OFF: My trip to the circus

[John A Swartz]

As previously mentioned, I went to last night's KISS show in Boston.  I've
written a review, and am posting it here for anyone who might be interested
in reading it.  While Buck Dharma might be able to blow Ace Frehley out of
the water, and while no-one would mistake songs as "Last Days of May", "Astronomy",
or "Flaming Telepaths" as being KISS songs (although "Beat 'em Up" might have
been something KISS could've wrote ;-) ), there is no denying KISS' position
as one of the greatest live acts in rock and roll (o.k., one can deny it, but
there are plenty of people who will disagree with you).  Anyways, if nothing
else, KISS is eye and ear-candy, and I'm on quite a sugar high right now.

John


KISS at the Fleet Center, Boston MA  -- 7/31/96  (second of 2 sold-out
shows)

There have been plenty of reviews posted on-line at the KISS Asylum
web-site (http://web-hou.iapc.net/~deuce/KISS/), and if anyone wants
detailed info on the shows, or other reviews by rabid KISS fans, then
check them out.

Last night's show at the Fleet Center was unbelievable, and took me back
to my early teenage days when KISS was at the peak of their popularity.
The 90's version of rock and roll's greatest show on earth lived up to
all of the hype and reviews I've read on the internet and in the music
publications.  Anyone who never saw KISS in the 70's should do
themselves a favor and find out what all the fuss is about.  And for
those who thought that this tour might be some pathetic attempt by an
old burnt-out band to try and just make some extra cash ... well, you
gotta see it for yourself, but this band came out and delivered the
goods with an energy that would put alot of bands out there today to
shame.  While all the members of KISS are between the ages of 40 and 50,
they moved around the stage and tore through a 2-hour set with the same
energy, musicianship, and showmanship as they did 20 years ago.  And
while many would argue the merits of KISS' music, I've listened to it
enough over the years to believe otherwise -- and based on how much the
crowd was singing along with ALL of the songs, over 10,0000 fans in
Boston would believe otherwise as well.

As has been reported in other reviews, the band was ON - they all looked
great and were really into it.  Paul Stanley jumped around and worked
the crowd as he always does.  Gene Simmons stalked the stage, flicked
his tongue, and wiggled his crotch at all the women (at least I would
assume they were all women), Peter Criss pounded the drums and also sang
"Beth" (which he apparently couldn't do a few nights previous in New
York due to reported voice problems), and Ace Frehley was the spaceman
we all know and love (anyone out there who's heard rumors of Ace being
sick and on the verge of being replaced -- don't believe it!!  The man
was dead on all night, and really into the show).

The stage, as had been reported, is pretty bare by 70's standards - no
flashing staircases, no smoke-breathing dragon.  But this did not
detract from the show at all as the band moved all over the stage with
all their signature moves (and additional microphones allowed them to
sing from various points on the stage).  The best thing included in the
stage was the large video screens, which enabled me, sitting about as
far away from the stage as I could get, to see the band up close (which
was really great, especially for things like Ace's solos, and Gene's
blood-spitting).  Lots of lights, smoke, fire, and bombs going off
throughout the show put it all over the top.

Here's the setlist, in roughly the order performed:

Deuce
King of the Nighttime World
Do You Love Me
Calling Dr. Love
Cold Gin (1st verse - Gene, 2nd verse - Ace)
Let Me Go Rock and Roll
Shock Me (featuring Ace's extended solo - including a portion of
"Beethoven's 5th" -complete with smoking guitar, which later flew off
into the rafters, and Ace playing another guitar which shot rockets)
Shout it Out Loud
Watchin' You
Firehouse (featuring Gene's firebreathing)
Strutter
Rock Bottom
God of Thunder (featuring Gene's bass solo - not really a "solo" per se,
but alot of monstrous sounds to lead up to his famous - blood spitting,
Gene flying up to the top of the lighting truss to sing the song; and
Peter's drum solo in the middle of the song)
New York Groove (Ace playing his flashing guitar)
Love Gun
100,000 Years
Black Diamond (featuring a guitar solo by Paul prior to the intro, and
Peter's levitating drum kit at the end, while Gene, Paul, and Peter road
out over the crowd on levitating platforms)
encores:
Detroit Rock City
Beth
Rock and Roll All Night (featuring fireworks, confetti, and Paul
smashing his guitar)


And a good time was had by all . . .