent. Of course this IMO. They only made noise for around 30 minutes and then Ted came on.

Ted played the usual tunes already listed in some of the previous reviews so I'll spare you. As for his show, not bad, however as many others have pointed out, he is quite opionated. Sometimes he was funny, and other times he was obnoxious. He did get the crowd going though towards the end when played "KISS my Ass" and of course Cat Scratch Fever. He brought out a local guitarist, whose name escapes me, who played in Lynard Skynard (sp?). I enjoyed seeing Tommy Aldridge, who I admired from his days with Black Oak Arkansas. Ted played until 9:00 and it took around 20 minutes for the stage to be cleared.

At around 9:20 the huge KISS backdrop was lowered in front of the stage and the lights went out 5 minutes later. When the bass line came on the entire place came alive. After a loud explosion, the backdrop fell revealing the KISS stage which seemed to glow in the dark. KISS was lowered from the lighting rig and the all too familiar intro followed: "ALRIGHT FT. MYERS, YOU WANTED THE BEST, YOU GOT THE BEST, THE HOTTEST BAND IN THE WORLD.....KISS..!!!!!

I thought I was 16 again and watching them perform for the 1st back in 1976 at the Nassau Colliseum in NY. The band had all the energy and enthusiasm of their youth as well. I will not repeat the set list here, but suffice it to say that each song was better and better. Musically, they were tight and focused. Better than I have seen since 1976.

The only sour note is that neither Gene or Paul was able to fly. These contraptions just don't seem to be too reliable.

That will sum up my FIRST review and I'll submit more for both Orlando and Tampa in just a few days.

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