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KISSin Time Poster
KISSin Time Setlist
Tour Dates
21 Apr 2018 Forest Lake, MN Vaneli's
12 May 2018 Circle Pines MN Station 57 31 May 2018 St. Paul MN Minnesota Music Cafe 23 Jun 2018 Inver Grove Heights, MN Jersey's 29 Sep 2018 Delano, MN Delano Lanes Ent. Read More
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“You wanted the best, you’ve got the best” –
There are tens of thousands of tribute bands, scattered about the world, paying homage in a live setting, to many of our very favorite acts, and no band has perhaps spawned as many tribute bands as the audio and visual spectacle that is Kiss.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees have always had much to take in live from a sensory standpoint- from almost five decades of songs to their distinctive makeup and stage show theatrics, so there’s much to draw from.
Niche tribute bands like Mini Kiss (four small people in makeup/costumes) and Priss (made up of all-female band members) extend that tribute even further and we have one band locally, KISSin Time, that covers only music from 1973-75, specializing in re-creating their 1974 World Tour (which is even before the live album Kiss Alive, would have been recorded). On a chilly evening before Easter in suburban Maplewood, KISSin Time was part of a rock bill that let fans unwind for a few hours, on the evening before spending the holy holiday with family and friends.
Though taking the early slot on the bill (Metallica tribute band One, would close the night), KISSin Time still managed an eighty-minute full set, packed with classic songs from the formative era of the iconic band that many would argue, is still their best. On a stage packed with speaker stacks, candelabras, rotating police lights, and a centerpiece of a giant lighted sign of the Kiss logo, the costumed foursome made their way to the stage to start with 1974’s ‘Deuce’.
The foursome (Rikka Zer0 as Paul “Starchild” Stanley; Xenia Sandstrom-Mag Uldhir as Gene “Demon” Simmons; Jace Young as Ace “Spaceman” Frehley; Pete Campbell as Peter “Catman” Criss) are clearly also fans of the band whose music they play, with Zer0 even mimicking many of Stanley’s own trademark spoken phrases, i.e.- “Let me hear ya!”, and “Listen, Listen!”, and throwing frame-ready spray-painted gold signed vinyl discs out to the crowd between songs.
‘Jam #49’, which showcased Young’s riffs as Frehley, got his guitar literally smoking (thanks to a stage effect) which then led seamlessly into ‘Firehouse’, with Zer0 donning a fire helmet as stage lights turned appropriately red and police lights spun around atop speaker stacks.
‘The crunchy ‘She’ (from 1975’s Dressed to Kill) featured a pair of dancing girls in Kiss-appropriate dresses briefly up on stage, which led nicely into ‘Nothin’ to Lose’, Kiss’ first single release from self-titled debut album.
Stanley’s imitable spoken intro to ‘Cold Gin’ gave way to Young’s formidable Spaceman guitar licks on the track, showing justice to the signature Frehley track. The blood didn’t quite come off as planned for the Demon’s turn on ‘100,000 Years’, though the basslines were all there and Campbell had his chance to shine with an admirable extended solo, to finish off the song.
1974’s ‘Let Me Go Rock ‘n Roll’ ended with an exclamation as Zer0’s Starchild took guitar to floor, bashing it on stage a couple times until it separated completely and the set ended with confetti thrown and lights flashing for the band’s definitive song, 1975’s ‘Rock n’ Roll All Nite’, splitting the lead vocals on the party anthem as the crowd inching closer on the floor, clapped and sang along.
The actual Kiss may not ever tour together ever again (though there have been a few recent partial reunions) but thanks to their enduring legacy, inspiring tribute bands like KISSin Time, not only can you experience that original reunion in some form, but also dial the clock back forty-five years to experience the same setlist, that would catapult the band to worldwide fame.
(click on any photo below to enlarge and see full image)
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