DreamTheaterForums.org Dream Theater Fan Site
General => General Music Discussion => Topic started by: Cyclopssss on March 10, 2014, 05:55:32 AM
-
Am I right in assuming that there is no official thread for the hottest band in the world?
-
There doesn't seem to be . You wanted a thread........you've got a thread :metal
-
The hottest thread in the world!
(https://scontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/t31/735657_10150364832784967_1322089836_o.jpg)
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/t1/1506499_10150366148104967_25310383_n.jpg)
(https://scontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/t1/1620391_10150366801964967_650640692_n.jpg)
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/t31/1957903_10152322169991412_448660318_o.jpg)
(https://scontent-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/t31/1617473_10152281073906412_182357879_o.jpg)
-
Will it be the hottest thread in the world...
Appreciating.
The first band I was really "into", and the reason I love hard rock music. And I'm not even American.
Some albums are better than others, and KISS' opinipn of their best songs doesn't tally with mine (as far as the live set goes). Paul Stanley is one of rock's best songwriters. And what a singer until his voice went.
Ace Frehley made me want to play guitar after progressing from the obligatory tennis racket.
-
Well I was just wondering. Been listening to most of the ´Unmasked´ era cd´s lately and I was surprised by the overall quality. Off course as a 12, 13 year old kid I was sucked into the whole ´KiSS hype´ thing when I was made for loving you came out, even became a member of the KISS Army! (well, the Dutch equivalent, actually). After the three singles from Dynasty came out, my first ´real´ KISS album was Double Platinum, Strutter ´78 being my first real KISS song that really blew me away. After that it was Alive II and I was off to the races! Sort of a soundtrack to my youth and young adult life this band!
-
*Must find picture of myself as Ace Frehley for Halloween as a kid. Remember how bad those costumes looked?! :lol
-
Big fan of the band, but didn't really like their last two releases: monster and sonic boom. But I would say that Creatures of the Night is one of my all time favorite discs!
-
The hottest thread in the world!
<snip>
No love for Mark St. John? For shame....
(https://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r47/jammindude/KISS8433_zpsfe1366ec.jpg)
-
Been playing the hell out of Creatures, Asylum, Carnival of souls and Animalyze lately. Love it. Even Music from the Elder which seem to be a 'love it or hate it case' has some great songs on it, and only one or two real clunkers for me. Only listened to Monster and Sonic Boom once and they had some rockers, they don't seem to have any real songs that stick in the head like the previous albums have.
(https://www.geeksofdoom.com/GoD/img/2013/10/2013-10-19-kiss-530x378.jpg)
-
Big fan of the band, but didn't really like their last two releases: monster and sonic boom. But I would say that Creatures of the Night is one of my all time favorite discs!
I always found it ironic that CotN was (after three albums of bitching about being unhappy with the direction of the band) FINALLY the album that Ace Frehley wanted to make...and ultimately, the one he didn't play a single note on...even though he was still technically (though barely) a member of the band.
-
Big fan of Animalize here. Even Gene's songs were great. Mark St John was a great addition at te time.
-
I now regret that have never seen KISS live.
-
Been a fan since Alive! first came out. Personally witnessed the glory of Destroyer being thrust upon the world. Played some KISS songs in my very first garage band (actually guitarist's living room band) even though I played keyboards.
Playing KISS on the patio in 1976 (date stamp courtesy of Mom who wrote on everything):
(https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash2/t1/163278_1550871173638_2856718_n.jpg)
-
Big fan of Animalize here. Even Gene's songs were great. Mark St John was a great addition at te time.
Lick it Up along with Animalize were great follow ups to Creatures. Love heavy metal Kiss.
-
Animalize is one of my all-time favorite 80's albums, period.
-
We all know Ace's opinion of Dynasty, Unmasked and Elder...but has he ever voiced an opinion on the material from Creatures of the Night?
-
*Must find picture of myself as Ace Frehley for Halloween as a kid. Remember how bad those costumes looked?! :lol
(https://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z246/TACPics/KissHall.jpg)[/URL]
This is my brother and I. I'm Gene.
Lots of aluminum foil!
Hockey stick guitars.
My mother's boots. :facepalm:
-
At least you got the black boots instead of the light pink ones. :lol
-
At least you got the black boots instead of the light pink ones. :lol
:lol
I think the others were white. Damn 70's Kodak!
-
:lol
I couldn't find mine but here is my cousin as Ace with me as a hockey goon.
(https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/kingshmegland/Chrisandme_zps60cfa6d7.jpg) (https://s583.photobucket.com/user/kingshmegland/media/Chrisandme_zps60cfa6d7.jpg.html)
-
What is it with all the KISS/hockey tie-ins?
-
:lol
I couldn't find mine but here is my cousin as Ace with me as a hockey goon.
(https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/kingshmegland/Chrisandme_zps60cfa6d7.jpg) (https://s583.photobucket.com/user/kingshmegland/media/Chrisandme_zps60cfa6d7.jpg.html)
Your cousin is hefty. That's probably what Ace would look like today. :lol
-
Old age, it blows. Besides, we don't want to grow up! :lol
-
What is it with all the KISS/hockey tie-ins?
Blood and violence and God Of Thunder. Amen.
-
What is it with all the KISS/hockey tie-ins?
Blood and violence and God Of Thunder. Amen.
(https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR9kO1xLgml7N36Ph98LXwkeMwTbgH1kf74juLRUePfhAogq7MRvg)
-
We all know Ace's opinion of Dynasty, Unmasked and Elder...but has he ever voiced an opinion on the material from Creatures of the Night?
He's probably never heard it!
I love Unmasked, Dynasty and The Elder. Not many albums I don't love tbh. Just HiTS, Carnival of Souls ( which I've convinced myself isn't a KISS album), half of Psycho Circus, Crazy Nights and Asylum. And its generally the Gene songs that let the albums down.
-
Lowdz, I'm surprised you don't like Crazy Nights. And I love Asylum.
-
I agree with the Gene songs Lowdz. At that time Gene's hands were in too many pots besides music and it showed.
Though the worst 80's Kiss song is "Read My Body".
-
We all know Ace's opinion of Dynasty, Unmasked and Elder...but has he ever voiced an opinion on the material from Creatures of the Night?
He's probably never heard it!
He appeared in (and therefore had to at least mime to) the I Love It Loud video. And I think that's exactly the kindof song he would have loved.
-
I agree with the Gene songs Lowdz. At that time Gene's hands were in too many pots besides music and it showed.
Though the worst 80's Kiss song is "Read My Body".
I agree on both points. There are a few Gene songs that I like though:
Naked City
Charisma
And On The Eighth Day
Young And Wasted
Lonely Is The Hunter
Any Way You Slice It
Secretly Cruel
No No No
Cadillac Dreams
-
Lowdz, I'm surprised you don't like Crazy Nights. And I love Asylum.
As I said, I love half of those albums. Some poor songs on both though. Whenever I hear Reason To Live I want to sing I Want To Know What Love Is over the chorus...
And there are Gene songs I love too, its not all bad. Many are on your list. Not Secretly Cruel though, yuk.
I agree with the Gene songs Lowdz. At that time Gene's hands were in too many pots besides music and it showed.
Though the worst 80's Kiss song is "Read My Body".
You could well be right there.
-
Yeah, those albums are wildly inconsistent. The Gene songs are typically the weak links. I was generally a happy Kiss fan in the 80's.
-
Animalize tour with Queensryche as the opening group on The Warning tour was killer. (No not the KISS song). :biggrin:
-
Bitch is insane, she deals in pain....... :metal I can think of plenty ....... nevermind ;D
-
I'm gonna go through this thread like a hot knife,
Through butterrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
-
I'm gonna go through this thread like a hot knife,
Through butterrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
LOVE that song. I think Lick it Up is an under-rated classic. Under-rated in the sense that I think many people dismiss it as a couple of hits and some filler. I love every track on that entire album. It's essentially CotN part 2, and I think it's almost as strong.
-
Animalize is one of my all-time favorite 80's albums, period.
Animalize is pretty good, for me mostly the first 4 tracks plus Under the Gun. Great stuff there. I can't help but laugh at those solos though. :lol
As for Gene being bad in the '80s, I find generally if Gene's having a good album, it's a good album. If Gene isn't, then it's going to be a bad album. He put the effort in on Revenge, and that's why it's such a great album (and probably my favourite KISS album).
And I don't mind Read My Body. That's not to say it's good, but I like it! I prefer Prisoner of Love though. :hat
-
Animalize is one of my all-time favorite 80's albums, period.
Animalize is pretty good, for me mostly the first 4 tracks plus Under the Gun. Great stuff there. I can't help but laugh at those solos though. :lol
Animalize is decent. It's just that it's a bit of a transitional album from the heavy metal ass-kicking of CotN and LiU to some of the more "hair metal" fare of Asylum and Crazy Nights (which I thought were the equal of Unmasked...not totally unpleasant, but just a great big ball of MEH)
-
Animalize is one of my all-time favorite 80's albums, period.
Animalize is pretty good, for me mostly the first 4 tracks plus Under the Gun. Great stuff there. I can't help but laugh at those solos though. :lol
Animalize is decent. It's just that it's a bit of a transitional album from the heavy metal ass-kicking of CotN and LiU to some of the more "hair metal" fare of Asylum and Crazy Nights (which I thought were the equal of Unmasked...not totally unpleasant, but just a great big ball of MEH)
I absolutely love the singles from those '80s albums, even though the albums overall have a lot of filler. Still worlds better than Unmasked, which is worthless. Crazy Nights is a crappy song though.
-
Sorry....I view Unmasked the same way. There are some really cool songs on that album. Naked City being one of the best. But it's about 3 or 4 cool songs among a sea of filler....just like Asylum. (and probably better than the abysmal Crazy Nights)
-
What is it with all the KISS/hockey tie-ins?
I don't know. I hated the idea that they performed during the preshow and 1st intermission Kings/Ducks stadium game. I just hated it so much.
-
I'd be far more likely to grab Crazy Nights for a listen than Hot In The Shade which I reckon is about 6 tracks too long.
Crazy Nights, I admit, has more than its fair share of filler too (Bang Bang you and the like are some of the most cringe worthy stuff they've laid down) but for me , KISS is at its best when Paul is belting it out and I love tracks like I'd Fight Hell To Hold You and - yes - even My Way with all its cheese. :blush
Bruce played like a champ on Crazy Nights too - it's a shame there weren't some better songs to round out the album and make the most of it as he toned it right down after Crazy Nights. I agree with Blob that the consistency of a KISS album often had a lot to do with the quality of Gene's contributions . Hence the respect for COTN and Revenge.
-
I'd be far more like to grab Crazy Nights for a listen than Hot In The Shade which I reckon is about 6 tracks too long.
Crazy Nights, I admit, has more than its fair share of filler too (Bang Bang you and the like are some of the most cringe worthy stuff they've laid down) but for me , KISS is at its best when Paul is belting it out and I love tracks like I'd Fight Hell To Hold You and - yes - even My Way with all its cheese.
I'll give you HitS as well. But it's in the same pile IMO.
-
One of the first bands I got into, as well. Saw Kiss at the Air Canada Centre in 2000 on the Psycho Circus tour. In third grade my friends and I dressed up like Kiss and performed at the talent show near the end of the year, playing "Rock N' Roll All Nite". Psycho Circus is quite an underrated record. "Within' is an insanely heavy tune--for Kiss, anyway.
-
Is there only me and Zydar that love Unmasked? Every song is quality, though not in a rock vein admittedly, especially Ace's contributions. He was on fire at this point (well from his solo album, Unmasked and Dynasty).
And I was happy with KISS' 80s output on the whole.
And what a kick up the arse Eric Carr's contribution was to 80s KISS. Creatures obviously being renowned fo that booming drum sound.
And yes, LiU is underrated.
"Love is sweet, so insane, come on lick my candy cane". Hair metal poetry right there... :lol
-
Is there only me and Zydar that love Unmasked? Every song is quality, though not in a rock vein admittedly, especially Ace's contributions. He was on fire at this point (well from his solo album, Unmasked and Dynasty).
And I was happy with KISS' 80s output on the whole.
And what a kick up the arse Eric Carr's contribution was to 80s KISS. Creatures obviously being renowned fo that booming drum sound.
And yes, LiU is underrated.
"Love is sweet, so insane, come on lick my candy cane". Hair metal poetry right there... :lol
I'm happy this thread started off with some 80's love. Paul was on fire during this period. Check for example out the vocal masturbation he does in an UP-TUNED Strutter.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwTX4vrTX8w (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwTX4vrTX8w)
Also, when we're talking about hair meal poetry, how about these awesome lines:
"I wanna put my log in your fireplace."
"Baby, feel my tower of power."
"You're good lookin' and you're lookin' like you should be good."
:metal
-
You could just keep going with Stanley lyrics ;D
"Put your hand in my pocket, grab onto my rocket" has to be one of the best opening lines to a song.
-
Just thought of this.............might be of interest. Even if you're not into KISS it's interesting to see what a guessing game album sales figures can be over the period KISS has been in action.
https://www.kissfaq.com/forum11/viewtopic.php?t=70181
-
I think Lick it up is a great album! I somewhat agree about Gene's imput in the eighty's though. And I remember buying Unmasked when it came out and being greatly disappointed. Loved some songs on there but not very much. I remember 'Is that you' being one of those. The only unmasked period album I haven't yet heard it Hot in the Shade.
-
I think Lick it up is a great album! I somewhat agree about Gene's imput in the eighty's though. And I remember buying Unmasked when it came out and being greatly disappointed. Loved some songs on there but not very much. I remember 'Is that you' being one of those. The only unmasked period album I haven't yet heard it Hot in the Shade.
You're really not missing much with HitS. Not many good songs there, on an overly long album too.
-
It still has Hide Your Heart, and Forever, which are must haves, and I really like Rise To It and Silver Spoon too. At least make sure you have those first two songs on a best of or something.
-
Yeah, 90%+ of HitS is crap.
-
Is there only me and Zydar that love Unmasked? Every song is quality, though not in a rock vein admittedly, especially Ace's contributions. He was on fire at this point (well from his solo album, Unmasked and Dynasty).
And I was happy with KISS' 80s output on the whole.
And what a kick up the arse Eric Carr's contribution was to 80s KISS. Creatures obviously being renowned fo that booming drum sound.
And yes, LiU is underrated.
"Love is sweet, so insane, come on lick my candy cane". Hair metal poetry right there... :lol
I *like* Unmasked OK. I was just looking at an online review of it yesterday from a hard core Kiss fan that I was totally in agreement with. He was saying that even though Ace was his #1 favorite member of the band, this was his worst Kiss input material. I agree. I love Ace, but I didn't care for his input on this album. Is That You is pretty good. I don't like Two Sides of the Coin. I used to like Torpedo Girl, but it hasn't aged well. Gene probably got the best song on the album with Naked City.
Every time I hear Unmasked, there's nothing I really DISlike, it's just kindof 3 or 4 decent songs and the rest are...just...there. I've heard em a dozen times and all I can think is....yep, that sure is...a song.
-
It still has Hide Your Heart, and Forever, which are must haves, and I really like Rise To It and Silver Spoon too. At least make sure you have those first two songs on a best of or something.
I would add You Love Me To Hate You. I love that song. And Blob, Read My Body?! Really?! :lol
Hey, that's on to put in the same riffs thread. It has Def Leppard's Pour Some Sugar On Me all over it.
-
I would add You Love Me To Hate You. I love that song.
I LOVE that song too! :tup
Is there only me and Zydar that love Unmasked? Every song is quality, though not in a rock vein admittedly, especially Ace's contributions. He was on fire at this point (well from his solo album, Unmasked and Dynasty).
And I was happy with KISS' 80s output on the whole.
And what a kick up the arse Eric Carr's contribution was to 80s KISS. Creatures obviously being renowned fo that booming drum sound.
And yes, LiU is underrated.
"Love is sweet, so insane, come on lick my candy cane". Hair metal poetry right there... :lol
I *like* Unmasked OK. I was just looking at an online review of it yesterday from a hard core Kiss fan that I was totally in agreement with. He was saying that even though Ace was his #1 favorite member of the band, this was his worst Kiss input material. I agree. I love Ace, but I didn't care for his input on this album. Is That You is pretty good. I don't like Two Sides of the Coin. I used to like Torpedo Girl, but it hasn't aged well. Gene probably got the best song on the album with Naked City.
Every time I hear Unmasked, there's nothing I really DISlike, it's just kindof 3 or 4 decent songs and the rest are...just...there. I've heard em a dozen times and all I can think is....yep, that sure is...a song.
Agreed about Ace. His songs suck on Unmasked, especially after him stealing the show on Dynasty. Other than Naked City, I love Tomorrow. I think it's one of their best tracks ever.
-
Yeah, 90%+ of HitS is crap.
But the tour for that album was immense. Check out the Detroit show on Kissology 2, one of my favorite Kiss live shows.
One of the first bands I ever liked, don't listen to them much anymore but they still have material I enjoy. Revenge is by far their best album.
-
Hot In the Shade was a great tour. They finally started to do some great old tunes on that tour.
-
For the beach.............. I like the towel more than the album ;D
(https://i.ebayimg.com/t/KISS-HOT-IN-THE-SHADE-BEACH-SPORT-HOME-TOWELS-MEGA-RARE-/00/s/MTYwMFgxMjAw/z/sBAAAOxy5QtR8-KY/$(KGrHqV,!rkFHoIVoi3MBR8-K(riv!~~60_35.JPG)
-
It still has Hide Your Heart, and Forever, which are must haves, and I really like Rise To It and Silver Spoon too. At least make sure you have those first two songs on a best of or something.
I would add You Love Me To Hate You. I love that song. And Blob, Read My Body?! Really?! :lol
Hey, that's on to put in the same riffs thread. It has Def Leppard's Pour Some Sugar On Me all over it.
I never really made that connection with the riff, but the chord progression in the chorus is basically identical, so it's possible they decided to imitate the song. But the riff reminds me of an earlier '80s KISS riff style.
-
Hot In the Shade was a great tour. They finally started to do some great old tunes on that tour.
Yes it was. I saw Paul on his solo tour the previous year, and he seemed to really be energized from that tour, and inspired that is was OK to dig deep into the vault. Seemed like for most of the 80's they tried to distance themselves musically from a lot of their 70's material.
And it seemed Ace, during this period was progressively going a little deeper on his tours, culminating in 1993 when he was doing Strange Ways.
-
I really like songs like I still love you, Tears are falling, Who wants to be lonely etc. Paul has always been a great songwriter.
-
Hot In the Shade was a great tour. They finally started to do some great old tunes on that tour.
Yes it was. I saw Paul on his solo tour the previous year, and he seemed to really be energized from that tour, and inspired that is was OK to dig deep into the vault. Seemed like for most of the 80's they tried to distance themselves musically from a lot of their 70's material.
And it seemed Ace, during this period was progressively going a little deeper on his tours, culminating in 1993 when he was doing Strange Ways.
I think that happened with a lot of bands in the 80's. The 70's was such an important, defining period for rock and roll, but when the 80's came, there seemed to be a feeling that if it wasn't new, it wasn't cool. Lots of bands reinvented themselves during this time, some with great results and some with more... mixed results.
Eventually, the acts that were still around came to realize that there were still people who wanted to hear the old stuff, and some of that old stuff was still pretty good. Now, for bands that have been around for a while, it's a balancing act. They want to play and promote the new stuff that they're excited about, but they know that lots of fans are there to hear the old hits.
-
Regarding Gene's 80's output, I know he referenced this in one of the home videos. In the 80's, he was so busy doing movies and everything under the sun that wasn't Kiss, that it's no surprise his Kiss offerings paled in comparison to Paul's. Paul was still almost completely focused on Kiss and only Kiss.
-
Hot In the Shade was a great tour. They finally started to do some great old tunes on that tour.
I tried to see them on that tour. Got 4th row tickets tickets for a Spring or Summer show, which ended up getting postponed because Paul was in a limo accident. So, I went to the rescheduled show on Halloween night. KISS backed out at the last minute, so it ended up just being a Slaughter/Winger show.
-
I got Danger Danger and Slaughter for that tour. That was my first concert. HitS wasn't a great album, but yeah, the tour was great.
-
I got Danger Danger and Slaughter for that tour. That was my first concert. HitS wasn't a great album, but yeah, the tour was great.
We got Slaughter and Little Caesar. Skipped them both to drink more!!
-
I got Danger Danger and Slaughter for that tour. That was my first concert. HitS wasn't a great album, but yeah, the tour was great.
I'd take that line up. I saw them with Danger Danger on possibly the Revenge tour. A good match.
-
Winger and Slaughter so it was an awesome 2 shows I went to.
-
When I first started buying KISS albums I got most from a market stall, 2nd hand. A few of them were in red vinyl, but it was only noticeable if you held them up to the light. Worth money I believe... And I only paid £2.50 each. Off the top of my head I think they were Alive, Destroyer, Dynasty, Rock n Roll Over.
-
KISS has been my favorite band dating back to 1975 when I was 7 years old and got the Alive! double album with a new record player for Christmas. I was a pretty rabid fan from '75 onward although Gene's wandering eye and devotion to becoming a movie star in the 80s pissed me off because I thought his contributions to the albums from about '84-'88 were half-assed .... the band might have died in the 80s if not for Paul. When I saw the Farewell tour in 2000 it pissed me off that they went back out after that with Tommy and Eric in makeup and for a time stuck to my view that the band ended when the farewell tour ended. Later, when they put out new music with the new guys in makeup, I came back around to listening to it -- and enjoying it. So, I'm still a fan, but a bit more jaded about their current incarnation.
Unlike some of the other posts here I loved HITS and thought it was a welcome return to form after the inept songwriting on Crazy Nights, then Revenge just built on what HITS reignited. I'd put Crazy Nights and Carnival of Souls at the bottom of my list for worst releases in their careers. Favorite albums would have to be Dressed to Kill, Hotter Than Hell and Rock And Roll Over.
I've seen the band 15 times dating back to the Love Gun tour in '77 and I've amassed about 200 live shows on audio and video from throughout all of their eras. There's also probably an inordinate proportion of my brain occupied with KISS trivia and historical facts. :lol I've also collected a fair bit of KISS memorabilia over the years -- my favorite items are two signed albums -- "Alive!" signed by the original 4 and "Creatures" signed by Gene, Paul, Eric Carr and Ace (yes, Ace, not Vinnie, even though Ace didn't play on it). I also have a copy of the KISS autobiography "Nothin' To Lose" signed by Paul and Gene and Ace and Peter's autobiographies signed by each of them. :tup
Gene and Paul can both piss me off at times these days, especially with some of the HOF drama lately, but in the end they've been my lifelong favorite band even though at times there have been other flavors of the month I like more for a short span of time. In the end, though, if I were permitted only one band to listen to on a desert island for the rest of my life, it would be KISS. :2metal:
-
I remember when Dynasty was just released, there were litterally stacks and rows of KISS Albums in my record store, and most of them were USA printed releases. I mean there were KISS records EVERYWHERE! Which was pretty good, because overall they were a bit cheaper than the european releases and they often had nice extra's like posters and stuff in them. *factory sealed for YOUR protection!* So that was great. Especially the solo-albums were all around sometimes over twenty copies of each album in a row. Later on I found that although the USA prints were nice and had extra's, the european German or Dutch or even French prints were often better quality, even the vinyl was suffinciantly heavier in weight then their USA counterparts. Also the covers were of a more sturdier cardboard quality, but often the printing itself was a bit duller in comparisson. But it was a great time to become a fan.
-
I remember when Dynasty was just released, there were litterally stacks and rows of KISS Albums in my record store, and most of them were USA printed releases. I mean there were KISS records EVERYWHERE! Which was pretty good, because overall they were a bit cheaper than the european releases and they often had nice extra's like posters and stuff in them. *factory sealed for YOUR protection!* So that was great. Especially the solo-albums were all around sometimes over twenty copies of each album in a row. Later on I found that although the USA prints were nice and had extra's, the european German or Dutch or even French prints were often better quality, even the vinyl was suffinciantly heavier in weight then their USA counterparts. Also the covers were of a more sturdier cardboard quality, but often the printing itself was a bit duller in comparisson. But it was a great time to become a fan.
And in Peter's case, sometimes over fifty. :rollin
-
LOL...in Gene's case...60 :rollin
-
Yeah, that's a tough call which one was worse. Obviously I took to Ace's, 1) because Ace is awesome and 2) because it rocked the most. It took a while, but Paul's grew on me and I do think it's pretty good. The other two, I've never given more than two listens, I don't think.
-
As sucky as Gene's could be, Peter Criss loses automatically because he's Peter Criss.
-
As sucky as Gene's could be, Peter Criss loses automatically because he's Peter Criss.
Poor Peter never can catch a break.
-
You know what? I actually liked Peter's album! :omg: I love that little edge he has on his voice. Paul's was the best in my oppinion, followed by Ace's. Gene's was just too scattered, too 'Disney' for me.
-
Ace
Paul
Gene
Peter
I still blast Paul & Ace's CD's all the time.
-
I don't mind Gene's album. I like the quieter tracks. I never did like See You I Your Dreams and his version is no better.
Peter's album was a disappointment . I like his voice but the songs and style were crap. I do like I Can't Stop The Rain though.
I loved the covers and spent hours drawing them in pastels for my wall.
-
"See You Tonight" from Unplugged was pretty cool though.
-
Ace's outsold Paul's (and the others) by a long way too which surprised me.
-
"See You Tonight" from Unplugged was pretty cool though.
Yeah it works perfectly in that setting.
I always found Ace's to be kind of progressive.
-
"See You Tonight" from Unplugged was pretty cool though.
Yeah it works perfectly in that setting.
I always found Ace's to be kind of progressive.
Just a shame he wasted his talent. As they often do.
And calling his autobiography No Regrets shows how big a tool he is. He should have plenty of regrets.
-
I just got that book for Christmas.
As TAC and I have talked over the years, many of Ace's show were delayed and I can only imagine how they stood him up on stage but he still rocked! His last solo album was awesome.
-
Ace
Paul
Gene
Peter
I still blast Paul & Ace's CD's all the time.
Exactly!!! Paul's was my favorite, but his and Ace's were both clearly better than the other two and they're the only two I still play.
-
Ace
Paul
Peter
Gene
I'm not a huge fan of any of them though, even Ace's had a lot of meh moments for me. Fractured Mirror is a wonderful track though.
What do you guys think of Ace's other solo albums? While I haven't heard it in a long time, I remember really liking Anomaly when it came out, easily better than Sonic Boom.
-
Anomaly is terrible. Sonic Boom is hugely underrated by KISS fans. Despite many clear derivations from their earlier works (which I actually consider a plus :lol), I think it's easily one of their stronger albums overall.
I'm not as big on Monster, mostly because it feels like an afterthought. Even the cover is just a promo photo of the band with some text slapped on. Still a few good tracks on there though.
-
I just noticed that Hell or Hallelujah is an almost an exact redo of I Stole Your Love
-
I wouldn't say it's that close, although there's a definitely similarity there. A lot of the last two albums have strong influences from previous songs, especially the Thayer songs, which go for the Shock Me vibe.
I'm ok with them copying themselves. Better than them trying to sound like other bands and ending up with another Carnival of Souls or Unmasked.
-
I thought you'd like the Ace solo album Blob?! I do agree with the last 2 Kiss records.
-
You should know by know that I'm a fickle man, king. :lol
Giving it another listen right now to see if I've changed my mind.
-
Listened to Anomaly last night to see if I'd missed something first time round. Some decent riffs there but i think the problem is just too much of Ace's voice. It always worked well on KISS albums, and even his Frehley's Comet albums where he had Todd Howarth sing (and write) half the album.
But yeah, won't be bothering with Anomaly again.
-
I still absolutely love the first Frehley's Comet album AND Ace's '78 solo album.
-
I just finished relistening to it. The opening track and the cover song were the only decent ones on there. The rest was pretty bad. My assessment was pretty much the same as yours.
-
Listened to Anomaly last night to see if I'd missed something first time round. Some decent riffs there but i think the problem is just too much of Ace's voice. It always worked well on KISS albums, and even his Frehley's Comet albums where he had Todd Howarth sing (and write) half the album.
But yeah, won't be bothering with Anomaly again.
Yeah, very disappointing.
You should've just went for the great Trouble Walkin'.
-
Listened to Anomaly last night to see if I'd missed something first time round. Some decent riffs there but i think the problem is just too much of Ace's voice. It always worked well on KISS albums, and even his Frehley's Comet albums where he had Todd Howarth sing (and write) half the album.
But yeah, won't be bothering with Anomaly again.
Yeah, very disappointing.
You should've just went for the great Trouble Walkin'.
I was just wanting to see if I could hear what others were enjoying in Anomaly. I couldn't.
Trouble Walkin' is ok (love the ELO cover) but the 78 solo album and the Frehley's Comet albums were his best for me.
-
The 78 Solo album was great. I prefer Trouble Walkin' to the Frehley's Comet albums. I hate albums where Ace sings, and then Tod sings, and so on. that bugs me. Plus, I think both albums are inconsistent. I could take ten songs from the two albums combined and make one great album.
-
The 78 Solo album was great. I prefer Trouble Walkin' to the Frehley's Comet albums. I hate albums where Ace sings, and then Tod sings, and so on. that bugs me. Plus, I think both albums are inconsistent. I could take ten songs from the two albums combined and make one great album.
I agree that with Frehley's Comet and Second Sighting you could combine them to one great album.
-
I would agree with that too but Trouble Walkin' is no better in that department. Half an excellent album.
But as I said earlier I find Ace's voice too one dimensional for awhole album. The 78 solo was short and sweet.
And I generally like the Tod songs.
-
Yeah, I agree Lowdz. TW has it's flaws. I just think there's a general "coolness" to that album.
The Tod songs are good on their own. I just hate when the vocalists go back and forth.
Something Moved is pretty good, but my favorite would be Loser In A Fight.
-
KISS and Def Leppard co-headlining US summer tour announced today. My 13-year-old announced she wants to go (and might even want to wear makeup) so I'll be taking her to one of the dates. :tup This will be my 16th KISS show since '77 and I probably would've passed on this tour if (a) she had not expressed interest and (b) it had not been with Def Lep, who I haven't seen live since they were an opening act 30 years ago. Should be a decent evening. I'll be curious to see my daughter's expression at the over-the-top stage show for KISS. She's been to a few shows including U2, Halestorm and Pink, but nothing that will have this much firepower (literally).
-
KISS and Def Leppard co-headlining US summer tour announced today. My 13-year-old announced she wants to go (and might even want to wear makeup) so I'll be taking her to one of the dates. :tup This will be my 16th KISS show since '77 and I probably would've passed on this tour if (a) she had not expressed interest and (b) it had not been with Def Lep, who I haven't seen live since they were an opening act 30 years ago. Should be a decent evening. I'll be curious to see my daughter's expression at the over-the-top stage show for KISS. She's been to a few shows including U2, Halestorm and Pink, but nothing that will have this much firepower (literally).
They're doing a couple of shows in my area so I'm thinking of going (mainly for Def Leppard). I hope both bands play a rarity or two at least, in addition to the hits. But, it may be cool just for the experience. I've only seen KISS once (reunion tour) and I've never seen Def Leppard.
-
I'd be interested in going if Def Leppard were playing more High n Dry/Pyromania stuff and less Hysteria and beyond.
I've never seen Kiss with makeup. My only Kiss show ever was the Crazy Nights tour. I'm still up in the air as to whether I wanna shell out money to go to this.
-
I'd be interested in going if Def Leppard were playing more High n Dry/Pyromania stuff and less Hysteria and beyond.
I've never seen Kiss with makeup. My only Kiss show ever was the Crazy Nights tour. I'm still up in the air as to whether I wanna shell out money to go to this.
You owe it to yourself to go. Also, aren't Night Ranger opening? That's a decent package.
Admittedly Paul's voice is shot. I've been watching some live vids from last year and its painful to watch really.
Def Leppard are worth seeing.
-
Yeah, I saw them last year. Paul's voice....ouch. I won't be going again unless I see a recent live video where actually sounds decent. Such a shame, I think Paul in his prime where the greatest rock 'n' roll frontman I've ever seen.
-
Def Lep is doing another residency at the Hard Rock in Vegas this fall for the anniversary of Pyromania so I, too, am hoping for more older stuff.
I haven't heard the Night Ranger opening rumor although that would be a great lineup -- yesterday the news all said it was just KISS and Def Lep.
-
That was the hot gossip at melodicrock.com, but seems its not now the case.
-
I purchased tickets through the KISS presale this morning. Can I sound like an old guy for a second and talk about how ridiculous ticket prices have gotten? :sad: Two tickets on the fourth row of the lower bowl of the arena with all the various service charges -- $340 US. These are now officially the most expensive tickets I've ever purchased for a show. The first KISS show I attended back in the 70s? $6 each. Yeah, I'm old.... :lol
-
Yeah, I would not pay that money for any show. That's nuts.
-
King, it looks like the way of the future, unfortunately. I noticed that Cher is playing the same arena so I looked just to see what she's getting at the same place -- $195 per ticket BEFORE service charges. And it was almost sold out. Insanity!!
Thankfully I still tend to hit smaller shows more often -- nice intimate setting, lower prices. Saw REO Speedwagon this weekend and sat in the 4th row of a sold-out show for $50 total, then saw Black Tusk, Auric, The Cowards and Antartichrist the next night at a local place for a mere $10.
-
I've been staying away from the bands that are not touring for a new album that charge those kinds of rates. For Me, if I'm going to pay that kind of money, (#135 for Rush tickets) at least they toured backing a new album. Just my little pet peeve.
-
That's a fair point. I might have skipped this tour cycle for KISS if not for the fact that my daughter said she finally (!) wanted to go with me to one and see what a KISS show is all about, and I'm hoping Def Lep does some retro stuff in anticipation of their Pyromania anniversary since I haven't seen them live since they were an opening act.
-
1983 for me with DL. Night Ranger 85(?) 7 Wishes tour and Kiss, well, I've seen them 11 times.
-
That's a fair point. I might have skipped this tour cycle for KISS if not for the fact that my daughter said she finally (!) wanted to go with me to one and see what a KISS show is all about, and I'm hoping Def Lep does some retro stuff in anticipation of their Pyromania anniversary since I haven't seen them live since they were an opening act.
I'm the same...............seen KISS maybe 8 or 9 times and , especially given the state of Paul's voice , the ONLY reason I would even consider paying to see KISS these days is if my little bloke (just turned six) was interested and I thought he could last long enough to make it a non disaster of a night.
-
When they're young it's tough. My youngest went to her first show -- U2 -- when she was 8, and they just don't have the stamina for it at that point even if it's one they really want to see. She is now 13 and stays up later than my on weekends, so when she expressed interest I said I'd get the tickets. ;)
-
I purchased tickets through the KISS presale this morning. Can I sound like an old guy for a second and talk about how ridiculous ticket prices have gotten? :sad: Two tickets on the fourth row of the lower bowl of the arena with all the various service charges -- $340 US. These are now officially the most expensive tickets I've ever purchased for a show. The first KISS show I attended back in the 70s? $6 each. Yeah, I'm old.... :lol
The Rolling Stones are playing the stadium here (actually they just postponed the shows), and the back couple of rows of the rear elevation are $200. Then it's $375 for the rest of the second elevation. Then it's $580 for the first elevation and the floor. An absolute rip-off, yet both shows sold out in about an hour each. Unbelievable! I wouldn't pay that for any band.
I saw KISS in 2004 when they first toured with Thayer. I wasn't even going to go to that until I heard they'd kicked out Peter Criss for Eric Singer. That excited me. :hat
At that point, Paul was still sounding great, as he does on Alive IV. The setlist also had a lot more '80s songs and some curveballs, so that was a great show, and my first concert.
The next time they came out I didn't go just because they'd settled into playing the Alive 1/2 setlist.
I didn't even consider going when they came out last year, because now they're tuning down a whole step, which sounds like ass, and Paul is a liability. The tuning down doesn't help that much, so I don't know why they still bother with that.
Paul's had a few vocal surgeries for his issues, but it doesn't seem to have helped at all. I don't think it's just from old age, I think he's shot from over-touring the past decade. It's a shame that one of rock's greatest frontmen is now one of the weakest vocalists in the band. :(
-
If anyone's interested - RRHOF acceptance speeches
https://ultimateclassicrock.com/kiss-hall-of-fame-induction/
-
I thought they were remarkably well behaved, almost classy, considering the circus that has led up to this. And they stuck to their guns, too. They didn't play, because they didn't think it would be right. Sometimes bands think about what the fans want; they usually do that more than they admit or get credit for. But sometimes bands have to do what they think is right.
-
I have to say I agree with $immons and Stanley's stance on this charade. All of KISS should have been inducted. To say they only existed in the 70s is a joke and is not the same treatment other bands got from the same bunch of tossers.
And for Criss and Frehley to complain at others using their makeup is their own fault for selling it. Can't have it both ways. They gave up their rights for hard cash and most probably wasted it.
-
I have to say I agree with $immons and Stanley's stance on this charade. All of KISS should have been inducted. To say they only existed in the 70s is a joke and is not the same treatment other bands got from the same bunch of tossers.
And for Criss and Frehley to complain at others using their makeup is their own fault for selling it. Can't have it both ways. They gave up their rights for hard cash and most probably wasted it.
I agree, although I don't expect every single member to have been inducted, but at the very least Eric Carr and Bruce Kulick, who were both a huge part of KISS in the '80s.
I thought they kept things civil and classy at the ceremony.
-
I would have liked to seen all members but Eric Singer and Tommy go in. I do love Revenge, but Eric's tainted it. After Ace and Pete left the second time the band has a set-list filled overwhelmingly with songs Ace and Pete played on, and made two albums that sound like outtakes from the first 6 albums. No new costumes, very few new ideas, and now a football team, come on.
-
Just watched the link to Kiss' induction speeches. Great job, especially Gene. I think he's one of the most classless people out there, yet his speech was incredibly humble and appreciative. Love how he referenced Bruce as the "Great" Bruce Kulick.
And I want to say that I love Paul Stanley. For some reason, I never cared for him growing up, but looking back at it, he's really one of the greatest Rock n Roll personalities of all time.
I washed my hands of Kiss the last time I saw them back in 2000 or so. I literally felt ripped off, and I have not accepted Tommy Thayer in the band for some reason. That said, I was always a huge Kiss fan from the first album I ever bought (Kiss Alive II) up until that last show.
-
I would rank Paul Stanley near the top for best rock frontmen
-
I would rank Paul Stanley near the top for best rock frontmen
Oh absolutely.
And in a way, for some reason I feel like he's a little underrated.
Look up Rock n Roll in the dictionary and there should be a picture of Paul Stanley.
-
And for Criss and Frehley to complain at others using their makeup is their own fault for selling it. Can't have it both ways. They gave up their rights for hard cash and most probably wasted it.
I agree with all of this, but Ace and Peter sold their rights to the makeup because they weren't in the band anymore, the cash sounded good, so what the hell. I still take issue with the other side of it, which is the current rule that "whoever plays lead guitar is Ace, and whoever plays drums is The Cat". Oh yeah, it's not "Ace", it's "The Spaceman" or whatever, but come on. That's really the problem, and regardless of who sold what or who owns what, it still seems kinda dumb to me. The characters are forever linked to the people who created them, and really, I'm sure it didn't even occur to Ace and Peter that the characters would be reused like that (although I'm sure Gene and Paul were thinking of exactly that).
Eric Carr started a pretty cool thing with The Fox. He created a new character. I liked the idea that if they get a new member, he comes up with his own makeup and persona. They could've stuck with that, and if/when any past members came back, no problem. They could've had a massive reunion jam last night with a dozen guys up there in all different, unique makeup.
-
They could've had a massive reunion jam last night with a dozen guys up there in all different, unique makeup.
Not sure why but that thought made me :lol. The visual in my mind is ridiculous, yet it'd be so Kiss.
Even Vinnie had his own thing.
I respect that Eric Singer is in the band, but dressing up as Peter is pretty lame. And Tommy Thayer? Puleeze.
-
Yeah, I like the visual, too. In some alternate reality, each KISS member past or present has his own unique makeup, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame doesn't suck, nobody died, and they were all up there last night pounding out "Rock and Roll All Night".
-
I'm a little new to the history of KISS, so I had no idea that Ace and Peter were no longer band members. I thought they were because I kept seeing pictures of the band with two guys wearing the Catman and Spaceman outfits. But I did some research about the history of the band when i found this out: Wow. And I thought Roger Waters and David Gilmour had issues. I watched the ceremony last night, and Paul Stanley was being such a dick. His body language and disregard of Peter and Ace when they gave their speeches just showed he was being a poor sport.
Also, I love Peter said "In or out of make-up, i'll always be the Catman" :lol
-
I didn't get that feeling from Paul. I may have to rewatch it.
-
Yeah, I didn't either. They all seemed pretty cool with each other to me. But body language can be more subtle and I wasn't really watching for it.
-
Yeah, I didn't either. They all seemed pretty cool with each other to me. But body language can be more subtle and I wasn't really watching for it.
I didn't think Paul was rude, but I guess I felt like he was thinking Peter is doing his same old rambling, and Ace is making a fool out of himself again. But I didn't think he was being rude at all.
And I still can't get over Gene's graciousness.
-
It wont top when the band was on Tom Snyder and Ace made a fool of himself. Paul and Gene were not impressed.
-
It wont top when the band was on Tom Snyder and Ace made a fool of himself. Paul and Gene were not impressed.
Especially a Gene!
That is an all time classic. One of my favorite things I've ever watched.
Ace was so hammered. Tom loved him.
"I play the trout" :lol
-
Initially Gene and Paul seemed to get a kick out of it, but that seemingly turned to disgust.
Its a classic
-
"Tell me about it". :lol
-
"Tell me about it". :lol
That's Ace's best line of the show! :mehlin
-
I just watched the full show again right now. Funny stuff.
Gene (George) sure is a good "bass" player
-
I think I've referenced my love for that interview on the forums before............absolute classic.
Actually......I'm a plumber ;D
-
Anyone catch KISS on Jimmy Fallon last night? They played King of the Nighttime World.
I thought it sucked. I was disappointed, I was really looking forward to it. But at least they had the full display, pyro and all. I didn't like it, but it was definitely :metal
Cooler than that was all the respect that Fallon and the Roots showed for KISS leading up to the performance (which ended the show). That was really nice to see and hear.
-
Anyone catch KISS on Jimmy Fallon last night? They played King of the Nighttime World.
I thought it sucked. I was disappointed, I was really looking forward to it. But at least they had the full display, pyro and all. I didn't like it, but it was definitely :metal
Cooler than that was all the respect that Fallon and the Roots showed for KISS leading up to the performance (which ended the show). That was really nice to see and hear.
There's a link on Facebook for a performance of Black Diamond too, which sounded fine to me but had less of Paul singing which is a good thing these days.
-
Anyone catch KISS on Jimmy Fallon last night? They played King of the Nighttime World.
I thought it sucked. I was disappointed, I was really looking forward to it. But at least they had the full display, pyro and all. I didn't like it, but it was definitely :metal
Cooler than that was all the respect that Fallon and the Roots showed for KISS leading up to the performance (which ended the show). That was really nice to see and hear.
There's a link on Facebook for a performance of Black Diamond too, which sounded fine to me but had less of Paul singing which is a good thing these days.
They actually performed 5 songs -- Firehouse, Hotter Than Hell, Deuce, Black Diamond and King of the Nighttime World -- but not all aired. All of the videos are available online, though. "King" was probably the weakest performance, IMO.
-
Post RRHOF interview with Ace - coherent as usual :).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2N1zgA8xklE
-
I snagged an autographed copy of Paul Stanley's autobiography from a bookstore where he signed in NJ last week -- started reading it yesterday. So far, so good. Even as a lifelong KISS fan I'm realizing how little he shared over the years about his upbringing. I'm 70 pages in and young Paul is now 17 years old. :biggrin:
-
I snagged an autographed copy of Paul Stanley's autobiography from a bookstore where he signed in NJ last week -- started reading it yesterday. So far, so good. Even as a lifelong KISS fan I'm realizing how little he shared over the years about his upbringing. I'm 70 pages in and young Paul is now 17 years old. :biggrin:
Wow, that's pretty deep. How many total pages are there?
-
It's the longest of the original four's autobiographies -- about 460 pages. For a decade I've been saying that his is the autobiography I had the most interest in reading because I figured his would have the best recollections about the musical aspects of the band, plus I knew that he'd always been pretty tight lipped about his pre-KISS upbringing.
-
It's the longest of the original four's autobiographies -- about 460 pages. For a decade I've been saying that his is the autobiography I had the most interest in reading because I figured his would have the best recollections about the musical aspects of the band, plus I knew that he'd always been pretty tight lipped about his pre-KISS upbringing.
Yeah, I am looking forward to reading it. I'll definitely pick it up at some point. I have Ace's, which is interesting to say the least.
I have no interest in Peter's. I'm on the fence about Gene. I personally cannot stand the guy, but I would still love to hear what he has to say about the band.
-
I've read all of them. Peter's is full of him talking about what a bad ass gang member he was as a kid and how he has a bigger dick than any of the other band members .... seriously. ::) It was the weakest of the 4. Of the three I've read completely, Ace's was the best, but so far Paul's has great potential. :tup
If you want a fascinating KISS read, find a copy of "KISS & Sell," by CK Lendt. He worked for the Marks Management company that managed KISS all through the 80s and early 90s (the book was written in '97). It's all about the various bad financial and business moves the band made through those years, how they tried to keep the band afloat financially, and interesting things you would never read in one of the official biographies (such as how Paul and Gene were completely obsessed with Bon Jovi in the 80s and wanted to emulate everything he did at that time because his band was so financially successful). A truly great read for anyone who wants to know unofficial behind-the-scenes stuff about KISS during their darkest years.
-
I've read all of them. Peter's is full of him talking about what a bad ass gang member he was as a kid and how he has a bigger dick than any of the other band members .... seriously. ::) It was the weakest of the 4. Of the three I've read completely, Ace's was the best, but so far Paul's has great potential. :tup
Are you sure this is a description of the biographies and not the solo albums? ;)
-
I've read all of them. Peter's is full of him talking about what a bad ass gang member he was as a kid and how he has a bigger dick than any of the other band members .... seriously. ::) It was the weakest of the 4. Of the three I've read completely, Ace's was the best, but so far Paul's has great potential. :tup
Are you sure this is a description of the biographies and not the solo albums? ;)
:clap: Nicely played, Dude. Now that you mention it, this same description applies to solo albums AND solo books. :hat
-
I was thinking the same thing as J-Dude.
Rich, I have Behind The Mask by Leaf/Sharp. I believe it also talks of the Bon Jovi emulation, especially on Crazy Nights.
-
I thought the same thing as well! :lol
-
Just stumbled across this that leaked a couple months ago -- the earliest known live recordings at The Daisy in Amityville, NY in June 1973 -- and they're soundboard recordings!! Some tracks are vastly different sounding than the later recorded versions, including unreleased songs and a reworked Wicked Lester track ... and Peter(!) doing some of the talking between songs. Fascinating!!
Location: Amityville, NY
Venue: The Daisy
June 17, 1973
Setlist:
1.Nothin' To Lose
2.Firehouse
3.Life In The Woods (unreleased)
4.Simple Type (reworked Wicked Lester track)
5.Acrobat (part of this later became "Love Theme From KISS")
6.Deuce
7.100,000 Years
8.Black Diamond
Set 2:
1.Strutter
2.Watchin' You
3.Let Me Know
(rest is not available)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GTmTRSLkhg (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GTmTRSLkhg)
-
I'm a big KISS fan, despite acknowledging their many obvious weaknesses. I've got a lot of time for pretty much all their 70s work (nostalgia, despite me not being alive then, and yes I also include Dynasty here), and also their early 80s stuff. Creatures of the Night is a classic, and I have a LOT of time for the highly controversial Music from 'The Elder' album.
Odyssey rocks, OK?
-
Just stumbled across this that leaked a couple months ago -- the earliest known live recordings at The Daisy in Amityville, NY in June 1973 -- and they're soundboard recordings!! Some tracks are vastly different sounding than the later recorded versions, including unreleased songs and a reworked Wicked Lester track ... and Peter(!) doing some of the talking between songs. Fascinating!!
Location: Amityville, NY
Venue: The Daisy
June 17, 1973
Setlist:
1.Nothin' To Lose
2.Firehouse
3.Life In The Woods (unreleased)
4.Simple Type (reworked Wicked Lester track)
5.Acrobat (part of this later became "Love Theme From KISS")
6.Deuce
7.100,000 Years
8.Black Diamond
Set 2:
1.Strutter
2.Watchin' You
3.Let Me Know
(rest is not available)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GTmTRSLkhg (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GTmTRSLkhg)
Thats a raw recording; pretty cool. On one of their Kissology sets, they have an early concert from 1973. That was cool to see as well.
-
This whole thing with Hall of fame actually reminded me how much I love old Kiss, namely the first 6 studio albums. Now, I've been thinking - are there any albums post Love gun that Kiss fans would call essential? I might give them a spin at some point.
-
This whole thing with Hall of fame actually reminded me how much I love old Kiss, namely the first 6 studio albums. Now, I've been thinking - are there any albums post Love gun that Kiss fans would call essential? I might give them a spin at some point.
I'd say Revenge is essential, and it's loved by most KISS fans. Easily the best of the non-makeup years. Creatures of the Night too maybe. I think several others are also great, although those two are fairly safe choices.
-
I think Blob has named the two that would garner the most support as relatively "filler-less" non make up era albums. I love stuff off most of them , but also despise some of the filler on them (which usually means Gene songs).
Edit..........I shouldn't have referred to CoTN as "non make up"
Talking post -Love Gun .....as has been discussed many times Paul and Ace's solo albums are worth a spin - no Gene to worry about there :)
-
I think Blob has named the two that would garner the most support as relatively "filler-less" non make up era albums. I love stuff off most of them , but also despise some of the filler on them (which usually means Gene songs).
As I've said before, if Gene is having a good album, it usually means it's a good album overall. Revenge was a definite return to form for Gene after being pretty lost in the '80s, and it really helps make the album. It kicks off with Unholy, which is a pretty badass heavy track, and Domino and Spit are great rockers. Gene's voice was as good as ever on it too.
-
It's when Gene focuses on music that is benefits those Kiss albums Blob mentioned and both you can't go wrong with.
-
I've had a resurgence of love for KISS recently too, triggered by Paul's book. Currently reading Peter's and whilst I was never a fan of him he seems to have had an eventful life. All his problems are his own making but he can't see that. He basically admits all the accusations the others throw at him (moody, always threatening to leave, drugs etc) but its always someone else's fault. I'm enjoying the read though.
Also dug my copy of Kisstory out too- the kids loved that.
As for post makeup albums, Creatures, Lick It Up, Animalize and Revenge are the best for me. Out of the others you could make a very good Paul Stanley solo album.
And anyone who likes Lick It Up and Creatures should check out Vinnie Vincent Invasion albums if you haven't already. The first one is a Lowdz' Top 50 album. Such a shame Vinnie is such a tool.
-
Creatures, Lick it Up, Animalize, and Revenge are essential for me as well.
-
I'm not a fan of Robert Fleischman voice on the 1st album but I like the second album.
-
I'm not a fan of Robert Fleischman voice on the 1st album but I like the second album.
Where I was first introduced to Mark Slaughter. YEAH!
-
I was gonna say... Wasn't VV some completely unpopular that he got kicked out of his own band? :rollin
-
I was gonna say... Wasn't VV some completely unpopular that he got kicked out of his own band? :rollin
That is some claim to fame :biggrin:
I'd take Fleischman's voice over Mark Slaughter's nails down a blackboard screech. That first VVI album is just sooo over the top. The 2nd album was pale and boring next to it.
-
You said it Lowdz, that first one is waaaay over the top. Didnt think much of Fleischmans vocals at all, the music was good though.
-
Kind of a cool picture from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame awards.
(https://images.onset.freedom.com/ocregister/gallery/n4hzpw-b8842417z.120140423120343000ga01kc5r.10.jpg)
-
Kind of a cool picture from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame awards.
WTF is going on with Gene's hair?
-
:lol It's been like that for years.
So to answer your question, I have no idea.
-
Kind of a cool picture from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame awards.
WTF is going on with Gene's hair?
You've never seen Gene Simmons's Family Jewels?! Even his kids give him crap about his hair! :lol
-
Kind of a cool picture from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame awards.
WTF is going on with Gene's hair?
You've never seen Gene Simmons's Family Jewels?! Even his kids give him crap about his hair! :lol
Geez. I thought that wig he wore in the 80s was bad! Now, I'm thinking maybe he ought to dust that thing back off and give it another try.
-
Oh, man. 100,000 Years is still a rockin' tune.
Marathoning all their 70s albums tonight. Their debut has a fair few filler tracks, but some give me chills of nostalgia. Good ol' Strutter and Black Diamond.
-
Another vote for Revenge. Fantastic album.
-
:tup
I love 100,000 Years. I'm a sucker for a good 12/8 or shuffle, and 100,000 Years is both.
-
Have always LOVED Goin' Blind. Hugely underrated.
Hotter Than Hell has really clicked for me on this marathon. I like the heavier, dirty sound.
-
Dressed To Kiss is such a great album and that is a killer cover for an album.
-
Have always LOVED Goin' Blind. Hugely underrated.
Hotter Than Hell has really clicked for me on this marathon. I like the heavier, dirty sound.
Great album, shit production. Side 2 is just awesome but usually ignored live.
-
Side one and side two. Words rarely used these days.
-
That's because they've become irrelevant. :biggrin:
I agree Hotter Than Hell is a pretty good album, although the production is balls. The live versions of all Alive 1 songs are far superior, and the definitive versions.
The second half of the album only has Watchin' You. The rest is ignored live for a good reason. :lol
-
You should know youngster impersonating and old fogey. :lol
-
We used to play Goin' Blind in a band way back in junior high. Since it wasn't from Alive! I didn't know the song, so the lead guitarist lent me his copy of Hotter Than Hell so I could learn it. It was my first venture into studio KISS, and to this day, I still prefer Hotter Than Hell over the rest of the early studio stuff. Except probably Destroyer. Destroyer is great.
-
Have always LOVED Goin' Blind. Hugely underrated.
Hotter Than Hell has really clicked for me on this marathon. I like the heavier, dirty sound.
This is why Hotter Than Hell was always my favorite of the early albums.
-
The rest is ignored live for a good reason. :lol
Whoa -- totally disagree!! I'll grant you that Mainline is weak ... but Strange Ways? Coming Home? All The Way? Love them all!! :2metal:
My favorite of the early trio of albums is "Dressed to Kill." Always loved that one. :tup
-
The rest is ignored live for a good reason. :lol
Whoa -- totally disagree!! I'll grant you that Mainline is weak ... but Strange Ways? Coming Home? All The Way? Love them all!! :2metal:
My favorite of the early trio of albums is "Dressed to Kill." Always loved that one. :tup
Hey- I even love Mainline! Not a poor song on dressed.
-
Don't worry, Lowdz, I'm such a biased KISS fanatic that I love Mainline, too, but I can admit it's the weakest song on side 2. :hat
-
I am a Kiss nut but I will never say I like "Read My Body". :lol
-
I am a Kiss nut but I will never say I like "Read My Body". :lol
Thanks, king .... now it's running on repeat in my head..... :lol
-
Hotter Than Hell made The TAC Top 50. Strange Ways is a Top 5 Kiss track for me.
-
The rest is ignored live for a good reason. :lol
Whoa -- totally disagree!! I'll grant you that Mainline is weak ... but Strange Ways? Coming Home? All The Way? Love them all!! :2metal:
My favorite of the early trio of albums is "Dressed to Kill." Always loved that one. :tup
Coming Home's a good song, although there's too much other Alive era material that I'd rather hear. I hate Mainline and Strange Ways, and can't really remember All The Way off the top of my head.
-
All the way and Strange ways are my favorites on Hotter than hell, along with Parasite. :metal
-
I'd love for KISS to do a theatre tour and do an alternate setlist. All those great songs they've ignored for decades. My favourite KISS songs are not represented in the greatest hits tours of the last 20 years.
-
This one wasn't bad
https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/kiss/2004/palais-theatre-melbourne-australia-3d405ef.html
-
This one wasn't bad
https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/kiss/2004/palais-theatre-melbourne-australia-3d405ef.html
I saw them at the Sydney show of that tour, my first gig.
https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/kiss/2004/sydney-superdome-sydney-australia-13d545bd.html
Great setlist, but I'm still pissed that Perth got Creatures of the Night, and we got shitty King of the Night Time World as the opener instead. Aside from that, I loved the setlist.
https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/kiss/2004/waca-ground-perth-australia-33d4b895.html
And what an amazing setlist that is! They were playing a more varied setlist when they first started with Tommy and Eric, before settling into the more familiar setlists.
-
Well, I've been lucky enough to see Kiss on these tours.
1979 - Dynasty tour (11 years old and poor dad sat through it all)
1984 - Anilmalize tour (w/ Queensryche opening)
1985/86-- Asylum tour -- my least favorite tour.
1990 -- Hot In The Shade tour -- worst album but best tour of the non makeup shows until Revenge. (2 that tour w/ Slaughter and Winger)
1992 -- Revenge -- Pure awesomeness
1996 - Alive Worldwide tour -- Reunion tour which was awesome.
1998 Psycho Circus tour -- The cracks were showing
2010 -- Sonic Boom tour -- Great, great tour. Musically they were so tight.
-
Hotter Than Hell made The TAC Top 50. Strange Ways is a Top 5 Kiss track for me.
Made my top 100, in the 70s. Easily the best of the first three Kiss albums by a mile.
-
Hotter Than Hell made The TAC Top 50. Strange Ways is a Top 5 Kiss track for me.
Made my top 100, in the 70s. Easily the best of the first three Kiss albums by a mile.
I'd rank the debut slightly higher for songs, and way higher for production. Dressed To Kill is easily the weaker of the first 3 albums though.
-
Hotter Than Hell made The TAC Top 50. Strange Ways is a Top 5 Kiss track for me.
Made my top 100, in the 70s. Easily the best of the first three Kiss albums by a mile.
I'd rank the debut slightly higher for songs, and way higher for production. Dressed To Kill is easily the weaker of the first 3 albums though.
I agree. More filler on DtK than the other two. And while Destroyer is still good, it's my least favorite of the first 6. Too polished, and too many songs I just don't care for that much.
Hotter Than Hell
Kiss
Love Gun
Dressed to Kill
Rock n Roll Over
Destroyer
-
I thought I was the only one who didn't think Destroyer was one of their best. I don't mind the polished sound, but there are only a few songs on there I love, and too much deviating from the standard hard rock. It didn't suit them.
-
I thought I was the only one who didn't think Destroyer was one of their best. I don't mind the polished sound, but there are only a few songs on there I love, and too much deviating from the standard hard rock. It didn't suit them.
I'm about the same - always thought Destroyer's status was overdone. I really only listen to 2-3 tracks from it ...........Detroit Rock City is of course a ripper.
-
I think some have been tainted from Destroyer because we found out who really played on some of the album but truthfully isn't that the case with most of their albums? :lol
Really is was a jarring change of style but I still love the album though RNRO is my favorite.
-
I think some have been tainted from Destroyer because we found out who really played on some of the album but truthfully isn't that the case with most of their albums? :lol
That hasn't tainted any KISS album for me, it's just an expectation and assumption! :lol
I do believe RNRO is just the members of KISS though, and I rank that highest of the Alive 2 albums, ahead of Love Gun, and lastly Destroyer.
-
I think some have been tainted from Destroyer because we found out who really played on some of the album but truthfully isn't that the case with most of their albums? :lol
That hasn't tainted any KISS album for me, it's just an expectation and assumption! :lol
I do believe RNRO is just the members of KISS though, and I rank that highest of the Alive 2 albums, ahead of Love Gun, and lastly Destroyer.
At least they all actually did play on the first six albums. :rollin
But ya. I really love Love Gun, so I'm glad the that the true original era went out with a bang. As far as Destroyer goes... Beth, Sweet Pain, Great Expectations, and Flaming Youth are all pretty weak to me. Shout it Out Loud is OK, but like some Kiss songs, it can suffer from "overdoing it"... The rest is awesome.
-
I think some have been tainted from Destroyer because we found out who really played on some of the album but truthfully isn't that the case with most of their albums? :lol
That hasn't tainted any KISS album for me, it's just an expectation and assumption! :lol
I do believe RNRO is just the members of KISS though, and I rank that highest of the Alive 2 albums, ahead of Love Gun, and lastly Destroyer.
At least they all actually did play on the first six albums. :rollin
Ah, KISS. I excuse them from many things that I wouldn't tolerate from any other band. :lol
Given the flaky nature of Ace and Peter in later years, it doesn't bother me one bit though.
And they weren't fooling anyone with COTN. Yeah, that sounded just like Ace. :lol
-
I think some have been tainted from Destroyer because we found out who really played on some of the album but truthfully isn't that the case with most of their albums? :lol
That hasn't tainted any KISS album for me, it's just an expectation and assumption! :lol
I do believe RNRO is just the members of KISS though, and I rank that highest of the Alive 2 albums, ahead of Love Gun, and lastly Destroyer.
At least they all actually did play on the first six albums. :rollin
Ah, KISS. I excuse them from many things that I wouldn't tolerate from any other band. :lol
Given the flaky nature of Ace and Peter in later years, it doesn't bother me one bit though.
And they weren't fooling anyone with COTN. Yeah, that sounded just like Ace. :lol
That whole thing really irks me...mostly just because the bridges hadn't *really* been burned yet (well, emotionally maybe, but the contract was still in place obviously) and it seems like CotN was *exactly* the album that Ace always bitched about wanting to do. I would like to think that at any given moment, Ace *COULD* have walked up to Gene and Paul and at least said, "Hey, you know what? I was really disillusioned with the last 2 or 3 albums, but this new direction is really cool. Maybe we can work out moving forward..."
I know I was complaining not too long ago that we've never heard Ace make a comment on the CotN material...which is strange because he would have AT LEAST heard I Love it Loud since he appeared in the music video. They're in a room together and making press appearances together and they can't have a conversation? Baffling...
-
Come on guys. That was totally Peter Criss playing drums on "Torpedo Girl."
-
This one wasn't bad
https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/kiss/2004/palais-theatre-melbourne-australia-3d405ef.html
That's a great setlist for KISS but I hate I Love It Loud. And Blob, KOTNW is one of my favourite ever KISS songs and is no way "shitty"!
And first 6?
Hotter Than Hell
Love Gun
KISS
RnRO
Dressed To Kill
Destroyer
-
I still remember loosing my shit when on the HITS tour they started to play I Want You. Paul let out that huge, "IIIIIIISSSSSSSSS"!!
-
Really dig Mainline and all of HTH, and don't like Read My Body, nor the vast majority of HITS. That early part of the 2004 Downunder was pretty cool. Really wish they would do more like that. I haven't seen them in years as a result. I've seen pretty much the exact same show 3 times.
-
This one wasn't bad
https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/kiss/2004/palais-theatre-melbourne-australia-3d405ef.html
That's a great setlist for KISS but I hate I Love It Loud. And Blob, KOTNW is one of my favourite ever KISS songs and is no way "shitty"!
I Love it Loud is way better than KOTNW. Your opinion is invalid!
-
As Destroyer made my top 15, I'm just gonna have to stick my fingers in my ears and go "LA LA LA I CAN'T HEAR YOU." :rollin
-
With all the recent talks about autobiographies I'm inclined to ask...did Vinnie ever write one? I've heard a few snippets here and there from his time in the band (mostly seeming to whine that he was ripped off...and he may very well have been) but never anything terribly detailed.
Has he said anything of more detail?
I was a bit surprised that Gene mentioned him in the HoF speech, as it was my understanding that Gene's official version of why VV was cut out of Kisstory was because he never signed a full member contract (as Eric was) and so was never a member of Kiss.
-
This might interest you jammindude if you haven't already seen it
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/the-long-kiss-goodbye-the-search-for-vinnie-vincent-20140408
-
Wow! That was an amazing...and very tragic...read.
Maybe he just needs a hug.
-
I still remember loosing my shit when on the HITS tour they started to play I Want You. Paul let out that huge, "IIIIIIISSSSSSSSS"!!
Something like this? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8GnyfxrNEg (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8GnyfxrNEg)
I just love that clip, especially the wailing at the end. Paul Stanley will always be my favorite vocalist and frontmen of any band. That power... :omg:
-
This might interest you jammindude if you haven't already seen it
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/the-long-kiss-goodbye-the-search-for-vinnie-vincent-20140408
Wow!
-
This might interest you jammindude if you haven't already seen it
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/the-long-kiss-goodbye-the-search-for-vinnie-vincent-20140408
I read that around the time that Kiss announced they wouldn't play at the HoF ceremony. What a story.
-
(https://i548.photobucket.com/albums/ii324/jawkjaw/71ecd6d0aec15869f11b2b7de7689dc71_zps8a72001d.jpg)
Updated cover with the current Gene and Paul!
-
It looks like Ace's new solo album is going to sneak into the Top 10 on Billboard. Impressive.
-
Yeah, it's very impressive. And I quite like his album too.
-
Oh man, am I actually going to have to check this album out? I honestly didn't think it could possibly be any good, but people are saying it is, and now I don't know what to do.
-
People said his last one was good too, but that was an awful album.
The one song I've heard from the new one sounded like a passable rejected studio track for KISS Alive 2, recorded in a backyard studio.
-
:lol
Okay, but you have to admit that you're a tougher critic than most.
-
Maybe just a little. :biggrin:
-
People said his last one was good too, but that was an awful album.
The one song I've heard from the new one sounded like a passable rejected studio track for KISS Alive 2, recorded in a backyard studio.
I went in to Anomaly thinking it was gonna be great as loads of people were saying it was. They were wrong. It was complete bollox.
The new one however, is really good. It's not up there with the 78 solo album but at least as good as Trouble Walkin' and Second Sighting.
-
People said his last one was good too, but that was an awful album.
The one song I've heard from the new one sounded like a passable rejected studio track for KISS Alive 2, recorded in a backyard studio.
I went in to Anomaly thinking it was gonna be great as loads of people were saying it was. They were wrong. It was complete bollox.
The new one however, is really good. It's not up there with the 78 solo album but at least as good as Trouble Walkin' and Second Sighting.
Anomaly had a great first single, but the rest of the album blew.
-
Mnn. I'll let my cousin review it for me, then, I'll "Borrow" it.
-
Back in 1996-2000, I worked at a local department store CD shop. Somehow during that time, I managed to get a copy of the Criss Cat #1 solo album from Peter Criss that came out in 1994. In all that time, it has sat on my shelf without ever being played. But today, I was ripping my CD library to my new system, and decided to give it a whirl.
Considering how bad I've always heard PC's solo stuff was, I'm surprised at how much this doesn't suck. I mean, it's not amazing...but several of these songs would have made great Kiss songs if he had never left.
EDIT - OH WOW!! I just looked in the booklet and MIKE STONE (of QR fame) does the guitars and some lead vocals on the album! And Ace Frehley is credited with the leads.
-
There is some decent stuff on those 80s-90's solo albums - in between plenty of filler.
One For All (2007) is where a lot of the heat comes from - even he now admits it just didn't work.
-
What annoys me about Kiss is the way they paint Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer up in the Space-Ace and Cat-Man make-up, almost as if they're trying to fool casual punters that it's still the original line-up.
Eric Carr and Vinnie Vincent had their own make-up designs (The Fox and the incredibly silly Ankh-Warrior), I'd just have so much more respect for them if the new members had new characters. My $0.02.
EDIT: WTF am I talking about? I'd have more respect for them if they'd stuck with the unmasked look. They're all far too old for this crap, and I for one lost interest when the make-up went back on.
-
If people are dumb enough to know that Ace & Peter are not in the band anymore then it's on them. It's only been a decade plus again they've been out.
-
Gene and Paul decided that the Cat and the Spaceman are characters. If you're the lead guitarist, you "become" the Spaceman, the role originated by Ace. If you're the drummer, you are the Cat, the role originated by Peter. It makes a certain amount of sense, I suppose, though I can definitely see it as a slap in the face to Ace and Peter. If it had always been this way, then it might be a little better, but I kinda liked the idea of each new member creating their own character. To do that for a while, then decide that the original characters should be preserved and always be the ones onstage is lame.
But yeah, lamer still is that these are guys in their 50's and 60's putting on makeup, again.
-
EDIT: WTF am I talking about? I'd have more respect for them if they'd stuck with the unmasked look. They're all far too old for this crap, and I for one lost interest when the make-up went back on.
I was too much young to see Kiss in their heyday in the 70's (wasn't even born yet) and 80's. They played on the original Farewell Tour in 2000 in the basketball arena in my college town, which was when they introduce the non-makeup era songs back into the set after the reunion. I got 7th row tickets for that show. I had NEVER seen them live, and if I was going to see Kiss for the first time, it had better damn well be in the makeup with the full live show experience.
So now you have new generations - a guy I know that is a little older than me that grew up loving Kiss (and played in a death metal band) now takes his young son to see them live. Do you think he wants his kid to see Gene's ugly mug without makeup? Or does he want his kid to see those guys in makeup and costume, experiencing what he also did as a child?
I don't begrudge them for putting Tommy and Eric in the Ace/Peter makeups - that's what people want to see. I wanted to see it and I'm glad that I did back then.
-
Get off my lawn!!
But seriously, that's a point I hadn't considered. I'd rather see The Demon than Gene's ugly face without it.
-
Having just seen Ghost over the weekend, seems Kiss isn't too far different from just throwing the mask on someone else and "its the same" in terms of sound and image of the band.
I've never seen Kiss before and I got a ticket to see them at MSG, I'd prefer they had the make up on. Not that I wouldn't go if they didn't, but I'd like to see the show they are known for.
-
Having seen them with makeup and without, with the original band and with Tommy and Eric... and I have to say...
At this point, I'd rather see the current incarnation.
I saw the last tour with Peter and it was EMBARASSING. It was BAD. Kiss is a far better live band than they get credit for, and while its probably because they've played Deuce 24,362 times (and if you can't get it right at that point...) but the young blood helps. I'd see Ace instead of Tommy (he IS the weak link after all) but I have zero interest in seeing Peter Criss in that makeup, on that stage.
interesting too, is that they are a different band with and without makeup. The non-makeup years was more... LA polish. Paul was a different front man, far more sexually explicit (LOTS of f-bombs) and suggestive, whereas with the makeup, there's a level of respect there (probably not the right word) but less of a "we're at the Playboy Mansion" vibe and more of a pure "rock and roll party" vibe.
I saw the reunion at MSG, and it was one of the best concerts I've ever seen. They were home, and they were hungry. I saw the Aerosmith/Kiss tour, and Peter was phoning it in like I've literally never seen before or since. I'm convinced to this day there was either a drummer under the stage or some other help, because he barely looked like he was playing and he forgot some of the words to Beth. It's a 2:15 second song that you wrote and made your entire career/fortune on. You can remember the three verses, you lazy asshole. I saw the Kiss/Def Leppard show, and while it started weak, they kicked it into another gear about midway through (even my daughter said the next day "Dad, did something happen? It seemed like they got mad!") and she called it the "greatest night of her life".
Honestly, I think the people crying for Ace/Peter are the same people crying for Michael Anthony, and honestly, I think you'd be hard pressed to tell the dfference while you're there in the arena at full volume and full stage show.
-
Was never a big fan of the band, more of a casual one, but when I was getting into them and going through the band's history, I always did like the idea of new members having their own characters and makeup design.
I get why they do it the way they do it now, but still. I remember when I first saw that they had a "solo album" art made for Eric Carr like the original four had for their 1978 albums, with his own theme color assigned to him and everything (orange), I thought that was pretty cool.
-
I much prefer the music from the non-makeup era, so, personally, I'd rather have Bruce and Eric back without the makeup instead of the walking midlife crisis the band became. I saw the original "farewell" tour and it was OK, but that was when they turned from being relevant to being a nostalgia act.
-
Stumbled upon this on YouTube tonight.
1976 Rehearsal footage. Amazing!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yh5kPjvmEP8
-
Add me to the list that don't have a problem with them doing the makeup, since that's what they're known for, but each of the new guys should have their own makeup/identity. Besides being respectful to Ace and Peter (as if Gene and Paul ever cared), it would be cool to see what each of the guys would've come up with. And for the record, I don't get the issues with Vinnie's ankh warrior makeup - it wasn't the greatest by any means, but it's better (IMO) than Paul's makeup. YEAH!!!! Let's put a black star over one eye and nothing else! Killer idea! ::)
-
Scotty, it should be clear now that I have a deep respect for your musical knowledge and your general opinion on music, but for me, who grew up in real time with the band, knowing those four faces, and more importantly, NOT having a "real face" to associate wth it, I much prefer the Ace/Peter makeup/character even if it isn't actually Ace or Peter playing. You have to remember, this isn't like Ozzy, or Joe Perry, where there was a persona or a personality that went along with it. Other than that now-legendary Tom Snyder appearance, the Kiss experience from 1974 to about 1980, 1982 was almost PURELY visual. You never heard Ace or Peter talk in interviews. You didn't see their mansion of the stars. They didn't appear - like they do now - on "That Metal Show". Many of their covers were cartoons or artistic reproductions of the "symbols" of their face.
It's almost like Star Wars; Kenny Baker died; should R2-D2 now have a new "color scheme"?
-
Scotty, it should be clear now that I have a deep respect for your musical knowledge and your general opinion on music, but for me, who grew up in real time with the band, knowing those four faces, and more importantly, NOT having a "real face" to associate wth it, I much prefer the Ace/Peter makeup/character even if it isn't actually Ace or Peter playing. You have to remember, this isn't like Ozzy, or Joe Perry, where there was a persona or a personality that went along with it. Other than that now-legendary Tom Snyder appearance, the Kiss experience from 1974 to about 1980, 1982 was almost PURELY visual. You never heard Ace or Peter talk in interviews. You didn't see their mansion of the stars. They didn't appear - like they do now - on "That Metal Show". Many of their covers were cartoons or artistic reproductions of the "symbols" of their face.
It's almost like Star Wars; Kenny Baker died; should R2-D2 now have a new "color scheme"?
I beg to differ on the fact that a persona or personality went along with the makeup - it most certainly did. While I realize they may not have contributed to the same extent as Gene or Paul, they had roles within that band that most certainly were specifically them. It wasn't as if they were playing a role like Kenny Baker did. They wrote and played songs in their own particular way, which is different from everyone else who's followed them. Can't say the same thing about Kenny Baker. Plus the fact that Eric and Vinnie did also have their own makeup is another reason why. Had each of them taken over the cat and spaceman makeup upon joining the band, there would be less argument now. But they already had set a precedent that new members would have their own makeup.
-
Well, Ace finally stopped playing the game and dropped the gloves.
Gene said this stuff:
https://consequenceofsound.net/2019/01/paul-stanley-ace-frehley-and-peter-criss-are-welcome-onstage-but-are-never-going-to-be-in-kiss-again/
Then Ace replied with this:
https://www.facebook.com/officialacefrehley/photos/a.115366315377/10155634789055378/?type=3&theater
-
Gene and Ace seemed to bet getting on great of late and Gene even let his band become Ace's band.
I reckon this is Gene saying what Paul wants him to say and now rightly copping it from Ace.
And Paul has hired a painter as the support for a swag of US dates :rollin
-
A what?!
A painter, like, the opening act is watching a guy paint something?
-
Garibaldi - "performance painter"
https://www.facebook.com/garibaldiarts/videos/1149410808516915/
I doubt Gene was present at that meeting :lol
-
Ah, him! I'm pretty sure I've seen Garibaldi on one of the late-night shows. He's actually pretty entertaining. I'm still not sure how good a match he would be for a KISS audience, but WTF.
-
I would rather see David Garibaldi, the drummer for Tower of Power.
-
And Paul has hired a painter as the support for a swag of US dates :rollin
So KISS fans will literally be watching paint dry on this tour :neverusethis:
-
Well, Ace finally stopped playing the game and dropped the gloves.
Gene said this stuff:
https://consequenceofsound.net/2019/01/paul-stanley-ace-frehley-and-peter-criss-are-welcome-onstage-but-are-never-going-to-be-in-kiss-again/
Then Ace replied with this:
https://www.facebook.com/officialacefrehley/photos/a.115366315377/10155634789055378/?type=3&theater
LOT of rumblings that this was not Ace's doing, but rather Rachel, his girlfriend. Unless he was in his "red fog of anger" that is very un-Ace like, not so much with the vitriol, but the way the post is phrased.
Or maybe it was Eric Gillette's wife. Who knows? But it likely wasn't Ace (and there hasn't been a reply from Gene/Paul/Kiss yet as far as I know).
-
Ah, him! I'm pretty sure I've seen Garibaldi on one of the late-night shows. He's actually pretty entertaining. I'm still not sure how good a match he would be for a KISS audience, but WTF.
I saw something like that at a Spring Weekend concert at Uconn in the '80's, and again at a festival show at the Meadows in Hartford (maybe the H.O.R.D.E. tour?) and it WAS entertaining. The latter one, this guy was spraying this big black "canvas" like a maniac with spray paint (all colors of highlighters) and he stopped, looked at it, flipped it 180 degrees and shot a blotch right in the middle and viola! It was Jimi Fucking Hendrix. REALLY cool.
No worse than the Bugs Bunny cartoon that opened the Yes show back on the 90120 tour.
-
^ I'd take the Bugs Bunny cartoon over this any day! :metal
-
Ah, him! I'm pretty sure I've seen Garibaldi on one of the late-night shows. He's actually pretty entertaining. I'm still not sure how good a match he would be for a KISS audience, but WTF.
I saw something like that at a Spring Weekend concert at Uconn in the '80's, and again at a festival show at the Meadows in Hartford (maybe the H.O.R.D.E. tour?) and it WAS entertaining. The latter one, this guy was spraying this big black "canvas" like a maniac with spray paint (all colors of highlighters) and he stopped, looked at it, flipped it 180 degrees and shot a blotch right in the middle and viola! It was Jimi Fucking Hendrix. REALLY cool.
Yeah, that type of thing. There's a way to present it and make it entertaining.
No worse than the Bugs Bunny cartoon that opened the Yes show back on the 90120 tour.
That sounds... really dumb.
-
Ah, him! I'm pretty sure I've seen Garibaldi on one of the late-night shows. He's actually pretty entertaining. I'm still not sure how good a match he would be for a KISS audience, but WTF.
I saw something like that at a Spring Weekend concert at Uconn in the '80's, and again at a festival show at the Meadows in Hartford (maybe the H.O.R.D.E. tour?) and it WAS entertaining. The latter one, this guy was spraying this big black "canvas" like a maniac with spray paint (all colors of highlighters) and he stopped, looked at it, flipped it 180 degrees and shot a blotch right in the middle and viola! It was Jimi Fucking Hendrix. REALLY cool.
Yeah, that type of thing. There's a way to present it and make it entertaining.
No worse than the Bugs Bunny cartoon that opened the Yes show back on the 90120 tour.
That sounds... really dumb.
At least it was a good one ("Ali Baba Bunny"; you might remember it as "Open Sesame").
-
Hassan Chop!!
That is a good one.
I play this game called Diablo III, your typical hack-and-slash dungeon crawler, and one of the Legendary Weapons is this huge blade called The Hassan Chopper. It looks just like the blade Hassan has in that cartoon. The game designers are apparently fans. :lol
-
Anyone seen the setlist for this tour's shows? Has to be the worst encore I've seen on a KISS tour. Beth (sung by Eric), Do You Love Me (quite possibly one of their worst songs) and RaRAN (one of the most overplayed and overrated songs in rock history). If it weren't for the fact that my daughter is coming with us to the MSG show to see them for the first time, I'd probably leave before the encore to avoid the crowd.
-
Anyone seen the setlist for this tour's shows? Has to be the worst encore I've seen on a KISS tour. Beth (sung by Eric), Do You Love Me (quite possibly one of their worst songs) and RaRAN (one of the most overplayed and overrated songs in rock history). If it weren't for the fact that my daughter is coming with us to the MSG show to see them for the first time, I'd probably leave before the encore to avoid the crowd.
HORRIBLE set and all the talk about the staging....I find it "ok" but nothing earth shattering. Glad I'm passing. :tdwn
-
Anyone seen the setlist for this tour's shows? Has to be the worst encore I've seen on a KISS tour. Beth (sung by Eric), Do You Love Me (quite possibly one of their worst songs) and RaRAN (one of the most overplayed and overrated songs in rock history). If it weren't for the fact that my daughter is coming with us to the MSG show to see them for the first time, I'd probably leave before the encore to avoid the crowd.
I haven't see the setlist or the staging (except for one still photo of Paul and Gene that Paul tweeted) but DON'T. Even "RaRAN", I get it, you've heard it before, but your kid hasn't. We stayed and my then 16-year-old put up a picture on Instagram of the stage just blowing up during RaRAN and the caption "Best night of my life!". It's worth it for the uninitiated. Plus, the sound of MSG is unparalleled, AND it's their home show. If I see this tour it will be in New York; I saw the reunion tour on their four night stand in MSG and it was probably the best Kiss show I've seen.
-
Anyone seen the setlist for this tour's shows? Has to be the worst encore I've seen on a KISS tour. Beth (sung by Eric), Do You Love Me (quite possibly one of their worst songs) and RaRAN (one of the most overplayed and overrated songs in rock history). If it weren't for the fact that my daughter is coming with us to the MSG show to see them for the first time, I'd probably leave before the encore to avoid the crowd.
I haven't see the setlist or the staging (except for one still photo of Paul and Gene that Paul tweeted) but DON'T. Even "RaRAN", I get it, you've heard it before, but your kid hasn't. We stayed and my then 16-year-old put up a picture on Instagram of the stage just blowing up during RaRAN and the caption "Best night of my life!". It's worth it for the uninitiated. Plus, the sound of MSG is unparalleled, AND it's their home show. If I see this tour it will be in New York; I saw the reunion tour on their four night stand in MSG and it was probably the best Kiss show I've seen.
I say I'd leave. But, I never would. I've never left a concert early before. I certainly wouldn't now with this KISS show. My first KISS show was at MSG back in December '85 on the Asylum tour. I got to see them there on the reunion tour as well. Now, my daughter's first time will be at MSG. I'm still looking forward to it (for the most part).
All of these lip-sync videos are really bumming me out, though. Even Gene is doing it!
-
Yeah, that sucks. It really does, because for all the rumors about Derek programming shit, the shows I saw were live. Either that or they programmed in mistakes. :). Gene forgetting the lyrics to "Let Me Go Rock n' Roll" but recovering for the chorus (when I saw them in MSG). Gene's rig not working in Hartford (actually, now that I think about it... I've seen it fail three times!) and him ripping a roadie a new asshole, and the band just kicking into overdrive (I've written about this before; it was like two different bands).
I saw Gene in a club in Philly a year or so ago; I was ON STAGE with him and I heard him singing live without the mic and he can do it. Not sure why he feels it has to be done now. (Though to be fair, I've only seen video of Paul that seem a little sketchy on the live side of things).
-
I'll also be at that Kiss show at MSG, my first and maybe only time seeing them. I don't really know much of their music besides the greatest hits album I have so the setlist isn't terribly interesting to me (in general, I haven't looked) but I certainly would stay for RARAN. Looking forward to that song honestly.
-
I'll also be at that Kiss show at MSG, my first and maybe only time seeing them. I don't really know much of their music besides the greatest hits album I have so the setlist isn't terribly interesting to me (in general, I haven't looked) but I certainly would stay for RARAN. Looking forward to that song honestly.
There's been a lot of talk about the setlist, and to be honest, I don't see the issue. Kiss isn't a band that does deep tracks, they're not a band that does "The Elder" in it's entirety. You get 20 songs, plus minus. You have about 10 givens at every show: Detroit, RnRAN, God of Thunder, Cold Gin, I Love It Loud, Black Diamond, Shout It Out Loud (WAY better live), Deuce, Love Gun. Then there's about five or so rotating songs: Parasite or Let Me Go, Rock and Roll. Calling Dr. Love or War Machine. I Was Made For Loving You or I Still Love You. This setlist has a couple more recent tunes - War Machine, Lick It Up (both have been in the set for a couple years now, with no Strutter, She, or Firehouse), Heaven's On Fire, and Say Yeah (from Sonic Boom).
All in all, I think if you're complaining about the setlist, you a) were never going to be satisfied, and/or b) don't really get the Kiss ethos at this point.
-
There's been a lot of talk about the setlist, and to be honest, I don't see the issue. Kiss isn't a band that does deep tracks, they're not a band that does "The Elder" in it's entirety. You get 20 songs, plus minus. You have about 10 givens at every show: Detroit, RnRAN, God of Thunder, Cold Gin, I Love It Loud, Black Diamond, Shout It Out Loud (WAY better live), Deuce, Love Gun. Then there's about five or so rotating songs: Parasite or Let Me Go, Rock and Roll. Calling Dr. Love or War Machine. I Was Made For Loving You or I Still Love You. This setlist has a couple more recent tunes - War Machine, Lick It Up (both have been in the set for a couple years now, with no Strutter, She, or Firehouse), Heaven's On Fire, and Say Yeah (from Sonic Boom).
All in all, I think if you're complaining about the setlist, you a) were never going to be satisfied, and/or b) don't really get the Kiss ethos at this point.
I think I’d probably fall into the “never gonna be satisfied” category. I totally get their philosophy on the set list. They’re not playing to cater to long-time fans who may enjoy more than the 15-20 songs they’re always gonna play live. As they’ve said over and over again, they’ve tailored their set list for the people who may be seeing KISS for the first time. While I understand it, that doesn’t mean I have to like it. I’ve seen them 10-12 times live. They’ve been a band for 40+ years, not just the 6 years during which their first 7 studio albums came out. Pull out “Tears Are Falling” (which was an MTV hit) or something off of Revenge (which a lot of fans consider a high water mark for non-makeup KISS). The only time I’d get to hear those deeper tracks live would be on their Kruise and, unfortunately, I just don’t have that kind of disposable income. With all that said, I’ll be at MSG with my wife and daughter, enjoying what was my favorite band for a long time one last time live (although, as a 3-year tour, it would be unrealistic to think they’re not gonna finish this whole thing back in NYC). I just hope my daughter enjoys it. :metal
-
As a big Iron Maiden fan, I get the "never going to be satisfied" approach. These huge bands are never going to be able to cater to the hardcore fan because they have so many new fans that want to see the classics. Like, I'm sitting here saying I can't wait to see Rock n Roll All Night, but to compare, I'd be cool never seeing The Number of the Beast live again. So I can see it from both perspectives and just try to respect it and enjoy it as much as I can as a fan.
-
To be fair....I've heard that they went DEEP for the Kiss Kruise.
I'm not sure that I would be the least bit tempted by a modern day Kiss concert....but if the timing and the funds were right, I would really want to do a Kiss Kruise....
-
To be fair....I've heard that they went DEEP for the Kiss Kruise.
I'm not sure that I would be the least bit tempted by a modern day Kiss concert....but if the timing and the funds were right, I would really want to do a Kiss Kruise....
That's me (though I'm kicking around going down to MSG; seeing them "at home" is special to me).
Honestly, when they're in full makeup at 125 dBs, with all the lights... I don't need to hear "Two Timer" or "Goin' Blind". But just once I'd love to see Paul and Gene on a couple of stools with acoustic guitars fudging their way through GB.
I've also been blessed (in the sense that they were my heroes) to have met them twice each, and both times for both they were everything you hope for in meeting your idol.
-
Listening to Carnival Of Souls now, and i think it's pretty cool! Okay, it doesn't sound anything like Kiss, but it's a cool lost alternative metal record. Rain could be a Soundgarden song.
-
To be fair....I've heard that they went DEEP for the Kiss Kruise.
I'm not sure that I would be the least bit tempted by a modern day Kiss concert....but if the timing and the funds were right, I would really want to do a Kiss Kruise....
That's me (though I'm kicking around going down to MSG; seeing them "at home" is special to me).
Honestly, when they're in full makeup at 125 dBs, with all the lights... I don't need to hear "Two Timer" or "Goin' Blind". But just once I'd love to see Paul and Gene on a couple of stools with acoustic guitars fudging their way through GB.
I've also been blessed (in the sense that they were my heroes) to have met them twice each, and both times for both they were everything you hope for in meeting your idol.
I LOVE Goin' Blind. Top 3 Gene songs easy (the other two being Naked City and Unholy). IMO, the only reason I still own Alive IV is for the acoustic/orchestrated version of Goin' Blind.
-
Naked City :tup
-
Naked City indeed :tup
Love the bass in that one.
-
Actually, if I may be so bold, I LOVE the production on Unmasked. I much prefer it to Dynasty. But KISS went through so many phases, and I think there's a charm to every era.
The Kramer pair (R&RO & Love Gun) will always be my favorite, but hell, even Carnival of Souls (which someone just mentioned) has a charm to it.
-
Not a huge fan of KISS, but I think I like their unmasked 80's stuff better than their 70's output by a huge margin.
-
Even though HITS is kindof a crap album....I have a soft spot for the two singles from that album.
Rise To It is a great rocker and I think it should be brought back live. That song just begs for an arena. And Forever IMO is one of Paul's better ballads.
-
Yep, Forever is truly a fantastic song and one of their best ballads overall.
-
I would have to say the stretch of Creatures of the Night/Lick it Up/Animalize/Asylum would probably be my favorite from the band. But they have so many awesome tunes from the 70's, Rock n Roll Over and Dressed to Kill would be at the top for me in regards to their 70's output.
I was just playing Sonic Boom and Monster the last couple of days. Some really cool songs on both including Modern Day Delilah, Danger Us, Say Yeah and Hell or Hallelujah. I also really liked the Kiss Klassics album, bit of a slightly modern take on those classic tunes.
-
Since Sirius XM has been doing this Kiss channel all month, I've had a blast (my family, not so much) listening to nothing but Kiss in the car. The band's catalog is literally in my blood at this point, but there has been the odd song that made me go 'wait, what album is that off of?'
In every case, it's been Monster and Sonic Boom. So I made it a point to relisten to those both.
My opinions haven't really changed (I remember loving SB, and feeling pretty 'meh' on Monster), but I probably only gave each disc 3 or 4 spins when they came out. I can tell you this, I've been missing the boat with Sonic Boom for years. That album sounds great. The production is spot on, and both Paul and Gene kill their vocals.
Now Monster, well...that's still a bit patchy for me. I really wish there was a more fitting Swan Song for the band, but as a one/two punch, I give Kiss a lot of credit for those two records. They were albums they certainly didn't need to record, but I'm very glad they did.
-
I love those two records. For me, Kiss was always about the album tracks. Other than maybe Deuce and Tears Are Falling, I'm not sure there's an album where my favorite song is the "hit". And the less I like the album tracks, the less I tend to like the album. For me, SB and M are REALLY consistent.
-
Ok everyone...your top 10 Kiss songs that have never appeared on any greatest hits package.
GO!
:angel:
-
Not familiar with any greatest hits besides Double Platinum.
Here's 10 songs that I wouldn't think would appear on a GH comp. Are these my Top 10 KISS songs? No!
But I love all of them.
In no specific order
Strange Ways
Coming Home
And On The 8th Day
King Of The Mountain
I'll Fight Hell To Hold You
Hard Times
Save Your Love
Tomorrow
Baby Driver
Nowhere To Run
Secretly Cruel
-
Strange Ways
Flaming Youth
I Stole Your Love
Almost Human
Magic Touch
Naked City
Tomorrow
Just A Boy
Odyssey
Danger
I don't think any of those have shown up on a compilation, but I could be wrong.
-
Strange Ways
This is a Top 5 KISS track for me.
-
The problem with that is that Kiss had more compilations than studio albums (and even a LIVE compilation, which, I might add, had "I Stole Your Love" on it.)
But I'll go with (in chronological order):
Goin' Blind*
Strange Ways*
Flaming Youth
Love 'Em And Leave 'Em
See You In Your Dreams
All American Man
Rockin' In The USA
Larger Than Life*
X-Ray Eyes
Naked City
She's So European
Only You
Under The Rose
Not For The Innocent
Trial By Fire
Within*
More than 10, but the ones with asterisks are on the box set, so might be disqualified. For the record, I didn't have to really stretch for any of these. I'd be very hard pressed to name my top ten Kiss songs (there'd be a LOT of really, really favorite songs on the cutting room floor.)
-
I Stole Your Love
War Machine
Not for the Innocent
Heart of Chrome
Secretly Cruel
Magic Touch
A Million to One
Exciter
King of the Mountain
Into the Fire
Easy as it Seems
-
King of the Night Time World
Love 'Em and Leave 'Em
Ladies in Waiting
Mr. Speed
Love Her All I Can
Take Me
I Stole Your Love
Magic Touch
You're All That I Want
Tomorrow
-
One week until Kiss comes to MSG. I only have one CD, a greatest hits, but besides listening to that, I also have watched this entire show from 96 at MSG: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fN8GtIP3kQ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fN8GtIP3kQ) Pretty cool stuff. I really haven't given Kiss any listening time, besides when a song just comes on randomly, in like 15 years. I think this show is going to be a lot of fun, really looking forward to it now. (that performance has many flaws, but it just comes off as fun so I couldn't give a shit about the poor solos and whatnot).
-
One week until Kiss comes to MSG. I only have one CD, a greatest hits, but besides listening to that, I also have watched this entire show from 96 at MSG: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fN8GtIP3kQ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fN8GtIP3kQ) Pretty cool stuff. I really haven't given Kiss any listening time, besides when a song just comes on randomly, in like 15 years. I think this show is going to be a lot of fun, really looking forward to it now. (that performance has many flaws, but it just comes off as fun so I couldn't give a shit about the poor solos and whatnot).
That's the show from one of the "Kissology" Bonus Disks. It was the third night of a four night stand; I saw two nights before, the opening night at MSG, and it was the best I've ever seen Kiss. Yeah, there were rough spots, but being in their living room (as Paul says before Cold Gin, it's essentially a home town show for them) is a treat. As long as you go in knowing it's not going to be Dream Theater/Mahavishnu Orchestra levels of instrumental insanity you will have a great time.
-
Yea, I mean, even at DT shows I dont go in expecting perfection (although some bands I expect better performances than others). I expect a fun show, not a perfect musical performance.
Anyway, I realized my greatest hits album I got as a kid "Smashes, Thrashes, and Hits" has two songs that were new to that album, and I happen to really like them. I mean, the lyrical content is super cheesy and both songs kind of sound the same, but man Rock Hard is such an awesome fun rocker song. I'd love to see that one live. Anyway, I'm in full Kiss mode for the next couple days.
-
Well, I was one of the guys who was sh*tting on KISS back in February in this thread. This past Wednesday was the MSG show. I gotta say, it was pretty great. My daughter absolutely loved it which totally made the night. But, the show itself was really good, way better than I expected. They sounded good. Maybe Paul is still lip syncing, maybe he isn't. I couldn't tell. And, there were enough ad libs in to prove that it's at least partially live. He definitely sounds better than I've heard in recordings from previous tours. And, the stage is amazing. It's gotta be at least part of the reason why there is no opening band. I wouldn't want an opening band running around on that stage if it were mine either. I'm not gonna kid myself and deny that a painter is way cheaper than an opening band. But, it was mildly entertaining. Talented guy.
For anyone on the fence about going, I'd definitely recommend it. As far as rock shows go, there isn't a better production out there today. And, it's just a lot of fun. I got to see them at MSG in '85, '96 and now 2019. Nostalgia aside, this was definitely the best overall show of the three.
-
That's kind of amazing if you rate it above those. I agree with pretty much everything you said too, I've been trying to watch my video closely to notice lip syncing, I think they do it during the singalong chorus parts, but Paul's solo spots seem pretty legit from what I've noticed. He's not perfect, but he's pretty good overall and especially considering the negativity around his voice, he really out performed from my expectations.
-
That's kind of amazing if you rate it above those. I agree with pretty much everything you said too, I've been trying to watch my video closely to notice lip syncing, I think they do it during the singalong chorus parts, but Paul's solo spots seem pretty legit from what I've noticed. He's not perfect, but he's pretty good overall and especially considering the negativity around his voice, he really out performed from my expectations.
They've been lipsynching the background vocals since... well, for at least 25 years. I know I've seen them multiple times, and if they are lipsynched ANY of the main vocals at any of the shows I've seen, I'd be STUNNED, unless they are SO fucking good at it that they "program in" duffed lyrics, ad libs and imperfections. Plus, these guys are not shy; meaning, I can't believe they are at all ashamed about a croaked line or a cracked voice. Finally, to have an entire 2 hour show SO "memorized" that you can synch up the vocals for 20 songs, sounds like more work than it's worth.
-
Yea, the backing vocals is normal for so many bands, but my thoughts were, if that's the lip syncing everyones all pissed about, they got bigger fish to fry because Paul was pretty good and it looks/sounds legit because you can certainly tell he isn't perfect either (whcih is fine for me, I prefer live with all the flaws).
-
That's kind of amazing if you rate it above those. I agree with pretty much everything you said too, I've been trying to watch my video closely to notice lip syncing, I think they do it during the singalong chorus parts, but Paul's solo spots seem pretty legit from what I've noticed. He's not perfect, but he's pretty good overall and especially considering the negativity around his voice, he really out performed from my expectations.
They've been lipsynching the background vocals since... well, for at least 25 years. I know I've seen them multiple times, and if they are lipsynched ANY of the main vocals at any of the shows I've seen, I'd be STUNNED, unless they are SO fucking good at it that they "program in" duffed lyrics, ad libs and imperfections. Plus, these guys are not shy; meaning, I can't believe they are at all ashamed about a croaked line or a cracked voice. Finally, to have an entire 2 hour show SO "memorized" that you can synch up the vocals for 20 songs, sounds like more work than it's worth.
Just to address the final part, if they're playing to a click (no idea), it's no different than any other backing tracks. Actually not a ton of work. Less than an hour probably.
-
Earlier shows were very obvious with the lip syncing - Gene's vocals still coming through loud and clear while he's already turned his back on the mic and is 5 feet away from it. As far as this show goes, I'm totally willing to suspend my disbelief and consider most of the vocals to be live. It was great fun. One thing I'm simply just genuinely curious about is whether Eric Singer knows how to play the piano or is only sitting behind it. I could care less either way really. Bottom line, great show. Glad I decided to go.
-
I honestly wouldn't doubt that Eric Singer could play the piano. Is he playing the piano while singing? I doubt it.
-
Earlier shows were very obvious with the lip syncing - Gene's vocals still coming through loud and clear while he's already turned his back on the mic and is 5 feet away from it. As far as this show goes, I'm totally willing to suspend my disbelief and consider most of the vocals to be live. It was great fun. One thing I'm simply just genuinely curious about is whether Eric Singer knows how to play the piano or is only sitting behind it. I could care less either way really. Bottom line, great show. Glad I decided to go.
This is what I meant by "memorizing" the set. It's one thing to hit a cue, but it's another thing to remember every little vocal tick and idiosyncracy for an entire two hour set. Maybe they can do it, who knows, but it seems implausible to me.
-
https://twitter.com/genesimmons/status/1115269348166385664
I'm going to be super-bummed if this turns out to be a photoshop, but before then, this is what it's all about for me as well. I was that kid once.
-
https://twitter.com/genesimmons/status/1115269348166385664
I'm going to be super-bummed if this turns out to be a photoshop, but before then, this is what it's all about for me as well. I was that kid once.
Pretty sure he was looking at the kid's mother.
-
That's cool and it's good for rock music to have young kids love it and be included. Just sucks when you click that and its followed by such negative comments. I've definitely learned the Kiss trolls are very real and strong in numbers, probably low in IQ too.
-
https://twitter.com/genesimmons/status/1115269348166385664
I'm going to be super-bummed if this turns out to be a photoshop, but before then, this is what it's all about for me as well. I was that kid once.
Pretty sure he was looking at the kid's mother.
I was. I mean, he was. :)
-
That's cool and it's good for rock music to have young kids love it and be included. Just sucks when you click that and its followed by such negative comments. I've definitely learned the Kiss trolls are very real and strong in numbers, probably low in IQ too.
I'm with you. There's no 'face value' anymore. And I would put it in the "mildly irritating" thread, except it's MASSIVELY irritating to me: The "KI$$" with the dollar signs. I get it with Gene - he's done that himself in autographs for years - but if you don't like the Kiss machine, don't play. It's that simple. I know for me, I've spent a ton of money on them, and in hindsight? I got my money's worth times three. I've met all of them except Peter, Bruce, Eric and Tommy, and they've all been nicer than I could ever hope for. I've seen them more than any other band, and never seen a BAD show. I have all the records, and I still listen to most of them regularly (I had Double Platinum on in the shower just two days ago). I have a "Paul Stanley" hanging in my living room (it's called "Karma") and every person that comes into the room comments on it without having any idea who the artist is.
All I know is Paul keeps posting those end of show shots of the arenas from the back of the stage and EVERY ONE is full. Phillips Arena in Atlanta: I'm guessing 20,000, and it was FULL. Why not let those that enjoy it, enjoy it, without your cynical, jaded, judgmental bullshit?
-
Yea, I get the criticisms of the band and I don't even disagree with all of them, but the trolls who just dump and dump for no other reason than to dump is just annoying. Especially when it's a photo of a kid, like seriously, that's probably an awesome moment for that child so let them enjoy it.
-
That's cool and it's good for rock music to have young kids love it and be included. Just sucks when you click that and its followed by such negative comments. I've definitely learned the Kiss trolls are very real and strong in numbers, probably low in IQ too.
I'm with you. There's no 'face value' anymore. And I would put it in the "mildly irritating" thread, except it's MASSIVELY irritating to me: The "KI$$" with the dollar signs. I get it with Gene - he's done that himself in autographs for years - but if you don't like the Kiss machine, don't play. It's that simple. I know for me, I've spent a ton of money on them, and in hindsight? I got my money's worth times three. I've met all of them except Peter, Bruce, Eric and Tommy, and they've all been nicer than I could ever hope for. I've seen them more than any other band, and never seen a BAD show. I have all the records, and I still listen to most of them regularly (I had Double Platinum on in the shower just two days ago). I have a "Paul Stanley" hanging in my living room (it's called "Karma") and every person that comes into the room comments on it without having any idea who the artist is.
All I know is Paul keeps posting those end of show shots of the arenas from the back of the stage and EVERY ONE is full. Phillips Arena in Atlanta: I'm guessing 20,000, and it was FULL. Why not let those that enjoy it, enjoy it, without your cynical, jaded, judgmental bullshit?
You sound a bit intolerant of the intolerant. :biggrin:
-
Yea, I get the criticisms of the band and I don't even disagree with all of them, but the trolls who just dump and dump for no other reason than to dump is just annoying. Especially when it's a photo of a kid, like seriously, that's probably an awesome moment for that child so let them enjoy it.
I think I've told you the story of my daugher and Paul Stanley back when she was about 5 or 6. She's a fan to this day.
-
I've met all of them except Peter, Bruce, Eric and Tommy, and they've all been nicer than I could ever hope for. I've seen them more than any other band, and never seen a BAD show.
The only time I've met Peter and Ace was at a convention back around (I think) the time of their their Bad Boys tour. Surprisingly, Peter was in amazing spirits. The woman in line in front of me went to the same public school as him. He was laughing with her and gave her a big hug. Not surprisingly, unfortunately, Ace was a complete dick. He had his sunglasses on and was a complete bear. His sharpie ran out just as he was signing my album jacket for KISS/KISS. Without looking, he threw it in back of himself and started yelling for another sharpie. The only thing I can think of his behavior is that he was less than sober at this time and he probably had a raging hangover (or was already drunk). Thankfully, the signing order was Ace, then Peter.
Bruce is always super nice, as is Eric. I've met them both at NJ KISS Expos and when I met the entire Revenge-era band at a meet-and-greet at The Ritz. All 4 were cool then.
-
We met Eric Carr in 1990 and he was so totally cool.
-
Kiss fan, you guys know that at this point, so I'm inclined to give benefits of the doubt... but why in god's name would ANYONE take the chance on this at this point?
https://eddietrunk.com/former-kiss-guitarist-vinnie-vincent-to-perform-at-speedballjamm-in-nashville-on-june-7th/
$300 a pop, direct to HIS PayPal address (as opposed to a promoter/ticket broker, who presumably would provide SOME guarantees). One autograph, unless you have $500 to pony up in which case he'll autograph your axe or your pick guard.
Don't get me wrong; if he pulls it off, it's a nice little payday, but I know for me, I'm willing to sit by and see if this actually lifts off. (And not for nothing, but if Carmine Appice and/or Tony Franklin - or their teams - can't get Vinnie on stage, what the hell are Mike Weeks or Chuck White - not going to credit them with having a "team" - going to do?)
-
I think all of the money goes to his breast enhancements.
-
I don't know if anyone's interested in this discussion at this point, but I listened to the four 1978 solo albums last year and thought they all had some great stuff on them. However, the one I return to most often is Gene's solo album. I thought it was very solid vocally and features the catchiest songs, despite not being that loud and aggressive. See you tonite, Radioactive, Mr. Make believe, Man of a 1000 faces, Tunnel of love... All great tracks.
I've also thought about putting together an album of ten tunes and pretending it's a KISS album. :lol It goes something like this:
1. Tonight you belong to me
2. Rip it out
3. See you tonite
4. You matter to me
5. It's alright
6. Radioactive
7. Speedin' back to my baby
8. Mr. Make believe
9. Love in chains
10. Don't you let me down
The ones that didn't make the cut are the Gene ones I listed above, as well as Snow blind, New York groove and Move on.
Anyone else a casual fan of those albums?
-
Huge fan of Paul's and Ace's. I still play them regularly in my rotation. I haven't heard the Peter album in almost 40 years, and the Gene album really doesn't do much for me.
I saw Paul's solo tour in 1989 and it was so cool to see him play those songs.
-
That Paul record still stands up bigly. I'm not the hugest fan of "Hold Me..." but Take Me Away and Goodbye are as good as anything in the Kiss catalogue.
I have basically everything released by KIss at this point; I have the various Greatest Hits albums that have remixes and such, I have the box set, I have the imports (Killers)... the only thing I don't have is the Ezrin remix of Destroyer and Peter's solo album. I'll fish around Discogs or eBay for the Destroyer. I have and will continue to pass on Peter's solo album, out of principle.
My Kiss album called "Solo":
1. Tonight You Belong To Me
2. Wiped Out
3. Always Near You/Nowhere To Hide
4. Love In Chains
5. Man Of 1000 Faces
6. Take Me Away (Together As One)
7. Tunnel Of Love
8. See You In Your Dreams
9. Fractured Mirror
10. Goodbye
The bonus tracks on the Deluxe Edition would be:
It's Alright
See You Tonite
Ozone
I'm In Need Of Love
-
Ooh, that's also a good one. I love how you solved the problem with the honorable mentions by creating the deluxe edition. :lol
I agree with you guys that there's some great stuff on Paul's record. It's odd that you omitted Love in chains, Stadler, I think that one is the highlight of the album.
-
Fixed. I agree with you on Love In Chains.
-
I love the KISS Unplugged version of See You Tonight.
-
I love the KISS Unplugged version of See You Tonight.
I have a real soft spot for Gene’s solo album. Not what I wa# expecting and the cover is very misleading after the first 30 seconds, but some good songs.
The Paul solo album was top ten in my top 50 albums thread. Every second of it is awesome and my favourite KISS album.
-
I have and will continue to pass on Peter's solo album, out of principle.
"Out of principle"?
-
The Peter Principle.
-
I have and will continue to pass on Peter's solo album, out of principle.
"Out of principle"?
I've come to believe he's a toxic tool. I saw the Kiss/Aerosmith co-headlining tour (his last) and he was bitching about money, and appearing each night with a "tear" drawn into his makeup. He was all about the money, but he was putting it back on the fans ("oh the fans deserve the real Kiss" blah blah blah) and when I saw them he turned in one of the worst performances I've ever seen from a major, headlining act. I'm convinced to this day that there was help, that the band had a drummer backstage or under the stage. He was disrespectful to the Kiss name.
-
You can add it sucks as well.
-
I've been listening to KISS a bit more than usual lately. I don't know why, I just seem to be drawn to bands with huge discographies to discover. I have Kiss, Destroyer, Love Gun, Dynasty, Creatures, Lick It Up, and Crazy Nights and I find Destroyer to easily be the weakest of the bunch even though it routinely gets labeled as their best. What am I missing with this album? Creatures Of The Night is clearly the best out of all these and I also really like Dynasty and Crazy Nights (even though this is generally regarded as one of their worst). I think I just like what 70's bands did in the 80's better. Same with Rush. I'll take Power Windows/Hold Your Fire over Farewell To Kings/Hemispheres any day.
-
I've been listening to KISS a bit more than usual lately. I don't know why, I just seem to be drawn to bands with huge discographies to discover. I have Kiss, Destroyer, Love Gun, Dynasty, Creatures, Lick It Up, and Crazy Nights and I find Destroyer to easily be the weakest of the bunch even though it routinely gets labeled as their best. What am I missing with this album? Creatures Of The Night is clearly the best out of all these and I also really like Dynasty and Crazy Nights (even though this is generally regarded as one of their worst). I think I just like what 70's bands did in the 80's better. Same with Rush. I'll take Power Windows/Hold Your Fire over Farewell To Kings/Hemispheres any day.
Paul Stanley's singing is substantially better in the 80's (does anyone know if he took vocal lessons or something? He went from screaming the high notes to properly singing them, while still containing the power of his voice, which is awesome!) but other than that, I find the 80's stuff much more uneven. But the highs were generelly REALLY high.
As far as Destroyer goes, I think you've got to have the context in which it was released - before that, Kiss was really one-dimensional in their sound and song writing and Bob Ezrin brought stuff out of them that felt fresh and new. Also, it contains Detroit Rock City, one of the very best rock songs in the history, so there's that. :metal :metal :metal
-
I've been listening to KISS a bit more than usual lately. I don't know why, I just seem to be drawn to bands with huge discographies to discover. I have Kiss, Destroyer, Love Gun, Dynasty, Creatures, Lick It Up, and Crazy Nights and I find Destroyer to easily be the weakest of the bunch even though it routinely gets labeled as their best. What am I missing with this album? Creatures Of The Night is clearly the best out of all these and I also really like Dynasty and Crazy Nights (even though this is generally regarded as one of their worst). I think I just like what 70's bands did in the 80's better. Same with Rush. I'll take Power Windows/Hold Your Fire over Farewell To Kings/Hemispheres any day.
Paul Stanley's singing is substantially better in the 80's (does anyone know if he took vocal lessons or something? He went from screaming the high notes to properly singing them, while still containing the power of his voice, which is awesome!) but other than that, I find the 80's stuff much more uneven. But the highs were generelly REALLY high.
As far as Destroyer goes, I think you've got to have the context in which it was released - before that, Kiss was really one-dimensional in their sound and song writing and Bob Ezrin brought stuff out of them that felt fresh and new. Also, it contains Detroit Rock City, one of the very best rock songs in the history, so there's that. :metal :metal :metal
I do notice that his voice was way better in the 80's. I just find the 70's really uneven and crammed with filler and unmemorable rock songs. From Destroyer the only songs I find listenable are Detroit Rock City (aside from the annoying intro), King Of The Night Time World, Sweet Pain, and Shout It Out Loud whereas I can enjoy pretty much all of Lick It Up except Dance All Over Your Face but even that song has some cool riffs. Dynasty is the first 70's album that I can enjoy all the way through (and it's mainly Ace's songs on there that I love). I think I'm just into the 80's production/sound more.
-
Die hard Kiss fan, and devoted to the first six, because that's what I grew up with. I prefer that Who-ish, Gibson-based riffage (think 'Black Diamond') to the more trebly, Jackson-based riffage (think 'Exciter'), but having said that, those 80's albums - from Creatures through Asylum - are solid as a rock. VERY consistent. It doesn't surprise me at all that Animalize is actually one of their better selling records (platinum; by contrast, Love Gun is also platinum, and Destroyer is only double platinum*)
* There is some controversy though; Gene and Paul have both said that most of their records have sold more than listed, but they don't bother going through the recertification process, because it only costs them money, through increased royalty payouts.
-
So Kiss is coming to NJ Wednesday and well, it's not selling well at all. Makes me on the look out for a cheap ticket to potentially see them again. Kind of forgot about this show, being I saw them already on the tour but also since when they announced this, the MSG show was wayyyyy more intriguing to attend than Prudential Center. However, this venue is super easy to get to especially after work. I'm keeping my eye out, not must see but I would totally go if I felt the value was right.
-
I've seen a couple videos from Virginia (including one of my favorite songs, "Let Me Go, Rock and Roll" and it seemed pretty good. I can't get to any of the shows that are near me on this leg, but if they come within an hour or so on any subsequent legs (I understand there are at least two more legs), and I can do what you're thinking of (a cheap ticket, last minute), I'll go.
-
one of my favorite songs, "Let Me Go, Rock and Roll"
:metal :metal
-
There's suite tickets labelled "all inclusive" for the price I paid for a nose bleed at MSG. I wonder if that includes booze because if so, that's a no brainer.
-
Didn't include booze :lol but wow that was an awesome spread of delicious food. I'm on my diet but was able to feast of swordfish and grilled chicken. I did have some roast beef too, and a taste of shrimp pasta :lol .... and a chocolate covered strawberry... anyway
this video came out REALLY well, visually and sound. (and the Kiss trolls are out again in the comments :lol)
Kiss - Detroit Rock City Live @ Prudential Center NJ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVmkD-ILc90)
The suite was practically empty too, I had plenty of room to rock out while eating. Only problem for me is I can't edit my full video tonight but I'll have that up as soon as I can get to it.
-
I don't know; that looked pretty good (and it looked like Paul was really singing, for better or worse).
-
Not sure if I posted earlier, went to see them a few weeks ago in Manchester UK. Show was excellent. Paul’s Voice was ok or what it is now and he kept away from too many high notes - and I didn’t catch any miming.
I enjoyed it a lot more than I expected to. KISS’ idea of a set list and mine are two wildly different things.
-
Yea, this whole lip syncing thing seems out of hand. Didn't look/sound like it, and yea, for better or mostly worse. He doesn't sound the greatest, but it is what it is. Id rather this than faking it.
-
People seem to be enjoying the shows which is the main thing. I am going to see them in November . If it was just me I might've thought twice (having seen them 7-8 times before) but this is the one chance I will have for my son to experience a KISS show ,so it's on! :metal
-
People seem to be enjoying the shows which is the main thing. I am going to see them in November . If it was just me I might've thought twice (having seen them 7-8 times before) but this is the one chance I will have for my son to experience a KISS show ,so it's on! :metal
I'm sure he'll have a great time, Brent.
I gave KISS my last dollar many years ago.
-
Thought this was kind of cool if you are a Peter Criss fan...
When I saw John 5 perform last weekend, he called out Peter Criss for being at the venue watching the show before going into a cover medley starting with Detroit Rock City
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRFgfc506gE (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRFgfc506gE)
but what's kind of cool, last time Rob Zombie performed local (these venues are about 20 minutes apart), Peter Criss was also there and got called out. In case you are wondering the relation, John 5 is the guitarist of Rob Zombie.
https://youtu.be/On4IAqakZsA?t=952 (https://youtu.be/On4IAqakZsA?t=952)
Not sure that was worth the bump or not, but I was fascinated by John 5/Rob Zombie love for Kiss (who they are clearly influenced by in terms of looks and stage show).
-
Not sure that bringing out Peter Criss is ever cool, but thank you for letting me know who the hell John 5 is.
-
From what I understand, John 5 is a HUGE Kiss fan and avid collector (him and Sebastian Bach). https://www.instagram.com/knightsinsatanservice/
-
What does that instagram have to do with them? Does John 5 own that?
-
What does that instagram have to do with them? Does John 5 own that?
Yep, as I understand it. That's all his stuff. I'm not sure why he did that, but that's his collection.
-
I guess if I scrolled through further I would have known that but it didn't say in the about part that it was John 5's collection. That is massive for one person :lol
-
His Instagram is amazing! He has tons of stuff I've never seen before or even knew existed! A new post every day.
-
He's pretty fond (and rightfully so) of saying "I have stuff that even GENE doesn't have!" (and for those that don't know, Gene has WAREHOUSES of Kiss stuff. From what I understand, they've saved EVERYTHING.)
By the way, I was watching the "Brady Renovation" on HGTV, where all the home rehab stars (The Property Brothers, etc.) redid the original Brady House to match the set (the interior on the original house was nothing like the actual set, in fact, it was a completely different layout). At the end, they had a party where they unveiled the final product, and select "celebrities" (in quotes because some of them weren't even D-list) were invited. To my surprise, there is John 5 marching through the living room and posing on the stairs! Apparently he's a big fan of either the Brady's specifically or 70's TV generally. Guy's a hoarder, if you ask me. :)
-
To my surprise, there is John 5 marching through the living room and posing on the stairs! Apparently he's a big fan of either the Brady's specifically or 70's TV generally. Guy's a hoarder, if you ask me. :)
He's a big pop culture fan. But, I do know that both he and Rob Zombie are big Brady fans.
-
This video popped up on my feed this morning.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5N7T-G1d94
Spectacular cover.
-
That was pretty good. I liked that. I loved the guy's shirt though.
-
Tim, that's the singer in the band I just sent in Rich's Rich's Roulette. From Southern Empire.
-
You have special powers
-
Just like in Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park. :lol
-
That was great...anyone know why the band never really played that one all that much live? It's catchy as hell
-
From the "Bad" album thread..
WOW, the bulk of my listening falls into this category.
Kiss: Unmasked and The Elder are both favorites
The Elder is awesome. Do you feel like it was probably just a few years too late to be successful? I think if came out in 1976 then it would've been more liked.
I've literally been thinking about these posts all day.
I am not sure when The Elder would've been successful. As a follow up to Destroyer? maybe, but there's no way you could've gotten Ace and Peter to go along with it. Isn't that why they wanted Eddie Kramer for RNROver in the first place?
In my opinion, there was no point in their career that The Elder was going to be successful. It's only chance of success is it's current success...by fogeys romanticizing about it.
Oh, and Eric Carr signed my CD cover. :metal
(https://i.imgur.com/k1xD6YU.jpg)
-
Band politics aside, I think it's more in that The Elder feels like a 70's album. When I think of the 80's, I think hard-rock/metal/synth-pop, but when I think of the 70's I think hard-rock/disco/funk/progressive rock/singer-songwriter stuff/etc. The 70's just seem way more eclectic musically and something like The Elder fits better.
It's crazy to think that they released something every year from 1980-1984 and aside from Lick It Up/Animalize being similar, the others sound worlds different from each other.
-
I just read kn Bruce Kulick's page that his brother Bob passed away. R.I.P. Bob.
-
Damn, that blows.
I was checking my Paul Stanley pics hoping to have him in a shot, but unfortunately I don't.
-
Hopefully the brothers sorted out their issues before he passed - it was getting pretty nasty not all that long ago. Bob came across as a rather cutting personality but he played great on the first album I owned in my life (and the only one for about 2 years) KISS Killers - so he has a big part in my musical journey.
RIP
-
Hopefully the brothers sorted out their issues before he passed - it was getting pretty nasty not all that long ago.
Yeah, I wasn't aware of that. He accused Bruce of some stuff regarding copyright, or something like that?
He played on the first album I ever owned too. KISS Alive II.
-
Wow!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0vHollF30I
-
No shit. I didn't know of the riff.
-
King, what riff?
The video is awesome (for what it is). The cuts to the "highlight" parts - the fire, the blood, the drum solo - doesn't do the band justice, though. There's a snippet at about 18:00 or so where they're in the jam part of 100,000 years, and that was really the best part of the show (in my opinion) back then. They were a really good live band. She, 100,000 Years, Let Me Go Rock and Roll... those were so strong as live songs.
In case anyone wants more of this era, the next night, the 26th (also at Cobo Hall) is on Kissology Vol. 1, and is an equally good performance. There are two shows on that Kissology set - the Cobo Hall show, and a year before at Winterland in San Francisco - that are just INCENDIARY. I mean, they are ON FIRE (well, literally, since Gene lit his hair on fire at the Cobo show!). They were a really good band live before - and this is my opinion only - Peter got too big for his britches (as arrogant as Gene and Paul can be, they deliver live. In 40 years of being a fan, I don't think I've ever seen a show that Paul has phoned in. The Kiss/Aerosmith show I saw in 2004 or so, the performance by Peter may be the worst performance I've ever seen out of an arena headliner.)
Oh, and Paul can go f--- himself for the dig at Hartford, CT at 23:00; he does that the next night, too. Dick. :)
-
Meant rift. Between the Kulick brothers.
-
The video is awesome (for what it is). The cuts to the "highlight" parts - the fire, the blood, the drum solo - doesn't do the band justice, though. There's a snippet at about 18:00 or so where they're in the jam part of 100,000 years, and that was really the best part of the show (in my opinion) back then. They were a really good live band. She, 100,000 Years, Let Me Go Rock and Roll... those were so strong as live songs.
Oh, and Paul can go f--- himself for the dig at Hartford, CT at 23:00; he does that the next night, too. Dick. :)
It's why I love bootleg videos. You can really see that band as they really are. No fancy cuts.
This video is a real find.
Of course it was in Hartford where I actually saw Paul Stanley.
-
Watched one of the side video where the band talks about Kiss Meets the Phantom Park.
Seriously that movie needs a true blu ray release so people can witness it's complete cheesy glory. The acting, the lasers, Ace's stunt double :metal :metal :metal
-
One of my treasured VHS tapes. We don't have a lot, but we have that one. Processed American Cheese Food.
-
My VHS tapes became dumpster food many years ago. I do have the DVD though.
-
I transferred my VHS of Kiss Meets the Phantom to mp4 last year. So cheesy. So awful.
-
I love KISS and I love cheese but I still couldn't bring myself to watch that :lol
-
I love KISS and I love cheese but I still couldn't bring myself to watch that :lol
You have to be able to appreciate extreme cheesy movies to appreciate Kiss Meets the Phamtom Park to enjoy it. And likely being high as a kite or drunk as f%k.
-
When I ripped the DVDs to my hard drive (some of those live shows are excellent as "live albums") I ripped the snippet of Pete singing Beth to Paul's acoustic guitar.
The "Kiss Meets The Phantom" side of the band is the side I like least, but it's still entertaining for what it is. How they kept a straight face is beyond me. And poor Anthony Zerbe and Carmine Cardini, legit actors (the latter was in two of the three Godfather movies, and was an original contender for Sonny, 'cept he was too tall). They have no excuse!
-
What's everyone's thoughts on Psycho Circus?
I'm nearing the end of checking out the entire Kiss catalog and I only have Monster, Sonic Boom, and Peter Criss left to listen to. Currently I'm on Psycho Circus and I'm actually surprised by how much I like it considering the negative things I've heard (though it seems the ones I hear the most negative shit about wind up being ones I like a lot). I know the title track already quite well and it's probably one of my favorite songs of theirs, and I'm really enjoying the rest of the tracks. Overall, the album sounds and feels a lot like Revenge which is a top-tier Kiss album for me.
-
What's everyone's thoughts on Psycho Circus?
I'm nearing the end of checking out the entire Kiss catalog and I only have Monster, Sonic Boom, and Peter Criss left to listen to. Currently I'm on Psycho Circus and I'm actually surprised by how much I like it considering the negative things I've heard (though it seems the ones I hear the most negative shit about wind up being ones I like a lot). I know the title track already quite well and it's probably one of my favorite songs of theirs, and I'm really enjoying the rest of the tracks. Overall, the album sounds and feels a lot like Revenge which is a top-tier Kiss album for me.
The title track and Dreamin are top notch Kiss. The rest is pretty good, but not top tier Kiss for me.
-
Completely agree. Wasted opportunity.
-
Psycho Circus is actually pretty decent. Other than the cringeworthy I Finally Found My Way, the album is really good.
-
Wow, I’m agreeing with Tim again. Not about Keel though 😀
-
I just found it average. You can tell Ace and Peter barely play on the album.
The only song they all play on together is "Into The Void."
-
I just found it average. You can tell Ace and Peter barely play on the album.
The only song they all play on together is "Into The Void."
Yeah, but at least as for Peter Criss, you'd actually say that was a good thing. I've written this before, but he's up there - if not the winner - for "Worst performances by a member of a headlining band" that I've ever seen. It was the Kiss-Aerosmith tour, and "phoned it in" is being polite. I'm convinced to this day that there was a drummer behind the curtain, because there as zero energy from him and he was barely moving his arms. Yet the show itself was pretty darn good.
Me, I like not love Psycho Circus. The title track is awesome except for the chorus, but I really dig the Gene songs on that album; Within and Journey of a 1,000 Years are excellent, We Are One is better than it should be, In Your Face (sung by Ace; not on the album proper, but a b-side) is pretty good.
I second that "I Finally Found My Way" is cringe-worthy, and it was second to last (see above) nail in the "I hate Peter Criss" coffin. I especially hate the cheesy, whispered "to you" at the end, like Peter thinks he's fucking Tony Bennett.
For TAC: Paul and Bruce (the writers) had to settle out of court with Alice Cooper over "Dreamin'", since it was too close to "I'm Eighteen". I don't think the credits were changed, though, so it must have been a lump sum payment, which was probably smart on Alice's part (haha).
Paul hated making this album; he didn't like Bruce Fairbairn's contributions and pledged that if there were ever any more Kiss records, the band would self-produce or nothing. It was also the beginning of the end of the "reunion" band, since he felt the other two (Ace and Peter) were coasting already.
DTA, I'm VERY curious as to what you think of Sonic Boom and Monster. Sonic Boom is one of my favorites in the catalogue, and I think rivals some of the classic era in spots (I certainly listen to it as much as the early stuff).
-
I enjoyed Sonic Boom and Monster but I don't go back to them very often. Too many excellent albums in the catalogue to settle for ok. They were a big surprise though.
-
Sonic Boom and Monster are much more coherent albums from start to finish.
-
The title track and Dreamin are top notch Kiss. The rest is pretty good, but not top tier Kiss for me.
Those are some of my faves too. I also really like Raise Your Glasses and Journey of 1,000 Years, which has become one of my favourite Gene tunes of all time.
-
I've first heard Sonic boom and Monster about a year and a half ago, and I was pleasantly surprised by how consistent Sonic boom was. Pretty much every song is a solid rocker with fine melodies and choruses. On the other hand, I don't remember a single song off of Monster.
-
Psycho Circus is actually pretty decent. Other than the cringeworthy I Finally Found My Way, the album is really good.
Yeah that song is brutal, but every other song is really catchy which is pretty much all I can ask for for a bunch of old guys.
DTA, I'm VERY curious as to what you think of Sonic Boom and Monster. Sonic Boom is one of my favorites in the catalogue, and I think rivals some of the classic era in spots (I certainly listen to it as much as the early stuff).
I usually play an album through 10x before I move onto the next one and I'm currently working my way through 4 new albums (including Psycho Circus) so it's going to be a bit before I get to those. I was thinking of hitting Peter's solo album first then finishing off with Sonic Boom and Monster but you have me intrigued about SB so maybe I'll do that, then PC, then Monster. I pretty much love every album I've heard of theirs so far (except Carnival of Souls, Destroyer, and Love Gun) so I'm sure these two won't be any different.
-
There is no need to hit Peter's solo album. Never mind 10 f'n times. :lol
For TAC: Paul and Bruce (the writers) had to settle out of court with Alice Cooper over "Dreamin'", since it was too close to "I'm Eighteen". I don't think the credits were changed, though, so it must have been a lump sum payment, which was probably smart on Alice's part (haha).
Really?? Wow, that's interesting.
It's been ages since I listened to Psycho Circus, but I never made the connection with I'm Eighteen. Huh? Gonna listen now.
EDIT: HOLY SHIT! :omg:
Sonic Boom is one of my favorites in the catalogue, and I think rivals some of the classic era in spots (I certainly listen to it as much as the early stuff).
Stadler, what the hell is wrong with you? :lol
-
There is no need to hit Peter's solo album. Never mind 10 f'n times. :lol
I'm dreading it... :lol
-
I only listen to 1 song on Peter's album and it's been forever! Lol
-
It's worth giving it a listen for You matter to me and Don't you let me down. Sure, they do not sound like KISS at all, but that wasn't the point of solo albums anyway. If I were to combine highlights of the solo albums into one KISS album, those two songs would probably make it. The rest of the record can be thrown away, though.
-
I've learned not to take most fans opinions into account too much. I was told Hot In The Shade/Crazy Nights are the absolute bottom of the barrel, but I love them both and they get much more play than Destroyer which is always ranked at #1. I've enjoyed all the solo albums so far, and I'm sure Peter's will have a things I really like and a few things that suck (which is pretty standard for every single album of theirs).
-
I've learned not to take most fans opinions into account too much. I was told Hot In The Shade/Crazy Nights are the absolute bottom of the barrel, but I love them both and they get much more play than Destroyer which is always ranked at #1. I've enjoyed all the solo albums so far, and I'm sure Peter's will have a things I really like and a few things that suck (which is pretty standard for every single album of theirs).
I get Carnival of Souls - not high on my list either - but what DON'T you like about Destroyer and Love Gun? I mean, the former is overplayed by half, but King..., Flaming Youth, Shout It Out Loud, and Do You Love Me are excellent. As for Love Gun, it's a very good SOUNDING record, and even though the lyrics are dodgy, the Gene songs on that album are some of my favorites. The only song that well and truly blows on either album is "Hooligan" which is just dreadful.
-
I was wondering the exact same thing. Carnival of Souls, no question I understand not digging that one. But Destroyer and Love Gun are quintessential 70s Kiss
-
I still think of Destroyer and Love Gun as the first "clean and shiny" KISS albums. Alive! was their big breakthrough, and was where a lot of people (myself included) got on the train. Their studio work up to that point had a certain charm to it, but it was definitely rough and raw as far as production went. And that was perfectly fine for the music they were making at the time.
Then came Alive! of course, and then when Destroyer came out, sure enough, you could literally hear how much bigger the budget was. Wasn't that the first Bob Ezrin album for them?
-
I still think of Destroyer and Love Gun as the first "clean and shiny" KISS albums. Alive! was their big breakthrough, and was where a lot of people (myself included) got on the train. Their studio work up to that point had a certain charm to it, but it was definitely rough and raw as far as production went. And that was perfectly fine for the music they were making at the time.
Then came Alive! of course, and then when Destroyer came out, sure enough, you could literally hear how much bigger the budget was. Wasn't that the first Bob Ezrin album for them?
Yes it was.
Kenny Kerner and Richie Wise produced the first two (and later "apologized" for the production on "Hotter Than Hell")
"Neil Bogart" produced the third (in quotes because by all accounts he basically did coke and let the band produce themselves)
Eddie Kramer produced Alive!
Bob Ezrin produced Destroyer
Eddie Kramer produced Rock And Roll Over and Love Gun
-
I still think of Destroyer and Love Gun as the first "clean and shiny" KISS albums. Alive! was their big breakthrough, and was where a lot of people (myself included) got on the train. Their studio work up to that point had a certain charm to it, but it was definitely rough and raw as far as production went. And that was perfectly fine for the music they were making at the time.
Then came Alive! of course, and then when Destroyer came out, sure enough, you could literally hear how much bigger the budget was. Wasn't that the first Bob Ezrin album for them?
Yes it was.
Kenny Kerner and Richie Wise produced the first two (and later "apologized" for the production on "Hotter Than Hell")
"Neil Bogart" produced the third (in quotes because by all accounts he basically did coke and let the band produce themselves)
Eddie Kramer produced Alive!
Bob Ezrin produced Destroyer
Eddie Kramer produced Rock And Roll Over and Love Gun
That sounds about right, regarding those early ones. I didn't realize Ezrin only did the one later. If anything, I guess I prefer the sound Eddie Kramer was able to get with them. Destroyer almost sounds too clean and shiny to me.
-
The album Ezrin produced later is Revenge which it's production aligns more with Rock And Roll Over.
-
Ezrin also did The Elder.
-
Ezrin also did The Elder.
And Ace was outvoted 2-1 doing another concept album. He wanted to do a rock album.
-
Ah yes, The Elder. I knew Ezrin did that one; I just forgot.
I didn't know about Revenge, because I'd pretty much stopped following KISS by that point.
-
Revenge is awesome!!!!!
-
Bob, listen to Revenge. It will not disappoint.
-
Heart of Chrome :metal :metal :metal :metal
-
Well, if you guys insist...
-
Yes, we insist
-
I've learned not to take most fans opinions into account too much. I was told Hot In The Shade/Crazy Nights are the absolute bottom of the barrel, but I love them both and they get much more play than Destroyer which is always ranked at #1. I've enjoyed all the solo albums so far, and I'm sure Peter's will have a things I really like and a few things that suck (which is pretty standard for every single album of theirs).
I get Carnival of Souls - not high on my list either - but what DON'T you like about Destroyer and Love Gun? I mean, the former is overplayed by half, but King..., Flaming Youth, Shout It Out Loud, and Do You Love Me are excellent. As for Love Gun, it's a very good SOUNDING record, and even though the lyrics are dodgy, the Gene songs on that album are some of my favorites. The only song that well and truly blows on either album is "Hooligan" which is just dreadful.
Shout It Out Loud, Great Expectations, Sweet Pain, Do You Love Me and Beth do absolutely nothing for me. Shout It Out Loud is possibly my least favorite Kiss song and the fact that it's played so much more than something like Who Wants To Be Lonely really bugs me. Detroit Rock City is cool, but I'd take the opening tracks for every album from Creatures through Asylum over it any day. God Of Thunder is probably the best song on here for me, but I also like Flaming Youth and King.
Besides I Stole Your Love (an excellent excellent song), the title track, Christine Sixteen, and Almost Human (super-underrated track), I think I hate every other song on this thing. There's just an element of cheese to it that goes above and beyond what I expect from them. Tomorrow And Tonight is the worst offender by far.
The fact that these two are always rated above something as good as Revenge or Asylum almost makes me resent them even more. I do think very highly of the self-titled, Hotter Than Hell, and Rock & Roll Over though.
-
DTA, nothing pleases me more than seeing love for Asylum. I'm sorry, but I love that album.
-
DTA, nothing pleases me more than seeing love for Asylum. I'm sorry, but I love that album.
It's fantastic. It's like every new Kiss fan is taught that they have to hate this album for some reason when it contains some absolutely killer songs.
-
The album cover doesn't help.
I'm generally not a "Gene guy" but his songs, Anyway You Slice It, Trial By Fire, Love's A Deadly Weapon, and Secretly Cruel, really help raise the level for me.
-
I remember being disappointed with the Asylum tour because they basically used the same songs from the Animalize tour that wasn't from the new albums at that time on each tour.
-
That setlist fucking blew.
-
HITS album blew but the tour was amazing.
-
HITS album blew but the tour was amazing.
Agreed. I think Paul's solo tour really opened him back up to the past.
-
Absolutely.
-
Well, I've heard every Kiss album and I figured I'd make a ranking because it's snowy and I'm not at work right now. This is pretty off-the-cuff and I haven't given it too much thought, but I'm pretty sure this is my final ranking. The ones at the top are simply the ones I most want to listen to when I go for a Kiss album. I have no allegiance for any era (makeup/non-makeup/original lineup/etc) so my list is based purely on the songs. Still missing Peter Criss' solo album but that's very far down on my priority list. I will listen eventually but I'll have to wait until I'm in a massive musical dry-spell before I make the decision to acquire that.
1. Unmasked
2. Asylum
3. Creatures Of The Night
4. Revenge
5. Music From "The Elder"
6. Paul Stanley
7. Animalize
8. Crazy Nights
9. Hot In The Shade
10. Lick It Up
11. Hotter Than Hell
12. Rock And Roll Over
13. Dynasty
14. Sonic Boom
15. Psycho Circus
16. Ace Frehley
17. Kiss
18. Gene Simmons
19. Monster
20. Dressed To Kill
21. Destroyer
22. Love Gun
23. Carnival Of Souls
-
Oh, man, what an interesting take on the discography! Can you elaborate on prefering the 80s material to a good bunch of the 70s classics? Seeing three of their best known albums at the bottom is very intriquing. Not to mention Unmasked and The Elder being ranked up high.
Maybe I'd also try to put together my own list as well, it might be difficult, though.
-
Interesting indeed. Nice to see Unmasked so high, and The Elder is a Top 5 for me too.
I guess I can make my own ranking soon, I predict the 70s stuff will all be top half of the list. I can't really get into the 1983-1992 era, aside from a few songs here and there. KISS, for me, is all about the makeup years.
-
Interesting. I've owned 99% of the catalogue.
I'll do a quick top three:
1. Kiss
2. Crazy Nights
3. Dynasty
4. Pail Stanley
There's lots of others I really like but those records are pretty consistent from start to end, and the ones I would reach for right now.
-
Mine is here somewhere; I did a discography. I love the inclusion of Unmasked and The Elder up top; I go to both of those records a lot. I would have some of the 70's work higher and some of the 80's work lower, but that's a quibble.
I'm also a bigger fan of the recent stuff: Sonic Boom and Monster.
-
Mine is here somewhere; I did a discography. I love the inclusion of Unmasked and The Elder up top; I go to both of those records a lot. I would have some of the 70's work higher and some of the 80's work lower, but that's a quibble.
I'm also a bigger fan of the recent stuff: Sonic Boom and Monster.
'Sonic Boom' was an excellent record—I'm not sure where I'd rank it, but I still listen to it fairly regularly (sounds so fresh), which says something in and of itself.
-
I have tried ranking the albums as well. I managed to include the solo records as well:
1. Rock and roll over
2. Destroyer
3. Kiss
4. Hotter than hell
5. Dressed to kill
6. Creatures of the night
7. Animalize
8. Lick it up
9. Gene Simmons
10. Love gun
11. Dynasty
12. Music from "The Elder"
13. Sonic boom
14. Unmasked
15. Ace Frehley
16. Hot in the shade
17. Revenge
18. Monster
19. Asylum
20. Paul Stanley
21. Psycho circus
22. Crazy nights
23. Peter Criss
24. Carnival of souls: The Final sessions
-
Oh, man, what an interesting take on the discography! Can you elaborate on prefering the 80s material to a good bunch of the 70s classics? Seeing three of their best known albums at the bottom is very intriquing. Not to mention Unmasked and The Elder being ranked up high.
Maybe I'd also try to put together my own list as well, it might be difficult, though.
I'm not really a fan of the "classic rock" sound of the 70's overall. Whether it comes to Alice Cooper, Kiss, or Rush, I just gravitate towards the more keyboard-heavy, harder-edged sound of the 80's. I'm also a huge fan of pop music, and everything got a lot catchier and poppier in the 80's. Destroyer has precisely two great songs to my ears (DRC/GoT) and then a whole bunch of middling nonsense. Shout It Out Loud and Do You Love Me are just dreadful imo. Love Gun is even worse for me, with the title track being only ok to my ears and I Stole Your Love being the only real standout. Almost Human is cool too. I cannot honestly understand how people can rank Love Gun over a good portion of the 80's albums. Song for song, something like Asylum just destroys it.
Unmasked is a pop masterpiece. Ace kills it with his songs, and Gene and Paul's contributions are also incredibly solid. It's like Iron Maiden's situation to me, where new fans are basically taught that they're supposed to dislike No Prayer For The Dying and Fear of the Dark and rank Number of the Beast at the top. But there's a ton of great material on those albums. As a newcomer to Kiss, it feels like new fans are told they're supposed to glorify Destroyer and Love Gun but regard Unmasked and The Elder as trash because they "didn't sell well". Of course the band ignores all the shit I like in their setlists so concerts are a struggle for me.
I admit that my favorites usually tend to run opposite to what the majority chooses so maybe there's a bit of me rooting for the underdog.
Mine is here somewhere; I did a discography. I love the inclusion of Unmasked and The Elder up top; I go to both of those records a lot. I would have some of the 70's work higher and some of the 80's work lower, but that's a quibble.
I'm also a bigger fan of the recent stuff: Sonic Boom and Monster.
I like Sonic Boom a lot more than Monster but both are very listenable. I'm An Animal is one of my favorite Gene songs and Say Yeah is really anthemic.
-
Interesting. I've owned 99% of the catalogue.
I'll do a quick top three:
1. Kiss
2. Crazy Nights
3. Dynasty
4. Pail Stanley
There's lots of others I really like but those records are pretty consistent from start to end, and the ones I would reach for right now.
Crazy Nights gets a lot of shit, but it's so insanely upbeat and catchy that I can't help but love it. Reason To Live is the only real dud on there to me. Paul Stanley's solo record is a better Kiss album than a bunch of the others imo so glad to see those two ranked high on someone's list.
I have tried ranking the albums as well. I managed to include the solo records as well:
1. Rock and roll over
2. Destroyer
3. Kiss
4. Hotter than hell
5. Dressed to kill
6. Creatures of the night
7. Animalize
8. Lick it up
9. Gene Simmons
10. Love gun
11. Dynasty
12. Music from "The Elder"
13. Sonic boom
14. Unmasked
15. Ace Frehley
16. Hot in the shade
17. Revenge
18. Monster
19. Asylum
20. Paul Stanley
21. Psycho circus
22. Crazy nights
23. Peter Criss
24. Carnival of souls: The Final sessions
Well, we agree on Carnival :lol...what a piece of garbage that album is. Rock And Roll Over has Take Me which I find to be one of the most underrated songs of theirs from the 70's. I love that song.
-
I appreciate some of the more agressive bits in the 80s indeed. Creatures, Lick it up and Animalize are almost as good as the early classics in my opinion. However, Asylum and Crazy nights are a bit too bright and sweet for my taste.
I also think that the raw production on the early albums does not take away from the heaviness of the songs. To my ears, when it comes down the riffs and guitar playing overall, it's just as powerful as the 80s albums I mentioned.
Speaking of the pop influences, I'm suprised Gene's album doesn't appeal to you more. It's very catchy.
-
1 Hotter Than Hell (1974)
2 Creatures of the Night (1982)
3 Destroyer (1976)
4 Rock and Roll Over (1976)
5 Kiss (1974)
6 Paul Stanley (1978)
7 Music From The Elder (1982)
8 Alive II Side 4 (1977)
9 Unmasked (1980)
10 Sonic Boom (2009)
11 Dynasty (1979)
12 Lick It Up (1983)
13 Dressed To Kill (1975)
14 Monster (2012)
15 Ace Frehley (1978)
16 Love Gun (1977)
17 Gene Simmons (1978)
18 Hot In The Shade (1989)
19 Killers Studio Tracks (1982)
20 Animalize (1984)
21 Revenge (1992)
22 Psycho Circus (1998)
23 Asylum (1985)
24 Crazy Nights (1987)
25 Smashes Studio Tracks (1988)
26 Carnival of Souls (199
27 Peter Criss (1978)
This is my list now.
This was 6 - 12 on my "Discography" list from 2016 (which are the only changes):
6 Lick It Up (1983)
7 Paul Stanley (1978)
8 Music From The Elder (1982)
9 Alive II Side 4 (1977)
10 Dynasty (1979)
11 Unmasked (1980)
12 Sonic Boom (2009)
11
-
Stadler, I don't suppose there's any chance you'll ever do a "proper" discography for KISS, is there? I was really looking forward to going through the catalogue chronologically and getting the dirt on all the changes and all the details. By jumping around the way you did, that journey-through-time aspect was lost. I didn't end up following. But I'd still love to go through the discography with someone who really knows all aspects of the band, and you seem the guy to do it.
-
Yeah Stadler!
-
Stadler, I don't suppose there's any chance you'll ever do a "proper" discography for KISS, is there? I was really looking forward to going through the catalogue chronologically and getting the dirt on all the changes and all the details. By jumping around the way you did, that journey-through-time aspect was lost. I didn't end up following. But I'd still love to go through the discography with someone who really knows all aspects of the band, and you seem the guy to do it.
if everyone doesn't mind a little repeat, I'd do it. Sure.
-
I would be so in.
-
Me too. Absolutely.
-
Stadler, I don't suppose there's any chance you'll ever do a "proper" discography for KISS, is there? I was really looking forward to going through the catalogue chronologically and getting the dirt on all the changes and all the details. By jumping around the way you did, that journey-through-time aspect was lost. I didn't end up following. But I'd still love to go through the discography with someone who really knows all aspects of the band, and you seem the guy to do it.
if everyone doesn't mind a little repeat, I'd do it. Sure.
I would love it! :)
I don't want to make it like there's only one way to do a discography. I like it when people find different ways to do things; it keeps things interesting. But if ever there was a band who's been through some changes and a lot of crazy shit, it's KISS. I think they're worth another look.
-
There's a lot I could add going chronologically; give me a week or so to get my thoughts in order and I'll give it a whirl.
-
Oh a Kiss discography thread would be very nice.
:gene:
-
For those who aren't aware, I highly recommend checking out the following article: grantland.com/features/chuck-klosterman-kiss-hall-of-fame
Klosterman may be an aquired taste for some, but I think he's a fantastic writer, and regardless of whether or not you agree with his 'grades,' this article is an excellent primer for anyone looking to become for familiar with the Kiss catalog.
-
I appreciate some of the more agressive bits in the 80s indeed. Creatures, Lick it up and Animalize are almost as good as the early classics in my opinion. However, Asylum and Crazy nights are a bit too bright and sweet for my taste.
I also think that the raw production on the early albums does not take away from the heaviness of the songs. To my ears, when it comes down the riffs and guitar playing overall, it's just as powerful as the 80s albums I mentioned.
Speaking of the pop influences, I'm suprised Gene's album doesn't appeal to you more. It's very catchy.
Gene's album is good. I like Man Of 1,000 Faces and Mr. Make Believe quite a bit. I do enjoy a lot of the lower ranked albums on my list, but if I'm in the mood for Kiss, it's generally going to be the ones I ranked higher. 70's production just turns me off. Everything sounds thin and a lot of the power seems to get lost (mainly with guitar-based music - Yes and Genesis albums from the 70's sound fine to me).
Stadler, I don't suppose there's any chance you'll ever do a "proper" discography for KISS, is there? I was really looking forward to going through the catalogue chronologically and getting the dirt on all the changes and all the details. By jumping around the way you did, that journey-through-time aspect was lost. I didn't end up following. But I'd still love to go through the discography with someone who really knows all aspects of the band, and you seem the guy to do it.
if everyone doesn't mind a little repeat, I'd do it. Sure.
Oh hell yeah...looking forward to this!
For those who aren't aware, I highly recommend checking out the following article: grantland.com/features/chuck-klosterman-kiss-hall-of-fame
Klosterman may be an aquired taste for some, but I think he's a fantastic writer, and regardless of whether or not you agree with his 'grades,' this article is an excellent primer for anyone looking to become for familiar with the Kiss catalog.
Great read, thanks for posting
-
There's a lot I could add going chronologically; give me a week or so to get my thoughts in order and I'll give it a whirl.
I'll be very interested in reading this. Your current ranking for the albums has me scratching my head a bit. While I admit Revenge (21) might be a little overrated in its adoration from most fans, the mere existence of Unholy would have to put the album higher than both Sonic Boom (10) and Monster (14). Other than the opening tracks on both albums, the rest of both is pretty forgettable. Monster should be way lower just on the merits (or lack thereof) of Take Me Down Below, which includes their cringy-est lyrics since Read My Body.
And, personally, I'd rather listen to Carnival of Souls than at least 7 or 8 of their other albums. It's definitely not a true KISS album (following yet another trend). But, it has some pretty good rock songs. Pauls whimsy "I Will Be There" and Gene's "In My Head" are the only songs I'd really skip. I just wish they would've allowed Toby Wright to properly finish the album. The finished album is not much better sounding than the bootleg version I had a year before it was released.
Obviously, these are just my opinions. But, I've loved and been frustrated by this band for almost 40 years. We definitely agree that Peter Criss' solo album is the worst release to wear the KISS logo on the cover, though. If I had to rank my top 3 albums...
1. Dressed To Kill - 1st record I ever owned. Sound is light-years ahead of HTH's sludgy mess. Has a hidden gem with "Getaway".
2. Paul Stanley - Top to bottom solid album. Truest solo album to KISS sound.
3. Creatures Of The Night - Great album. Unfortunately, it came out a few years too late to save them.
-
I just had to look at page 2... :lol
Here is my vid of Kiss playing Love Gun with Paul Stanley on Center Stage, here in Albuquerque New Mexico. It turned out pretty decent I think. And I Was Made For Loving You with a funny mishap. :biggrin:
Kiss - Love Gun (https://youtu.be/Z3E7AKVufus)
Kiss - I Was Made For Loving You (https://youtu.be/2MCc7zzco2s)
-
Just had a run through of Dressed To Kill.
I wanted to mention She. It has aged greatly for me. I never liked it..ever. But over the last few years, I've been able to enjoy it.
It has three issues that prevented me from liking it.
1. Not uncommon in the Kiss catalog, but I really don't care for songs so blatantly about sex.
2. It's a Gene song, which somehow makes the sex songs feel a lot creepier than when Paul sings them..lol
3. It's mid tempo, which I do not like generally.
But musically, the song is so badass. I like it a lot more nowadays.
-
That album cover is gold as well.
-
Yeah, it's actually one of my favorite album covers of all time.
-
Just had a run through of Dressed To Kill.
I wanted to mention She. It has aged greatly for me. I never liked it..ever. But over the last few years, I've been able to enjoy it.
It has three issues that prevented me from liking it.
1. Not uncommon in the Kiss catalog, but I really don't care for songs so blatantly about sex.
2. It's a Gene song, which somehow makes the sex songs feel a lot creepier than when Paul sings them..lol
3. It's mid tempo, which I do not like generally.
But musically, the song is so badass. I like it a lot more nowadays.
Are you sure you are a KISS fan? ;D
-
Just had a run through of Dressed To Kill.
I wanted to mention She. It has aged greatly for me. I never liked it..ever. But over the last few years, I've been able to enjoy it.
It has three issues that prevented me from liking it.
1. Not uncommon in the Kiss catalog, but I really don't care for songs so blatantly about sex.
2. It's a Gene song, which somehow makes the sex songs feel a lot creepier than when Paul sings them..lol
3. It's mid tempo, which I do not like generally.
But musically, the song is so badass. I like it a lot more nowadays.
Are you sure you are a KISS fan? ;D
Lol—I had a similar thought. I LOVE Kiss because of Gene. IMO, every member was important in the classic lineup, but if Paul was, well, Paul, then Gene was John Lennon, and I'd have no use for the beatles if not for Lennon.
That being said, I am glad you revisited 'Dressed to Kill,' TAC—for my money, 'Dressed to Kill' is the best of the first three, and easily a top-5 KISS record for me overall (I love all eras, so my list is pretty eclectic).
-
Dressed to Kill is a little slight to me compared to Hotter Than Hell. I always viewed Kiss in segments (much like Rush), in that you had three studio records, then a live record, then three studio records, then a live record... and I always liked the second records in the group best, then the first, then the third.
But having said that, "She" has always been a solid favorite. I LOVE the riff, and I love the sort of "duet" vocals, and despite what TAC said, to me that's one of the Gene songs that ISN'T creepy but is sort of... I don't what the word is, but it's a got a vibe to it that's almost sexy and dangerous. "She walks by moonlight, no one really knows... the powers are within her, as she takes off her clothes". To a 15 year old boy, that's like a Viagra/Spanish fly casserole. Certainly more lascivious than "I'm 93 you're 16", or "And my love is in plaster, and yes, she's the collector. She wants me all the time to inject her." which are, to me, just flat out comical.
There was also a book I had back in middle school by a rock journalist named Robert Duncan. Bear in mind that then we didn't know what Kiss looked like, we didn't know what they were like as people, we didn't know that Paul was the calculated businessman, Gene was the raging egomaniac, Ace was the druggie and Peter the miserable malcontent. And there was a chapter in that book that was weird as fuck but PERFECTLY captured the image, the aura of Gene Simmons. And "She" will always remind me of that.
By the way, anyone heard this (https://youtu.be/0WYiNW2p0CU)? (From the Kiss Box Set) Or this (https://youtu.be/sSfSek0kt1c)? TAC, who does that remind you of?
-
Or this (https://youtu.be/sSfSek0kt1c)? TAC, who does that remind you of?
Jethro KISS?
-
That being said, I am glad you revisited 'Dressed to Kill,' TAC—for my money, 'Dressed to Kill' is the best of the first three, and easily a top-5 KISS record for me overall (I love all eras, so my list is pretty eclectic).
I also love all eras, but Hotter Than Hell is easily my favorite KISS album.
-
I am glad you revisited 'Dressed to Kill,' TAC—for my money, 'Dressed to Kill' is the best of the first three, and easily a top-5 KISS record for me overall (I love all eras, so my list is pretty eclectic).
'Dressed To Kill' has always been my favorite KISS album. Yes, it has one of the most tired and overplayed rock anthems of all-time, RaRAN. But, I love the rest of the material. It doesn't hurt that it was the first new piece of music I ever bought.
-
I am glad you revisited 'Dressed to Kill,' TAC—for my money, 'Dressed to Kill' is the best of the first three, and easily a top-5 KISS record for me overall (I love all eras, so my list is pretty eclectic).
'Dressed To Kill' has always been my favorite KISS album. Yes, it has one of the most tired and overplayed rock anthems of all-time, RaRAN. But, I love the rest of the material. It doesn't hurt that it was the first new piece of music I ever bought.
You know what's crazy? I think, at this point, I prefer the studio version of 'Rock 'n Roll' All Night' to the Alive version. Don't get me wrong, the live version is genius, but I'm soooooo played out on it, where as the studio version just feels more fresh to my ears. Also, regardless of the 'played out-ness' of it (I totally agree btw), I NEVER tire of hearing Ace's solo.
-
I am glad you revisited 'Dressed to Kill,' TAC—for my money, 'Dressed to Kill' is the best of the first three, and easily a top-5 KISS record for me overall (I love all eras, so my list is pretty eclectic).
'Dressed To Kill' has always been my favorite KISS album. Yes, it has one of the most tired and overplayed rock anthems of all-time, RaRAN. But, I love the rest of the material. It doesn't hurt that it was the first new piece of music I ever bought.
You know what's crazy? I think, at this point, I prefer the studio version of 'Rock 'n Roll' All Night' to the Alive version. Don't get me wrong, the live version is genius, but I'm soooooo played out on it, where as the studio version just feels more fresh to my ears. Also, regardless of the 'played out-ness' of it (I totally agree btw), I NEVER tire of hearing Ace's solo.
The other day, I heard Poison's version of RaRAN (Less Than Zero soundtrack) for the first time in ages. I forgot that they did a studio version of the Alive! version. I don't like their version. But, I appreciate the fact that they did the version with the guitar solo.
-
I am glad you revisited 'Dressed to Kill,' TAC—for my money, 'Dressed to Kill' is the best of the first three, and easily a top-5 KISS record for me overall (I love all eras, so my list is pretty eclectic).
'Dressed To Kill' has always been my favorite KISS album. Yes, it has one of the most tired and overplayed rock anthems of all-time, RaRAN. But, I love the rest of the material. It doesn't hurt that it was the first new piece of music I ever bought.
A big fave of mine too for many of the reasons already covered. It's got a bit of everything ............heavy tracks, lighter tracks , party anthems and a sense of humour. I know a lot of people dislike it but I always loved Room Service for its cheeky un-PC vibe.
-
I am glad you revisited 'Dressed to Kill,' TAC—for my money, 'Dressed to Kill' is the best of the first three, and easily a top-5 KISS record for me overall (I love all eras, so my list is pretty eclectic).
'Dressed To Kill' has always been my favorite KISS album. Yes, it has one of the most tired and overplayed rock anthems of all-time, RaRAN. But, I love the rest of the material. It doesn't hurt that it was the first new piece of music I ever bought.
A big fave of mine too for many of the reasons already covered. It's got a bit of everything ............heavy tracks, lighter tracks , party anthems and a sense of humour. I know a lot of people dislike it but I always loved Room Service for its cheeky un-PC vibe.
I love it. Hotter Than Hell is my favourite of the first three. Although the first has all those classic songs I hardly ever play it.
-
And, here is why Vinnie Vincent is a total douchebag...
http://vinnievincent.com/product/vinnie-vincent-hand-writtenlyrics/ (http://vinnievincent.com/product/vinnie-vincent-hand-writtenlyrics/)
If anyone gives him anything for this, he/she's an asshole! He stiffed people on a $200 (or however much it cost) box set 30 years ago. Who in their right mind would give him $1000's for this?!? They're probably photocopies of his hand-written lyrics with a real signature at the bottom. Did he even wrote the lyrics to those KISS songs in the first place?!?
Elsewhere in his "Shop" section, it says "Due to scheduling and heavy demand, please allow 6-8 weeks for shipping." He lives in Nashville and only schedules things in the Nashville area. He's cancelled 2 of the only 3 appearances he's scheduled in the past 2 years. What's the problem?!?
-
Anyone have an extra 30k lying around?
https://reverb.com/item/48283349-eric-carr-of-kiss-personal-drum-set-1989-custom-hits-tour-cannon-24x32-bass-drums-authenticated-coa
-
Now this is something I'm interested in.
https://bravewords.com/news/kiss-off-the-soundboard-live-in-des-moines-1977-due-in-september
Finally a classic tour from this Off The Soundboard line.
-
Ha ha, talk about warts and all! I would love to hear a soundboard of KISS. Seriously. I don't know if I've ever heard what they can "really" do in real time, since Alive! is supposedly overdubbed, and the others to various degrees. But a soundboard presumably will be unadulterated.
-
Ha ha, talk about warts and all! I would love to hear a soundboard of KISS. Seriously. I don't know if I've ever heard what they can "really" do in real time, since Alive! is supposedly overdubbed, and the others to various degrees. But a soundboard presumably will be unadulterated.
Hopefully.
They've had a number of Off The Soundboard releases, and I haven't heard any of them. This is the earliest date of any show. I don't even think they've released any 80's shows. So I have no idea of the quality of if anything is...fixed. But I am pumped for this and will be a great replacement for Alive II, where two of the songs are studio tracks with the crowd piped in. And this will have the proper running order for the tour.
EDIT: Was just listening to the last release which was Donnington '96. Now I'm even more pumped!!
-
Is it, though (unadulterated)? It's one CD, so all, what, 17 songs are in 80 minutes... that seems short to me. Maybe they cut out the banter and the spaces in between.
-
Is it, though (unadulterated)? It's one CD, so all, what, 17 songs are in 80 minutes... that seems short to me. Maybe they cut out the banter and the spaces in between.
Kiss’ shows weren’t that long. Looks the the full setlist.
-
That is a sweet set of Ludwig drums!
-
https://blabbermouth.net/news/kiss-mocked-online-after-displaying-australian-flag-during-concert-in-austria (https://blabbermouth.net/news/kiss-mocked-online-after-displaying-australian-flag-during-concert-in-austria)
:lol
-
Oh my.
-
^
:rollin
As to early 'soundboards', I came across this years ago and divided it up onto disc for a KISS (and Prince and now Queen) fanatic. It's from 'The Brewery' in East Lansing 1974 night before 'Dressed To Kill' was released. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTmCMz5xcUA
'She' and the guitar solo are excellent, with lots of subtle variations to the 'Alive' version. btw....is there an 'unofficial' name to this self titled LP Side One ending tune?
'Dressed To Kill': my favorite of the original three (if most of the ten seconds of silence between songs is removed).
On to memory lane: my older cousin took me to a Bob Seger show at The Brewery for my first concert the year before (they did allow minors to enter at the time). It changed its name to 'The Silver Dollar Saloon' a few years later. In '80, I saw REO Speedwagon at the now torn down Civic Center, went to The Silver Dollar afterwards (20-30 minute drive) and the band then showed up and played for twenty minutes (they also played benefit softball games against the FM radio DJs on a couple of tours).
A few years later, after seeing Rainbow, then going to the bar, the band showed up, and I had a drink with drummer Bobby Rondinelli. I might have gotten an acknowledging 'nod' from Blackmore....
-
Holy shit! I grew up maybe a mile from The Brewery, later The Silver Dollar Saloon, and was there many times. Rush also played there in the early years. Our guitarist's older brother always told the story of how Ace stood on his table and took a solo, and 1974 sounds about right. Could've been the same show.
-
Holy shit! I grew up maybe a mile from The Brewery, later The Silver Dollar Saloon, and was there many times. Rush also played there in the early years. Our guitarist's older brother always told the story of how Ace stood on his table and took a solo, and 1974 sounds about right. Could've been the same show.
I'm pretty sure Cheap Trick did a fair amount of work there.
Jealous over the Blackmore story. He used to hang at a bar near Redding, CT where he lived (I lived two towns over in Monroe) but I never saw him there.
-
^
:rollin
As to early 'soundboards', I came across this years ago and divided it up onto disc for a KISS (and Prince and now Queen) fanatic. It's from 'The Brewery' in East Lansing 1974 night before 'Dressed To Kill' was released. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTmCMz5xcUA
'She' and the guitar solo are excellent, with lots of subtle variations to the 'Alive' version. btw....is there an 'unofficial' name to this self titled LP Side One ending tune?
[/quote]
I don't really follow the question; the side one ending tune on the self-titled LP is "Let Me Know". They used the coda for that for the end of "She" for a number of years. I don't know that the coda was ever named, officially or unofficially, but I can't find anything.
Interesting is that Ace stole the solo from Robby Kreiger of the Doors ("Five To One") and then Mike McCready of Pearl Jam stole it back ("Alive")!
-
^
‘Side One Coda’ works for me. :tup
And, ‘holy crap’, Ace did steal it, but I had never noticed until today after all these decades. Yet another :tup
The Silver Dollar: I was two miles away as the crow flies on Lake Lansing Road. Some return trips were longer, slower, and not nearly as direct ;)
-
I just listened to Five To One, and holy shit what a fucking dreadful tune that is, and I can't find anything that remotely resembles the end of Let Me Know. Can someone timestamp what I'm supposed to hear?
-
1:12-1:32…not in the ‘coda’, but in the ‘She’ instrumental if I’m not mistaken
-
It's just the guitar solo of "She", not "Let Me Know". The coda of "Let Me Know" was used as the coda to "She" live for a long time (you can hear that on Alive!).
EDIT: And then, like I said, Mike McCready quotes it again in the Pearl Jam song "Alive". (McCready is a huge Kiss and UFO fan, by the way; he plays in a UFO cover band on the side.)
-
Oh ok. I'm going to check it out this morning..
EDIT: Ok I hear it.
-
It's just the guitar solo of "She", not "Let Me Know". The coda of "Let Me Know" was used as the coda to "She" live for a long time (you can hear that on Alive!).
EDIT: And then, like I said, Mike McCready quotes it again in the Pearl Jam song "Alive". (McCready is a huge Kiss and UFO fan, by the way; he plays in a UFO cover band on the side.)
Yes...I remember the quote well!
McCready was especially impressed by Kiss’ Ace Frehley. “I really gravitated towards his vibrato. My lead for ‘Alive’ is based on ‘She,”’ and that’s based on ‘Five to One’ by The Doors,” he said. “She” was a track from Dressed to Kill. McCready added “I remember we were in Surrey, England. I thought about it like, ‘I’m going to approach this like Ace did on “She.”’ And I remember the chord pattern that Stone [Gossard] wrote lent it to that kind of a descending pattern. So I kind for went with it. And then I improvised from there.” Rolling Stone reports McCready once said he “copied” the riff from “She.”
And while we are on the topic, I realize that the Doors have failed to garner the same critical reevaluation that many of their peers have enjoyed (I recently read an article where the author referred to the Doors as a 'necessary phase' that teens inevitably grow out of), but for my money, the Doors have one of the most potent catalogs out there.
Obviously, I am only referring to the six Morrison releases, but I routinly revisit those albums and remain impressed to this day. That said, I may be an outlier in that I never 'grow out' of anything, especially bands. All of the music I loved at 13 I still love, and I've only added to that pile in the ensuing years.
-
Is there a good reason for the question mark in the thread title to remain?
-
I wouldn't think so.
-
I wouldn't think so.
Good enough for me.
-
Paul Stanley is my favorite rock star of all time, period! No one to me captured a crowd like Paul. His unique vocal tone and ability is unmatched. Listen to I'll Fight Hell To Hold You, his upper vocal register in incredible. I love every Kiss album even Carnival of Souls. Yes, The Elder too! The Elder is top 10 for me. Favorite album is Rock And Roll Over.
-
Paul Stanley is my favorite rock star of all time, period! No one to me captured a crowd like Paul. His unique vocal tone and ability is unmatched. Listen to I'll Fight Hell To Hold You, his upper vocal register in incredible. I love every Kiss album even Carnival of Souls. Yes, The Elder too! The Elder is top 10 for me. Favorite album is Rock And Roll Over.
Elder in your top 10?!?
Be still my heart, where have you been?
-
Paul Stanley is my favorite rock star of all time, period! No one to me captured a crowd like Paul. His unique vocal tone and ability is unmatched. Listen to I'll Fight Hell To Hold You, his upper vocal register in incredible. I love every Kiss album even Carnival of Souls. Yes, The Elder too! The Elder is top 10 for me. Favorite album is Rock And Roll Over.
Elder in your top 10?!?
Be still my heart, where have you been?
I don't understand how a lot of fans consider it an outlier??? The Oath is a top 10 all time! Odyssey, A World Without Heroes, Dark Light! Heeelllo!!! Lets not forget the 4 unreleased songs from Killers! I'm A Legend Tonight and Nowhere To Run are also faves of mine!
-
Nowhere To Run is a great song. I love a lot of the Paul songs from that period. Tomorrow is another great one.
-
Killer songs there and all top vocal performances ................Nowhere To Run (possibly my No1 KISS song) , I'm A Legend Tonight and I'll Fight Hell To Hold You. All those songs would be in my top 20-30 from KISS. I've said before that Killers was the only album I owned from the age 8-11yo and those bonus tracks are just about my favourite KISS sound - mixing the classic sound with the heavier side that was to come with Creatures.
-
Kiss= Killers= awesome
-
Nowhere To Run is a great song. I love a lot of the Paul songs from that period. Tomorrow is another great one.
I love all of Unmasked. I had the small bubble gum record of Unmasked, remember that?
-
Paul Stanley is my favorite rock star of all time, period! No one to me captured a crowd like Paul. His unique vocal tone and ability is unmatched. Listen to I'll Fight Hell To Hold You, his upper vocal register in incredible. I love every Kiss album even Carnival of Souls. Yes, The Elder too! The Elder is top 10 for me. Favorite album is Rock And Roll Over.
Elder in your top 10?!?
Be still my heart, where have you been?
I don't understand how a lot of fans consider it an outlier??? The Oath is a top 10 all time! Odyssey, A World Without Heroes, Dark Light! Heeelllo!!! Lets not forget the 4 unreleased songs from Killers! I'm A Legend Tonight and Nowhere To Run are also faves of mine!
Rock And Roll Over is at any given time my favorite Kiss album too (Hotter Than Hell sometimes takes it's place). I too am a fan of The Elder; the only song I don't like is Mr. Blackwell; that blows. But the "Only You/Under The Rose" segment is as good as anything in their catalogue. Yeah, I said it.
I agree on Paul; the only caveat is, he's a different front man with the makeup and without. When the makeup came off, it went from suggestive innuendo to something more bold and direct and there were a slight few times when he went too far with the "dirty". Not that it mattered to me, necessarily, but it was different than the sort of escapist fantasy of the makeup years. Small quibble though; I've seen Kiss too many times, and while I've seen the guitar players stumble (Ace is sometimes sloppy, Vinnie was a trainwreck at times), I've seen the worst performance I've ever seen from a big name drummer (Peter Criss on the final tour with Aerosmith; embarassingly bad), and even Gene fumble (I've seen his "flying" rig fail TWICE, and he blew the words to Let Me Go Rock and Roll at MSG at their homecoming show on the reunion tour, though for me that was a cool real world moment) but I can't name ONE TIME that Paul was anything less than really good. Even the last tour I saw where his voice wasn't what it was, it was still better than a lot of big name acts out there. When I saw them in the '83, '84 time frame, his voice was unparalleled.
-
Paul Stanley is my favorite rock star of all time, period! No one to me captured a crowd like Paul. His unique vocal tone and ability is unmatched. Listen to I'll Fight Hell To Hold You, his upper vocal register in incredible. I love every Kiss album even Carnival of Souls. Yes, The Elder too! The Elder is top 10 for me. Favorite album is Rock And Roll Over.
Elder in your top 10?!?
Be still my heart, where have you been?
I don't understand how a lot of fans consider it an outlier??? The Oath is a top 10 all time! Odyssey, A World Without Heroes, Dark Light! Heeelllo!!! Lets not forget the 4 unreleased songs from Killers! I'm A Legend Tonight and Nowhere To Run are also faves of mine!
Rock And Roll Over is at any given time my favorite Kiss album too (Hotter Than Hell sometimes takes it's place). I too am a fan of The Elder; the only song I don't like is Mr. Blackwell; that blows. But the "Only You/Under The Rose" segment is as good as anything in their catalogue. Yeah, I said it.
I agree on Paul; the only caveat is, he's a different front man with the makeup and without. When the makeup came off, it went from suggestive innuendo to something more bold and direct and there were a slight few times when he went too far with the "dirty". Not that it mattered to me, necessarily, but it was different than the sort of escapist fantasy of the makeup years. Small quibble though; I've seen Kiss too many times, and while I've seen the guitar players stumble (Ace is sometimes sloppy, Vinnie was a trainwreck at times), I've seen the worst performance I've ever seen from a big name drummer (Peter Criss on the final tour with Aerosmith; embarassingly bad), and even Gene fumble (I've seen his "flying" rig fail TWICE, and he blew the words to Let Me Go Rock and Roll at MSG at their homecoming show on the reunion tour, though for me that was a cool real world moment) but I can't name ONE TIME that Paul was anything less than really good. Even the last tour I saw where his voice wasn't what it was, it was still better than a lot of big name acts out there. When I saw them in the '83, '84 time frame, his voice was unparalleled.
I think, largly because of my age (I'm turning 42 soon), my Kiss-fandom was placed at such a disadvantage.
My first Kiss show was back 96, on the first reunion tour—I saw them several times between then and 1999, and then I decided to hang back (once Ace was out, I lost interest in paying to see them. I love Tommy, but I'd had my fill of $200 concert tickets).
That all said, my top-3 Kiss albums are R&R Over, Revenge, and 'insert album here'...I would give anything to be able to go back in time to '76 or '92 and see either version of the band at what I consider their peak.
The first few reunion tours were great, but I still feel like I missed out.
As for Paul—I'm with Stadler all the way. Not only does he 'bring it,' but he (and Gene as well) WANT to bring it. They care so much about the show they are putting on. Find me a picture of an out-of-shape, beer-bellied Paul—you can't, because the man has taken care of himself (and his voice). There are far too many frontmen who've let their health go by the wayside, but in that regard, I feel like twilight-years KISS has always been a cut above.
-
Vince Neil says hello:
(https://i.imgur.com/dfxr53i.jpg)
I've told this story before: 2014, took my kid to see Kiss for the first time. 16th row. Def Leppard was really good and Kiss started out... okay. I could tell my kid was like "I get it, this is good, but that Def Leppard was REALLY good!" (She might have said something about Phil's abs too). Then Gene's rig failed; he was lifted like three feet off the stage and it got stuck. Fucking Spinal Tap. After the song (God of Thunder) Gene went over to the side of the stage and was barking at the roadies; you could tell he was pissed. He went then to each of the other members and was barking at them too.
And it was amazing; you could SENSE the band kicking it into a higher gear. Even my kid was like "Dad, what happened? It's like a different band!" The last five songs - Calling Dr. Love, Love Gun, Black Diamond, Detroit Rock City, and Rock and Roll All Nite - were as good as any versions of them I've ever seen. End of the show, my kid posts a picture of the stage blowing up (with the confetti, during RnRAN) and says "Greatest night of my life!"
I attribute that to Gene. He didn't want to be embarrassed and he didn't want to phone it in. I've met both Gene and Paul (twice each) and they were, both times, kind and generous people who made you feel like you MATTERED. They were present. They could sell anything they want - Kiss suppositories - for all I care, it's the fan side that matters to me.
-
Having just seen Vince Neil, and Axl Rose last year, I can easily agree that for all the shit Kiss gets, those guys do put in the effort over some of their peers.
-
Having just seen Vince Neil, and Axl Rose last year, I can easily agree that for all the shit Kiss gets, those guys do put in the effort over some of their peers.
Is Vince still just singing the first and last words of each line? (Not kidding)
-
Having just seen Vince Neil, and Axl Rose last year, I can easily agree that for all the shit Kiss gets, those guys do put in the effort over some of their peers.
Is Vince still just singing the first and last words of each line? (Not kidding)
I could hardly make out any words :lol
-
Saw Ace Frehley at Toad's Place last night. Not the first time I've seen him solo (third, I think) but probably the last.
Look, Kiss is iconic to me. I love them unconditionally, except Peter, and anytime you get 90 minutes of straight up live Kiss music, it's not a bad thing. But it might not have been a good thing, either. He's using Gene Simmons' band (more on that later) which is great, because those guys are really good and their enthusiasm is infectious, but I think based on what I saw, Ace's time has passed.
First, the club seats 700, 750. They had seats (first time I've ever seen that) and so there was only about 300, maybe 350 people there. The opening band now has the record for the worst opener I've ever seen. Sweet Sienna, they are produced by Matt Starr (Ace's drummer) and they sucked. One guy playing keyboards and one guy on guitar. I think they played four songs, one was a cover of "Simple Man" by Skynyrd that was basically the keyboard/singer doing a solo bit. Unfortunately, his voice wasn't unique or powerful enough to carry that endeavor, and I spent more time watching the guitar player who walked around his side of the stage what looked like looking for his pick. He played acoustic guitar on one song, and electric on another, and it was horrible. Starr joined them for the last song and it wasn't enough. During the middle, the singer literally name dropped like 15 people that allegedly played on their new album, including George Lynch, John Corabi, Joel Hoekstra and Jack Russell. Could have fooled me.
Ace came out right at nine, and hit it off with "Rip It Out". That, "New York Groove" and "Rock Soldiers" were the only solo songs, the rest were Kiss. As I noted, the band (two guitars, bass, and drums) is TIGHT; they are very good and they know their role (making their leader look good). All three front men sing; each guitar player sang one song, and the bass player sang I think three songs. Twice Ace started to sing and then pointed at the bass player then his throat; at the very end Ace's voice sounded shot, but most of the show it was okay. He's another guy that has taken to not exactly signing every word. He proudly said he was 15 years sober, but most of the banter was such that if you told me he was wasted, I wouldn't have doubted you. He's an odd guy, for sure, but seemed odder than usual.
It's not Ace's fault - maybe it is - but his schtick doesn't work at the club level. He's not dynamic enough to project that he's destroying a club (though the band is; they rocked like it was Wembley Stadium and more power to them for that) and the guitar solo antics - smoking guitar - are sort of lame when you're standing 15 feet from him. Ace came back after the solo and was all "I can't breath!" and rather than be funny, it was sort of... sad. At least twice he left the stage and the band just kind of looked at each other and vamped, one time starting into "Love Theme From Kiss" from the first album. It's on all the setlists, so the song was planned, but I don't get the sense that the gag was about Ace not being on stage. As for before the show, we walked around and got a beer; the merch was lame; $50 for a one-sided t-shirt that wasn't really that cool, IMO. He was selling signed guitars - a $400 Epiphone for $3500 signed with doodles; really cool, but out of my price range, frankly - and signed guitar straps for I think they were $350. A couple people bought them; I saw at least two guitar cases go by and at least two straps. He did hang around after the show for about an hour and a half for the meet and greet folks, which was cool, I guess (I wasn't one of them).
It was still an awesome time, though. Kiss is fun, and while the performance wasn't Kiss-level, the evening was. I saw a couple friends I haven't seen in easily 20 years, which was good, and when we went out to the sidewalk, we struck up a conversation with Ace's guitar tech. He worked for Ted Nugent, Rick Nielson and Ace (among others) and was more than willing to share stories (apparently the "CreaturesFest" in Nashville was the most bizarre gig he's ever done, and like I said, he worked for Ted Nugent and Cheap Trick). Some neat stories about Rick and Bun E. in particular (moral of the story: Rick is a shit stirrer!). Ace's band came out and hung on the sidewalk for over an hour and a half. I didn't talk to the drummer, but the three front men were awesome. The two guitar players are from Nashville, and my friend let slip that I'm going there next week as an anniversary thing and one of them (Ryan Cook) spent like 15 minutes walking me through what I should and should not do when I get there. The other two (Jeremy Asbrock and Zack I don't know his last name) joined in and it was really cool. Just fun, down to earth guys that get to tour with two of their idols. At one point, Ace walked out to his car and we barely noticed (I did say "Thanks Ace!" and he sort of nodded, as he tried to avoid some dude with a solo record and Sharpie, while not falling off the curb into the side of his car; I'm not kidding you).
Look, it was fun for what it was, a solid night out with solid hard rock, but it wasn't epic, and it wasn't that reminiscent of past glories; I can absolutely see why Paul and Gene wouldn't want this as part of their going away party.
-
I can absolutely see why Paul and Gene wouldn't want this as part of their going away party.
Gene did recently state that he doesn't think Ace has the stamina for a full Kiss show. Based on what you wrote, that seems legit.
-
I can absolutely see why Paul and Gene wouldn't want this as part of their going away party.
Gene did recently state that he doesn't think Ace has the stamina for a full Kiss show. Based on what you wrote, that seems legit.
From what I saw, he definitely does not. It was 90 minutes, tops, and he looked frail by the third song. Add the boots and makeup into it, and I don't see it either.
-
What you've written, Stadler, basically confirms my worst fears.
Based off of what I've seen on youtube, Ace is well past his prime and despite what Eddie Trunk would have you believe, his basically sitting in with a far superior band. Up until now, I'd hoped that what I'd watched was just a convergence of bad recordings and off nights, but I respect your opinion (after all, you're a man who knows his KISStory) and if you say he's done, then I'm finally going to have to accept it.
Count me in a long line of guitarists who considers ACE to be one of my biggest musical heroes and an extremely prominent influence on my playing. I'm far from famous, but I've been around the block a time or three, and in all of the records I've played guitar on, I've always done my best to drop a bar or two from one of Ace's leads. No one (except a die-hard Kiss fan) would ever know the difference, but it always meant the world to me to be able to pay a little homage to the Space Man.
That all said, Jesus Christ does Ace's '78 solo album rip. Seriously, if you are reading this and you haven't listened to "Ace Frehley," drop all your preconceived notions and do yourself a favor and give that record a spin. To my ears, Ace was doing the Queens of the Stone Age stoner-rock schtick 20 years before Josh Homme.
-
What you've written, Stadler, basically confirms my worst fears.
Based off of what I've seen on youtube, Ace is well past his prime and despite what Eddie Trunk would have you believe, his basically sitting in with a far superior band. Up until now, I'd hoped that what I'd watched was just a convergence of bad recordings and off nights, but I respect your opinion (after all, you're a man who knows his KISStory) and if you say he's done, then I'm finally going to have to accept it.
Count me in a long line of guitarists who considers ACE to be one of my biggest musical heroes and an extremely prominent influence on my playing. I'm far from famous, but I've been around the block a time or three, and in all of the records I've played guitar on, I've always done my best to drop a bar or two from one of Ace's leads. No one (except a die-hard Kiss fan) would ever know the difference, but it always meant the world to me to be able to pay a little homage to the Space Man.
That all said, Jesus Christ does Ace's '78 solo album rip. Seriously, if you are reading this and you haven't listened to "Ace Frehley," drop all your preconceived notions and do yourself a favor and give that record a spin. To my ears, Ace was doing the Queens of the Stone Age stoner-rock schtick 20 years before Josh Homme.
EVERY SONG KICKS MAJOR ASS!
-
The other two (Jeremy Asbrock and Zack I don't know his last name) joined in and it was really cool. Just fun, down to earth guys that get to tour with two of their idols.
Zach Throne (bassist) is from Bruce Kulick's KISS Kruise band. He is awesome! Traditionally, he handles all the Gene leads and does a phenomenal job. If you haven't seen footage of Bruce's band, do yourself a favor and check it out. It's Bruce and Zach along with Todd Kerns and Brent Fitz (ex-Union) from Slash's band.
-
The other two (Jeremy Asbrock and Zack I don't know his last name) joined in and it was really cool. Just fun, down to earth guys that get to tour with two of their idols.
Zach Throne (bassist) is from Bruce Kulick's KISS Kruise band. He is awesome! Traditionally, he handles all the Gene leads and does a phenomenal job. If you haven't seen footage of Bruce's band, do yourself a favor and check it out. It's Bruce and Zach along with Todd Kerns and Brent Fitz (ex-Union) from Slash's band.
Yes! He mentioned being on the Kruise as well as being in Nashville for the Creatures thing. He was really good and really cool guy. Took the time to speak with everyone (including the tool - not me - who claimed he could do what Zach did so if he needed stand in to hit him up).
-
@ Stadler!!!
https://www.kissreplicas.com/products/kiss--the-demon-destroyer-official-costume-2.html
Only about $2500 for the whole thing!
I mean, you probably already have one.. ;D
-
That's his anniversary costume. He calls it, "The Destroyer."
-
It's an extra $25 if you want the codpiece to come with a spike. :lol
-
I’ve been able to get a couple of my kids into music that I like. But, nothing tops last October when I took my oldest son, 14 at the time, to see KISS. He didn’t know most of the songs, but it didn’t matter. He loved it, and we had an awesome time together, and something we’ll always remember. Now when I hear KISS, that’s what I think of.
-
I finally got to see my first KISS show two days ago in Budapest. What a party. Gene and Ace truly are giants. :metal
-
I finally got to see my first KISS show two days ago in Budapest. What a party. Gene and Ace truly are giants. :metal
Gene and Paul?
I'm going in 5 weeks to see the show I bought tickets for in early 2019 ..............my son has grown about 2 feet since I bought him the tix ::)
-
I finally got to see my first KISS show two days ago in Budapest. What a party. Gene and Ace truly are giants. :metal
Gene and Paul?
I'm going in 5 weeks to see the show I bought tickets for in early 2019 ..............my son has grown about 2 feet since I bought him the tix ::)
How the hell did I come up with Ace? :lol Paul, of course.
-
Probably distracted with thoughts of spiked codpieces......
-
I’ve been able to get a couple of my kids into music that I like. But, nothing tops last October when I took my oldest son, 14 at the time, to see KISS. He didn’t know most of the songs, but it didn’t matter. He loved it, and we had an awesome time together, and something we’ll always remember. Now when I hear KISS, that’s what I think of.
I have an experience like that with my daughter. Priceless.
-
Not quite as good as the Maiden dudes from the jungle..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52vNfge_mhU
-
Anyone heard the new Klassik ‘78 album? Let’s party like it’s 1976
-
Not quite as good as the Maiden dudes from the jungle..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52vNfge_mhU
:lol
But...I was actually entertained watching the bass playing. That was a gazillion times more hand work than I would ever have guessed.
-
Not quite as good as the Maiden dudes from the jungle..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52vNfge_mhU
:lol
But...I was actually entertained I watched the bass playing. That was a gazillion times more hand work than I would ever have guessed.
I know famously Rick Nielson from Cheap Trick said Gene was a shit bass player, but for the music they played, I thought he brought a lot of creativity. Kiss songs often, especially in the early days, could be described as "a Paul McCartney bassline under a Jimmy Page riff". Some of his bass lines were pretty cool (listen to Rock and Roll All Nite, for example). Not necessarily hard to play, but more than just chugging on the root note.
-
The first three KISS albums have great bass lines all over them. But Simmons played higher up, more melodic lines. Nielson probably wanted a bass player that Carrie’s the bottom end more like a typical bass player.
-
The first three KISS albums have great bass lines all over them. But Simmons played higher up, more melodic lines. Nielson probably wanted a bass player that Carrie’s the bottom end more like a typical bass player.
Like Tom Petersson often did (even the more melodic lines from him were not single-note lines, since his 12-string bass allowed for a more "chordal" approach).
-
The first three KISS albums have great bass lines all over them. But Simmons played higher up, more melodic lines. Nielson probably wanted a bass player that Carrie’s the bottom end more like a typical bass player.
Like Tom Petersson often did (even the more melodic lines from him were not single-note lines, since his 12-string bass allowed for a more "chordal" approach).
Exactly. Two different types of bass players. Both awesome and underrated!
-
So this video popped into my Youtube feed today. It's a video about Hide Your Heart, which I obviously know that both Kiss and Ace Frehley recorded.
Apparently, it was also recorded by 5 other artists including Bonnie Tyler, and oddly...Molly Hatchet.
I did not know that it was demoed for the Crazy Nights album, but was ultimatly rejected.
Anyway...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qqes8zBwNPE
I pulled up the Molly Hatchet version on Spotify, and let's just say...it sounds weird. :lol
-
I've only learned about that a couple of months ago. It's so odd that so many bands and performers recorded their versions of the song, and yet it never became that big of a hit. ;D
-
I saw Kiss live Saturday night in Melbourne. I really enjoyed the gig, I thought Gene was great but Paul was struggling a bit. As I have mentioned previously (in the Rush Top 75 countdown thread of course) I used to perform as Gene in a Kiss tribute band so even though I do love Kiss and they have been a big influence and important band for me in my younger years I never listen to them at all these days and have seen them live many times before. I actually can't remember the last time I put on a Kiss album but I am really glad I went to the show considering this is in theory the 'End of the Road' tour. It was well worth it but it did leave me feeling a little sad, when you are young, you think you and especially your heros are invincible but the gig did display some elements of the fact that time catches up with us all. Highly recommended though for Kiss fans.
-
So this video popped into my Youtube feed today. It's a video about Hide Your Heart, which I obviously know that both Kiss and Ace Frehley recorded.
Apparently, it was also recorded by 5 other artists including Bonnie Tyler, and oddly...Molly Hatchet.
I did not know that it was demoed for the Crazy Nights album, but was ultimatly rejected.
Anyway...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qqes8zBwNPE
I pulled up the Molly Hatchet version on Spotify, and let's just say...it sounds weird. :lol
Is the drummer on the Bonnie Tyler the same drummer that was famous a couple years ago for his exaggerated mannerisms? :) (It's not; I think he said it's Jerry Marotta, who drummed for Peter Gabriel).
I dig the song, and I dig the Ace version (that whole album, Trouble Walking, is one of his best, IMO).
-
Gene Simmons was the guest on Dean Delray's "Let There Be Talk" podcast episode 660 about 2 weeks ago. It's a great discussion/interview. He's not the typical "Gene Simmons... From KISS!" who we get in most interviews. He's more "Gene Simmons, the musician". He talks a lot about musical history, his instruments and influences, a handful of Gene-isms, and, surprisingly, not a lot of KISS. It was very refreshing to hear, and really entertaining. I highly recommend it.
-
Gene Simmons was the guest on Dean Delray's "Let There Be Talk" podcast episode 660 about 2 weeks ago. It's a great discussion/interview. He's not the typical "Gene Simmons... From KISS!" who we get in most interviews. He's more "Gene Simmons, the musician". He talks a lot about musical history, his instruments and influences, a handful of Gene-isms, and, surprisingly, not a lot of KISS. It was very refreshing to hear, and really entertaining. I highly recommend it.
I want to find that; he doesn't usually talk about those things all that much. He's famous for saying stuff like "no one wants to hear what strings I use, or what cables I use."
-
According to ITunes Australia, this is the track listing for the upcoming KISS Creatures Box Set! Looks pretty darn good. Discs 4 and 5 are soundboard, too. I think they knocked it out of the park with this one. Wonder what goodies they'll load in there with the music.
Disc 1 (2022 Remastered)
01. Creatures Of The Night
02. Saint And Sinner
03. Keep Me Comin'
04. Rock And Roll Hell
05. Danger
06. I Love It Loud
07. I Still Love You
08. Killer
09. War Machine
Disc 2 - Demos
10. I'm A Legend Tonight
11. Down On Your Knees
12. Nowhere To Run
13. Partners In Crime
14. Deadly Weapon (Penny Lane Demo)
15. Feel Like Heaven (Penny Lane Demo)
16. Nowhere To Run (Penny Lane Demo)
17. Deadly Weapon (Original Demo)
18. Feel Like Heaven (Original Demo)
19. Nowhere To Run (Take 11 - Instrumental)
20. Tell It To A Fool (Take 4 - Drums & Bass Instrumental)
21. Chrome Goes Into Motion (Take 2 - Drums & Bass Instrumental)
22. I'm A Legend Tonight (Mix 4 - Instrumental & Background Vocals)
23. Don't Leave Me Lonely (Take 8 - Drums & Guitar Instrumental)
24. Something Seems To Happen At Night (Gene Simmons Demo)
25. It's Gonna Be Alright (Gene Simmons Demo)
Disc 3 - Demos 2
26. Legends Never Die (Gene Simmons Demo)
27. It's My Life (Gene Simmons Demo)
28. Not For The Innocent (Demo)
29. I Still Love You (Take 1)
30. I Still Love You (Take 2)
31. Saint And Sinner (Take 1)
32. Saint And Sinner (Take 2 - False Start)
33. Saint And Sinner (Take 3)
34. Betrayed (Outtake)
35. Creatures Of The Night (Alternate Mix 19)
36. Partners In Crime (Alternate Mix 16B)
37. I Love It Loud (Alternate Mix 21)
38. War Machine (Full-Length - Mix 11)
39. Rock And Roll Hell (Take 2 [9/10/82])
40. Rock And Roll Hell (Take 1 - Incomplete [9/15/82])
41. Rock And Roll Hell (Take 2 [9/15/82])
42. I Love It Loud (Single Edit)
43. Creatures Of The Night (1985 Remix)
Disc 4 - Live
44. Creatures Of The Night (Live In Rockford, Illinois 12/31/82)
45. Strutter (Live In Sioux City, Iowa 12/30/82)
46. Calling Dr. Love (Live In Sioux City, Iowa 12/30/82)
47. Firehouse (Live In Sioux City, Iowa 12/30/82)
48. I Love It Loud (Live In Rockford, Illinois 12/31/82)
49. Cold Gin (Live In Sioux City, Iowa 12/30/82)
50. Keep Me Comin' (Live In Sioux City, Iowa 12/30/82)
51. War Machine (Live In Sioux City, Iowa 12/30/82)
52. I Want You (Live In Houston, Texas 3/10/83)
53. Rock And Roll Hell (Live In Rockford, Illinois 12/31/82)
54. I Still Love You (Live In Sioux City, Iowa 12/30/82)
55. Shout It Out Loud (Live In Sioux City, Iowa 12/30/82)
56. Gene Bass Solo (Live In Sioux City, Iowa 12/30/82)
57. God Of Thunder / Eric Drum Solo (Live In Rockford, Illinois 12/31/82)
Disc 5 - Live & More
58. Paul's Love Gun Rap (Live In Rockford, Illinois 12/31/82)
59. Love Gun (Live In Rockford, Illinois 12/31/82)
60. Paul's Guitar Solo (Live In Rockford, Illinois 12/31/82)
61. Black Diamond (Live In Houston, Texas 3/10/83)
62. Detroit Rock City (Live In Houston, Texas 3/10/83)
63. Rock And Roll All Nite (Live In Houston, Texas 3/10/83)
64. Rock And Roll Hell (Live In Sioux City, Iowa 12/30/82)
65. I Want You (Live In Rockford, Illinois 12/31/82)
66. King Of The Night Time World (Live In Pine Bluff, Arkansas 2/11/83)
67. Cold Gin (Live In Houston, Texas 3/10/83)
68. I Still Love You (Live In Houston, Texas 3/10/83)
69. Strutter (Live In Houston, Texas 3/10/83)
70. Tank Start Of Show (Tour Sound Effect)
71. Turbine (Tour Sound Effect)
72. Firehouse Siren (Tour Sound Effect)
73. Drum And Ending Tank (Tour Sound Effect)
74. Bass Solo Wind And Gargoyles (Tour Sound Effect)
75. Bells (Tour Sound Effect)
76. Flames (Tour Sound Effect)
76 Songs, 5 Hours, 23 Minutes
-
(https://scontent.fmel7-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/300510598_3267316306890601_2554560882298448770_n.jpg?stp=cp1_dst-jpg&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=dbeb18&_nc_ohc=1aQoDLApJmAAX8UFII1&_nc_ht=scontent.fmel7-1.fna&oh=00_AT_kSNSpWaclIvWT3iP9k3Kn1yeDkTmvzaFTzoPFvrqJEg&oe=630C6D4C)
-
One week tomorrow until I see the KISS show. Looking forward to the spectacle of it all.
-
One week tomorrow until I see the KISS show. Looking forward to the spectacle of it all.
Saw them last Sunday - you'll enjoy it for sure.
Off to see the Aussie band The Baby Animals tonight .................two gigs in a week after nothing for 3-4 years.
-
That box set looks pretty damned impressive. Interesting to me that they put so much effort into this one album/tour. Because this is considered the epitome of KISS? I remember that they finally gained something like mainstream appeal by the 80's, with MTV videos and everything. Or maybe because they're planning other boxes like this?
-
That box set looks pretty damned impressive. Interesting to me that they put so much effort into this one album/tour. Because this is considered the epitome of KISS? I remember that they finally gained something like mainstream appeal by the 80's, with MTV videos and everything. Or maybe because they're planning other boxes like this?
Paul Stanley has said many times that he felt Lick It Up was the album that restored them to their 70's level greatness, but Creatures was by far the better album. I think for him, anyway, that might be the epitome of at least the non-original member period of the band.
-
My only complaint is how patchwork the live stuff seems to be. You couldn’t find a decent complete show?
-
My only complaint is how patchwork the live stuff seems to be. You couldn’t find a decent complete show?
Yup. I agree completely.
-
That box set looks pretty damned impressive. Interesting to me that they put so much effort into this one album/tour. Because this is considered the epitome of KISS? I remember that they finally gained something like mainstream appeal by the 80's, with MTV videos and everything. Or maybe because they're planning other boxes like this?
Paul Stanley has said many times that he felt Lick It Up was the album that restored them to their 70's level greatness, but Creatures was by far the better album. I think for him, anyway, that might be the epitome of at least the non-original member period of the band.
I agree with you 100%! Love Creatures but Lick It Up is stellar. Vinnie is an amazing songwriter! I watched an hour long interview with Vincent speaking how he wanted to be a full time EQUAL member and we all know that would never happen. Eric Carr wanted him in the band fulltime according to Vincent but he basically said they used him at their convenience. The first VV album Invasion were all songs written for the follow up to Lick it up. I would love to hear Paul sing those tunes over ex Journey singer Robert Fleischman.
-
Seeing Ace tonight!!
-
Seeing Ace tonight!!
Let me know what you think. I saw this show a couple weeks ago at Toad's, a 700 seat club in New Haven. We hung after the show and his band came out and hung with us on the sidewalk. REALLY cool guys, especially Ryan the guitar player and Zach the bass player.
-
I saw Kiss way back during the Lick it Up tour. Make up off. :omg:
-
Seeing Ace tonight!!
Let me know what you think. I saw this show a couple weeks ago at Toad's, a 700 seat club in New Haven. We hung after the show and his band came out and hung with us on the sidewalk. REALLY cool guys, especially Ryan the guitar player and Zach the bass player.
You bet!
-
I saw Kiss way back during the Lick it Up tour. Make up off. :omg:
My first Kiss show. I met Paul, Gene, Eric and Vinnie before the show. Vinnie was a douche, Eric was shyer than I am so we said like one word to each other. Paul was a gentleman, and Gene was (and likely still is) the coolest celebrity I've ever met. He talked with me for a good five minutes, and went through the picture books from Alive! and Alive II page by page telling me stories about the photos. I knew the photos for Alive! were staged about ten years before it became common knowledge. :) :) :)
-
Animalize was my 1st KISS show with Queensryche opening.
-
Animalize was my 1st KISS show with Queensryche opening.
They were still "banned" from Providence for that tour, and my folks wouldn't let me go to Worcester yet. They did play in providence on the Asylum tour and that was the first time seeing them. They were so disappointing. And Black n Blue sucked.
Like It Up they have Accept
Animalize they have Queensryche
And I fucking get Black n Blue.
-
That was the first time I saw QR. I saw Kiss twice on that tour. I'm trying to remember if QR opened on the second leg as well or if it was WASP or Ted Nugent.....? I was there, just can't remember.
-
I saw Nuge open the Crazy Nights tour. Caught his drummer's stick!
-
So its possible I saw Nuge on that tour and WASP was on the second leg of the Animalize tour.
-
(https://i.postimg.cc/4xXCWjtc/20220826-213741.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/jL3k5gMq)
-
(https://i.postimg.cc/4xXCWjtc/20220826-213741.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/jL3k5gMq)
So crazy! My friend that I literally grew up with, Derrek Hawkins, played with Ace for a while, he was on the Anomaly album but toured multiple times with Ace looks so much like the blonde guitarist on the right. I think Derrek said the bassist was Anthony Esposito (Lynch Mob) was with Ace at the same. Ace knows how to pick great band mates. I loved Tod Howarth.
-
This was from tonight. His band is awesome. Each 2 guitarists and the bassist sang one song. Great musicianship, unreal harmonies.
This is the lineup now.
(https://i.postimg.cc/9M6BFRj7/Screenshot-20220827-000105-Google.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
-
(https://imgpile.com/images/T92tLF.jpg)
Derrek is the dirty blond. Excellent guitarist and a sweetheart of a person.
-
Very cool!
-
Very cool!
He got his first break joining Stabbing Westward. After that he played with The Space Hogs and Ace. His own band CLOSER released a very cool album titled "Don't Walk". Worth checking out for sure!!! Link below.
https://open.spotify.com/album/2kWsncPu9Pqn4QOGBGaHII
-
Definitely will. I loved Stabbing Westward.
-
Definitely will. I loved Stabbing Westward.
Here ya go!.
https://open.spotify.com/album/2kWsncPu9Pqn4QOGBGaHII
-
Has anyone listened to the song from the boxset that's been released on Spotify, "Betrayed" (demo)? It sounds ridiculously identical to Sammy Hagar's "There's Only One Way To Rock", which was released in January of the same year COTN was released. Good song, though.
-
This was from tonight. His band is awesome. Each 2 guitarists and the bassist sang one song. Great musicianship, unreal harmonies.
This is the lineup now.
(https://i.postimg.cc/9M6BFRj7/Screenshot-20220827-000105-Google.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
That's not Philip Souse, though with him now. It's a dude named Zach that just joined. He's legit, but I forgot who he came from to join this band. The two guitar players, Ryan and Jeremy, were in Gene Simmons' solo band; I saw them at the Trocadero in Philly (and went onstage to sing "I Love It Loud".)
-
[
That's not Philip Souse, though with him now. It's a dude named Zach that just joined. He's legit, but I forgot who he came from to join this band. The two guitar players, Ryan and Jeremy, were in Gene Simmons' solo band; I saw them at the Trocadero in Philly (and went onstage to sing "I Love It Loud".)
Philip Shouse is probably getting ready to start touring with Accept. Zach from Ace's band is Zach Throne from Bruce Kulick's KISS Kruise band. He does a phenomenal job singing the Gene songs.
-
[
That's not Philip Souse, though with him now. It's a dude named Zach that just joined. He's legit, but I forgot who he came from to join this band. The two guitar players, Ryan and Jeremy, were in Gene Simmons' solo band; I saw them at the Trocadero in Philly (and went onstage to sing "I Love It Loud".)
Philip Shouse is probably getting ready to start touring with Accept. Zach from Ace's band is Zach Throne from Bruce Kulick's KISS Kruise band. He does a phenomenal job singing the Gene songs.
That's right; he mentioned he was on the cruise. He did nail the Gene songs and he seems to fit in nicely with the rest of the guys. He was a cool guy one on one.
-
He had a killer voice. All 3 did honestly.
-
He had a killer voice. All 3 did honestly.
All three except Ace amirite?
-
Definitely. Lol. Ace was not good singing. His guitar playing is still en fuego!
-
This pretty decent Lick It Up Era show just showed up on Youtube (audio only).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZrn9qJpchw
-
Definitely. Lol. Ace was not good singing. His guitar playing is still en fuego!
In my show, he did okay, not great singing, but during Deuce, he did like one line and did the line across his neck to Zach who sang the rest of the song.
One problem is, he's basically deaf, and so I think he strains his voice to hear when he doesn't have to, and it blows it out.
Did anyone buy the guitars? (He had Epiphone Les Paul's - a $700 guitar at best - for sale for $3500 with his doodles and autographs on it; to my count he sold three of them at my show).
-
I saw them but not sure if anyone bought them!
-
I was thisclose to buying the Off The Soundboard Des Moines 1977 show on Amazon, but I thought I'd see if it was on Spotify.
I don't know why, but I really expected the quality to be much better than it is.
-
I was thisclose to buying the Off The Soundboard Des Moines 1977 show on Amazon, but I thought I'd see if it was on Spotify.
I don't know why, but I really expected the quality to be much better than it is.
This is actually the first one I'm really impressed with. It's the classic era and a pretty good setlist (IMO). Peter's drumming is on fire, especially during "Detroit Rock City". I wasn't really scrutinizing the sound quality. However, the only thing I noticed was some crackling during "Beth". It was interesting to hear Gene "botch" the lyrics in the 2nd verse of "Ladies Room". Not sure if that was intentional or an accident. I'd never heard an instance of him changing those lyrics before. This one may eventually make it into my collection.
-
While we're talking about the official soundboard shows - that previous one from the 1996 Donington show sure is great! I listened to it a lot this summer, and I'm not really a live album guy normally.
-
I was thisclose to buying the Off The Soundboard Des Moines 1977 show on Amazon, but I thought I'd see if it was on Spotify.
I don't know why, but I really expected the quality to be much better than it is.
This is actually the first one I'm really impressed with. It's the classic era and a pretty good setlist (IMO). Peter's drumming is on fire, especially during "Detroit Rock City". I wasn't really scrutinizing the sound quality. However, the only thing I noticed was some crackling during "Beth". It was interesting to hear Gene "botch" the lyrics in the 2nd verse of "Ladies Room". Not sure if that was intentional or an accident. I'd never heard an instance of him changing those lyrics before. This one may eventually make it into my collection.
I will say that my post represented my first impression. I listened to quite a bit of it and I definitely warmed up to it. It’s actually really cool.
-
While we're talking about the official soundboard shows - that previous one from the 1996 Donington show sure is great! I listened to it a lot this summer, and I'm not really a live album guy normally.
I think before this new Des Moines album was released, Donington was definitely the best of the others. It was the Reunion era. So, the original 4 still sounded pretty good. You get a couple songs that are a little different (KotNTW, Watchin' You, Shock Me (w/ Ace). And, the package wasn't repurposed audio from a previously-released CD or DVD. Plus, Gene and Paul were only in their mid-40's.
-
I was thisclose to buying the Off The Soundboard Des Moines 1977 show on Amazon, but I thought I'd see if it was on Spotify.
I don't know why, but I really expected the quality to be much better than it is.
This is actually the first one I'm really impressed with. It's the classic era and a pretty good setlist (IMO). Peter's drumming is on fire, especially during "Detroit Rock City". I wasn't really scrutinizing the sound quality. However, the only thing I noticed was some crackling during "Beth". It was interesting to hear Gene "botch" the lyrics in the 2nd verse of "Ladies Room". Not sure if that was intentional or an accident. I'd never heard an instance of him changing those lyrics before. This one may eventually make it into my collection.
I have no idea if it's intentional or not, but I've seen Kiss as much as any other band and Gene muffs the lyrics as much as all the other three combined. I saw them in Madison Square Garden on the reunion tour - HOMECOMING! - and he messed up "Let Me Go, Rock 'n' Roll". But I was down front and he was standing up on the riser like 15 feet above me, and it was real, it was a pretty cool experience.
-
I have no idea if it's intentional or not, but I've seen Kiss as much as any other band and Gene muffs the lyrics as much as all the other three combined. I saw them in Madison Square Garden on the reunion tour - HOMECOMING! - and he messed up "Let Me Go, Rock 'n' Roll". But I was down front and he was standing up on the riser like 15 feet above me, and it was real, it was a pretty cool experience.
Yeah, LMGRnR seems to be a popular one for him to mess up. Most screw-ups I've seen with lyrics from him have been from Reunion to present time. That's the first time I've seen it back from their heyday.
Which MSG show were you at? I was at 7/25 with D-Generation opening. I would've preferred to have gotten The Nixons (7/28) as the opener. Seeing the original four with their make-up on was something I'd dreamed of since I was a little kid. My first concert was KISS at MSG 11 years earlier on the Asylum tour as a 12-year old with my dad.
-
I have no idea if it's intentional or not, but I've seen Kiss as much as any other band and Gene muffs the lyrics as much as all the other three combined. I saw them in Madison Square Garden on the reunion tour - HOMECOMING! - and he messed up "Let Me Go, Rock 'n' Roll". But I was down front and he was standing up on the riser like 15 feet above me, and it was real, it was a pretty cool experience.
Yeah, LMGRnR seems to be a popular one for him to mess up. Most screw-ups I've seen with lyrics from him have been from Reunion to present time. That's the first time I've seen it back from their heyday.
Which MSG show were you at? I was at 7/25 with D-Generation opening. I would've preferred to have gotten The Nixons (7/28) as the opener. Seeing the original four with their make-up on was something I'd dreamed of since I was a little kid. My first concert was KISS at MSG 11 years earlier on the Asylum tour as a 12-year old with my dad.
I was at that same show. The 25th. The 27th show was one of the bonus video disks for the Kissology III set. I missed D-Generation; we were driving down from CT and one of my friends had to piss so we ended up getting stuck in West Side traffic for almost an extra hour. But it was a thrill to see them in that building. Probably my favorite of the times I've seen them.
-
I was at that same show. The 25th. The 27th show was one of the bonus video disks for the Kissology III set. I missed D-Generation; we were driving down from CT and one of my friends had to piss so we ended up getting stuck in West Side traffic for almost an extra hour. But it was a thrill to see them in that building. Probably my favorite of the times I've seen them.
Of the times I've seen them in makeup, I think my favorite time was seeing them on New Year's Eve the next year, home in New Jersey. I went with some really good friends from college and my best childhood friends. It was an awesome night.
-
Well, I bought the Des Moines show. I was really excited when they announced it. It took me a couple of tracks to acclimate to the sound, but in the end, this is a must have for me.
I hope this series continues to release more shows that I'd be interested in, as I am not really interested in anything from the Reunion onward.
-
Just chiming in to say the vocals on Turn On The Night and Who Wants To Be Lonely are outstanding and both songs are among Kiss' best of the non-makeup era
-
Just chiming in to say the vocals on Turn On The Night and Who Wants To Be Lonely are outstanding and both songs are among Kiss' best of the non-makeup era
Oh no doubt. Turn On the Night is a great tune, and Asylum is a Top 5 Kiss album for me.
-
Well, I bought the Des Moines show. I was really excited when they announced it. It took me a couple of tracks to acclimate to the sound, but in the end, this is a must have for me.
I hope this series continues to release more shows that I'd be interested in, as I am not really interested in anything from the Reunion onward.
I'm really hoping we get an Eric Carr era album next. His first show, NYC at the Palladium in 1980, would be phenomenal. Or a show from the Hot In The Shade tour with that awesome setlist. I'd even be happy with the Animalize Live Uncensored show with its original audio.
-
Well, I bought the Des Moines show. I was really excited when they announced it. It took me a couple of tracks to acclimate to the sound, but in the end, this is a must have for me.
I hope this series continues to release more shows that I'd be interested in, as I am not really interested in anything from the Reunion onward.
I'm really hoping we get an Eric Carr era album next. His first show, NYC at the Palladium in 1980, would be phenomenal.
I was at that show 5th row center and it was KILLER! :metal
-
I feel like I saw KISS at their absolute worst.
The only Kiss show I ever saw…was the Crazy Nights tour.
I never saw them with their makeup. I never saw them in their non-makeup resurgence. I saw them literally at their lowest point. There was no blood, there was no flying on wires, there was no guitars shooting sparks.
And what’s worse is that now they are so far past their prime, that I’m not sure I’m even interested in seeing them anymore.
-
I feel like I saw KISS at their absolute worst.
The only Kiss show I ever saw…was the Crazy Nights tour.
I never saw them with their makeup. I never saw them in their non-makeup resurgence. I saw them literally at their lowest point. There was no blood, there was no flying on wires, there was no guitars shooting sparks.
And what’s worse is that now they are so far past their prime, that I’m not sure I’m even interested in seeing them anymore.
They were "of the time" during that era. I saw them twice on that tour. It was fine. You were one album away from possibly seeing them at their best of the non-makeup era. That Hot In The Shade tour was awesome! I know people talk about the Revenge tour. That was really good, too. But, the setlist was just soooo good on HITS.
As for seeing them now, the show itself overall is a lot of fun. We took our 12-year old daughter to it and she loved it, too. I hadn't seen them since their "Farewell" tour. But, didn't want to regret not seeing them again. I loved it. Sure, the setlist is stale as 2-week old toast. But, Tommy and Eric are tight. I just wish they could pick up the tempo of the songs again. If that final show is in NYC, like they've said, I'll be there for sure. One final time. And, then, regardless of whether they come back again or not, I'll have put them to rest.
-
Just chiming in to say the vocals on Turn On The Night and Who Wants To Be Lonely are outstanding and both songs are among Kiss' best of the non-makeup era
Oh no doubt. Turn On the Night is a great tune, and Asylum is a Top 5 Kiss album for me.
I'll Fight Hell To Hold You is one of Paul's best. Good Girl Gone Bad is another Kiss (Gene) tune I really dig.
-
Just chiming in to say the vocals on Turn On The Night and Who Wants To Be Lonely are outstanding and both songs are among Kiss' best of the non-makeup era
Oh no doubt. Turn On the Night is a great tune, and Asylum is a Top 5 Kiss album for me.
I'll Fight Hell To Hold You is one of Paul's best.
I love that song! Definitely the highest Paul has ever sung.
-
Oh hell yeah! The chorus is way up there!
-
Just chiming in to say the vocals on Turn On The Night and Who Wants To Be Lonely are outstanding and both songs are among Kiss' best of the non-makeup era
Oh no doubt. Turn On the Night is a great tune, and Asylum is a Top 5 Kiss album for me.
I'll Fight Hell To Hold You is one of Paul's best.
I love that song! Definitely the highest Paul has ever sung.
I always thought My Way was probably the highest he ever sang. Either way, this album was definitely his pinnacle vocally.
-
I think both songs are on par. I mean, I can't tell you what's the highest note he hit on either song, but yeah...they both are up there, and...I love both tracks.
-
I feel like I saw KISS at their absolute worst.
The only Kiss show I ever saw…was the Crazy Nights tour.
I never saw them with their makeup. I never saw them in their non-makeup resurgence. I saw them literally at their lowest point. There was no blood, there was no flying on wires, there was no guitars shooting sparks.
And what’s worse is that now they are so far past their prime, that I’m not sure I’m even interested in seeing them anymore.
They were "of the time" during that era. I saw them twice on that tour. It was fine. You were one album away from possibly seeing them at their best of the non-makeup era. That Hot In The Shade tour was awesome! I know people talk about the Revenge tour. That was really good, too. But, the setlist was just soooo good on HITS.
As for seeing them now, the show itself overall is a lot of fun. We took our 12-year old daughter to it and she loved it, too. I hadn't seen them since their "Farewell" tour. But, didn't want to regret not seeing them again. I loved it. Sure, the setlist is stale as 2-week old toast. But, Tommy and Eric are tight. I just wish they could pick up the tempo of the songs again. If that final show is in NYC, like they've said, I'll be there for sure. One final time. And, then, regardless of whether they come back again or not, I'll have put them to rest.
I'm with this too; if you're going to go and critique Paul's vocal stylings then a) you miss the point of Kiss, and b) you're probably going to be disappointed. But if you go with the idea that you're going to have a ton of fun, see a huge spectacle, and hear a bunch of tunes you love done pertty well, then you'll get your monies worth. Say what you want about Kiss, they've ALWAYS delivered live, even when the albums weren't where you'd want them to be.
EDIT: With all this talk about the HITS setlist and the Rvenge setlist, I remind you all again that there are some STELLAR shows on the Kissology sets. I know there's a full show from Auburn Hills in '92 that is one of the best live Kiss shows I've ever heard.
-
We might be talking about one of those tours in another thread real soon.
-
We might be talking about one of those tours in another thread real soon.
A KISS countdown would be epic! :tup
-
I'm with this too; if you're going to go and critique Paul's vocal stylings then a) you miss the point of Kiss, and b) you're probably going to be disappointed. But if you go with the idea that you're going to have a ton of fun, see a huge spectacle, and hear a bunch of tunes you love done pertty well, then you'll get your monies worth. Say what you want about Kiss, they've ALWAYS delivered live, even when the albums weren't where you'd want them to be.
I disagree with almost everything in this paragraph. But I'm going to bed now. Remind me to pick this up when I get a few beers in me tomorrow evening. :lol
-
If you're going to go and critique Paul's vocal stylings then a) you miss the point of Kiss, and b) you're probably going to be disappointed. But if you go with the idea that you're going to have a ton of fun, see a huge spectacle, and hear a bunch of tunes you love done pertty well, then you'll get your monies worth. Say what you want about Kiss, they've ALWAYS delivered live, even when the albums weren't where you'd want them to be.
I agree with your point about going with the idea of having fun. The visual aspects of the performance are a huge part of the entertainment. However, up until the last 10 years, Paul's vocals were always a big part of the show. His performance on the Unplugged performance is stellar. Seeing him on the EOTR tour in NYC back in '19, he sounded fine. I'm sure he had "help". However, being there live, I couldn't tell.
These days, it's sad to see YT clips of him croaking through songs at soundchecks. There's a recent one of them performing "Room Service" and he sounds like absolute shit. I'd be upset if I paid $100's of dollars to see the soundcheck and hear him like this. Which is why I won't do it. He's dropped down God knows how many steps and still sounds awful. And, it's at like 1/2 speed. They talk about wearing all of the heavy costume garb at their ages as a main reason for them calling it quits. I'm sure that's a contributing factor. But, I gotta think Paul's vocals have to be a main reason why they're ending this. The EOTR tour will bleed into a 50th Anniversary tour next year and they'll hopefully finally ride into the sunset.
-
So the live version of I Love It loud from the upcoming Creatures set was in my Release Radar, and man, it sounds awful. It's bootleg quality, or if off the soundboard it sounds like 20 generations deep.
-
I didn't realize Stadler had his own Youtube channel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9A_wD6DVoc
Stads, put some damn socks on at least!
-
HAHA. I love the shoe rack in the background. How metal!!!
Cool pictures in the vid, though; there are even some I've never seen before.
My list:
1. She
2. Flaming Youth
3. Deuce
4. Makin' Love
5. Goodbye
6. King Of The Night Time World
7. Cold Gin
8. Love 'Em, Leave 'Em
9. Shout Mercy
10. She's So European
(Honorable mention: the main riff of "Under The Rose" and "Tears Are Fallin'")
-
Making Love and I Stole Your Love are the 1st 2 that come to mind.
-
I didn't realize Stadler had his own Youtube channel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9A_wD6DVoc
Stads, put some damn socks on at least!
I think the foot is the main reason why I can't watch this video :lol
-
I didn't realize Stadler had his own Youtube channel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9A_wD6DVoc
Stads, put some damn socks on at least!
I think the foot is the main reason why I can't watch this video :lol
TMI: I am NOT a foot guy. I don't like feet. Not that I would ever have a YooToob channel, but if I did, I would ABSOLUTELY have either socks on or my LL Bean slippers. My worst flight experience ever was when this dude wearing Birkenstocks sat down next to me and crossed his leg, so that his foot was right there by my knee for the entire flight. Full on toe, nails, the whole nine yards. Closest I've ever come to using a barf bag on a flight.
-
Yeah, I'm with you on not being a foot guy and I would be sick to my stomach if I sat next to someone like that on a flight.
-
Fun Thread... lots of nostalgia!
-
WTF are Birkenstocks??
The thing about the guy's bare feet is that in plain sight, there's like 20 pairs of sneakers behind him!
-
HAHA. I love the shoe rack in the background. How metal!!!
Cool pictures in the vid, though; there are even some I've never seen before.
My list:
1. She
2. Flaming Youth
3. Deuce
4. Makin' Love
5. Goodbye
6. King Of The Night Time World
7. Cold Gin
8. Love 'Em, Leave 'Em
9. Shout Mercy
10. She's So European
(Honorable mention: the main riff of "Under The Rose" and "Tears Are Fallin'")
OK...I have 10 excellent Kiss riffs!
Unholy
Secretly Cruel
Get All You Can Take
Young And Wasted
The Oath
2000 Man (I know..but I love that whole intro)
All American Man
Watchin' You
Strange Ways
Firehouse
-
WTF are Birkenstocks??
The thing about the guy's bare feet is that in plain sight, there's like 20 pairs of sneakers behind him!
You know what a Birkenstock is. My friend calls them "Jesus sandals":
(https://i.imgur.com/TeSwxUD.jpg)
-
HAHA. I love the shoe rack in the background. How metal!!!
Cool pictures in the vid, though; there are even some I've never seen before.
My list:
1. She
2. Flaming Youth
3. Deuce
4. Makin' Love
5. Goodbye
6. King Of The Night Time World
7. Cold Gin
8. Love 'Em, Leave 'Em
9. Shout Mercy
10. She's So European
(Honorable mention: the main riff of "Under The Rose" and "Tears Are Fallin'")
OK...I have 10 excellent Kiss riffs!
Unholy
Secretly Cruel
Get All You Can Take
Young And Wasted
The Oath
2000 Man (I know..but I love that whole intro)
All American Man
Watchin' You
Strange Ways
Firehouse
Firehouse and Watchin' You were close to my list, too. I totally forgot Unholy.
-
WTF are Birkenstocks??
I probably shouldn't be surprised by this, but I am.
-
Oh ok. I’ve seen those for sure. I had no idea what they were called. I just figured they were sandals.
I don’t wear sandals so I’m not familiar with the names.
-
It's another brand name that has become the generic name for that style. Sandals with a solid sole rather than just thicker or hardened leather.
-
WTF are Birkenstocks??
Dammit Tim! :facepalm:
:lol
-
Stadler is at it again!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLcQoYzx_14
At least he has socks on!
-
Stadler is at it again!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLcQoYzx_14
At least he has socks on!
After being accused of being Stadler’s long lost, brother, I’m going to come to his aid and say that he’s much much cuter than that guy!
-
Stadler is at it again!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLcQoYzx_14
At least he has socks on!
1) I didn't know the single version of "Hard Times" was a different mix!
2) I play "Deuce" WAY better than him.
3) He plays the live intro to Black Diamond WAY better than I do.
4) The Elder Rules.
-
https://bravewords.com/news/kiss-to-take-their-final-bow-with-2-night-stand-at-nyc-s-famed-madison-square-garden
-
I'd like to make the "final" show, but I expect it to be too expensive and too difficult to get (I'll also be over seas for the sale making it difficult to time).
-
I'd like to be at that. I saw them at MSG the first time around on the reunion tour, and it was probably the best Kiss show I've seen.
-
I enjoyed the 2019 End of the Road show at MSG. I don't think it goes down as anything special, but it was my first time and it was fun. I was 95% certain at that time they would do another show at MSG before calling it quits so I'm not like butt hurt or anything about having attended that show although I saw some comments from people expressing that anger. I mean, did you really think that was going to be the last time they played MSG? It was a pretty strong rumor they'd end the tour there.
-
Not sure who might care, but Postmodern Jukebox released their version of I Was Made For Lovin' You (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcArzldvoGE) this morning.
Tastes vary, of course, but I like it a lot. The breakdown/trumpet solo is really nice.
-
^
Oddly...yeah, it's kinda fun. Different, but.....
We have a friend who is more of a diehard friend than Stadler, who asked us if we would be interested in going with her to see them in Baltimore. $500-$3000 for floor tickets? Uhm.....nope.
We'd check it out even if the seats would be back row upper deck, especially to escape the heat from the flame pods ;) but those are probably $200-400 (availability was not listed). Sorry, that's just too much to shell out, even though it would be one fun time.
-
^
Oddly...yeah, it's kinda fun. Different, but.....
We have a friend who is more of a diehard friend than Stadler, who asked us if we would be interested in going with her to see them in Baltimore. $500-$3000 for floor tickets? Uhm.....nope.
We'd check it out even if the seats would be back row upper deck, especially to escape the heat from the flame pods ;) but those are probably $200-400 (availability was not listed). Sorry, that's just too much to shell out, even though it would be one fun time.
I'm going to try to get in the building for MSG (you don't have to be front row to enjoy a Kiss show) but I'm not paying those kinds of numbers.
-
All I know is, for Metallica, I got a 2-night ticket at MetLife Stadium for $180. If KISS is charging more than that just because it's their "last" show, they can go fuck themselves! I've given them $1000's over the years. They were my first favorite band, quite possibly still my favorite. And, they were my very first concert, at MSG, almost 38 years ago to the day of the "last" show. I'd be severely disappointed if they went for one last cash grab.
-
All I know is, for Metallica, I got a 2-night ticket at MetLife Stadium for $180. If KISS is charging more than that just because it's their "last" show, they can go fuck themselves! I've given them $1000's over the years. They were my first favorite band, quite possibly still my favorite. And, they were my very first concert, at MSG, almost 38 years ago to the day of the "last" show. I'd be severely disappointed if they went for one last cash grab.
I kind of don't get this attitude at all.
If they are to be believed, it's their last show ever. Why shouldn't they charge big prices if they can get them?
-
It’s because they can’t be believed.
-
Will these be the final Kiss shows ever, or the final shows of this lineup? Paul and Gene seemed to discuss having the band continue without them significantly more a few years ago, but that talk seems to have died down.
-
It’s because they can’t be believed.
If you don't believe them, then you definitely shouldn't pay that price.
But assuming they are telling the truth, why shouldn't they charge those prices for one last megahaul?
-
In any given situation, I always assume KISS are looking to wring every last dollar they can out of it.
-
It’s because they can’t be believed.
THIS!!!
I've already heard them say that they probably won't be the last shows they play. Just possibly the last "tour". People are assuming it's only a matter of time before the Vegas residency. Plus, the last 10-20 years have basically been one big cash grab anyway. That's how long it's been since they've made any significant changes to the setlist.
-
It’s because they can’t be believed.
THIS!!!
I've already heard them say that they probably won't be the last shows they play. Just possibly the last "tour". People are assuming it's only a matter of time before the Vegas residency. Plus, the last 10-20 years have basically been one big cash grab anyway. That's how long it's been since they've made any significant changes to the setlist.
Yeah, there's really no reason to think the MSG shows will be the last shows. Just the end of the tour and they'll probably continue to do shows here and there. It's why I'd like to go, but I won't pay crazy money for it. If I never see them again, I will be OK with that. It's not worth that much to me.
-
It’s because they can’t be believed.
THIS!!!
I've already heard them say that they probably won't be the last shows they play. Just possibly the last "tour". People are assuming it's only a matter of time before the Vegas residency. Plus, the last 10-20 years have basically been one big cash grab anyway. That's how long it's been since they've made any significant changes to the setlist.
Yeah, there's really no reason to think the MSG shows will be the last shows. Just the end of the tour and they'll probably continue to do shows here and there. It's why I'd like to go, but I won't pay crazy money for it. If I never see them again, I will be OK with that. It's not worth that much to me.
This is kind of me.
I'm not just saying this because it's Kiss - though everyone knows how much I like them, and I'm firmly in the "Gene and Paul" camp when it comes to the nonsense about Ace and Peter - but I just don't care that much about holding these 70+ year old artists to some arbitrary standard of what "Final" means. Kiss especially; they have always - ALWAYS - been the band that not only plays Madison Square Garden, but also plays Davenport, Iowa. They've expressly made it a point to play EVERYWHERE. They did Hartford Civic Center AND they'd come back and play New Haven Coliseum. I can absolutely understand Paul not wanting to haul his ass out of bed and do two months touring the mid-West at 6,000 seat arenas 50 miles from the nearest airport or whatever. They are a notorious TOURING band; they've ALWAYS been on tour, regardless of what the name is. I can absolutely see them - and I would support them 1,000 percent - if they trotted out "Kiss" for events. Las Vegas, awards shows, that kind of thing. I kinda wish more bands would do that, honestly.
There's a whole line of criticism (I'm looking at YOU, Eddie Trunk) that continually rakes them over the coals for their "Final Tour" in 2000-whatever (the last one with Ace and Peter together) and I don't at all fault Paul for what he said: "we started playing with Tommy and Eric and it was a new thing, and was fun again". I don't expect Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons to walk away from the behemoth THEY created (in large part together, before Ace and Peter ever came on board) because the other two wouldn't or couldn't put in the effort. That's silly.
-
My understanding, is that Black Sabbath basically did the same thing with The End tour. It was the last tour, but they never said it would be the last show. Although it may end up having been the last show (due to Ozzy's health), no one should be shocked if they played a one off show or something.
-
My understanding, is that Black Sabbath basically did the same thing with The End tour. It was the last tour, but they never said it would be the last show. Although it may end up having been the last show (due to Ozzy's health), no one should be shocked if they played a one off show or something.
:metal :metal :metal
-
There's a whole line of criticism (I'm looking at YOU, Eddie Trunk) that continually rakes them over the coals for their "Final Tour" in 2000-whatever (the last one with Ace and Peter together) and I don't at all fault Paul for what he said: "we started playing with Tommy and Eric and it was a new thing, and was fun again". I don't expect Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons to walk away from the behemoth THEY created (in large part together, before Ace and Peter ever came on board) because the other two wouldn't or couldn't put in the effort. That's silly.
I saw that tour. It was my first time seeing Kiss and you're right - they came to my college town for an arena show. Not just showing up in Chicago proper, but driving 2.5 hours south to Champaign. I had 7th row seats, and I can say that I saw the original lineup. I'm not sure if I still have that tour shirt though - I loved that they printed event shirts for every city, so you could walk out with a shirt that had only your town's name on it. "Kiss came to MY town!"
I pretty much agree with your full post and Cram's - they could certainly stop taking the band on a large scale tour and do festivals or residencies and I wouldn't criticism them.
-
Sooo Ace is going to spill the beans on Paul and Gene if he doesn't get an apology from Paul in 7 days? :rollin
https://ultimateclassicrock.com/ace-frehley-demands-apology-paul-stanley/ (https://ultimateclassicrock.com/ace-frehley-demands-apology-paul-stanley/)
-
Those guys are always entertaining, I'll give them that.
-
Sooo Ace is going to spill the beans on Paul and Gene if he doesn't get an apology from Paul in 7 days? :rollin
https://ultimateclassicrock.com/ace-frehley-demands-apology-paul-stanley/ (https://ultimateclassicrock.com/ace-frehley-demands-apology-paul-stanley/)
And I STILL wouldn't be shocked to see them all on stage by the end of the year.
-
I didn't realize the life and death of Mark St. John was this sad. (Wiki is the source). :'(
"Beginning on September 14, 2006, St. John was incarcerated for several days at Theo Lacy Jail in Orange County, California, after being charged with possession of unspecified drug paraphernalia, attempted destruction of evidence, and resisting arrest. He was initially housed at the facility's D Barracks, a medium-security dormitory for nonviolent offenders. He was later moved to F-West Barracks after telling guards he had stolen crackers from another inmate's property box and was in fear for his safety. A guard allegedly conspired with a group of inmates to have St. John assaulted for the transgression, and subsequently St. John was brutally beaten and stabbed with pencils by a group of up to 20 inmates. The guard was later placed on paid leave pending an investigation into this and other violent incidents inside the jail. In an interview with the OC Weekly, a fellow inmate described St. John's encounter:
He got caught stealing something. I guess he did that somewhere else in the jail, but we found out about it somehow. . . . The Kiss guy got beat up pretty bad.
His girlfriend, who said he was unrecognizable after the vicious beating, believed the incident was directly responsible for his untimely death several months later. A couple of days before the beating, St. John told her that he had "snitched" on a drug dealer several years earlier, and he believed he was certain to be attacked if this became known by the other inmates.
For the next several months after leaving Theo Lacy Jail, St. John suffered severe headaches and body aches and many times told his girlfriend that the chronic ailments were absolutely the result of the beating at Theo Lacy. While it is not known what medical attention he received inside the jail, after his release he refused to see a doctor due to having no medical insurance, and thus his health deteriorated. St. John died on April 5, 2007, due to what the coroner described as a brain hemorrhage brought on by an accidental overdose of methamphetamine.
Friends claimed that St. John was never the same after the beating and would not discuss his brief time at Theo Lacy Jail. Another friend stated that St. John fell deep into depression and drug addiction after being released, selling all his outfits, and mowing lawns and doing roofing to afford a drug habit that spiraled out of control."
-
My brother, who is a huge KISS nerd, sent me this meme today and it cracked me up. :lol
Anyone who saw the final show on Saturday should get it.
(https://preview.redd.it/2a0yntksl44c1.jpg?auto=webp&s=247508089d042442bcea3ebd1922fcfb5a8cfc67)
-
I was more pissed about how grainy the video was. In this day and age it couldn't be in HD?
-
That Mark St. John truly is tragic. I like his work on Animalize, that's such an underrated record.
-
(https://i0.wp.com/www.madhousemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/KissSockPuppetsCover.jpg)
https://www.madhousemagazine.com/kiss-announces-new-era-plans-to-continue-as-sock-puppets/ (https://www.madhousemagazine.com/kiss-announces-new-era-plans-to-continue-as-sock-puppets/)
-
I love that they apparently gave no explanation as to exactly how they plan on using the new CGI Kiss. Are they touring? What is their purpose?
-
I was trying to go to one fo the two shows last weekend, if I could score cheap tickets. The Friday show went as low as $50 bucks, but I probbly would have missed the beginning at that point. I didn't see Saturday go below $200 which isn't terrible for Kiss's last show, but who knows if it truly is their last show. I kind of believe them for the last tour, but last show? Let's see about that. But I'm glad I didn't pay to see the show. It was the exact same show they've been doing. You'd think maybe they'd do something special for the final show, but I guess not. I'm also just not a big enough Kiss fan at the end of the day. It seems everyone who did go had a blast, so good for them. Seeing so many of my favorite artists share stories about Kiss was pretty cool though. Kiss gets a lot of shit, but they clearly had a musical impact on almost all my favorite bands.
As for the Avatar thing. I assume they want to go the Abba route. I have no interest in that, and I think Abba is a bit of a different example since they haven't been around in like forever. Maybe the Kiss avatar shows will be cool in say 2050 long after their final concert in 2023 and when a generation of people have become adults who never got to see Kiss.
-
Yeah these avatars aren't really meant for us, they're for the next generations to enjoy many years in the future. Paul has often said that Kiss as a "band" will live on long after both he and Gene are gone.
-
I love that they apparently gave no explanation as to exactly how they plan on using the new CGI Kiss. Are they touring? What is their purpose?
I think the use is endless. This is what the press release said:
Per Sundin, CEO of Pophouse Entertainment, told the Associated Press this new technology allows KISS to continue their legacy for "eternity." He explained: "KISS could have a concert in three cities in the same night across three different continents. That's what you could do with this."
Simmons previously talked about KISS's future plans last month in an interview with 519 Magazine. At the time, he said: "This tour is the end of the road for the band, not the brand. KISS is a universe of its own — movies, merchandise, maybe even Broadway. The band will end, but the KISS experience… it's immortal."
He added: "The KISS show will live on in different ways. Yes, that's being planned. It'll also be four to ten different traveling shows. So, you'll be able to be in Japan and have Japanese actors, musicians being us, and at the same time you could go to Vegas or New York or London."
I think it's a way for the band to trademark themselves and live on into the future. They've already trademarked the facial makeup, but now it's a full trademarked character.
-
I was trying to go to one fo the two shows last weekend, if I could score cheap tickets. The Friday show went as low as $50 bucks, but I probbly would have missed the beginning at that point. I didn't see Saturday go below $200 which isn't terrible for Kiss's last show, but who knows if it truly is their last show. I kind of believe them for the last tour, but last show? Let's see about that. But I'm glad I didn't pay to see the show. It was the exact same show they've been doing. You'd think maybe they'd do something special for the final show, but I guess not. I'm also just not a big enough Kiss fan at the end of the day. It seems everyone who did go had a blast, so good for them. Seeing so many of my favorite artists share stories about Kiss was pretty cool though. Kiss gets a lot of shit, but they clearly had a musical impact on almost all my favorite bands.
As for the Avatar thing. I assume they want to go the Abba route. I have no interest in that, and I think Abba is a bit of a different example since they haven't been around in like forever. Maybe the Kiss avatar shows will be cool in say 2050 long after their final concert in 2023 and when a generation of people have become adults who never got to see Kiss.
I AM a big enough Kiss fan, but I agree with you on almost all points. I toyed with going down but 30 minutes before showtime, floor seats were still at like $900. I could have been in the bowl for $200, but as much as I love Kiss, I haven't paid $200 to see them, well, ever (even when I took my daughter to see them, we had 16th row and I didn't pay that much). And while it would have been cool to say "I was there!" (and seeing Kiss in MSG is always special; I saw them there in '96). I wasn't thrilled with the idea of hearing a year from now that it wasn't the real thing.
So I sat on my couch, watched the Bruins, and listened to Joe bitch about the Low-Def video. :) :) :) :) :)
-
:lol wait, the video really was poor quality? That's BS.
-
Joe’s complaints were high quality though.
-
:lol
-
:lol
Damn straight they were. What a fucking rip off! :lol
It was a good show but you can't tell me it at least couldn't be clear, not grainy!
-
You wanted the best? Too bad!
-
The got their best $40 out of me. LOL
-
The got their best $40 out of me. LOL
:lol
Someone's gotta pay for Shannon's botched face!
-
I love that they apparently gave no explanation as to exactly how they plan on using the new CGI Kiss. Are they touring? What is their purpose?
I think the use is endless. This is what the press release said:
Per Sundin, CEO of Pophouse Entertainment, told the Associated Press this new technology allows KISS to continue their legacy for "eternity." He explained: "KISS could have a concert in three cities in the same night across three different continents. That's what you could do with this."
Simmons previously talked about KISS's future plans last month in an interview with 519 Magazine. At the time, he said: "This tour is the end of the road for the band, not the brand. KISS is a universe of its own — movies, merchandise, maybe even Broadway. The band will end, but the KISS experience… it's immortal."
He added: "The KISS show will live on in different ways. Yes, that's being planned. It'll also be four to ten different traveling shows. So, you'll be able to be in Japan and have Japanese actors, musicians being us, and at the same time you could go to Vegas or New York or London."
I think it's a way for the band to trademark themselves and live on into the future. They've already trademarked the facial makeup, but now it's a full trademarked character.
Yeah but who's actually playing? is the music recorded live once in stop motion and then played back? is it a cinema like experience or a concert experience? if you go to an actual show what you're gonna see on stage?
-
The got their best $40 out of me. LOL
:lol
Someone's gotta pay for Shannon's botched face!
oh SNAP!!!! :)
-
Yeah but who's actually playing? is the music recorded live once in stop motion and then played back? is it a cinema like experience or a concert experience? if you go to an actual show what you're gonna see on stage?
My guess is that the musicians would be off-stage and you get the KISS avatars "performing." So live music to a video. Or the musicians get to be on stage, maybe in costume(?) and playing along to the avatars. I think it's lame, but I get what the band is going for.
-
That Mark St. John truly is tragic. I like his work on Animalize, that's such an underrated record.
100% agree, I love it! Saw them twice on that tour with Bruce Kulick. I remember the first show on that tour I went to, I hear the beginning of Detroit Rock City starting.... The band comes up from behind Eric Carr and I said wait! That's not Mark St. John?!?! I was so confused and bummed as I wasn't aware of what was going on with Mark. Nonetheless it was an amazing show and Bruce won me over easy.
-
That Mark St. John truly is tragic. I like his work on Animalize, that's such an underrated record.
100% agree, I love it! Saw them twice on that tour with Bruce Kulick. I remember the first show on that tour I went to, I hear the beginning of Detroit Rock City starting.... The band comes up from behind Eric Carr and I said wait! That's not Mark St. John?!?! I was so confused and bummed as I wasn't aware of what was going on with Mark. Nonetheless it was an amazing show and Bruce won me over easy.
I had a similar experience. "Man, he's a lot taller than... wait...."
-
Yeah but who's actually playing? is the music recorded live once in stop motion and then played back? is it a cinema like experience or a concert experience? if you go to an actual show what you're gonna see on stage?
My guess is that the musicians would be off-stage and you get the KISS avatars "performing." So live music to a video. Or the musicians get to be on stage, maybe in costume(?) and playing along to the avatars. I think it's lame, but I get what the band is going for.
The ABBA thing is like this. It's not obvious at first, as the band is hidden in the dark initially so you think it's a backing track but are then revealed early in the set. It's a fantastic reveal too. They sound incredible and the live band really makes it afaic.
-
I'm shocked that Stads didn't put in an offer.
https://loudwire.com/kiss-sell-catalog-name-logo-makeup-rights/
-
I'm shocked that Stads didn't put in an offer.
https://loudwire.com/kiss-sell-catalog-name-logo-makeup-rights/
Well, I did, but apparently $96.54 and the size of the stage in my backyard weren't enough to spark any interest.