Basses Loaded – Gene Simmons of Kiss (left) and Motley Crue’s Nikki Sixx.
Kiss, Motley Crue Bring Impressive Performance to Darien Lake.
Darien Lake • 9/15/2012
It was the last concert of the summer, but the upside saw Kiss & Motley Crue put on a very exciting rock show that entertained the sold out crowd.
With the stage as a large stop watch, drummer Tommy Lee appears in silhouette and proceeds to whip the crowd into a frenzy. As all four of the original members entered the stage you had to wonder how this devilish Crue could still be rocking out in 2012.
With the “Saints of Los Angeles” stage setup you knew that the Crue was going to hit it hard and loud, which, at a punishing volume, is exactly what they did. Most of the set was a blast from the 80′s, with hits like “Girls, Girls, Girls,” the power ballad “Home Sweet Home,” and their signature “Kickstart My Heart.” They did add in their newest single though, entitled “Sex.” Go figure!
Musically, the band still has a very explosive rhythm section with Nikki Sixx and Mick Mars, especially Mars as he nailed every guitar part throughout the show. If you missed the Tommy Lee drum rollercoaster last time out, he took the time to do it again taking a lucky fan for a ride during the song “Love Rollercoaster”.
When headliner Kiss hit the stage at 9:45pm we were treated with a heavy dose of white smoke that overtook everyone in the first 10 rows. That was when the opening notes of the classic “Detroit Rock City” started to play and the band was lowered from a riser with all guns blazing.
The bad thing about co-headline shows is that the second act usually plays a select few songs, invariably leaving out some of the classics.
Not to be outdone though, Kiss had plenty of tricks ready once they hit the stage floor. Delivering hits like “Shout It Out Loud” and “Lick It Up,” Gene Simmons continues to entertain with his tongue and fire breathing while Paul Stanley sends guitar picks flying into the crowd. Drummer Eric Singer was given vocal duties on the hit “Black Diamond,” which for me may have been the highlight of the show.
As usual the band concluded the show with “Rock and Roll All Night,” showering the crowd with confetti. It was an appropriate conclusion to the last show of the summer at Darien Lake.
Go to http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152060203125623.888652.114803960622&type=3 for more photos from this and other shows.
