The marketing machine known as KISS continues to storm forward, shifting lead guitarists and drummers in and out of the mix, applying and removing their makeup while raking in millions of dollars as the hottest '70s retro band in the land.
Founders Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley are the architects and foundation of a foursome whose popularity is in its fourth decade, heady survivors of disco, punk, grunge and big hair bands.
KISS, like many of their peers, has returned from a farewell tour (2000), lured by the bright lights, adoring fans and proven revenue stream. Simmons and Stanley, both into their 50s, led a 110-minute, 17-song set at the Tweeter Center Friday night, complete with the trademark splashes of blood, fire and explosions that established KISS as one of the pioneers of stadium rock in the mid-'70s.
This was not KISS at their best. Without original members Ace Frehley (reportedly struggling with substance abuse) and Peter Criss (reported tendinitis), there was a clear gap throughout the set. In interviews before the tour, Stanley downplayed their absence, putting a positive spin (hey, they're a marketing machine) on the new lineup by indicating that guitarist Tommy Thayer and drummer Eric Singer (who has recorded and toured with the band in the past) are technically superior and that their presence is the best product for the fans.
Maybe Thayer and Singer are better musicians, but the traditionalists (this reviewer included) would argue that the original lineup invokes the most passion and nostalgia. Criss clearly is a mediocre drummer at best, but Frehley's unique guitar style was missed. Frehley's trademark crunch chords cannot be replicated easily, and Thayer wasn't even close.
Does it matter? Absolutely.
Songs like "Deuce," "She" and Got to Choose" have staple Frehley solos that were missing from the presentation. Opener "Love Gun" just wasn't the same, immediately lowering expectations from the outset.
The Who can continue to tour without Keith Moon and John Entwistle because of the talent of Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey. The Stones can carry on without Brian Jones. But it doesn't work for KISS. Stanley and Simmons simply aren't talented enough to carry the band through a nostalgia tour (which this is) without the original lineup. Maybe without Criss. But not without Frehley.
If a band is going to use nostalgia as the marketing draw, it needs to deliver the original lineup. KISS Friday night was like Fenway without the Wall, like colorizing "Casablanca." If "vintage" is the product, new and improved doesn't work.
And if Singer is so superior to Criss, why didn't he get a real drum solo in "100,000 Years"? Stanley went right into his rap routine, giving no time for Singer to pound the skins alone.
Was KISS a good show? Of course. They're the ultimate party band and master showmen. Simmons breathed fire at the end of "War Machine" and spewed fake blood throughout "Unholy" while propped like a prehistoric bird on a platform above the stage. Stanley, shirtless and looking good for 52, was in fine voice/rap form, riding a cable to the center of the audience to sing "I Was Made for Lovin' You." Simmons and Stanley, New York boys, know how to deliver. They've been doing it for years.
Give credit to KISS for shaking up the set list from previous tours, playing lost gems like "Makin' Love," Christine Sixteen" and "I Want You." Their politics are also aligned, showing support for American troops in Iraq, riling the crowd into a "USA" chant several times during the set. Sure beats the crap Ozzy Osbourne pulled last week comparing President Bush to Hitler.
KISS is the ultimate '70s retro band; always has been and always will be. How long they carry on is uncertain. But it would be nice to see the original spaceman and silver-nosed tom cat back in the mix. They'll never be the hottest band in the land again, but they still can play.
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Chick metal band Poison opened with an uninspiring 57-minute set, led by frontman Bret Michaels in his trademark cowboy hat. There was too much "rah rah" for KISS. They should have just played their songs and moved on.
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KISS Set List:
1. Love Gun
2. Deuce
3. Makin' Love
4. Lick it Up
5. Christine Sixteen
6. She (partial version, with ending guitar solo)
7. Got to Choose
8. War Machine
9. I Want You
10. Psycho Circus
11. I Love it Loud
12. 100,000 Years
13. Unholy
14. I Was Made for Lovin' You
15. Detroit Rock City
Encores:
16. God Gave Rock 'n' Roll to You II
17. Rock and Roll All Nite
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