Live Review: Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley

It's hard enough to cop a venue downgrade from Margaret Court Arena to Festival Hall let alone tonight's very un-rock'n'roll start time of 7.30pm, but this tour marks the first time Ace Frehley and Gene Simmons have shared an Australian stage in 17 years so we hustle to be seated on time.

The stalls of Festival Hall are filled with rows of plastic seats this evening. 2,000 Man is an early highlight for Frehley and we're immediately in awe of the Gene Simmons Band — guitarists Phil Shouse and Ryan Cook, guitarist/bassist Jeremy Asbrock and drummer Brent Fitz — who back both KISS legends this evening. Frehley's cheesy segue game is on point: "I'm lookin' around and I think I see a few rock soldiers out there." (Obviously Rock Soldiers follows.) Frehley's licks are sublime and no one's complaining about the grand total of four axes wailing on stage. While Frehley sports a burgundy blazer, the backing band don tank tops and it's an impressive gun show up there. Love Gun destroys all and sundry. Frehley introduces a band member by the wrong name, apologises and then casually shares, "This is the second time we're playing together, so I'm still trying to get their names," adding, "Aren't they great?" to smooth it over and that they sure are. Rocket Ride's lyrics are far from subtle: "She wants a rocket ride/She wants a rocket ride/Come on, grab a hold of my rocket."

"This next one's about my hometown, New York City!" is how Frehley ushers in New York Groove. These segues have certainly got dust on them, we've heard them all before. Frehley bangs on about all the "crazy stuff" that's gone on through the years saying, "To be honest, it doesn't bother me and it doesn't Shock Me!" There's a 'Name That Tune' guitar medley that we swear incorporates Turning Japanese by The Vapors.

"You guys keep drinking," Frehley encourages, before adding, "We just don't wanna see you drive 'cause next time we come here we wanna see ya here." Fitz's cymbal demolition that closes out Detroit Rock City further showcases his stick wizardry. Frehley, we're not worthy; you play guitar like you were born with an axe in your hands. 

September 2018 marks 40 years since all KISS members released solo albums, with Gene Simmons' self-titled set the highest charting. Simmons later jokes, "The solo records came out in 1804." He certainly is a character, jesting after opener Deuce, "Thank you very much, good night!" and then ripping into Shout It Out Loud. During Are You Ready, a pair of guitarists scoot across the stage Angus Young scissor-legs style. Following this song, Simmons offers, "I don't care if you liked it, we played it really well," even though we're already in agreeance. 

Simmons introduces a young guitar virtuoso to the stage. "How ya doin', Melbourne?" the kid yells into the mic. Simmons chuckles, "Backstage he told me to fuck off!" And dude sure can play! "Do you like money? Do you like chicks? Well keep doin' this, you'll get both," Simmons encourages. Calling Dr Love's echoing chorus is a hoot to sing along with.

Chugging, dense guitar riffs kick off Radioactive. Simmons announces KISS is coming back out here on tour in 2019 and the crowd cheers excitedly. A young lady we're told is in School Of Rock (the musical) is invited on stage and asks, "Anyone from Geelong?" before singing lead on I Was Made For Lovin' You. Fitz's drumming continues to impress.

His banter is usually amusing, but then Simmons says something lame about it being "that time of the month". Simmons stops during one song, confessing, "Hang on, I wrote those lyrics! What are they again?" Chicks are invited up on stage to help out on Do You Love Me one of whom totally fans out, telling Simmons he's her "superhero" and getting teary. Simmons asks what her mum's name is. It's Nina, she says. "Oh, I remember her," Simmons kids — he really cannot help himself. There's heaps of interruptions, heckles and booing, because punters just wanna hear more songs. The band's homage to Little Richard, Long Tall Sally, goes off! 

Finally, Frehley joins them on stage for Let Me Go, Rock 'N' Roll and it's a special moment seeing the two of them sharing a stage again after all these years. Simmons understandably admits he's worried Frehley is "stealing the show". 

"Once upon a time four guys from New York City decided to wear more makeup and high heels than your mommy, and the rest is KISStory, bitch," Simmons proclaims. Then it seems like the whole crowd is up on that stage for set closer and bona fide KISS anthem Rock And Roll All Nite, which some annoying bloke dedicates to "Brad's mum" after grabbing a mic. A super-loose occasion with sketchy vocals and way too much fucking about between songs.