KISS often cops flack for its over-the-top stage theatrics, but frontman Paul Stanley's first Australian solo tour proved that it's really all about the music.
Stripped of make-up and pyrotechnics but armed with a bunch of killer rock anthems and soaring ballads from his new album - and a bunch of old gems that KISS somehow forgot to ever play on stage – Stanley delivered a reinvigorated, knockout set. From the bone-crunching, anthemic title track of his new CD "Live To Win", through big singalongs from his first, 1978 solo effort like "Move On", "Wouldn't You Like To Know Me" and "Tonight You Belong To Me," to the KISS concert essentials "Love Gun" and "Detroit Rock City", the setlist was a fanboy's dream.
Other new material, such as the radio-worthy power ballad "Everytime I See You Around" and "Bulletproof" sat seamlessly alongside such 30-year-old classics as "Strutter" and "Do You Love Me?"
I had to take 5 days off work and spend 4 of those days on trains to and from Melbourne but it was so fantastically worth the trip! I caught the Friday show in Melbourne and I was once again blown away by the huge talent Paul Stanley has. Having seen my very 1st KISS concert when they were down for KISS Symphony and then having seen the Rock The Nation Tour I was very eager to see Paul do it Solo and I was far from disappointed!
Paul had a vast array of hits and lesser played songs in his set and thankfully it included the one song I wanted to hear him do live - I Still Love You. OH MY GOD! Thank you so very much Paul Stanley I'll never forget that, and how after all these years he can still belt out that note (you know the one I mean!!!) Paul hasn't lost a single step along the way, if anything I'd say he continues to get better and better.
The show was fantastic overall and with the audience interaction Paul had me laughing so much with little stories and jokes. The BAND was just fantastic and so very talented. Awesome choice to back up the greatest frontman I've ever seen!
So as he closed the show with "Goodbye, it's only for now, 'cause I'm comin' back, I swear it somehow..." I was still eager for hours upon hours more but sadly I'll have to wait for next time.
Well I arrived early round 6.30pm had a beer and a small feed before I made my way to meet the Perth Publicist for the Media Pass. After picking up the pass and being told the rules I ventured down to the bar for a beer or 2 to calm the nerves. ( Having not photographed too many live gigs, I had to deliver the goods tonight, seeing as though 90% of my photograph work is Landscape Fine Art).
Once a beer or two had been had we made out way to the merchandise stand to pick up the Platinum passes and swag bag.
Round 8.30pm I had to go back stage to meet up with the other press, my mates and wife headed in to their seats. 8.50pm we where lead to the stage are for photographs waiting for the show to start. Since there was no barricade between first row and the stage there was no real benefit from having a media pass except for the fact we had professional cameras and lenses.
9pm the band rolls onto the stage, my palms get sweaty the camera feels like a brick in my hands as we wait for Mr Stanley to walk on .... He enters I start shooting 3 shots per second at 12.8mb RAW size files, Damn I'm thinking should of brought more flash cards !
Burswood Theatre, Perth, Western Australia Show Fan Review
By: KENNY SYMMONS
Just in the door, home, literally minutes ago and WOW!! What a way to kick off your 30th Anniversary of being a KISS fan, and KISS being part of your life - than a gig by the main man himself…Paul Stanley!! People today still say ‘Hey Kenny, you STILL into KISS?’…HELL YEAH, and proud!!
Take yourself back to 1977…High School, just 14 years old, and ‘Love Gun’ had just come out in the UK with minimal press (I’m from Scotland, and have lived in Australia for four years), and a close school friend bought the album just for the ‘cool’ cover art!! Upon first listen, my life changed forever. Forget ‘Queen’, ‘Quo’ and all the other staples we were being fed…there was a new lion in the den!! Leap a year ahead, and I’m now buying all 4 solo albums from the Virgin Shop (Megastores were not yet invented) in Edinburgh…little did I know then that 30 years later KISS would be as a big a part of my life as it is, and putting ‘Paul Stanley’ on the turntable I would witness these classics live when in adulthood. Paul has always been my favourite KISS member, and my favourite singer in rock music. Yep, 30 years later, his 1978 solo album is still one of the great rock albums released and one of my all time favourite records.
As a life long KISS fan I never imagined it would be so hard to find the words to write a review on Paul's first solo tour visit to our Australian shores. It has been said that the KISS Army are fans like no other, a member of the army myself over the years I have heard comments used about KISS fans describing them as obsessed, deranged, crazy, dedicated, loyal, stupid and fanatical all of which are true. In my case I took my KISS obsession to extremes getting the members to sign my back and having it tattooed! In some cases we [the KISS army] have a love/hate relationship with the band that has in some way shaped our lives. I personally was a little annoyed when Paul first announced his solo tour. Not at the fact that he was returning without the other members of KISS, but because he had again announced the meet/ greet packages. I have always looked at the platinum package deals as the best deals for KISS fans who can afford to pay for those front row seats, but not necessarily for the extreme die hard fans who spend their hard-earned money on each and every piece of memorabilia released throughout the year!
Looking past that though I knew that Paul would still put on an amazing show without Gene, Tommy, Ace, Peter or Eric (depending on who is in KISS this week). I knew we would finally get to hear obscure KISS songs never played in Australia to date.
In the days leading up to Paul's show at WIN Entertainment Centre my excitement was building just knowing that it wouldn't be long until I seen one of my all-time heroes live onstage once again. What made this show more nerve racking for me was that I was also going to be standing in the photo pit for the first three songs directly under the almighty front-man. Paul would have to be very pleased with the amount of promotion that surrounded this tour. Securing radio spots and television appearances on the Sydney Footy Show where Paul performed Detroit Rock City live as well as an early morning appearance on The Today Show performing 'Shandi' acoustically. Paul then sat for an interview with host Richard Wilkins and answered questions from members of the Australian KISS Army.
Thanks to everyone for sending in their reviews of Paul's Australian shows. Please keep them coming! You can email reviews and comments to TeamPaulStanley@aol.com.
Here are some of the latest fan reviews we've received:
What can you say other than BRILLIANT! It was an absolute pleasure to see Paul and the SN Band live it was a fantastic show! I last saw KISS on the Rock The Nation Tour 2004 in Brisbane and the atmosphere last night was just as electric. I love arena shows but seeing Paul up close in a much more intimate setting really opened my eyes to how truly talented Paul and the SN band are as performers and musicians! The stage layout was great and the gig was very tight with Paul and Co. belting out some all time classics plus great new hits from Live To Win! Thank you Paul for being such a fantastic person and performer and for taking the Tour down-under to Australia! We Love You!
Fans for life,
Nathan and Erin!
Wow what a performance you guys moved the foundations last night - it will be an experience my wife and myself will never forget then meeting Paul Stanley in person what a genuine guy I was overwhelmed he accepted the jacket from me That was my dream come true and then meeting and chatting with Doc and the Band members man it was a special night, Awesome THANK YOU!!!!!
BERKY
The show last night was awesome. Paul gave a brilliant performance. My friend and I were four rows back from the stage and it was fantastic. The mix of songs was good. I was so happy that Paul played one of my favorites ' Hide Your Heart' - great to hear it live. And of course the songs off Live to Win, I had hoped for a few more off the new album, but not complaining as it was just so good!! Come again soon Paul - we love you!
KISS' front man, the Starchild himself, Paul Stanley, ignited the Enmore Theatre, Monday 16 April 2007 during his "Live to Win" solo album tour.
One of rock's greatest artists treated fans to an electrifying, bombastic performance at the Enmore Theatre last night as he strutted across the stage with more energy and vitality than many of those half his years.
Performing a mix of timeless anthems and amazing new material, it wasn't long before Paul, a messiah to his worshippers, had the crowd in a sweaty, excited frenzy.
With his flirtatious, vibrant stage antics and his constant communication and acknowledgement of the crowd, it's not difficult to see why this brilliant, seasoned professional is adored globally by the masses.
With great memories and hoarse throats, an exhilarating night was had by all, including my 10-year-old son who attended his first rock concert. Finally, he understood what it was all about, chanting excitedly "I love Paul Stanley, I need more, MORE"...... and, you know what, so do I!
Set included Live to Win, Strutter, Detroit Rock City, Tonight You Belong to Me, Everytime I see You Around, Bulletproof, Shandi, Wouldn't you Like to Know Me.
PAUL STANLEY has made a triumphant return to Australia (yet again!), this time for his first ever solo tour outside America - and legions of KISS fans and the Star Child himself are loving EVERY MINUTE OF IT! (One must wonder if there will ever be a FINAL Down Under tour for him...??)
He played the Enmore Theatre (where KISS staged their intimate 'KISS In Your Face' show back in 2004) on April 16 & 17, to the wild roars of Sydney fans.
The set list included the usual suspects (regular KISS numbers such as Lick It Up, Strutter, Do You Love Me and Love Gun), rarely-performed gems (A
Million To One, Magic Touch), and several songs off Paul's two solo albums(Live To Win, Move On, Bulletproof, Tonight You Belong To Me, among others).
Overall, the set list was spiced up with lots of 'Paul Stanley Specials' and his solo repertoire sounded really fresh even to the ears of the most seasoned KISS concert-goers.
And it wasn't just one-way entertainment,either. Paul involved the crowd throughout the show, talking to and bantering with them between songs and prompting them to sing (or YELL!!) along. On the first night, a member of the audience even grabbed the microphone off Paul and showed off his vocal skills. It was just as well that Paul elected NOT to play Take It Off - otherwise some girls might have jumped onto the stage and started
stripping...
His Rock Star house band showed us what the hype was all about by displaying one hell of a kick-a** performance. Rafael Moreira, the whiz kid lead guitarist from Brazil, blew the audience away with his wonder guitar solos.
Together with Paul 'Keith Urban' Mirkovich(keyboards), Sasha Krivtsov(bass) and Brett Garsed (the sole local talent who replaced the regular guitarist Jim McGorman on this Down Under tour), the band produced very tight (and HEAVY!) sound.
...And I have absolutely NO IDEA how the drummer Nate Morton is capable of producing such powerful performance AND playing tricks with his drum sticks at the same time WHILE managing to break a few in the process...
The show's encore saw them play the two biggest Aussie favorites, Shandi and I Was Made For Lovin' You, plus one of KISS classics, Detroit Rock City. The finale was, quite suitably, Goodbye off Paul's first solo album dating back to 1978. But, just as the lyrics of the song go, this Goodbye is "only for now" and, as Paul himself declares, he's coming back here again (that,he swears somehow...).
Paul Stanley isn't sure how much make-up he's gone through over his stellar four-decade career but guesses it would be, well, a fair bit.
"Between make-up and hair spray, I'm sure the hair spray alone is responsible for the hole in the ozone layer,'' confesses the rock demigod. "Between spraying it and holding my breath, it was quite a feat, but you gotta look good that's what it's all about."
Stanley minus make-up, but almost certainly still with hair spray, is touring his album Live to Win, his first solo effort since all Kiss's members released individual self-titled records way back in 1978. Curiously, the fact he's waited until this particular juncture has a lot to do with being a homebody.
"TOKYO RAIN " Original mixed media on canvas by Paul Stanley 20"x20" .
Paul's vivid memories of driving through the neon filled districts of downtown Tokyo are captured in his latest piece which he completed just prior to leaving for Australia on the continuation of his solo tour.
Limited edition prints from this painting may be released in the future. No decision will be made until Paul returns from Australia. Until then - enjoy!! .
Below are a few fan reviews of Paul's Newcastle show Saturday. As you can see in the third photo down, during the show Paul brought a fan on stage to sing!
Front row seats - what a night myself and my 3 children - we had the best time. Paul was fantastic, the set list was brilliant and his voice amazing as always. We went out back to meet him and he spoke to my kids while giving them autographs then our photos with him. I got a huge hug from him as we left wow! He is just what I thought he would be. i have been a KISS fan since the day I was born. My brother who is 11 years older than me bought me up on KISS. This was my dream come true.
Loved every minute - thank you so much Paul
Leanne Brock
I was at the Paul Stanley Concert in Newcastle last night and I thought the whole show was amazing.
The house band were fantastic and Paul showed what a professional showman he really is and put on a very entertaining show. It was great to get back to the basics of a rock concert. I hope he enjoyed playing for us as much as we enjoyed listening.
Keep Rockin Paul - we love you and hope that last nights turn out doesn't deter you from comin back!!!!
Jules
My wife and I went to Newcastle last night to see Paul and his band. I have been a huge fan since 1976 and have seen several shows in different parts of Australia. Last night was one of the best shows I have been to. Paul was in great form. His band are brilliant. Paul set us a challenge at the start and I know we tried to meet it. It looked like Paul and the boys had as much of a good time as we did, I hope so. I must say that the young Brazillian guy (sorry ,I missed his name) is awesome. In fact , the whole band were playing as one. A great night. Please keep coming back. I would love to see Kiss come back so I can take my kids.
Friday the 13th for some for might be unlucky but for the KISS Army Australia fans in Wollongong NSW it was a dream come true. Paul Stanley rocked the Win Entertainment center for over 2000 KISS fans from around Australia and the world. Some of the international fans came from Japan, New Zealand, New Caledonia. Australian fans traveled from far and near, with people driving day and night to get there. Annette, Joanne and Andria made an over night trip from Melbourne, and even thought they suffered a major car malfunction, they still managed to arrive with plenty of time to spare. Chris “the Oath” came all way from the desolate outback town of Copperpedy. Dimondess Lisa crossed the Tasman Sea to come all the way from Tasmania and experience the thrill of a night with Paul Stanley. Graham “Jim’s Mowing” as well traveled the long and winding road from Melbourne. Young and old filled the arena and everyone contributed to an amazing, energetic night with Paul Stanley.
Paul and the wonderful house band rocked through classic KISS songs such as Detroit Rock City, I Was Made For Lovin' You, Love Gun, Lick It Up, Shandi, etc and songs from Paul’s solo albums including Live to Win, Bulletproof, Tonight You Belong to me, Wouldn't You Like to Know Me, Goodbye etc. As well Paul ran through a minute or so of 2000 Man.
Other highlights included during I Still Love You, Paul passed the microphone to Michael “Mr. Starchild” from KAA to belt out a few notes. Towards the end of the night Paul played part of one song whilst holding to a pair of fury leopard skin knickers which came all the way from NZ. They certainly matched his shirt. Rafael was certainly blistering and added his own unique touch to the solos through out the night.
Overall the 2nd night of Paul’s Australia Live To Win was an overwhelming success and everyone left the show tired, with sore throats, but extremely satisfied. The next stop is on the Live to Win tour is Newcastle on April 14th and for the those attending, time won't pass quick enough before Paul struts his Magic Touch!
Paul and his band performed “Detroit Rock City” live on the NRL “Footy” show. He also appeared on the Today morning show on 4/13 and did an interview and a solo acoustic performance of “Shandi,”.
The live perfromance follows the “Hollywood” report and numerous other “bits” including one on Elle McPhearson and a second Paul interview! But for those who want a quick audio listen: Click Here.
Fans hoping for an insight into the rock'n'roll lifestyle of charismatic KISS guitarist Paul Stanley shouldn't hold out hope of hearing it from the horse's mouth.
Nothing, Stanley says, turns him off more than celebrities who release tell-all autobiographies.
Fellow KISS band mate Gene Simmons penned the ultimate backstage pass for fans in a book laced with details of his sex, drugs and rock'n'roll lifestyle.
But his sidekick is adamant he won't be setting tongues wagging with his own expose.
The 55-year-old rocker, who is in Australia on his first solo tour outside of America and to promote his second solo album, Live To Win, believes such novels are egotistical.
"The autobiography is the most outrageous form of fiction, just by nature an autobiography is going to be a little warped," Stanley said in Sydney today.
"Show me anyone who writes about themselves and doesn't find themselves in the centre of the universe? I have seen other people's autobiographies and I had some questions about those.
Tonight in Australia on Channel 9 Paul Stanley and the house band were guests on The Footy Show.
Quite a few members of the KISS ARMY AUSTRALIA were in attendance and made themselves very vocal throughout the show. George Xirocostas and myself from KAA can be seen holding KISS ARMY AUSTRALIA certificates through out the broadcast. Paul Vaugtin showed his certificate to the cameras and let the whole of Australia know the KAA was in the house.
The Footy Show host Paul Vaugtin is a huge KISS fan and he asked Paul a few questions before Paul kicked off with a killer rendition of Detroit Rock City. Paul and the house band looked in top form as they got the audience up on their feet.
KISS ARMY AUSTRALIA fans in attendance were, Arthur Xirocostas, Micheal Fitzpatrick, Mark McNair, Adam Walsh, Andrew Tredwell, Kaori Hashimoto, Ronda Spandeaux, and Tammy Berzac.
PAULSTANLEY.com
Photos by Hiro Shiga for PaulStanley.com.
Here are a few photos from Paul's first LIVE TO WIN show in Australia last night.
Paul opened his Australian LIVE TO WIN Tour with a rockin' performance at Twin Town Services Club on the Gold Coast. Paul added "Shandi" & "I Was Made For Lovin' You" to the set list that included most of the songs performed on his US Tour last year.
We'll have more reports from Paul's Australian Tour over the next few weeks.
Anyone wishing to send in a personal review of any of Paul's Aussie shows, can do so by emailing us at TeamPaulStanley@aol.com.
Wentworth Gallery is proud to present two additional art exhibitions by artist, rock icon and legendary KISS frontman Paul Stanley. He will make two special appearances at the Wentworth Galleries on Friday June 22, 2007 and on Saturday June 23, 2007.
Paul Stanley's Maryland and Virginia Wentworth Gallery Appearances:
Friday June 22, 2007 6-9 PM
Wentworth Gallery -- White Flint
11301 Rockville Pike
North Bethesda, MD 20895
RSVP: 301.816.7974
Saturday June 23, 2007 6-9 PM
Wentworth Gallery -- Tysons Galleria
1731 M International Drive
McLean, VA 22102
RSVP: 703.883.0111
Here are some PIX from Thursday's rehearsal. As expected rehearsals are going great. The ROCKSTAR band is smokin' and totally on top of their game, and Paul is, well he's PAUL STANLEY! Everyone is very excited & looking forward to going DOWN UNDER.
In getting ready for his Australian solo tour, Paul invested time in both rehearsal and meditation.
From this intimate introspection, a new concept was born.
"I realized that for me, there is not such a thing as a finished painting, the work is only
terminated by practicality" says Paul. "One day I found myself looking at a print of "Infinite Solitude" hanging in my studio, and felt the urge to give it a new breath of life. I was interested in seeing where solitude might lead. I began painting over the printed canvas to create a sense of dense deep colors, giving way to light, energy, and a new reality. That is why I chose to call it "After Solitude One". I am planning to explore and redefine all of my prints. The possibilities are limitless".
"AFTER SOLITUDE ONE" 40" X 40" (original on preprinted canvas).
The INDY KISS Fan Expo celebrated their 10th Anniversary in a big way yesterday with Bruce Kulick, Angelo Coppola, MR. SPEED and a crowd of over 500 KISS Fans!
Kid drumming sensation – Angelo Coppola started things off with an energetic performance of KISS tracks and Paul’s “Live To Win” and “Bullet Proof”! Bruce followed Angelo with a lively Q&A before presenting the Expo promoters with a cake celebrating 10 years of INDY KISS Expos! Next up Paul Stanley surprised the fans with a live phone call wishing them a great day and telling them to believe whatever Bruce said as long as it was good!
For the next few hours fans shopped for KISS collectibles and visited with Bruce, Bill Starkey, Ace Cosby (from Q95) and KISSONLINE! KISS tribute band MR. SPEED closed the Expo with a rockin’ set including KISS classics as well as rarities including “Raise Your Glasses”, “Master and Slave” and Paul’s “Bulletproof”!
Paul will perform on The Footy Show in Sydney on Thursday April 12 at 9:30 PM and the Footy Show in Melbourne on Thursday April 19 at 9:30pm!
Check local listings for time schedule.
