KISS Army

[Eric Perry]

THIRTY thousand??? Simply amazing.

Gotta love the KISS bashers!

 

[Punisher Bass]

I resigned from the Army back in 2001 when Peter was kicked out and the mess that followed it. I was however able to see the original line up when they came to St Louis in 2000 for the "Farewell Tour". Skid Row and Ted Nugent were the openers. Several interesting things happened during their sets, but since this is a KISS topic I'll stick to them.

By the time they took the stage it was well past dark, but the temp was in the high 90's with plenty of humidity. So as miserable as the crowd was in the heat, KISS must have been in pure hell in full costume. Gene was sweating like a pig before they even got to the first verse of Detroit Rock City and Paul lost his top as soon as it was over. The rest of the gig was the typical paint by numbers KISS show, till Rock n Roll All Nite. Ace came out for the first time ever in only half costume to finish up, he had put a t shirt on in place of his huge space vest. I believe the KISS website still has pictures of the gig. This was Aug 26th I believe if anyone wants to track them down.

Anyway, a few months later Pete left, Singer came back in, KISS Kasket... I turned in my membership and went into recovery.

 

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

Here's the setlist:

- Deuce
- Strutter
- Got To Choose
- Hotter Than Hell
- Nothin' To Lose
- C'Mon And Love Me
- Parasite
- She
- Watchin' You
- 100,000 Years
- Cold Gin
- Let Me Go Rock'N'Roll
- Black Diamond
- Rock And Roll All Nite
- Shout It Out Loud
- Lick It Up
- I Love It Loud
- I Was Made For Loving You
- Love Gun
- Detroit Rock City

Plus: The crowd only stopped yelling "Forever!" when the band honored the request. As Paul said, they didn't practice it, so it was a completely improvised performance. I found that request sort of ignorant since the setlist was focused on the classic material (the complete "Alive!" album minus "Firehouse" and "Rock Bottom"!) and "Forever" is really out of context, but anyway I loved the band's gesture. The only song I was sure they were going to play but they didn't (and I missed it greatly) was "God Of Thunder". After Gene's blood show, the band played "I Love It Loud" instead.

 

[Eric Perry]

GREAT set list!!!!!!!!

Alvaro, I envy you deeply!

 

[gonzilla]

I agree. Good set list.

 

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

The two messages I sent to the band have been published on their home page!

http://www.kissonline.com/index.php

Here are some screen captures, just for posterity:

 

[Eric Perry]

Hahahaha!!! That's awesome!!!

 

[gonzilla]

Very cool.

 

[Greevus]

Gene is why I played bass. I am messing with a Ripper today! I am 42 and saw KISS first in '76 in Charlotte, NC. "Sure Know Something" is actually Paul on Bass! Have you heard the original Paul version of "God of Thunder"? Check it out! Ace's Mother was from NC, and his first cousin still lives in my hometown of Concord, NC. I got to hang out with him once and he brought some scrapbooks from the early to mid '70s with them without makeup during the heyday of Destroyer, etc. Was pretty freakin' awesome if you are a KISS geek. I am. He told me Ace would be out after the '96 reunion phase cause he just couldn't take it anymore, particularly being a "hired hand" and not being allowed to be an equal. At the time KISS had contracts still with Bruce and Eric, so Ace and Peter were "hired on". I love all the albums through "Creatures", then they lose me a little. My absolute fave is "Dressed to Kill". Fave track is "Goin' Blind". I love the ELDER too, especially "The Oath". "Do You Wanna Make Believe There's Nothing Up My SLeeve???"......Count me in the Army...I was a member for quite a few years back in the day!