KISS with Motley Crüe | Comfort Dental Amphitheatre | August 8th

August 9, 2012 Castro

As I headed out to Comfort Dental Amphitheatre on Wednesday night, the only thing I kept thinking was “I am about to see KISS in concert for the first time in my life”. It was one of those moments where you become nervous and jittery, not good emotions for a person who is about to photograph one of the most iconic bands in the world. Until this day I always wanted to see Motley Crüe and KISS, but never got a chance. It turns out both are touring in what is simply dubbed The Tour; I mean, how basic can you get? Two of heavy metal's most recognized bands on the same stage on the same night.

Motley Crüe opened up with a slew of hits spanning the 30 years of existence of the band. Yes, we still have Vince Neil, Nikki Sixx, Mick Mars and the ever so talented Tommy Lee. Aside from aging and gaining a few pounds, the boys haven’t lost a step. Taking us through “Shout at The Devil”, “Girls, Girls, Girls”, “and Home Sweet Home”, I found myself back in 1989 buying Theatre of Pain on cassette. A trip down memory lane was indeed conjured up amongst the catalog of hits they played. With a flare for the dramatic, Vince Neil and company brought out all the stops, with pyro, scantily clad women and Tommy Lee's rotation on a roller coaster platform drumming on stage, the Crüe still know how to win over a crowd.

KISS original member Paul Stanley (Photo credit Robert Castro)

The crowd sat patiently as a black cape with the iconic named band covered the stage. As the curtain dropped, the night’s festivities began; dropping down on a platform stage backed by a flowing rain of sparks the boys of KISS opened up with Detroit Rock City. The band has been together since 1973 and a revolving number of members have worn the traditional make-up but only Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley remain from the original group. Many of those in attendance mimicked the bands make-up, from young to old, age wasn't a thing. With their black and white make-up and custom outlandish outfits, the theatrics of a live KISS show is what makes the experience. From pyrotechnics to blood spitting, the band knows how to keep the audience entertained from beginning to end. Check out more photos from the show here.

Setlist:

Castro