From: Anjelwingx
All I can say is....wow.Im just turning 18 and have been a KISS fan since my early childhood (growing up with the 80s incarnation of KISS),and must say Im extremely impressed.This is the first (and last) time I ever got to catch the guys with makeup. Ive seen other reputable acts (Aerosmith,Billy Joel,Pantera,Black Sabbath w/Ozzy),but this show blew me away.I drove 350 miles from McAllen,Tx and it was totally worth the trouble.

The night began with getting lost out in the Woodlands (literally a giant forest), and continued with my family and I walking about a mile and a half from the Pavillion's parking lot to the actual concert grounds.During this time I took notice of all the pretty signs warning for poisonous snakes and deer(cute,right?).The audience was 90% drunk red necks,which only added to the fun.But after paying $30 for a shirt and $5 for a freakin soda,we all split up and my uncle and I took our seats (about 20-25 feet from Ace).We sat thru the Skids,and I honestly couldnt have given a shit about them, but I did appreciate the fact that they hit the stage earlier than planned (about 6:40).

Ted Nugent fit right in with all the other white trash,as our favorite bigot/ endangered animal poacher plowed thru his set.After about 15 minutes of racist remarks,he proceeded to hug his South American bass player and make him translate a bunch of stupid remarks.This was rather confusing and I sat down and tried to ignore him,and eventually took his encore as a bathroom break.I returned as he was "sacrificing the buffalo" and louded applauded as he was carried off the stage by his band,like the moron we all know him to be.(Note:Tommy Aldrige was EXTREMELY impressive during the night,and Im a huge fan of his,being a musician myself.)

Finally,the place filled up as the black curtain rose,and I immediately took notice of the group of strippers that entered and were hastled by security (who were checking ticket stubs).This happened several times during the show =).The curtain dropped and KISS rolled out with DRC,then into Deuce and Shout it.I would have been enjoying myself more if the drunken idiot in front of me wasnt dancing across two seats and loudly singing.He had downed about 12 beers (@$5.50 ea.) before KISS even started,and was pretty wasted.By Heaven's On Fire he was removed by security,and we enjoyed the two seat gap in front of us (open space!!!!) for most of the show.The common theatrics were there,and the band was blazin thru the set list.I was so close I could feel the heat from the flames across my face.Peter started slow,but was high energy by Heavens,and I loved his small solo during 100,000 years.I must admit I was concerned due to how hard he was playing,hoping he wouldnt injure his arms,but he was simply amazing.By Shock Me,another drunk guy was carried out by his girlfriend (another stripper),as he vomitted down the walkway four feet from our seats.

Even with all the drama around me,I couldnt help but notice Ace was a little off during Shock me.He was completely kick by 2,000 man,his solo and 2001 though.He was moving around the stage quite a bit (more than Ted Nugent),and it all suprised me.Everyone was smiles and laughter all night and I even caught Gene joking with Peter and Ace a few times during the show.Paul was upbeat as usual and his singing ability is more profound than before,as well as his little speeches.

During the last few songs,a red neck couple managed to find their way to the seats in front of us while the security guards were preoccupied,and we once again had to endure more idiocisms.My fav was when Paul intro'ed Cold Gin and warned against drinking and driving,to which the woman responded "Too late!!!",which gained a few stupid looks from the crowd.They were gone before the show ended though (yippe), thinking there was no encore.

A kick ass show though,topped off with the infamous rain of confetti for four minutes during RARAN (to the dismay of the janitorial crew).Even though it cost me quite a bit,it was well worth it.Defintely the best show on Earth by the Kings of Rock.A hard goodbye,but the guys didnt let anyone down.To end this review I'll quote Paul as closely as I could make out (we were so close the sound was distorted some). "If you ever see another band,and they dont give you the respect you deserve....if they dont give you your hard-earned moneys worth,we want you to remember...that there was once a band,that gave everything it could to its fans....and we love you people....We wont forget you."

KISS ASYLUM -- KISS Museum News Archive Features Tour Dates Photos