Kiss News

By John Dingwall

HALLOWEEN is well past but somebody forgot to tell timeless rockers Kiss as they continue their world tour ... complete with make-up and spandex.

The American rock band, who formed in New York City in 1973, are back on the road and heading to Scotland.

Picture the scene as their fans dig out the six-inch platform boots in a bid to re-live the first time they caught Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons stick out their oversized tongues while noodling on guitar and bass.

Along with musicians Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer, the heavy metal gods will wreak controlled havoc at Glasgow's SECC on May 9 next year.By John Dingwall

HALLOWEEN is well past but somebody forgot to tell timeless rockers Kiss as they continue their world tour ... complete with make-up and spandex.

The American rock band, who formed in New York City in 1973, are back on the road and heading to Scotland.

Picture the scene as their fans dig out the six-inch platform boots in a bid to re-live the first time they caught Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons stick out their oversized tongues while noodling on guitar and bass.

Along with session musicians Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer, the heavy metal gods will wreak controlled havoc at Glasgow's SECC on May 9 next year.

The Sonic Boom Over Europe: From The Beginning To The Boom tour, including bits of The Kiss Alive 35 Tour, proves heavy metal isn't dead, just comatose from fans drinking too much Horlicks.

Paul, 57, said: "The Alive 35 Tour was just the start. Sonic Boom leaves that in the dust. New stage, new set list, new outfits, new album.

"We're covering the history of the band on a stage that takes Kiss one giant step further in our eight-inch heels."Gene,60, added: "Now, more than ever, Kiss is a four-wheel-drive monster truck. Our mission? To rock Planet Earth. To spread the gospel of Sonic Boom."

Ahem, yes, and with 80 million album sales, who can argue that Kiss remain one of the most iconic and influential rock bands of all time.

Throughout their 35-year career, they have established themselves as one of the great live rock acts.

Nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame two months ago, Paul insists a new generation are ready for Kiss, thanks to their mums and dads.

"They want to share the experience with their kids," he said. "I love seeing the wonder on kids' faces. It's very gratifying, humbling and exhilarating.

"Everybody is borrowing from us, but they will never be us," said Paul. "It only takes money to have a Kiss-type show, but you will never have Kiss. The Sonic Boom album has gotten reviews I couldn't write better. It is great to have an album out that is undeniably good."

But isn't all that make-up an inconvenience after all these years?

"I liken it to putting on war paint," said Paul. "It is a big part of who we are. If you win the lottery, you don't complain about taxes. When you've been as lucky as we are, there's not much to complain about."

By Larry Rodgers
Photo by Emmanuel Lozano

Kiss sounded better in Glendale than the 35-year-old band has in several years, hinting that the drama-filled exits of two founding members may have benefited things in the long run.

Longtime co-leaders Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons kept a healthy-but-not-sold-out crowd at Jobing.com Arena on its feet with two hours of classics and a handful of songs from the band's new "Sonic Boom" album on Tuesday, Dec. 1.

Kiss purists no doubt lamented the absence of guitarist Ace Frehley and drummer Peter Criss, but the band sounded sharper and more energetic as replacements Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer settled into their permanent status with the group.

The band, nominated this year for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, continues to stage one of the most over-the-top shows in rock.

The Glendale crowd, which included a number of children with faces painted to match their parents' heroes, ate up the extra-large helping of pyrotechnics, fireworks and acrobatics by bassist Simmons and singer-guitarist Stanley.

As if anyone needed reminding, master of ceremonies Stanley pointed out that Kiss concerts are all about escaping from the pressure of the outside world for a few hours.By Larry Rodgers
Photo by Emmanuel Lozano

Kiss sounded better in Glendale than the 35-year-old band has in several years, hinting that the drama-filled exits of two founding members may have benefited things in the long run.

Longtime co-leaders Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons kept a healthy-but-not-sold-out crowd at Jobing.com Arena on its feet with two hours of classics and a handful of songs from the band's new "Sonic Boom" album on Tuesday, Dec. 1.

Kiss purists no doubt lamented the absence of guitarist Ace Frehley and drummer Peter Criss, but the band sounded sharper and more energetic as replacements Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer settled into their permanent status with the group.

The band, nominated this year for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, continues to stage one of the most over-the-top shows in rock.

The Glendale crowd, which included a number of children with faces painted to match their parents' heroes, ate up the extra-large helping of pyrotechnics, fireworks and acrobatics by bassist Simmons and singer-guitarist Stanley.

As if anyone needed reminding, master of ceremonies Stanley pointed out that Kiss concerts are all about escaping from the pressure of the outside world for a few hours.

If anybody came to the show seeking musical commentary on global issues, Stanley said in his shrill voice, "You came to the wrong damn place, people!"

Kiss dished out plenty of escapism through such classic tunes as "Strutter," "Calling Dr. Love," "Shout It Out Loud" and "Lick It Up."

The band tore through an extended version of "Cold Gin," with guitarist Thayer showing off his fast fingers, playing over his head and behind his neck. Wearing the "Spaceman" get-up formerly donned by Frehley, Thayer pulled one of his predecessor's tricks out of the bag as fireworks shot from the neck of his guitar.

Simmons, owner of the most famous tongue in rock, wasn't about to be topped in the showmanship department.

Wearing his bat cape, spiked shoulder armor and 7-inch platform boots, Simmons started spitting fake blood before being pulled by cables to a platform about 70 feet above the stage. The 60-year-old bassist even had a couple flame-shooting devices straddling him as he sang the dance-rocker "I Love It Loud" atop the lighting truss.

Stanley waited until the four-song encore to take flight, riding a cable and metal ring over the crowd to a small stage on the back of the arena floor during "Love Gun."

That pummeling tune showed off the solid backup vocals of Thayer and Singer.

Kiss may have created a new concert classic on "Sonic Boom" with "Say Yeah," a rocking anthem that allowed the crowd to sing along using the song's title.

By the time Kiss started to wind things down, playing its mega-hit "Rock and Roll All Nite" as tons of white confetti flew over the crowd, the band had more than delivered on its promise to make fans forget more serious matters for one evening.

By David Glessner

Ask a rock star to confess an addiction, and you're likely to start feeling dirty. Or not.

"I worship cake and cookies," said KISS bassist Gene Simmons when pressed for a guilty pleasure. "If women were made of cake, it would solve all my problems. I don't care about pasta and steaks. I don't eat lobsters or crabs; to me they're cockroaches. I tolerate food, but I dream about cake."

Not to be confused with Cookie Monster, 60-year-old Simmons is the larger-than-life, blood-smeared, fire-breathing demon of kabuki rock gods KISS. Celebrating 35 years as the self-proclaimed hottest band in the world, KISS brings its dynasty of spectacle to Texas this week, with a concert at Austin's Frank Erwin Center on Friday, followed by shows in Houston and Dallas on Saturday and Sunday.

Not to be confused with Cookie Monster, 60-year-old Simmons is the larger-than-life, blood-smeared, fire-breathing demon of kabuki rock gods KISS. Celebrating 35 years as the self-proclaimed hottest band in the world, KISS brings its dynasty of spectacle to Texas this week, with a concert at Austin's Frank Erwin Center on Friday, followed by shows in Houston and Dallas on Saturday and Sunday.

Among KISS' caboodle of famous tricks and treats, of course, is Simmons' serpentine lollipop licker. "When I was a kid in seventh grade, the girls all used to say, 'Hey Gene, show us that trick you do,'" he said. "So, I'd stick my tongue out and start wiggling it, and they'd all start giggling like turkeys to the slaughter."
By David Glessner

Ask a rock star to confess an addiction, and you're likely to start feeling dirty. Or not.

"I worship cake and cookies," said KISS bassist Gene Simmons when pressed for a guilty pleasure. "If women were made of cake, it would solve all my problems. I don't care about pasta and steaks. I don't eat lobsters or crabs; to me they're cockroaches. I tolerate food, but I dream about cake."

Not to be confused with Cookie Monster, 60-year-old Simmons is the larger-than-life, blood-smeared, fire-breathing demon of kabuki rock gods KISS. Celebrating 35 years as the self-proclaimed hottest band in the world, KISS brings its dynasty of spectacle to Texas this week, with a concert at Austin's Frank Erwin Center on Friday, followed by shows in Houston and Dallas on Saturday and Sunday.

Among KISS' caboodle of famous tricks and treats, of course, is Simmons' serpentine lollipop licker. "When I was a kid in seventh grade, the girls all used to say, 'Hey Gene, show us that trick you do,'" he said. "So, I'd stick my tongue out and start wiggling it, and they'd all start giggling like turkeys to the slaughter."

Forever paired with co-founding KISS guitarist Paul Stanley, along with first-rate Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer on guitar and drums, respectively, is touring to promote new album Sonic Boom. KISS also is revisiting the unlikely 1975 career-launching concert album Alive!

Financed on their manager's credit card and released as a last-ditch gamble following three failed studio albums, Alive! blasted Simmons, Stanley and original members Ace Frehley and Peter Criss into fame and fortune.

"All we knew was we were making anywhere from $85 to $150 a week and never had to go flip burgers," Simmons said of the lean years. "We were having the time of our lives, and groupies were raining down like cats and dogs. In hindsight, it was just really a case of throwing caution to the wind."

As with all things KISS, Alive! offered as much for the eyes as the ears. Besides such staples as Rock and Roll All Nite, Deuce, Strutter, Firehouse and Black Diamond, the Detroit rock city in-concert album cover captured the dressed-to-kill fearsome foursome in all their action-figure glory. And it was staged.

Asked why KISS' pop-culture appeal persists, Simmons said, "Are you going to line up for the next Jennifer Aniston movie?" he asked. "Does he love me? Does he not? Shut up! Where's the monster and how are we going to survive? Give me the end-of-the-world story."

My Favorite Street: Via Roma, Scarperia, Italy

By Jayne Haugen Olson

During 35 years as frontman for the hard-rocking, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame-nominated band KISS, Paul Stanley has traveled the world over... and over. Coming off the fall release of its new album, Sonic Boom (which debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard Top 200,) the band wraps its North American tour this month before Stanley settles in for the holidays with his family in Los Angeles.

Having played the world, is there one place that stands out to the dynamic rocker? "This past year after we finished a European tour, I had my whole family -- my kids, my wife, my parents and her parents, fly to Italy. We stayed in a Medici villa in a little town called Vicchio, in the Mugello region," Stanley says. "While we were there, we visited a little town called Scarperia. This street [Via Roma] was just so terrific -- a pizzeria on the corner and gelato and pastry shop up the street. What else do you need?"

"There's a building called II Palazzo dei Vicari [built in the 14th century,] something between a museum and a city hall and a government building -- a fabulous, fabulous building, where you can learn about the Medici family and see family crests and all of these great artifacts."

The town's mayor gave Stanley special access to a precious historical archive within II Palazzo dei Vicari.My Favorite Street: Via Roma, Scarperia, Italy

By Jayne Haugen Olson

During 35 years as frontman for the hard-rocking, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame-nominated band KISS, Paul Stanley has traveled the world over... and over. Coming off the fall release of its new album, Sonic Boom (which debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard Top 200,) the band wraps its North American tour this month before Stanley settles in for the holidays with his family in Los Angeles.

Having played the world, is there one place that stands out to the dynamic rocker? "This past year after we finished a European tour, I had my whole family -- my kids, my wife, my parents and her parents, fly to Italy. We stayed in a Medici villa in a little town called Vicchio, in the Mugello region," Stanley says. "While we were there, we visited a little town called Scarperia. This street [Via Roma] was just so terrific -- a pizzeria on the corner and gelato and pastry shop up the street. What else do you need?"

"There's a building called II Palazzo dei Vicari [built in the 14th century,] something between a museum and a city hall and a government building -- a fabulous, fabulous building, where you can learn about the Medici family and see family crests and all of these great artifacts."

The town's mayor gave Stanley special access to a precious historical archive within II Palazzo dei Vicari. "The crazy part is that there are no windows in the tower, and these signed records of purchases of land and births -- these amazing journals dating back to 1100 -- are just out in the open and you can pick them up."

"Down the street not half a block from II Palazzo dei Vicari is a pizzeria. Michelin-starred restaurants, there are enough of those, but this pizzeria -- we went back two or three times. Just the best pizza. I'm a purist in terms of New York pizza, but real Italian pizza just raises the bar."

"There are beautiful, beautiful streets in Pisa and Verona. But this street was so quaint and so untravelled, not a tourist spot. The town is not a tourist spot. This one street, just for the pizza alone! Plus good Sicilian cannoli. With everything else available to us, we wound up driving back for the pizza."

More To Explore: The municipalities of Scarperia and Vicchio are located in the Mugello region of Tuscany, 25 kilometers north of Florence.

1. II Palazzo dei Vicari, Via Roma 73.

2. "We went to the local markets where we bought groceries and cheap Lambrusco; we made dinners and had a great time," Stanley says.

3. The Mugello region is also home to a Ferrari test track. "They opened the track for us and brought in paramedics and fire trucks and everything -- Ferrari can't do it without doing it full tilt -- they were being very gracious. But I'm really not that keen on going 150 mph in a car, so my dad, my son, my father-in-law and one of my security guys went in the car with the test drivers."

4. Grab a slice at Osteria De' Poeri, Via Roma 78/80.

5. In 2008, KISS performed at Arena di Verona, an amphitheater with a history that includes ludi [public Roman games,] operas, and now rock concerts. Built in A.D. 30, it's the best-preserved ancient structure of its kind.

Words & images by Tracy Nunnery
Excerpted from Jambase

KISS :: 11.22.09 :: Oracle Arena :: Oakland, CA

If you show anyone in the world a photo of KISS, it's pretty likely that they will tell you right away who it is. That kind of cachet is hard to come by in the fickle world of music. The monster that Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley and crew have created is alive, kicking and scratching, and will certainly be for many years, even after they finish their time onstage. Their lucrative creation is completely absurd and they have gone to great lengths to keep it that way.

It's genius, really. When I first saw the KISS Destroyer Tour as a kid in 1976, all of the elements were already in place. It was an over-the-top exhibition of the most elaborate circus turned horror fest. And, as a rock show, not a play was left in the playbook with all of the clich� tricks in the history of rock music pressed into use. When Peter Criss and Ace Frehley left the band, their iconic characters kept marching forward. Fans weren't paying to see actual people; they were showing up, year after year and show after show, to see the spectacle. Although the band behind the makeup may change, the experience will be consistently familiar.Words & images by Tracy Nunnery
Excerpted from Jambase

KISS :: 11.22.09 :: Oracle Arena :: Oakland, CA

If you show anyone in the world a photo of KISS, it's pretty likely that they will tell you right away who it is. That kind of cachet is hard to come by in the fickle world of music. The monster that Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley and crew have created is alive, kicking and scratching, and will certainly be for many years, even after they finish their time onstage. Their lucrative creation is completely absurd and they have gone to great lengths to keep it that way.

It's genius, really. When I first saw the KISS Destroyer Tour as a kid in 1976, all of the elements were already in place. It was an over-the-top exhibition of the most elaborate circus turned horror fest. And, as a rock show, not a play was left in the playbook with all of the clich� tricks in the history of rock music pressed into use. When Peter Criss and Ace Frehley left the band, their iconic characters kept marching forward. Fans weren't paying to see actual people; they were showing up, year after year and show after show, to see the spectacle. Although the band behind the makeup may change, the experience will be consistently familiar.

True to form, the show at the Oracle Arena was instantly recognizable. Just as in 1976, pyrotechnics, explosions, blood and "faster, heavier, harder and louder" were the defining features of the evening. There was a fire-breathing, tongue-wagging, blood-spitting demon wielding a bass guitar in the shape of an axe. There was a guy with a star over his eye and a cat playing drums. Oh, and there was some classic '70s hard rock, too. There were old songs and new ones that you would swear were old. It was all ridiculous but thoroughly entertaining. For KISS fans, it was idyllic old school rock 'n' roll entertainment with the volume set to 11.

This time out on the 35/Alive Tour, Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons brought along guitarist Tommy Thayer and drummer Eric Singer for an evening of neo-vintage entertainment. After opening with "Deuce" and "Strutter," the band played hit after hit including "Calling Dr. Love," "Let Me Go, Rock 'N Roll," "I Love It Loud," and "Rock and Roll All Nite" before returning with an encore of classics, which included "Shout It Out Loud," "Love Gun," and "Detroit Rock City." Stanley also stretched his trademark New Yawk-tinged vocals with a couple of new songs including a surprisingly demanding "Modern Day Delilah," which sounded as if it had been plucked from the vault of KISS oldies.

In their roles as the iconic "Spaceman" and "Catman," Thayer and Singer confidently ripped through the familiar songs as if they had been doing it all along. Stanley was busy strutting, posing and cavorting, while Simmons did his best to appear menacing. If only we hadn't seen him out of character in his Family Jewels reality television series. Or would that be in character?

All of the other essential ingredients were also on display just as they have been for more than three decades. The guitar picks were flying like confetti into the face-painted crowd. There were dueling guitar solos, a rotating riser for the classic drum solo, and Gene and Paul suspended, flying on cables above the crowd. There was also an incident where Thayer's guitar appeared to fire explosives, knocking a set of stage lights from the rigging onto the stage below, as a part of the exhibition.

The KISS Army was out in strong numbers, many of whom were sharing their fondly remembered youth with their kids. There were also the merely curious, those folks just wanting to see what a KISS show was all about. In truth, the music is still incidental. For the hottest band in the world, the spectacle is the show.

Photographer Ross Halfin shot some amazing photographs of KISS in California. Throughout last week, Ross also blogged about his various experiences with the band. Read the highlights here, excerpted from RossHalfin.com!

________________

November 19

In Los Angeles to shoot, if I have my way, some Kiss.

November 20

Spoke to Paul Stanley and thinking about it after, I realized he REALLY is a fine man. He returns phone calls, emails and if he says he's going to do something he does it. I like him a great deal. He invited Peter and I to Fresno tomorrow.

November 21

FRESNO, YOU WANTED THE BEST YOU GOT THE BEST - THE HOTTEST BAND IN THE WORLD - KISS! They were EXCITING. If I could pick one show I enjoyed the most this year it's KISS. It has everything you pay to go to see. You come away HAPPY and I think that is why you go out - to have a good time.Photographer Ross Halfin shot some amazing photographs of KISS in California. Throughout last week, Ross also blogged about his various experiences with the band. Read the highlights here, excerpted from RossHalfin.com!

________________

November 19

In Los Angeles to shoot, if I have my way, some Kiss.

November 20

Spoke to Paul Stanley and thinking about it after, I realized he REALLY is a fine man. He returns phone calls, emails and if he says he's going to do something he does it. I like him a great deal. He invited Peter and I to Fresno tomorrow.

November 21

FRESNO, YOU WANTED THE BEST YOU GOT THE BEST - THE HOTTEST BAND IN THE WORLD - KISS! They were EXCITING. If I could pick one show I enjoyed the most this year it's KISS. It has everything you pay to go to see. You come away HAPPY and I think that is why you go out - to have a good time.

I took Peter and met up with Paul and Gene and flew up late afternoon. Paul described Gene as Christopher Columbus - very funny...

Shot the soundcheck with the band playing Funk 49, with Evan Stanley on lead guitar. Shot reportage and the show with the help of new assistant, Evan Stanley, now trading guitar for camera bag. New stage set, no monitors in the way, clean and wide with a split video screen, modern and fresh. The stage had no clutter, the Kiss logo is on the stage floor. In Detroit Rock City the band freeze for about thirty seconds before Armageddon erupts. It is a great ending.

November 22

In the early hours as I get back to my hotel I see Joe Perry with John Bionelli, who looked preoccupied and bored. I am just falling asleep at 3.30am when my phone rings with a voice singing 'SAY YEAH! Yeah, Yeah, Yeah.' it is John. 'They've all gone to bed, WHAT WAS THE SHOW LIKE?' John then tells me what the show's like. 'You haven't seen it!' 'I have, I watch them every night on YOUTUBE! Let's meet for breakfast and you can show me Kiss photos...'

Had Sunday lunch with a starstruck John Bionelli, watching Paul Stanley and family have brunch on the next table. Paul gave me one of his paintings for my girlfriend (she loves his art).

November 23

Drove to Anaheim where Joe Perry was playing the House Of Blues. John Bionelli was sweating doing the set list. He moaned 'If only they played like Kiss, they could blow up the House Of Blues.' John is distraught as Joe Perry is playing the same nights as Kiss are in LA and Las Vegas. 'This is torture!' John even came to my room to watch Detroit Rock City on Youtube.

November 24

Back to Anaheim for Kiss - just like in the old days Kiss destroy Anaheim. I was invited to shoot Wolfmother at the Wiltern which I was tempted to do but John Bionelli would have never looked me in the face again. 'YOU DID WOLFMOTHER OVER KISS?' he would hate me...

The drive from hell on the freeway. Got there at 6pm. Did a set up with lighting backstage. I haven't done this for ages, at least since, ermmm, Sunday.

It was good. Kiss know why they are doing this and give you a hundred per cent of what you need and want. Shooting the show was hard, the pit was only a couple of feet wide so it was like shooting up between their legs getting pictures of armour- plated testicles. I did okay towards the end of the show - shot half from the mixing desk. But I preferred it up close next to the mayhem.

November 25

Get back to the hotel at 2am, see John - he asks me for my Kiss set list to frame. I give him it. He looks disappointed, 'You could have got them to sign it!' I bid him farewell - he calls after me 'They need to play God Of Thunder!'

I sleep for three hours then get up, turn on the tv and watch the news with the queues and chaos at LAX airport. For those of you not American, this is the worst day to travel this year - everyone does. I think I can't face it, I'm flying to Chicago then on to London plus tomorrow the flights will be empty - decide to stay in LA.

As I'm still here it was off to the Staples Center for Kiss, it was good to shoot again. I got a couple of perfect jumping shots of Paul Stanley, plus Gene breathing fire and dripping blood. This was the best Kiss show of the three - not that Kiss have bad shows. I even had a bit of Thanksgiving turkey after the show.

By Gustavo Turner
Photos by Anna Webber

Twas the night before Thanksgiving and much of LA had either left town or stayed at home to prepare for the imminent family holiday, but you wouldn't have guessed that if you had been at the Staples Center, where KISS had convened its Army for a back-to-basics, old-school rock and roll show.

Faithful fans and curious gawkers alike were in for a special treat, as the band pulled all the stops for what ended up being KISS's first ever live concert webcast, streamed exclusively through Facebook.com and Ustream.tv.

The current tour pretty much follows the template of the second CD included with copies of KISS's new release Sonic Boom: a riff heavy, high-energy set of "classics" impervious to critical assaults or often justified accusations of cheesiness, embarrassing sexism, repetitiveness, etc.

The band is heading into its fourth decade unrepentant and, shall we say it, victorious. The foursome who took the stage last Wednesday led by life partners Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley reenacted the KISS of the good old early days, a kabuki circus full of fire, stage blood, and Borscht Belt stage banter.

By Gustavo Turner
Photos by Anna Webber

Twas the night before Thanksgiving and much of LA had either left town or stayed at home to prepare for the imminent family holiday, but you wouldn't have guessed that if you had been at the Staples Center, where KISS had convened its Army for a back-to-basics, old-school rock and roll show.

Faithful fans and curious gawkers alike were in for a special treat, as the band pulled all the stops for what ended up being KISS's first ever live concert webcast, streamed exclusively through Facebook.com and Ustream.tv.

The current tour pretty much follows the template of the second CD included with copies of KISS's new release Sonic Boom: a riff heavy, high-energy set of "classics" impervious to critical assaults or often justified accusations of cheesiness, embarrassing sexism, repetitiveness, etc.

The band is heading into its fourth decade unrepentant and, shall we say it, victorious. The foursome who took the stage last Wednesday led by life partners Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley reenacted the KISS of the good old early days, a kabuki circus full of fire, stage blood, and Borscht Belt stage banter.

Stanley and Simmons (to paraphrase their two favorite bands) got back to where they once belonged because it had been a long time time since they had rock'n'rolled. Bottom line: they delivered.

1. Half of the fun of attending a KISS show: the fans

When Gene Simmons thought up the KISS concept (read his amazing manual Sex Money Kiss where he explains his entire gameplan and how it succeeded), he realized that each concert could become for the fans a cross between the circus, the freak show at a country fair, and a year-round Halloween parade.

He was right.

2. The other half of the fun: showmanship!

It's really four guys on a stage, a couple of them pushing 60. And they really, really wanna give you a lot of bang for your buck.

KISS plays in front of a wall of screens that can flick in seconds from an illusion of Marshall stacks to the very flames of hell. Speaking of which, there's a lot of actual fire onstage, and the heat could be felt from the back of the Staples Center. Our photographer, standing next to the stage, was almost burnt to a crisp within 20 seconds of the band's entrance. (Yes, KISS is even closer to the firebombs and flares for the entire show, which partially explains Simmons' disturbingly melting makeup later on.)

3. Did we mention the insane, circus-like, old-school carny showmanship?

After a rumbling bass solo and black and white images of foreboding clouds, for no apparent reason Simmons starts gargling blood, as the giant screen focuses on his face. Right behind his head, the entire stadium can see super obvious wires--like "Gene-is-gonna-stage-fly" wires. This goes on for several minutes. Then, he flies to a platform over the stage, from which he regales the audience with "I Love It Loud". Everybody loves it, loud.

Later on, it's Paul's turn to dazzle the punters, by jumping on an acrobatic harness, flying across the stadium and doing "Love Gun" from an elevated platform in the middle of the crowd.

Eric Singer and Tommy Thayer also get their stunts: the drummer rotates 360 degrees during his solo, and the lead guitarist gets his chance to show the skeptics he can fill Ace Frehley's platform boots by shredding alone onstage while the other guys take a break. Thayer even riffs on Beethoven's Fifth and (so that you don't forget this is a KISS show and not a Steve Vai recital) he ends by switching to a guitar that orgasmically shoots fire from its neck, while a roadie throws fake light fixtures down from the rafters.

4. The music, against all odds, holds up (for what it is).

There were a few musical highlights, particularly towards the end. "Rock and Roll All Nite" is still untouchable, and the band was cooking during "Black Diamond" and "Lick It Up". Even though some of their lyrics and posturing (particular Simmons') are easy to mock, last Wednesday's stroll through their "classic" repertoire confirmed their status as a credible bridge between the heavy rock they started emulating in the early 1970s (The Who's Live at Leeds, early Sabbath and Deep Purple, Zep), and a lot of later American heavy metal. During "Calling Dr. Love," it was hard not to notice how much Guns N Roses and Motley Crue are indebted to the original Rock n Roll Circus.

5. The bizarre communion between KISS and their fans is something to behold.

Look at this audience shot:

Can you spot the Gene Simmons doppelganger in the audience? You know, the guy who probably woke up early the day before Thanksgiving and planned his whole pre-show schedule around decking himself out in an exact replica of whatever ghoul drag Simmons wears onstage, including hair and make-up?

This dude came to the show alone and spent the entire performance mouthing Gene Simmons' lyrics in perfect synch. You could switch from the stage and the giant screens to where this guy was sitting and not miss a line. That's motivation--and it's also testament to a kind of loyalty that these ancient clowns (we're calling them clowns in the Grand Gignol/Fellini way, so no judgment is implied) can inspire.

Or, as Paul Stanley put it from the stage near the finale:

"LOS AHHHNNGEEEEEHLEEEEZZZ!!! TURN UP THE LIGHTS. HOLD UP YOUR CHILDREN. WE WERE THERE FOR YOUR MOMS AND YOUR DADS AND WE'LL BE THERE FOR YOU!"