From: Neil
Ok, first off, who the hell decided bands should give concerts at the oakland arena? for sound, you couldn't experience anything worse. I missed skid row. Darn. Too bad. NOT!!!! Ted Nugent rocked. Being a long time drummer, it was cool to see Tommy Aldridge. I hadn't seen him since he played with Pat Travers in the 70's. Pretty fun. Ted was his usual obnoxious self. He sang "kiss my ass" and interjected every california politician's name you can think of. It was pretty funny. I especially thought "suck my dick Diane Feinstein" was particularly funny.

Ok. Kiss. I liked the set list. The only thing i was kind of dissappointed about, was the fact that they are only playing one song off psycho circus. I knew in advance since i have been reading about their set list, but i had this glimmer of hope they might play "you wanted the best....." Don't you think that's a tune that the audience would just love live? I don't get it.

I have been a die hard kiss fan since 1975. They still rock. They played well, sang well, and all of their special effects, (flying by both gene and paul) went off without a glitch.

Ace played well, although i think he sounded better in 1996 on their reunioun tour. He really sounded great on let me go rock and roll. 100'000 years was rocking. His solo wasn't the best i've heard him do, but it was still great. I noticed Paul messed up his part of the guitar solo in Detroit Rock City. No excuses Paul, how many times have you played that solo? The first two songs, detroit rock city, and deuce, the sound was really bad. By about the fourth song, it got quite a bit better, but even at best in there it sucks. Oakland is a fucking echo chamber.

Kiss seemed to be genuinely having a good time. Ace in particular smiled alot, and really looked as if he was having a blast.

There was one point in the show that i thought was kind of funny. Paul mentioned that back in the 70's when kiss first came to the bay area, everyone was into The Grateful Dead. This comment got some weird audience response.

Booing and applauding simultaneouly. He kind of got away from the subject, and turned the mic over to ace. It was time for 2000 man. Ace gets to the mic, and says, "I like the Grateful Dead", with a huge smile on his face. They do the song, and paul asks the audience who likes the grateful dead. He gets about a 50 percent response. "How many don't like the grateful dead? 50 percent response. "Well, it just so happens, says Paul, that they are one of our favorite bands". Then he asks Gene, who is your favorite singer in the Dead gene? I wish i had a photo of Gene's face. It was hilarious. Gene reluctantly said, "Phil Lesh". pretty off the wall if you ask me.

The stage looked great, big, and really in your face. It did however lack the risers for gene, paul, and ace on the side of the stage that they had on the reunioun tour. Other than that, really cool.

Overall, i'd have to say that i had a really great time, and once again felt that i really got my money's worth!!!!

I felt myself feeling bummed as i left the arena. This is it folks. NO MORE KISS. Seeing them is really fun, but knowing never again....well, it's sad.

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