One of the perks offered to any fans that purchased season tickets for the inaugural season of the L.A. Kiss football team was a free Kiss concert after the season finale. Well, it may not have been a winning season for the team, but that didn’t stop the band from swooping back down to Anaheim to make good on its promise. Last night, (Oct. 29), season ticket holders were treated to a loose and comparatively stripped-down show that more than made up for the team’s poor results.
There wasn’t a giant spider stage, scissor lifts or high-flying harness effects — or even their traditional booming announcer growling, “You wanted the best, you got the best” – but there were certainly lots of theatrics. Rather, they simply strolled out on stage in full gear after L.A. Kiss president/co-owner (and one of the stars of the team’s AMC reality series ‘4th and Loud‘) Schuyler Hoversten reassured the crowd that the team would be back next season with a newly fortified roster. Before even getting to the first tune, a crackling version of ‘Creatures of the Night,’ Paul Stanley picked up the ball from Hoversten and started talking draft picks and coaching moves. For anybody doubting the band’s involvement in this team, you had to look no further than this show.
Kiss was leaving the next day to hop aboard their ultra-popular Kiss Kruise and from there they head off for a residency in Las Vegas. They had performed in Mexico several days earlier and so this show was squeezed into a complicated itinerary. Maybe it’s because nobody had to worry about major production cues and special effects. Whatever the reason, Kiss put on a satisfying, grounded and glittery genuine rock ‘n roll revue that drove the fans both wild and crazy.
There were still giant plumes of fire, plenty of midair explosions and the mind-boggling confetti storm at the end of the evening’s closer, ‘Rock and Roll All Nite.’ Gene Simmons was still bathed in emerald light before spitting blood and Tommy Thayer‘s guitar still shot plenty of sparks. But without all the monstorus production effects, Kiss was left to get lost in their own music, churning out a refreshingly diverse set list that tapped into each phase of its triumphant career.
Lesser-played nuggets like ‘Let Me Go, Rock ‘n’ Roll,’ ‘Plaster Caster,’ and ‘Tears Are Falling’ mingled well with such tried and true warhorses such as ‘Detroit Rock City,’ ‘Black Diamond’ and ‘War Machine.’ By the end of the show, without having any platforms to ascend upon, the simply hung together and played.
Devoid of the complete spectacle, it reminded one that, left to their own devices, this is a very good rock ‘n roll band that still performs as if their lives depend on it. And who knows, maybe they do. After all, they still work harder and play harder than any other band in the land. And so don’t be surprised if the L.A. Kiss returns next season with a vengeance. After all, their bosses still set the highest of standards in the business.