Kiss – Vector Arena October 16, 2015

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K2My how times change. Back in the mid-70s, when Kiss first emerged out of the rapidly-deteriorating New York City landscape, they represented, to certain factions, all that endangered good, upstanding family values. Now, 40 years later, that same band provides a night’s entertainment for not only rebellious teenagers, but mothers, fathers, toddlers and grandparents…its fun for the whole family!

When the Kiss Army first came to call 40 years ago, I was a conscientious objector…a little too old and (in my mind) too musically sophisticated to be bothered with rock & roll cartoon characters when there were plenty of the real thing to be seen and heard…namely Zeppelin, Sabbath, The Stones, Deep Purple…I could go on and on.

But, as I was handing out copies of Destroyer to eager-faced 8 year olds while working at a record store, I could see the appeal. Kiss was a gateway band to the harder stuff.

So, now, I finally had a chance to see them in the flesh…or, the leather. And they were exactly how I expected them to be…nothing more, nothing less.

They started their show with Led Zeppelin’s Good Times Bad Times blasting from the sound system. A questionable move, I thought, since chances were, I’d hear no song in their set as strong as that one. But it did get the crowd…many dressed in their own versions of Kiss Kostumes…ready to rock.

The opener was obvious…Detroit Rock City, complete with columns of fire blasting away behind the band…so loud your ears rang, so hot you got a faint tan.

This was quickly followed by Deuce, which found Paul Stanley laying down on the stage, wrestling with his guitar, while Gene Simmons grunted out the lyrics. After Tommy Thayer’s guitar solo, the three front men lined-up for some synchronized riffing.

I have to say it was very impressive.

Between songs, Paul Stanley announced, in a screeching voice that would eventually become annoying, that this was the final show of the band’s current tour. This called for much leading various sections of the crowd to cheer, while heaping inordinate praise on the Auckland audience…as opposed to the hapless Australian fans who were not around to defend themselves.

The show proceeded with plenty more fiery explosions, along with the usual tongue lapping and crotch grinding from Simmons…Stanley seemed more concerned with showing off his behind as he often plays with his back to the crowd, wagging his imaginary tail.

Musically, the band was OK. Simmons’ bass was virtually inaudible, Stanley’s voice was ragged and Eric Singer’s drumming was on the weak side, but Thayer’s guitar solos were fun, if not particularly imaginative.

But really, who comes to a Kiss show for the music? It’s all about the spectacle and there was plenty of that as Simmons spat blood and levitated from a stage…Stanley flew over the crowd and landed at the rear of the arena and eventually the entire drum riser took off from the stage.

There were a few dull moments mid-show, but when the band kicked into the hits at the end…Shout It Out Loud, I Was Made For Lovin’ You and Rock & Roll All Night…there were smiles on every face in the house. And that’s was good family fun is all about…right?

Marty Duda

Click on any image to view a gallery of photos by David Watson:

 

Kiss Set List

  1. Detroit Rock City
  2. Deuce
  3. Psycho Circus
  4. Creatures Of The Night
  5. I Love It Loud
  6. War Machine
  7. Do You Love Me
  8. Hell Or Hallelujah
  9. Guitar & Drum Solos
  10. Calling Dr Love
  11. Like It Up
  12. Bass Solo
  13. God Of Thunder
  14. Cold Gin
  15. Love Gun
  16. Black Diamond
  17. Shandi
  18. Shout It Out Loud
  19. I Was Made For Lovin’ You
  20. Rock & Roll All Night

 

Marty Duda
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