Saw Aerosmith and KISS last night!
bigsexy1
Posts: 557
Admittedly, these are both a couple of has been bands that neither one will probably ever again see chart sucess/album sales in today's current market enviroment which they may have had before just living off of their past now at this point, but what a past! These are arguably the 2 biggest American rock bands of all time. About the only one's I can think of that you can even mention in the same breath with them are Van Halen, and maybe ZZ Top.
KISS, Awesome! I knew each and every single song they played. I thought that there would probably be some I didn't recognize, but there wasn't. Strangely enough, Ace Freeley wasn't there (who I always thought was far and away their best musician). They had some imposter playing his part whose name I don't recall, but if you didn't know any better, I doubt that you could probably even tell the difference. Fireworks, bombs, flashes, sparklers, explosions, fire breathing, blood spitting, tounge wagging, members "flying" through the air, space ship entrance, stage platform ramp risers, drum kit levitating, you name it, they had it. I never realized how good of a singer that Paul Stanley actually was. His voice was just incredible. Gene can't sing though, he's just a screamer/growler. Only songs they played that I didn't like were Beth (I've always hated that song), R&RAN (I'm sick and tired of that overplayed, worn out song almost as much as Freebird), and Shout It Out (never really liked that song anyway). I've always heard that KISS was "the greatest show on earth", and I now believe it. I saw them before back in the 80s without makeup, and they are definitely better with it. Back then, I was dissapointed in their show because I guess it was so overhyped about how great it was, and it simply didn't live up to my (maybe unrealitically high) expectations of it. Last night though, they delivered! It was like the 4th of July all over again. Not only the show itself, but the songs were actually great as they really sounded like a good, tight band.
Aerosmith, Fantastic! They really, really sounded tight! I've seen them in recent years, and more often than not have been dissapointed as I've always thought that just simply weren't a great live band, but last night, I doubt that they've ever sounded better. Maybe it was mainly just because of their song selection. They played a lot of the really old kick **** songs from the 70's, and a lot fewer of the more recent 90s tunes. They did Mama Kin, Same Old song and dance, Toys in the attic, Sweet emotion (my personal favorite all time Aero song), Walk this way (that I'm just as tired of as KISS' R&RAN), Last child, Dream on, Let the music do the talking, and I'm sure I'm probably forgetting to name at least one. They only did a very few of the more recent songs that I don't particularly like, such as Tell me what it takes, Cryin' and Pink. Plus they did a few recent ones that I do like such as Jaded and Love in the elavator. No Dude looks like a lady though. I was also surprised that they didn't do Janie's got a gun, although I'm not complaining that they didn't. I was dissapointed that they didn't do Draw the line. Amazingly enough, right in the middle of their show, they did a set of 3 or 4 old blues songs from the 40s or something that noone had ever heard of. There was a tremendous rush on the bathrooms and consession stands when they did! I'll bet probably about half of the crowd briefly filed out at that time. I figured I'd know each and every Aero tune and wouldn't all of KISS', but the exact opposite was true. I'd never even heard of but one of these old blues songs (which was Baby please don't go, that Ted Nugent and AC/DC have also covered before). They said that they have a new album coming out next year that would be nothing but a bunch of old blues covers such as this. I don't know how that's going to go over though. Judging from the crowd's reaction last night, they might be setting themselves up for a collassal failure of gargantuan proportions! Aerosmith didn't have any of the stage effects like KISS. They just played. Both bands were louder than hell, but I think that KISS was a little louder.
Crowd was easy tell who came to see who. I think that in general, if someone likes one that they will also like the other, but I'm sure that there are some who like one, but can't stand the other. I definitely saw more KISS t shirts, but let's face it, most of Aerosmith's newer fans from recent years are either teeny boppers or older preppies since Aero has pretty much turned into a top 40 adult contemporary band now at this point, thus they wouldn't be as likely to wear a concert t shirt.
If I had to call a winner between the 2, I'd say KISS. Not that Aero wasn't also great, but KISS just gives you more. I think that Aero is probably a better band, but they just don't shock and awe you like KISS does. Plus, for every classic song that Aero can roll out, KISS really can match it with an equally just as classic song all night long. If Aero plays Walk this way, Kiss can counter with R&RAN. Aero brings out Sweet emotion, KIss fires back with 'Detroit rock city, etc., so on and so forth, right on down the line.
Has anyone else seen this tour? If so, what are your thoughts?
************************EDIT**********************
After rereading my post, I realized just how hard it seems like I'm bashing Aerosmith's newer material. While most of it it does truly suck, you do have to give them credit for at least trying to come up with new material. When's the last time Kiss even had any new material?
KISS, Awesome! I knew each and every single song they played. I thought that there would probably be some I didn't recognize, but there wasn't. Strangely enough, Ace Freeley wasn't there (who I always thought was far and away their best musician). They had some imposter playing his part whose name I don't recall, but if you didn't know any better, I doubt that you could probably even tell the difference. Fireworks, bombs, flashes, sparklers, explosions, fire breathing, blood spitting, tounge wagging, members "flying" through the air, space ship entrance, stage platform ramp risers, drum kit levitating, you name it, they had it. I never realized how good of a singer that Paul Stanley actually was. His voice was just incredible. Gene can't sing though, he's just a screamer/growler. Only songs they played that I didn't like were Beth (I've always hated that song), R&RAN (I'm sick and tired of that overplayed, worn out song almost as much as Freebird), and Shout It Out (never really liked that song anyway). I've always heard that KISS was "the greatest show on earth", and I now believe it. I saw them before back in the 80s without makeup, and they are definitely better with it. Back then, I was dissapointed in their show because I guess it was so overhyped about how great it was, and it simply didn't live up to my (maybe unrealitically high) expectations of it. Last night though, they delivered! It was like the 4th of July all over again. Not only the show itself, but the songs were actually great as they really sounded like a good, tight band.
Aerosmith, Fantastic! They really, really sounded tight! I've seen them in recent years, and more often than not have been dissapointed as I've always thought that just simply weren't a great live band, but last night, I doubt that they've ever sounded better. Maybe it was mainly just because of their song selection. They played a lot of the really old kick **** songs from the 70's, and a lot fewer of the more recent 90s tunes. They did Mama Kin, Same Old song and dance, Toys in the attic, Sweet emotion (my personal favorite all time Aero song), Walk this way (that I'm just as tired of as KISS' R&RAN), Last child, Dream on, Let the music do the talking, and I'm sure I'm probably forgetting to name at least one. They only did a very few of the more recent songs that I don't particularly like, such as Tell me what it takes, Cryin' and Pink. Plus they did a few recent ones that I do like such as Jaded and Love in the elavator. No Dude looks like a lady though. I was also surprised that they didn't do Janie's got a gun, although I'm not complaining that they didn't. I was dissapointed that they didn't do Draw the line. Amazingly enough, right in the middle of their show, they did a set of 3 or 4 old blues songs from the 40s or something that noone had ever heard of. There was a tremendous rush on the bathrooms and consession stands when they did! I'll bet probably about half of the crowd briefly filed out at that time. I figured I'd know each and every Aero tune and wouldn't all of KISS', but the exact opposite was true. I'd never even heard of but one of these old blues songs (which was Baby please don't go, that Ted Nugent and AC/DC have also covered before). They said that they have a new album coming out next year that would be nothing but a bunch of old blues covers such as this. I don't know how that's going to go over though. Judging from the crowd's reaction last night, they might be setting themselves up for a collassal failure of gargantuan proportions! Aerosmith didn't have any of the stage effects like KISS. They just played. Both bands were louder than hell, but I think that KISS was a little louder.
Crowd was easy tell who came to see who. I think that in general, if someone likes one that they will also like the other, but I'm sure that there are some who like one, but can't stand the other. I definitely saw more KISS t shirts, but let's face it, most of Aerosmith's newer fans from recent years are either teeny boppers or older preppies since Aero has pretty much turned into a top 40 adult contemporary band now at this point, thus they wouldn't be as likely to wear a concert t shirt.
If I had to call a winner between the 2, I'd say KISS. Not that Aero wasn't also great, but KISS just gives you more. I think that Aero is probably a better band, but they just don't shock and awe you like KISS does. Plus, for every classic song that Aero can roll out, KISS really can match it with an equally just as classic song all night long. If Aero plays Walk this way, Kiss can counter with R&RAN. Aero brings out Sweet emotion, KIss fires back with 'Detroit rock city, etc., so on and so forth, right on down the line.
Has anyone else seen this tour? If so, what are your thoughts?
************************EDIT**********************
After rereading my post, I realized just how hard it seems like I'm bashing Aerosmith's newer material. While most of it it does truly suck, you do have to give them credit for at least trying to come up with new material. When's the last time Kiss even had any new material?
Post edited by RyanC_Masimo on
Comments
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Very nice review.
Since you asked.......way back when in the 70's before anybody had heard of Kiss, nineteen of my friends and I went to see Aerosmith play at a 3,000 seat venue in the round. There wasn't a warm up band listed in the ads or on the tickets, so we thought it was going to be just Aerosmith. The lights went down and the crowd was cheering and chanting Aerosmith, then up come the lights and there are four things on stage dressed up like they are going to a Halloween party. The crowd was silent, dead silent! Kiss launched into two songs in succession and then paused. All 20 of us stood up and screamed, "YOU SUCK!!!" We got their attention which was returned with 40 digits to ensure they got the message. The rest of the place was pretty much silent. After a few minutes they continued to play as at least 3/4's of the arena went outside (you could do that back then) including us. They are arguably the worst, no talent, piss poor excuse of a band ever.
Aerosmith finally came out and rocked the house, no make up, no gimmicks, just good 'ol rock & roll played with soul. I didn't know that they intended to do a blues cover album, but I look forward to hearing it. Without the blues there wouldn't be rock & roll. Oh yeah, did I mention that Kiss SUCKS!!!Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk -
I concur with F1, KISS was probably the WORST show I've ever seen (except that they hired out all of the girls from the local strip club to be topless in the front row) to date. This was from the 96 edition of the farewell tour. 'Beth' was clearly the worst lip synched performance EVER. It sounded like he just walked up and hit play on his KOSS boombox and let it play. Awful.
I've seen Aerosmith a couple of times, once live in, oh, 85 or so. This is when they were still hardcore doping. It was pathetic. Steven Tyler was so out of it that it was no small accomplishment that he remembered half the words. Saw them again for the 'Pump' tour in the early '90's and they were fantastic.
I've seen ZZ Top a few times over the years. Still a good show although they don't grip the crowd like they once did.
BDTI plan for the future. - F1Nut -
I've seen Kiss live twice, once in the early 90s and then again last year. I think they are great live. I've been really enjoying the Kiss Symphony album too. It's a good pickup, unless of course you think Kiss sucks.
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BS,
You probally saw my Dad, Step Mom, Mom, and a couple friends of mine......
All you had to find was this 6'4" 220 pounds grey headed version of me and you saw my dad
heard the concert was great!- Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit. -
I never understood the draw to kiss. The make-up doesn't make their music suck any less.
Two Channel Main
Receiver - VSX-54TX
Mains - Csi40's
Sub - Spiked Velodyne Cht-8 On Spiked Landscaping Stones
"If you could put speakers in a needle, I'd never see him again..." - My Girlfriend -
KISS is one of the best bands in the world. Absolutely awesome!!! "You wanted the best, you got the best" (truthful statement which starts most of their live shows). I haven't seen them live except for several DVD/VHS concerts but there is no mistake, they are great.
madmaxVinyl, the final frontier...
Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... -
I remember when Gene Simmons was on Oprah. She asked "just how long is your tongue?"
Which he replied "long enough to make you my best friend."Two Channel Main
Receiver - VSX-54TX
Mains - Csi40's
Sub - Spiked Velodyne Cht-8 On Spiked Landscaping Stones
"If you could put speakers in a needle, I'd never see him again..." - My Girlfriend -
Well, judging from the responses, it looks like the old "Kiss is a band that is either loved or hated with no middle ground" adage pretty much holds true. Obviously, I don't hate them, but I wouldn't go so far as to say that I love them by any means either.
I mean, c'mon people, their music is not really THAT bad. You don't last 20 or 30 years on a gimmick alone if there wasn't some substance behind it. I remember an old Kiss song, but I don't remember the name of it though, on their first or second album, that the intro riff to Walk this way by Aerosmith (their most famous song ever) was basically a rip off copy of that Kiss song's intro riff. WTW came out AFTER the Kiss song too, and they were virtually note for note copys. They have had some great songs, as they have also had some that suck, as has Aerosmith or anybody that's been around that long. If you put out 20 or 30 albums, you can't help but to have a few good songs in there somewhere just based on the sheer percentages, no matter who you are. Hell, even a blind squirrel finds an acorn occasionally! Conversly, no matter how good you are, you are also going to put out some less than stellar efforts also if you keep at it long enough.
I like Aerosmith a lot, well, their old stuff anyway, but I do call 'em like I see 'em, and I just can't see how anybody that saw the same show I did could honestly sit there and say that KISS didn't put on a better show. I'm sorry, but that is the honest truth.
I used to have some old Kiss records, although there's no telling where they are now, and I do have a couple of their CDs. I'm going to go out and get some of those old albums on CD now and start listening to them more often.
BTW, for anyone who may know, why wasn't Ace with them? Is he still alive? I can remember how his guitar solo on Alive sounded an awful lot like Eddie Van Halen's Eruption, which came out later. The said the name of the guy playing lead guitar, and I didn't catch it, but it definitely wasn't Ace.
I've bought each and every Aerosmith album just about as soon as they came out for years, but I believe I'm going to pass on this upcoming blues album (although Baby please don't go was pretty cool).
Sid, it sounds like your dad is a big guy, but he's still smaller than me, by a damned sight at that! I'm about 5 inches taller and 50 lbs. heavier than him. Let me get this straight, he went with your mom AND step mom? Did they go to the Raleigh show? It seems to me like Charlotte would have been closer for them. Why didn't you go. Those old songs are better than the crap out there today that your generation is coming up on, and you should at least listen to some of them. -
BS,
No, My Dad went with my step mom and his set of friends. Where as my Mom went with her friends. I know more of his friends than I do hers as I work with alot of them.
I am not a fan of Aerosmith or Kiss...
Didn't Saliva open for them?- Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit. -
Sid, yes, Saliva did open the show for them. I still think you should have went. What else did you do that night that was so much better, spend a few hours on the Polk forums making countless posts? They are coming back to Greensboro sometime in Nov. If any of your folks go, you should go too.
I went to my folks house, and I got out all of my old Kiss records. The name of the song I was trying to think of where the intro/main riff from Walk This Way was conviently "borrowed" from is Parasite off of the Hotter Than Hell album.
Now I need to get me a turntable. Haven't had one in years. -
Actually, I was watching my step brother while making countless posts on the forum.....:p Also watched a dog, and....I was designing speaker shelves that are being built as we speak.
Also watched TV....listened to music.......talked to friends.....etc- Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
