Kiss News

By Alan K. Stout

If you were to look through the pages of my 1985 high school year book, you would come across a big photo of me and a friend hanging out in our journalism class. And of course, we're both wearing KISS shirts.

Looking back on those days, I think there may have been times when I wore a different KISS shirt to school five days a week. In fact, it was a tradition at our school that myself and a pretty large group of friends all wore our KISS shirts to school every Friday. I guess it was our own little version of the KISS Army, though most of the shirts we wore were from the non-make-up "Lick It Up" and "Animalize" era of the group. But our passion for that wonderful rock 'n roll band was undeniable.

For the past few days - and all of these years later - I've realized that nothing much has changed. Oh, we've all grown up quite a bit. There are jobs and families now and all of the responsibilities that come when you're no longer 17, but in the days leading up to KISS' show in Scranton last night, I know some of us felt as if we were 17 once again. And once we got there, were most certainly did.
By Alan K. Stout

If you were to look through the pages of my 1985 high school year book, you would come across a big photo of me and a friend hanging out in our journalism class. And of course, we're both wearing KISS shirts.

Looking back on those days, I think there may have been times when I wore a different KISS shirt to school five days a week. In fact, it was a tradition at our school that myself and a pretty large group of friends all wore our KISS shirts to school every Friday. I guess it was our own little version of the KISS Army, though most of the shirts we wore were from the non-make-up "Lick It Up" and "Animalize" era of the group. But our passion for that wonderful rock 'n roll band was undeniable.

For the past few days - and all of these years later - I've realized that nothing much has changed. Oh, we've all grown up quite a bit. There are jobs and families now and all of the responsibilities that come when you're no longer 17, but in the days leading up to KISS' show in Scranton last night, I know some of us felt as if we were 17 once again. And once we got there, were most certainly did.

KISS crushed the Toyota Pavilion on Sunday. It was my 30th time seeing them, and as a good friend with a beaming smile said to me as we headed back to our car after the show, "It ranks."

Indeed. It ranked right up there with some of the best KISS shows, ever. And though I watched the concert with the same enthusiasm as I did some 25 years ago, I'm clearly not a teen anymore. After spending the past 18 years working in part as a music journalist, I now have the ability to compare KISS to hundreds of other bands I've seen play live, and I can now watch them with a much more seasoned eye.

And you know what?

I'm still pretty much in awe.

Last night, I sang along to the music so loudly and proudly that my voice on this August morning sounds a bit like Demi Moore. I guess it would be sexy if I was a girl, but for me, it just kind of hurts. My wife's ears are still ringing, and as I pumped my fists throughout the show and totally enjoyed seeing one of my all-time favorite bands rock my hometown, I was again reminded as to why I fell in love with KISS in the first place.

The songs.

KISS' set at Montage was one of the finest the band has ever strung together. From the punch of "Deuce," to the grandness of "God Gave Rock and Roll To You II," to the new material from "Sonic Boom," the show sometimes felt like an audio assault of the senses. The group was extremely tight, musically, and while Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley had told fans that such would be the case - particularly after the reunited original lineup of the band dissolved once again a few years back - it's clear that was not lip service. Guitarist Tommy Thayer and drummer Eric Singer have helped energize KISS, and for that, even the most loyal fans of the original lineup should be grateful.

I not only watched KISS play great songs amid all of their usual explosions and stage-flying on Sunday night, but I also watched a bit more closely as to how they sang, and as for as harmonies are concerned, they may have never been better. KISS is a band that is a product of its generation, heavily influenced by British Invasion acts such as The Who and Led Zeppelin, and especially The Beatles, and though they come with a much harder sound, that influence on their vocal style remains evident. Simmons once said KISS first set out to be a "heavy metal Beatles," and when you listen to a song like "Firehouse," that's exactly what it is.

KISS, in fact, has always done this with its music. The band has always been able to find something it likes in a musical style or trend, and often quite brilliantly, make it its own. In the late '70s, when even The Rolling Stones were doing albums like "Some Girls" and disco was king, KISS gave us "Dynasty." In the early '80s, when guitar shredders like Eddie Van Halen and Randy Rhoads were all the buzz, KISS gave us "Animalize." Later in the '80s, when hard-rock got a little more slick with bands like Bon Jovi, KISS gave us "Crazy Nights," and when hard-rock later got a little more "street" with Guns 'N Roses, KISS gave us "Hot In The Shade." And even with the arrival of grunge, we got "Carnival of Souls."

It is an impressive and an incredibly versatile catalog of music, yet it all remains distinctly KISS.

On Friday, WILK-AM and WILK-FM talk-radio here in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre had me come on the air and talk about KISS' music and the band's ongoing staying power. I guess when you've written so many stories about the group over the years, you get to be known as "the KISS guy" in the area, and that's fine with me. (You can now read many of my past KISS stories archived at www.kiss-aks.blogspot.com.) When I was asked to name some of my favorite KISS concerts out of the many that I'd seen, it was their two shows in 1988 at The Ritz in New York City that first came to mind. Why? Because it was just the them in a smaller club. No costumes. No make-up. No stage show. Just a great rock band tearing through some great songs.

Sunday night at Montage, however - show #30 for me - is now also on that short list of all-time favorites. Yeah, I love KISS for its songs the most, but it sure is fun to see those songs draped amid "The Hottest Show on Earth." And though I've been fortunate enough to have interviewed and even met KISS quite a few times, it was great to feel like I was 17 again for a few hours and be there just as a fan. My wife and I were in about the third row, and while it'd be nice to think it happened because Paul recognized me from our past meetings, or because he spotted the rose tattoo on my arm, I actually think it was her pretty face and all of her singing and dancing that caught his eye.

Regardless of the reason, the result was the same: two Paul Stanley guitar picks for us.

What a night.

Clearly, it ranks.

BAND PLAYING MOHEGAN THURSDAY

By ERIC R. DANTON

Photo: Gene Simmons (L) and Paul Stanley of KISS during a Mohegan Sun concert. (MARK MIRKO, HARTFORD COURANT / October 2, 2009)

Altruism is not a concept commonly associated with Kiss, the costumed hard rock band that has proudly marketed everything from Dr. Pepper to caskets.

Turns out, though, that the gods of thunder have a soft spot after all: American troops wounded overseas. For every ticket sold on its "Hottest Show on Earth" tour, a fireworks-filled extravaganza stopping Thursday at Mohegan Sun, the band is donating $1 to the Wounded Warrior Care Project, which assists military personnel who have been severely injured in combat.

"Maybe we can do what the government doesn't seem capable of," Kiss singer and guitarist Paul Stanley says by phone.

Stanley estimates the band has raised $125,000 so far on the tour, which comes in support of Kiss' most recent album, last year's "Sonic Boom."
BAND PLAYING MOHEGAN THURSDAY

By ERIC R. DANTON

Photo: Gene Simmons (L) and Paul Stanley of KISS during a Mohegan Sun concert. (MARK MIRKO, HARTFORD COURANT / October 2, 2009)

Altruism is not a concept commonly associated with Kiss, the costumed hard rock band that has proudly marketed everything from Dr. Pepper to caskets.

Turns out, though, that the gods of thunder have a soft spot after all: American troops wounded overseas. For every ticket sold on its "Hottest Show on Earth" tour, a fireworks-filled extravaganza stopping Thursday at Mohegan Sun, the band is donating $1 to the Wounded Warrior Care Project, which assists military personnel who have been severely injured in combat.

"Maybe we can do what the government doesn't seem capable of," Kiss singer and guitarist Paul Stanley says by phone.

Stanley estimates the band has raised $125,000 so far on the tour, which comes in support of Kiss' most recent album, last year's "Sonic Boom."

The record is a return to Kiss' classic late-'70s form for Stanley and bassist Gene Simmons. The Kiss co-founders made the record with lead guitarist Tommy Thayer and drummer Eric Singer in place of original members Ace Frehley and Peter Criss, who were involved with the band's previous record, 1998's "Psycho Circus."

That particular effort wasn't exactly a high point in the Kiss canon, Stanley acknowledges.

"I was adamant that 'Psycho Circus' wouldn't be the last Kiss album," he says. "If there had to be a last album, we should end on a higher note than that. It was difficult to make an album with two band members and two lawyers. Those lawyers didn't play instruments very well, and the guys who could have been in the studio weren't."

This time, all four members were involved in writing songs for the album, which Stanley produced. They recorded quickly, keen on capturing the spark of early takes before the songs got rehearsed to death.

"What you may gain later on in perfection, you lose in feel," Stanley says. "I'm a big believer that all the music I loved growing up was made by people who were trying to document passion, rather than perfection, whether it was the Beatles, or Led Zeppelin or James Brown. All that music was made with mistakes, but with incredible feel."

A lot of artists who have been around as long as Kiss talk about the difficulty in concert of balancing old material with new, but Stanley rejects the premise.

"It's all Kiss," he says. "So what we try to do, particularly in the concerts, is celebrate all the eras of the band. It's no secret that there are certain songs that are must-plays, and funny, over the years, it just becomes more and more. We found ourselves ultimately making the show a little longer and squeezing in as much as we can. We can play 'Delilah' and that'll sound great whether it's next to 'Love Gun' or 'Crazy Nights.'"

That leaves just one item of unfinished business: the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Although the band first became eligible a decade ago, Kiss wasn't even nominated for the first time until last year.

"Who cares?" Stanley says. "Honestly, who cares?"

Well, the fans, for one: Kiss aficionados have been lobbying for years for the group's induction.

"I would accept being inducted, or indicted, only on behalf of the fans," Stanley says. "If it means enough to them that they're championing this so vocally, then I would do it, but only for them. I've said it before and I'll say it again: It's a farce. It's a sham. My place in rock 'n' roll history is more firmly planted than the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's."

By BRAD PATTON

Photo by Jose Hernandez, Jr

Multitudes of Demons, Star Children, Spacemen and Catmen invaded Montage Mountain on Sunday evening as the KISS Army was out in full force at the Toyota Pavilion in Scranton.

And a little bit of lingering drizzle was not going to stop the "Hottest Show on Earth."

I knew going in, deep down, it would not come close to my other encounter with the KISS phenomenon - July 1996 at Madison Square Garden with all four original members on the first reunion tour - but, the show actually came much closer than I expected.By BRAD PATTON

Photo by Jose Hernandez, Jr

Multitudes of Demons, Star Children, Spacemen and Catmen invaded Montage Mountain on Sunday evening as the KISS Army was out in full force at the Toyota Pavilion in Scranton.

And a little bit of lingering drizzle was not going to stop the "Hottest Show on Earth."

I knew going in, deep down, it would not come close to my other encounter with the KISS phenomenon - July 1996 at Madison Square Garden with all four original members on the first reunion tour - but, the show actually came much closer than I expected.

For pure entertainment value, and good old rock 'n' roll fun, KISS, no matter who the members are, is hard to beat. Sunday's show brought original members Paul Stanley as the Star Child and Gene Simmons as the Demon, plus newer members Tommy Thayer as the Spaceman originally portrayed by Ace Frehley and Eric Singer as the Catman originally played by Peter Criss.

The main set was great, but it did drag a little for me around the 10th or 11th song, and I was just beginning to think it was too much of a good thing and I wanted to leave. Then came the strong main-set finish of "I Love It Loud," "Love Gun," "Black Diamond," and "Detroit Rock City."

And the encore was pure bliss from start to finish. When most bands come back and do a song or two, KISS gives you a whole additional mini-set wherein each song is basically one-upping the one before it. Sunday's encore was six songs long, starting with a surprising version of "Beth" (I was told by a guy who watches "Gene Simmons Family Jewels" faithfully that Gene had just said they don't do that song anymore since Peter Criss left the band), went through "Disco Kiss" territory with "I Was Made For Loving You," and ended, of course, with "Rock and Roll All Nite."

The show then concluded with fireworks, confetti (I saw one woman meticulously save some of the non-descript white rectangles in her KISS merchandise bag), and a message on the big screen: "KISS loves you Scranton!"

I was good-naturedly warned by a helpful longtime fan before KISS took the stage: "Don't look directly at the stage for any length of time... Earplugs would not be a bad idea. ... And you will definitely feel the heat!"

It's too late for me, save yourselves...

KISS, with the KISS Army marching close behind, will next take over the Saratoga Performing Arts Center in Saratoga, N.Y., tonight. They will be in Uncasville, Conn., at the Mohegan Sun Arena on Thursday and at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, N.J., on Friday. The current leg of this tour ends in Guadalajara on Oct. 2.

by Michael Lello
Weekender Editor

Even in today's ultra-connected world, there are some things you just have to see to believe, things with a certain power that does not exactly translate to the screen of your TV, computer or phone.

Like a Kiss concert.

The legendary showmen and their Kiss Army descended on Toyota Pavilion at Montage Mountain Sunday night, bringing with them an over-the-top production that combines P.T. Barnum's circus, Broadway stagecraft, professional wrestling and a church revival, complete with more pyrotechnics than a Fourth Of July celebration, band members sailing over the stage, and, oh yeah, some massive musical performances of some of the band�s best-loved songs.

At 8:52 p.m., a giant, black Kiss banner dropped, a video preface began and we heard the familiar band introduction: "Scranton, Pennsylvania, you wanted the best, you got the best, the hottest show in the world!"

It's a ballsy statement the band has been making - and backing up - for decades.by Michael Lello
Weekender Editor

Even in today's ultra-connected world, there are some things you just have to see to believe, things with a certain power that does not exactly translate to the screen of your TV, computer or phone.

Like a Kiss concert.

The legendary showmen and their Kiss Army descended on Toyota Pavilion at Montage Mountain Sunday night, bringing with them an over-the-top production that combines P.T. Barnum's circus, Broadway stagecraft, professional wrestling and a church revival, complete with more pyrotechnics than a Fourth Of July celebration, band members sailing over the stage, and, oh yeah, some massive musical performances of some of the band�s best-loved songs.

At 8:52 p.m., a giant, black Kiss banner dropped, a video preface began and we heard the familiar band introduction: "Scranton, Pennsylvania, you wanted the best, you got the best, the hottest show in the world!"

It's a ballsy statement the band has been making - and backing up - for decades.

The curtain dropped, explosions ensued, and as they launched into "Modern Day Delilah," Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons and guitarist Tommy Thayer rose on a platform above drummer Eric Singer's riser, then in front of the riser and onto the stage. Talk about making an entrance.

After "Delilah," from Kiss' newest album "Sonic Boom," Stanley welcomed - and challenged - the crowd. Mentioning the band had recently played in larger cities Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, he said, "Tonight, Scranton, you're gonna show us it's not how big it is, it's how you use it."

The simple and heavy "Firehouse" was an early-set standout, as was "Deuce," with Simmons on lead vocals. Thayer, Simmons and Stanley convened at the front of the stage for some choreographed back-and-forth moves, and it was a cool thing to see.

The diversity of the career-spanning setlist was impressive. Several songs from "Sonic Boom" were showcased, as were five - "Cold Gin," "Firehouse," "Deuce," "100,000 Years" and "Black Diamond" - from Kiss' self-titled 1974 debut. The band also sprinkled in some of its more pop-metal-ish tunes from the '80s, like the fun "Crazy Nights" and "Lick It Up." Hell, the band even played a song from its brief disco-rock era, "I Was Made For Lovin' You."

Each band member had extended segments in which they were the focus. Thayer, who now reprises the Spaceman role of original Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley, sang lead on "Shock Me," a song Frehley sang with Kiss. After "Shock Me," Stanley and Simmons left, leaving the stage to Thayer with Singer, who has now permanently replaced original drummer Peter Criss. Thayer played some Led Zeppelin riffs before Singer's drum solo. Thayer aimed his guitar, shooting flames across the stage. He returned to some heavy riffing while his and Singer's platforms were raised over the stage, white smoke billowing from under each of them. Singer fired flames from a bazooka, both musicians' risers lowered, and Simmons and Stanley returned to the stage, launching into "I'm An Animal," another track from "Sonic Boom" - of which Stanley joked, for the second time, is "available exclusively at Wal-Mart."

"100,000" years was a musical highlight. The moody track began with Simmons' ominous bass introduction - his bass lines all night were sharp and booming - some Jimi Hendrix-y Thayer guitar and an extended drum portion. Simmons, after his trademark blood-spitting routine, was rapidly raised to a small stage connected to the lighting rig, where he sang "I Love It Loud." This, and the following song, the Stanley-sung "Love Gun," were a pair of musical highlights. Fireworks mimicked the machine-gun riff of the latter song as it came to a close.

Singer took lead vocals on "Black Diamond." Stanley again addressed Scranton, asking the crowd of 10,588, "Do you feel like a rock city?" and "Do you wanna go to Detroit?," setting up "Detroit Rock City," explosions punctuating the song's famous introductory riffs. The drum platform rose above the crowd again while Stanley and Thayer engaged in some beautiful twin guitar leads. After four blasts of pyro, each Kiss member froze in mid-riff. Snapping out of the freeze, the band launched into a few more closing riffs before the lights went down, ending the pre-encore part of the show.

The encore was more like a mini-concert, featuring six songs: "Beth," sung by Singer, "Lick It Up," "Shout It Out Loud," "I Was Made For Lovin' You," "God Gave Rock 'n' Roll To You II" and "Rock and Roll All Nite." "Lick It Up" was tremendous and included a snippet of The Who's 'Won't Get Fooled Again."

"I wanna come out there and see you," Stanley said. "I can do it, Scranton. But you have to yell my name, Paul." The crowd obliged, and Stanley climbed onto a metal ring before he was hoisted above the stage and launched via a cable over the seats to a mini-stage near the soundboard as his bandmates started off "I Was Made For Lovin' You." He sang the funky song and played guitar on the small stage before zipping back over the crowd in time for "God Gave Rock 'n' Roll." During the song, images of rockers like Hendrix, Janis Joplin and Eric Clapton appeared on the video screens. When you combine this with the band's inclusion of Zeppelin and Who music during the show, you can tell Kiss is a band that still holds respect for its rock forefathers.

The crowd was bathed in white confetti during "Rock 'n' Roll All Nite," the stage awash in sparks, as Singer, Thayer and Simmons rose above the stage one last time. Stanley swung his guitar overhead, then smashed it to bits.

After the band left the stage, a video screen displayed the message "Kiss loves you, Scranton."

Following the band's powerhouse performance Sunday night, it's safe to say that feeling is mutual.

By Patrice Wilding (Staff Writer)
Photo by Jason Farmer / times-shamrock

It's not like anyone ever accused legendary rockers KISS of needing a hand-up in the theatrics department, especially when performing live.

But on Sunday, Mother Nature stepped in earlier in the day to add some thunder, lightning and a deluge of rain as a warm-up act to the thrilling spectacle that was to come at Toyota Pavilion at Montage Mountain.

It was, however, going to take a lot more than some water and foul weather to douse the spirits of the KISS Army on hand last night. Fans and performers clad in shiny leather, black and white makeup and glam rock staples studs, platforms and capes, made it difficult to discern whether the people-watching was more entertaining in the audience or on the stage.

Veterans of the music scene for almost 40 years, the iconic band started their lively show for Northeastern Pennsylvania fans in a cloud of smoke, fire and sparks that whipped the crowd of thousands to their feet in a screaming frenzy of pure fun. Despite the fact that they are all well into their 50s now (guitarist Paul "Starchild" Stanley has famously had two hip replacement surgeries already), these guys still know how to party.By Patrice Wilding (Staff Writer)

It's not like anyone ever accused legendary rockers KISS of needing a hand-up in the theatrics department, especially when performing live.

But on Sunday, Mother Nature stepped in earlier in the day to add some thunder, lightning and a deluge of rain as a warm-up act to the thrilling spectacle that was to come at Toyota Pavilion at Montage Mountain.

It was, however, going to take a lot more than some water and foul weather to douse the spirits of the KISS Army on hand last night. Fans and performers clad in shiny leather, black and white makeup and glam rock staples studs, platforms and capes, made it difficult to discern whether the people-watching was more entertaining in the audience or on the stage.

Veterans of the music scene for almost 40 years, the iconic band started their lively show for Northeastern Pennsylvania fans in a cloud of smoke, fire and sparks that whipped the crowd of thousands to their feet in a screaming frenzy of pure fun. Despite the fact that they are all well into their 50s now (guitarist Paul "Starchild" Stanley has famously had two hip replacement surgeries already), these guys still know how to party.

Moments before the headliners literally burst onto the stage, a giant KISS banner unfurled as Led Zeppelin's "Immigrant Song" blared across the mountain grounds, rousing the audience to its feet in anticipation of their heroes. Opening with "Modern Day Delilah" off 2009's "Sonic Boom" album, KISS members switched things up and followed with a few throwbacks from their first record from 1974, including the hit "Firehouse."

The music became modern again with "Say Yeah," another single from "Sonic Boom," before bouncing back to "The Bible of KISS," as Stanley described their debut album, with the anthemic "Deuce."

"Crazy Crazy Nights" was up next, followed by "Calling Dr. Love," which gave tongue-wagging vocalist Gene "The Demon" Simmons a chance to take the lead as drummer Eric "Catman" Singer pounded heavy rhythms from risers high above the stage.

"Spaceman" Tommy Thayer took a turn on fronting duties with "Shock Me" from 1977's "Love Gun," which gave him a chance to show off his guitar-shredding capabilities.

Fans and performers, were in agreement with guitarist Stanley that KISS threw "one hell of a rock 'n' roll party here in Scranton," a city he subsequently called "Number One" in the state.