08/03/2010

ANOTHER GREAT REVIEW

by Gil Kaufman

People who complain that Kiss shows are lame have never been to a Kiss show. Because here's the thing about any concert you go to by the veteran New York-bred greasepaint rockers: You will get 100 percent. Paul Stanley's vocals (always from the rough side of town) may be a bit thin a times, and perhaps bassist Gene Simmons stomps more deliberately in his massive high-heeled dragon boots than he did 30 years ago, but in all the times I've seen the band over the past 20 years, never once have they phoned it in.

Which is why Kiss is also recession-proof. A perfect example was their hit-packed show at Cincinnati's Riverbend Amphitheater on Friday night (July 30). Yes, it was nearly identical to one I saw years ago at Dodgers Stadium, but ask anyone in the maniacal sold-out audience what they thought and you were likely to get a raucous high five from someone wearing a Kiss T-shirt who was modeling Kiss face paint and dragging along a couple of third generation mini-Kiss fans whose minds were just blown. And, chances are, they just got out of the merch line where they bought their umpteenth concert tee.

I brought along a skeptical friend who had never seen the band for a stop on their "Hottest Show On Earth" tour, and by the time the massive confetti canons were belching two forests-worth of fluff into the air during the blinding fireworks explosion that was "Rock and Roll All Nite," he too was one of those high-fivers who couldn't get the grin off his face.
by Gil Kaufman

People who complain that Kiss shows are lame have never been to a Kiss show. Because here's the thing about any concert you go to by the veteran New York-bred greasepaint rockers: You will get 100 percent. Paul Stanley's vocals (always from the rough side of town) may be a bit thin a times, and perhaps bassist Gene Simmons stomps more deliberately in his massive high-heeled dragon boots than he did 30 years ago, but in all the times I've seen the band over the past 20 years, never once have they phoned it in.

Which is why Kiss is also recession-proof. A perfect example was their hit-packed show at Cincinnati's Riverbend Amphitheater on Friday night (July 30). Yes, it was nearly identical to one I saw years ago at Dodgers Stadium, but ask anyone in the maniacal sold-out audience what they thought and you were likely to get a raucous high five from someone wearing a Kiss T-shirt who was modeling Kiss face paint and dragging along a couple of third generation mini-Kiss fans whose minds were just blown. And, chances are, they just got out of the merch line where they bought their umpteenth concert tee.

I brought along a skeptical friend who had never seen the band for a stop on their "Hottest Show On Earth" tour, and by the time the massive confetti canons were belching two forests-worth of fluff into the air during the blinding fireworks explosion that was "Rock and Roll All Nite," he too was one of those high-fivers who couldn't get the grin off his face.

The show had all the highlights you expect: Digital flames licking the stage on more than two dozen high-def screens during the Detroit boogie of "Firehouse," Gene spitting fire from atop a sword, Paul smacking his ass during "Deuce," a trip to visit "Dr. Love," replacement guitarist Tommy Thayer doing his best approximation of original ax man Ace Frehley's knock-kneed rag doll stumble while shooting pyro loads from the headstock of his guitar before sending the spent instrument up into the rafters on a wire and replacement drummer Eric Singer crooning the ballad "Beth" and blasting down a fake lighting rig with a bazooka from his drum riser, which was levitating 30 feet in the air with smoke shooting out as if it was a rocket taking off.

The music swung at times from the bubblegum roller disco of the Bay City Rollers to the dinosaur stomp of Led Zeppelin, but I forgot the kinship the band shared with bands like Black Sabbath until the opening rumbling of "100,000 Years" from their debut album. Gene busted out his ax-shaped bass for that tune as Paul showed off his Roger Daltrey-like mic swinging action. (In a testament to the strength of that 1974 disc, they played five songs from it, including the disco glam of "Black Diamond" with Singer on vocals.)

Just past the show's halfway point, the strobes started going and everyone know what that meant: Simmons was going to bubble fake blood out of his mouth during a Kabuki theater interlude that gave way to the swaggering thunder rock of "I Love It Loud."

"Love Gun" ended with a choreographed fireworks mini-display that brought back the song's melody in firecracker explosions, and during the giant flash-bangs of "Detroit Rock City," the flames on stage were so intense you could feel them on your face 25 rows back. Stanley promised the longest encore ever, which began with a charity check for military families, a full run through the Pledge of Allegiance and a bombastic, extended jam on the '80s unmasked hit "Lick It Up" (which featured a quick bit of the Who's "Won't Get Fooled Again"). No show is complete without Paul putting his boot into a silver ring and flying out over the audience to a revolving turntable satellite stage mid venue for a shimmy through the satin pants classic "I Was Made For Lovin' You," and everyone in the place busted out their digital cameras for the night's fly-over.

What makes Kiss even more recession-proof is that there are no downer songs and no morbid ballads -- just joyful, triumphant celebrations of non-stop fun like "Shout It Out Loud" and the standard Argent cover "God Gave Rock N Roll to You II," which Kiss play as if it's their "Hey Jude," swaying arms and all. I joked that the former needed a burst of confetti canons, but when they started belching during "Rock and Roll All Nite," there wasn't a frown in the joint. From the guy up front to the dude in a half-shirt making out with his girl on the back of the lawn, everyone came, everyone was rocked.

Amid the eye-searing spectacle and pageantry, though, the image that stuck with me was of the 12-year-old who stood on his seat the whole show right in front of me. He kept waving his arms hoping for one of the shower of guitar picks Stanley was flicking (and spitting) out into the crowd like a machine gun. But, more than 50 yards back, there was no chance this little guy was going to go home with his schwag.

Except he did. Paul seemed to spot him and gave a super-flick of a pick out over the pavilion crowd that landed at the kids' feet. His dad fumbled around for it among the empty beer cups on the floor and handed it to his Kiss Kid like it was Charlie Bucket's golden ticket to the Wonka factory. The kid thrust his hand up in the air and displayed it, earning a shower of back slaps and high fives from the Kiss Army soldiers all around him.

Guess which kid will never miss another Kiss show?
08/02/2010

PAUL STANLEY CUSTOM SIGNATURE V

My friends - it's here. This is the FIRST commercially available PSV2200B. You know! The USA Custom Shop Washburn Paul Stanley 'V' in deep black - EXACTLY the same one Paul plays live on the Sonic Boom tour!

This is the Summer NAMM 2010 display guitar. It's the first PSV to be made from the USA custom shop that was NOT being sent to Paul. The FIRST is the FIRST!

Paul really, really did an amazing job with this guitar. When this V was being created, Paul conveyed to me in conversation that like his Preacher guitars, Paul wanted to redesign the classic single pickup 'V' which he used and loved in the earlier years of KISS.My friends - it's here. This is the FIRST commercially available PSV2200B. You know! The USA Custom Shop Washburn Paul Stanley 'V' in deep black - EXACTLY the same one Paul plays live on the Sonic Boom tour!

This is the Summer NAMM 2010 display guitar. It's the first PSV to be made from the USA custom shop that was NOT being sent to Paul. The FIRST is the FIRST!

Paul really, really did an amazing job with this guitar. When this V was being created, Paul conveyed to me in conversation that like his Preacher guitars, Paul wanted to redesign the classic single pickup 'V' which he used and loved in the earlier years of KISS. In this new guitar - there is no question a strong salute back to that 70's guitar but this time around Paul added his own refinements which include a slightly slimmer body and neck profile, his now easily recognizable split block inlay on ebony fingerboard and bright white neck binding and just the coolest 6 in-line reverse headstock. This headstock just 'works' with this guitar. There is no question. And this headstock has a Mother of Pearl inlaid Washburn logo as well as a diamond shaped Paul Stanley custom truss rod cover. Other refinements from the original include just the most amazing white Seymour Ducan custom humbucker, better neck joint and of course - the Paul Stanley vibe!

Just like the PS2000 and the Preacher...this is truly at Paul Stanley designed Signature.

I've had the pleasure to discuss guitars and work with Paul on quite a few projects in the past 5 years and while as of today, BSG's 'stamp' on the Paul Stanley front has been with Paul's Preachers, BSG has planned continued custom work with Paul and PSV. Both on the USA front as well as the Import front.

So that's the story my friends. Take a strong look at this rock and roll masterpiece. KISS fans, Paul Stanley fans and ALL fans of classic rock...this one is truly calling to you!

Eric McKenna

Check Paul's guitar out HERE
08/02/2010

KISS MELTS HERSHEY CROWD

Apparently rock music and face paint have no age restrictions.

KISS, the aging rock group with cartoonish face paint, explosive pyrotechnic shows and hard-hitting, feel-good classics, melted another crowd Saturday night in the latest installment of The Hottest Show on Earth Tour at Hersheypark Stadium in Hershey, next to the chocolatiest place on Earth.

KISS might be growing older, but its fans are only getting younger.

After 35 years together, KISS is offering a little something for everybody, from kids and parents wearing matching caked-on face paint to long-time fans wanting to rock and roll all night and party every day to women in revealing outfits looking to get noticed by one of rock's all-time memorable legends.

Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, along with Eric Singer on drums and Tommy Thayer on guitar, played only a few of their newer hits in Saturday's two-hour-plus show, which heavily featured timeless classics, ending with everyone's favorite "Rock and Roll All Night."

Fathers raised their kids onto their shoulders and teenagers danced along with their parents and, in some cases, grandparents, for the ending number, as a confetti snowstorm blew into the crowd. If the ear-splitting explosions during the show weren't enough, the concert ended with one more fireworks display to light up the night.Apparently rock music and face paint have no age restrictions.

KISS, the aging rock group with cartoonish face paint, explosive pyrotechnic shows and hard-hitting, feel-good classics, melted another crowd Saturday night in the latest installment of The Hottest Show on Earth Tour at Hersheypark Stadium in Hershey, next to the chocolatiest place on Earth.

KISS might be growing older, but its fans are only getting younger.

After 35 years together, KISS is offering a little something for everybody, from kids and parents wearing matching caked-on face paint to long-time fans wanting to rock and roll all night and party every day to women in revealing outfits looking to get noticed by one of rock's all-time memorable legends.

Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, along with Eric Singer on drums and Tommy Thayer on guitar, played only a few of their newer hits in Saturday's two-hour-plus show, which heavily featured timeless classics, ending with everyone's favorite "Rock and Roll All Night."

Fathers raised their kids onto their shoulders and teenagers danced along with their parents and, in some cases, grandparents, for the ending number, as a confetti snowstorm blew into the crowd. If the ear-splitting explosions during the show weren't enough, the concert ended with one more fireworks display to light up the night.

As the opening acts played, children, many wearing earplugs, ran around the stadium with their friends, posing for pictures with Gene Simmons look-alikes and sticking out their tongues to mimic him. Many of the children say they were drawn to KISS, either by their parents or by playing video games "Rock Band" and "Guitar Hero," which feature some of the band's music.

KISS's opening number was a relatively new hit "Modern Day Delilah," from the band's latest album, "Sonic Boom."

After that, the crowd was quickly jolted into a frenzy.

With explosions, flames and smoke shooting up all around, the band performed one classic after another, starting with "Cold Gin."

Throughout the show Stanley sweet-talked the crowd, telling them to "Kiss on me, Hershey, Pennsylvania," and then flying over the crowd on a zip line as he performed, "I was Made for Loving You."

Simmons, was his usual tongue-wagging self, spewing blood to the crowd's delight.

And even though the band was missing fan favorites Ace Frehley on guitar and Peter Criss on drums, the show went on with Thayer making his guitar smoke and fly, ala Frehley, and Singer performing "Beth," made famous by Criss.

The performance also featured the "longest encore you ever heard," as Stanley described it.

And KISS, long known for its ability to hawk any and all merchandise featuring its image -- from action figure dolls to lunch pails to coffins -- also encouraged the crowd to go out and buy its newest album, which is "on sale at Wal-Mart," Stanley said. "I have to say that," he later joked.

KISS, which has been around for more than 35 years, also paid tribute to other rock legends, such as Led Zeppelin, Eric Clapton, The Who, Jimi Hendrix and The Beatles. A video montage featuring the legends played on dozens of television screens on stage while the band performed "God Gave Rock and Roll to You." Earlier, Stanley mixed in Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love" during the band's performance of "Black Diamond," and The Who's "Won't Get Fooled Again" during "Lick it Up."

Before ending the show, KISS presented a $71,990 check to the Wounded Veterans foundation. The donation came by way of ticket sale proceeds.

The Hottest Show on Earth Tour continues on Friday at the Susquehanna Bank Center in Camden, N.J., and Scranton's Toyota Pavilion on Aug. 15.
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