Kiss News

Excerpted from the review by Words Ian Bell. Photos by Rodney Magazinovic


CLICK HERE TO VIEW LIVE PHOTO GALLERY

Every great fairytale starts with Once Upon a Time. When you hear those words you know immediately you are about to be taken on a journey to strange and mystical places. If you allow yourself to suspend your belief and ignore the fact nothing in a fairytale is real, you will meet strange creatures, go on amazing adventures, there will be drama, colour and heart pounding action. A good fairytale will leave you exhausted and happy.

When the lights go down and a voice booms "ALRIGHT ADELAIDE - YOU WANTED THE BEST YOU GOT THE BEST, THE HOTTEST BAND IN THE WORLD - KISS!", it is rock'n'roll's finest Once Upon A Time.

Clearly the choice of signing the big drawcard double bill of KISS and 80's metal dudes MOTLEY CRUE to headline the final race day concert was a smart one for the Clipsal. It was the first time the event has been completely sold out and the Kiss t-shirts almost outnumbered the Ford and Holden ones.

After a break it's time for the main event. The 'Hot Zone' down the front has filled up and the rest of the concert area is packed with the biggest crowd for any concert in the races history. After their 'once upon a time' the giant KISS curtain drops and Kiss are descending from the top of the stage on a flying stage, while explosions are going off all around, they are ripping into Detroit Rock City the opening track from Destroyer, their fourth (and some might say best) album. It is great. As a life long fan who has seen them play many times, for the writer, this never gets old. For the first three songs bass player Gene Simmons, guitarist Paul Stanley and guitarist Tommy Thayer (Ace Frehley left many years ago), mug shamelessly at the photographers. They know the value of their being great shots of them out there and as you can see from the Mix102 photographs from the event, every shot is a winner. Shout it Out Loud, Calling Dr Love and Firehouse lead into I Love it Loud with Gene leading a mass sing-a-long.Excerpted from the review by Words Ian Bell. Photos by Rodney Magazinovic

CLICK HERE TO VIEW LIVE PHOTO GALLERY

Every great fairytale starts with Once Upon a Time. When you hear those words you know immediately you are about to be taken on a journey to strange and mystical places. If you allow yourself to suspend your belief and ignore the fact nothing in a fairytale is real, you will meet strange creatures, go on amazing adventures, there will be drama, colour and heart pounding action. A good fairytale will leave you exhausted and happy.

When the lights go down and a voice booms "ALRIGHT ADELAIDE - YOU WANTED THE BEST YOU GOT THE BEST, THE HOTTEST BAND IN THE WORLD - KISS!", it is rock'n'roll's finest Once Upon A Time.

Clearly the choice of signing the big drawcard double bill of KISS and 80's metal dudes MOTLEY CRUE to headline the final race day concert was a smart one for the Clipsal. It was the first time the event has been completely sold out and the Kiss t-shirts almost outnumbered the Ford and Holden ones.

After a break it's time for the main event. The 'Hot Zone' down the front has filled up and the rest of the concert area is packed with the biggest crowd for any concert in the races history. After their 'once upon a time' the giant KISS curtain drops and Kiss are descending from the top of the stage on a flying stage, while explosions are going off all around, they are ripping into Detroit Rock City the opening track from Destroyer, their fourth (and some might say best) album. It is great. As a life long fan who has seen them play many times, for the writer, this never gets old. For the first three songs bass player Gene Simmons, guitarist Paul Stanley and guitarist Tommy Thayer (Ace Frehley left many years ago), mug shamelessly at the photographers. They know the value of their being great shots of them out there and as you can see from the Mix102 photographs from the event, every shot is a winner. Shout it Out Loud, Calling Dr Love and Firehouse lead into I Love it Loud with Gene leading a mass sing-a-long.

When a classic band says they are going to play something off their new album, it's often time to nip off to the loo, but the blistering version of Hell or Hallelujah from the latest album Monster is excellent (as is the rest of the album). The title track from the 1998 album Psycho Circus is also amazing. Tommy Thayer takes centre stage for Out of the World, which leads to Simmons bass solo, with him spitting blood all over the stage and then being winched up to the top of the lighting rig to do God of Thunder. I have seen this over a dozen times and it is still super exciting even though I know it is ridiculous. Paul Stanley sing an acoustic version of Shandii a massive hit in Australia in 1980 from the Dynasty LP. At the end of this he realises there is a fire in the lighting rig, and there is a slight hold up while the rig is lowered and fire extinguished. Stanley sings part of The Doors Light My Fire and then Kiss's own Heavens on Fire to fill in time. Once things are back to normal, they surprise us with Crazy Nights, which rarely gets an airing since they put the make-up back on in 1996. Gene sings a ferocious War Machine before Paul Stanley flies over our heads to the mixing tower to sing Love Gun. Drummer Eric Singer takes lead vocals on Black Diamond, and there is a smidge of Stairway to Heaven thrown into the middle. Masses of explosions and they wave goodbye.

They return to do Lick it Up (including the middle eight from The Who's Won't get Fooled Again), before cranking up the massively popular I Was Made for Loving You. To close the night they play the rock'n'roll national anthem. Rock & Roll All Nite, was released in 1975 and is such a fantastic, catchy, rockin' song, that is utterly irresistible. The stage is complete obscured by mountains of confetti cannons going off either side of the stage and at the mixing tower. Paul smashes his guitar, everybody in the hot zone is dancing and singing, it is fantastic. Then there's fire works.

The thing about seeing KISS is, that it is almost like seeing a Broadway show. You pretty much know what songs they are going to do, and which order. You know there are going to various set pieces that occur, (blood spitting, fire-breathing, flying guitarists, etc) and you know they are going to do all the hits and a couple of songs off the new album. You also know if you just let yourself believe it for a couple of hours, then when they say "you wanted the best you got the best, the hottest band in the world" it will actually be true.

This article ran Thursday just before KISS' Perth show.

THE Mileto family's old KISS-inspired van has been restored in time for the band's Perth performance tonight.

Sal and Joanne Mileto, and their family, will drive the Ford Transit van, which is adorned with paintings of KISS band members, to the concert.

The van has done its fair share of travelling around Collie, appearing in several Christmas pageants, but tonight's trip promises to be a real highlight.This article ran Thursday just before KISS' Perth show.

THE Mileto family's old KISS-inspired van has been restored in time for the band's Perth performance.

Sal and Joanne Mileto, and their family, drove the Ford Transit van, which is adorned with paintings of KISS band members, to the concert.

The van has done its fair share of travelling around Collie, appearing in several Christmas pageants, but tonight's trip promises to be a real highlight.

It has taken three weeks for Mr Mileto and his sons to get the van going after it had been stored in the family garage for years.

"We pulled it out, and thought it might have been too far gone," Mr Mileto said.

The van is a relic of his former days as a member of rock and roll band The Mortals.

It was painted so the family could attend the Kiss farewell tour in 2001.

The van attracted the notice of KISS when it was parked in front of where they were staying.

"Eric Singer, the drummer, said 'the van looks great'," Sal recalled.

Band members then invited Mr Mileto's sons, Brennan and Bryce, into their limo to get autographs and Mr Mileto also had a photo taken backstage with them during their Alive/35 World Tour.

"They were great, they treated you with respect, they're really for the fans," Mr Mileto said.

He has been a KISS fan since age 14 when he watched the music video Rock and Roll All Night.

He said KISS had persisted despite critics claiming they would have a limited life span.

"They followed their dream, they stuck to it," Mr Mileto said.

He used this as encouragement for his musically talented sons who are making a name for themselves as Sisters Doll.

Joanne Mileto said the family knew where the KISS band members were staying and planned to wait outside to show their support.

"We'll try and stalk them and see them at the hotel," she said.

Sage Mileto,10, was too young to know much about KISS's previous concerts, but is excited by the prospect of watching one of his favourite bands perform.

Older brother Brennan Mileto will fly to Melbourne to attend a meet-and-greet session with Kiss bassist and front man Gene Simmons.

In the photo: KISS stars Tommy Thayer (left), Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons surprise fans at the Star of Greece restaurant in Port Willunga. Picture: Bianca De Marchi

BY Matt Gilbertson

FOR 40 years they've been famous for being able to rock 'n' roll all night and party every day.

But music legends KISS enjoyed a day off in Adelaide yesterday in anything but typical rock fashion, taking in the famed McLaren Vale food and wine region before headlining tonight's Clipsal 500 closing concert.

"It's the perfect way to spend our day off in Adelaide," said lead guitarist Tommy Thayer, 52, speaking exclusively to the Sunday Mail.

"We went to Mollydooker Winery in the morning, even though none of us are big drinkers, and we're just taking it easy."

Joined by Paul Stanley, 61, and Gene Simmons, 63, Thayer and the rest of the KISS entourage, including Simmons' wife, the former Playboy Playmate and actress Shannon Tweed, then headed to Port Willunga's popular Star of Greece restaurant - surprising fellow diners and happily posing for photos and signing autographs.In the photo: KISS stars Tommy Thayer (left), Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons surprise fans at the Star of Greece restaurant in Port Willunga. Picture: Bianca De Marchi

BY Matt Gilbertson

FOR 40 years they've been famous for being able to rock 'n' roll all night and party every day.

But music legends KISS enjoyed a day off in Adelaide yesterday in anything but typical rock fashion, taking in the famed McLaren Vale food and wine region before headlining tonight's Clipsal 500 closing concert.

"It's the perfect way to spend our day off in Adelaide," said lead guitarist Tommy Thayer, 52, speaking exclusively to the Sunday Mail.

"We went to Mollydooker Winery in the morning, even though none of us are big drinkers, and we're just taking it easy."

Joined by Paul Stanley, 61, and Gene Simmons, 63, Thayer and the rest of the KISS entourage, including Simmons' wife, the former Playboy Playmate and actress Shannon Tweed, then headed to Port Willunga's popular Star of Greece restaurant - surprising fellow diners and happily posing for photos and signing autographs.

Among those lucky enough to bump into the rock legends was Heath Newberry, 36, of Seacliff.

He was having a quick drink with his groomsmen before his wedding later in the day.

"They pulled up in their cars, Gene spotted us in our suits and came up and said `who's the lucky guy, then?"' he said. "They're actually really easygoing guys and were happy to have a photo."

KISS rounded off the day with lunch at the Victory Hotel, Sellicks Beach, where they enjoyed rib-eye steaks and South Australia's famous whiting.

The band will perform new songs from their new album Monster, as well as classic hits, including I Was Made For Lovin' You and Detroit Rock City, in front of thousands at tonight's after-race concert. Asked if they were excited to close the four-day Clipsal event, Simmons replied: "Well, we better be, we've no other choice but to get excited.
KISS arrive

KISS member Gene Simmons with actress wife Shannon Tweed, arriving at Adelaide Airport. Picture: Bianca De Marchi,

"We're ready to blow some s ... up."

Stanley was also happy to share some make-up tips, telling fans that, when done properly, the famous KISS drag is actually quite easy to remove.

"We only use the best products," he said. "The make-up takes two hours to get on - but it takes two minutes to remove."

When legendary rock band KISS first toured Australia in 1980, Nick Percat was another eight years from being born.

While KISS have completed several world tours and even a much anticipated reunion tour since that inaugural Australian visit, Percat has not only entered the world, he has set his own mark in the cut-throat world of motorsport.

The Adelaide-born speedster turned plenty of heads when he won the 2009 Australian Formula Ford Championship, but rocketed to fame two years later when he won the Super Cheap Auto Bathurst 1000 at his first attempt in a Holden with Garth Tander.

He drove in the Dunlop Development Series as part of the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide last year and will be back in front of a "home" crowd this weekend after clinching a last-minute deal in the Porsche Carrera Cup with the local Team BRM outfit with the support of Coates Hire.

While he will be keen to catch up with family and friends after hours this week, Percat will be hanging around on Sunday night to catch KISS and Motely Crue in action at the biggest post-race concert ever seen in Adelaide.When legendary rock band KISS first toured Australia in 1980, Nick Percat was another eight years from being born.

While KISS have completed several world tours and even a much anticipated reunion tour since that inaugural Australian visit, Percat has not only entered the world, he has set his own mark in the cut-throat world of motorsport.

The Adelaide-born speedster turned plenty of heads when he won the 2009 Australian Formula Ford Championship, but rocketed to fame two years later when he won the Super Cheap Auto Bathurst 1000 at his first attempt in a Holden with Garth Tander.

He drove in the Dunlop Development Series as part of the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide last year and will be back in front of a "home" crowd this weekend after clinching a last-minute deal in the Porsche Carrera Cup with the local Team BRM outfit with the support of Coates Hire.

While he will be keen to catch up with family and friends after hours this week, Percat will be hanging around on Sunday night to catch KISS and Motely Crue in action at the biggest post-race concert ever seen in Adelaide.

"The Clipsal 500 is obviously my favourite race of the year because the organisers really know how to put on a show," said Percat.

"KISS are really like rock royalty, so getting the chance to see them play is going to be cool.

"Hopefully we can celebrate at the concert after a couple of solid races in the new Coates Hire Porsche."

Percat took his preparation for this weekend to another level yesterday when he decided to pay tribute to KISS frontman, the infamous blood spitting, fire-breathing, lizard-tounged Gene Simmons.

The 24 year-old spent a couple of hours under the pencils of a local make-up artist and went through a few cans of hairspray to make sure his hair was "just right".

"When it comes to rock and roll, Gene Simmons is one of the greats," said Percat.

"The passion of a band like KISS to still be playing as hard as they do after all these years is just amazing.

"After the effort we made to get the make-up and hair right for this bit of a stunt, I now realise what an effort it must be just to get ready for a concert night after night.

"I cannot wait to see their show on Sunday night and I am sure Motley Crue will also give us a pretty good show."

The Clipsal 500 will be the opening round of the V8 Supercar Championship Series, which will include Nissan and Mercedes Benz entries for the first time, along with Ford and Holden.

The weekend line-up:

Friday 1 March: Hilltop Hoods, Drapht, Illy, Pez and two local bands selected

by Music SA presented by Radio Nova 91.9.


Saturday 2 March: The Angels, Ian Moss and two local bands selected by

Music SA presented by Radio Mix102.3FM.


Sunday 3 March: KISS, Motley Crue and a local band selected by Music SA

presented by Radio Mix 102.3FM.