Blog Entry, 2.13.10
The Sly Fox
Well we heard that you missed us…so we’re back. The time off that we had seemed to disappear in the blink of an eye with the holidays and New Year. In those few shorts weeks we managed to begin work on a number of new songs and even get into a local studio to record. But the one thing that we thrive on is the live performance and being out there with the fans.
Starting off our 2010 “Live & Loud” tour at the Sly Fox provided us with the perfect atmosphere to get things rolling again. We knew that the show would be well attended and we were right. We also knew that the reaction from the fans would be just what we were hoping for and they did not disappoint us. I’ve said it before and it remains true, each time we perform it’s great to see all of the new faces in the crowd along with the familiar ones that we recognize from show to show. The ones that had not seen us before clearly outnumbered those who had so that only goes to serve our growing fan base here in our hometown.
As you might expect we dusted off all of the usual classics to start the show beginning with “Detroit Rock City”. The familiar opening riff felt very comfortable and we knew that there was no turning back. As is usually the case it took Dave a few songs to “dial us in” if you will to get the sound to where we were happy with it. For some unknown reason Rob usually gets the better mix on stage and I’m still trying to figure out how that keeps happening. For the most part we were happy with the majority of the songs that we performed with the exception of one that is newer to us. That song is “100,000 Years”. We had been working on an arrangement of this song at rehearsal and in the end it was painfully obvious to us that there is still a lot of work to be done. I can’t blame us for trying but we’ve always believed that until a song is absolutely ready to be played “live” that we keep it under wraps. So we’ll get back at it soon and make sure that in a few weeks we’re focused on giving that particular song the respect that it deserves. It seemed that the fans were really hungry for the classic sounds that they were familiar with and so we replaced “Say Yeah” with “Watchin You” at the request of one particular fan who insisted that we play it. It shows our diversity that we can change gears like that on the fly especially if it means that someone will leave happier that they heard us play something that they wanted to hear. I’m not sure what they says for the rest of the set list that we performed but in the end it worked out for us all.
The second set seemed to have a better flow to it and the timing worked out quite well. The time off didn’t seem to hinder us in any way and the fans reaction drove us to keep the pedal to the metal. We ended the show with “Lick it Up” into “Black Diamond” and then “Rock And Roll All Nite”. Like clockwork the interaction between the fans and the stage created a tremendous thunder within the room. Overall we were very satisfied with our performance and in my mind I know we’re capable of pushing ourselves to be even better the next time out. We’ll look forward to seeing as many of you as we can at one or many of our upcoming shows this year.
Blog Entry, 12.05.09
Front Row Bar & Grill
You’ve heard the saying that “all good things must come to an end”…but in our case it’s just temporarily.
Last night was our 27th and last show of 2009. We pulled into the Front Row Bar & Grill in Brook Park, Ohio shortly after 6:00 PM to unload the show for the last time. Only having played here once before which was back in May we were hopeful that we could build on our following with the KISS fans in the area. I must mention that here in Cleveland people can be very territorial. That’s not to say that we don’t have some fans that will come and see us just about anywhere because we do. I also found it interesting that even before I sat down with the band to commence the make-up routine for the show that the club owner approached me to make sure that we confirmed at least two shows at his place for 2010. That’s what we like to call job security.
If you’ve been following my blogs for the entire year I want to thank you. It’s really a labor of love to wake up the next day and recreate in my mind what we experienced the night before on my keyboard for those of you that couldn’t be there. For the most part we worked with a show that flowed well musically thanks to Andrews’s attention to our set list. But for last night’s show we pulled out all the stops. As is usually the case with club shows we need to extend the length of the show to accommodate the hours of 10:00 PM to 2:00 AM. For this show we certainly made sure that we used everything that we had in the tank, so to speak. From the opening notes of “Detroit Rock City” to the thundering tom-fills of “War Machine” our mission was to give this show our all. At recent rehearsals we had been working on a few songs that we have never performed “live” before. As we stood in the dressing room before the show we looked at one another and decided that if the vibe was right we would give a few of them a shot. So for the first time with this version of the band we performed an edited version of “100,000 Years” and the soon to be released second single from Sonic Boom “Say Yeah”. Both songs were very well received and we looked at each other after they were performed and thought “not bad”. It’s enjoyable for us to try newer songs from time to time and these both added a fresh musical shot in the arm to both us and the fans. There were also a few other songs that we added like “Rock Soldiers” and “Heavens On Fire” even “C’mon & Love Me”. For the most part it was a veritable feast of classic KISS. You can bet that by the time we hit the stage again in 2010 we’ll have even more tracks from the KISS catalog to wet your appetite with.
So as I put the final key strokes on our calendar year of 2009 I want to thank everyone that helped to continue making my dream come to life. To Joe, Rob and Andrew…I’m nothing without each of you. From my poster-filled room as a kid to the stages that we walk on together, thank you for everything that I remember and even the things that I forget. To Tina and Ann…I don’t trust my dreams to just anyone and the two of you continue to make it possible for me to dream with my eyes wide open. I love you both. To Rodney…thank you for giving the world our vision with your computer. We’ve never looked so good. To Karen and Pete…thank you for sharing us with the world through your photos. To all of the fans…thank you for sharing your life with us and for giving us memories that we’ll talk about forever. To anyone that carried an amp, lifted a drum case, tuned a guitar or just lent a hand in some small way THANK YOU! Lastly…thank you KISS. Thanks for allowing us to continue to share with our fans the legend that you have created. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…it is an honor to walk in your shadows.
See you all again in 2010…
Blog Entry, 11.21.09
Slim & Chubbys
Show day in Strongsville once again and Slim and Chubbys is the place. Our arrival at the club was pretty typical as darkness fell and the cool grip of the November air was all around us.
We had quite a week within the confines of the MR.SPEED camp but we knew that we could make everything seem alright with a good show. Our normal sound man Bill was unable to work the show with us so he arranged for a replacement. We really missed Bill. By 8:45 PM we had sound checked a few songs and felt good enough to leave the stage and go begin the make-up ritual that we all love. Chubby gave us the green light to hit the stage at 10:30 PM and that’s exactly what we did. To our surprise as we entered the stage area from a back entrance the surge of heat that hit us was unbelievable. I was the last one to hit the stage and the sea of fans that greeted us was truly inspiring. They must have had a can opener at the front door to allow as many people into the club as they did…the place was packed! There were quite a few familiar faces staring back at us and just as many first timers too.
We unleashed another classic set of tracks on the SRO crowd and it didn’t take long to work up a sweat. This crowd was intense and it really makes us feel great when their responses match the intensity to which we’re performing the songs. For me personally I love seeing the smiles and watching the crowd doing the choreography right along with us. That validates for me that we’re reaching them deep inside. As usual with a club show we break up the set into two different stages. For this show we added another special song that we recently began working on. Not a KISS song per say but one from Ace’s “Frehleys Comet” called “Rock Soldiers”. Having seen Ace recently here in Cleveland and fielding requests through our site from fans we were inspired to add the song as soon as possible. It was pretty clear that we had quite a few rock soldiers with us last night.
To the delight of the fans we were able to add a few extra songs to the show. They were “Heavens on Fire”, “Parasite” and “Rip It Out”. One of the attributes about our band is that when someone is in need of a little help during the show we lend support to make it work for us and the fans. Andrew has had a tough bout with tonsillitis recently and so he asked if I could help him with “Black Diamond”. This would be a first for me as I’ve never had the chance to sing the song much beyond the usual intro. So I decided to give the guys an extra break by extending the beginning of the song. I started with the first verse of “Shandi” and then moved on to the first verse of “I Still Love You”. From there I enticed the crowd to clap along with me for the transition into “Black Diamond” as we all sang the intro together…tonight we had them under our thumb.
As the gear was shut off and all of the chords were unplugged on the stage many fans approached us with extremely nice things to say. One fan in particular came up to me and said that she had seen us at least five times. I was really grateful for her continued support. She followed that up by continuing to say that tonight’s show for her was “phenomenal”! She told me that she wanted to make sure that I knew that. Thank you Lisa, that was very kind and we all really appreciate it.
We’ll be back to Slim & Chubbys in 2010. If you get the chance to catch the show there please do…it’s a great place for us and for classic KISS!
Blog Entry, 11.07.09
Fremont American Legion
What a show! I don’t know how else to put it. To be honest going into this event we were a little skeptical of how things would turn out seeing as this show was being promoted by the opening band. But in the end we were amazed at the efforts of everyone involved with seeing this show to fruition. We have nothing but admiration for Angie McConnell and the guys in Down Under Thunder for allowing us to be a part of such a great, great show.
We arrived mid-afternoon to find a hall that echoed of 1970’s nostalgia and before. Crushed velvet drapes hung silently at the back of the stage almost as if they were guarding the history of the hall itself. Opening the door to our dressing room you could smell the years of pride and courage of those that had come before us. The atmosphere was truly lending itself to that of a rock and roll show that many of us there could have only dreamed of growing up.
The opening band was a local AC/DC tribute called Down Under Thunder. We had performed with them in Tiffin, Ohio back in June so we were somewhat familiar with what they were going to offer the sold out crowd. They tore into their set with both old and familiar tracks from many of the classic AC/DC albums that their fans love. The crowd’s response after each song was incredible and we knew that by the time we hit the stage that they would be ready to tear the roof off this place.
We hit the stage right around 10:00 PM. The fans had surged towards the front of the stage. Many there wore the t-shirts of the band that they were representing and there were quite a few KISS t-shirts strewn throughout. Many parents brought their kids to the show and they were pressed right up against the stage straining to get as close as they could to us. As is normally the case it takes a few songs for everyone to process what it is that they’re seeing. They stare at us but quickly look away if we catch their eye. Our boots and guitars were not safe even with the ornamental railing affixed to the front of the stage as a barrier between us both. I must have given out close to 40 guitar picks which I have to tell you is a lot. Our set was nothing short of classic to say the least. We quickly got out of the gate with “Detroit Rock City” right into “Deuce” and then “Do You Love Me”. With each song the crowd loosened up just a little bit more. Their response rivaled the same response that we received in Toledo just one week earlier…it was loud! We had taken “Cold Gin” out of the set for this show but due to an overwhelming response we added it along with “Strutter” about half way through the show. Performing in a new town for us is great. But getting the reaction that we did from the fans there last night was one we won’t soon forget. For this small town they have a lot to be proud of when it comes to knowing classic rock and roll and appreciating those that are playing it.
We ended typically with “Rock And Roll All Nite” and just when I thought they couldn’t get any louder I was proven wrong. It amazes me sometimes when I think why it takes so long for some crowds to get as into the show as they do when we play this song. I think it really boils down to the fact that if you play it well enough and you have real passion in the room for what the song says it makes for an unbeatable combination.
After the show many fans approached us and asked when we’ll be coming back to Fremont. I can honestly say I hope it’s much sooner than later. We had a blast!
Blog Entry, 10.30.09
The Omni
I couldn’t think of a better place for us to have a show on the eve of Halloween than the Omni in Toledo. We arrived at the club and entered the cavernous room as the sound and light crew were making hasty preparations for our arrival. Everyone was in extremely good spirits with great anticipation moving throughout the club. We always look forward to the crowds that we get when we perform at this place as they really know how to have a great time. Tonight would be no exception.
After slipping out for dinner we arrived back to find a small crowd gathering in the parking lot for the show. Inside we made a few last minute preparations to the stage and the doors were slung open welcoming those who arrived for a good spot. Our set list tonight would be one full of classic cuts from most of the KISS albums. This would include “Modern Day Delilah” which received a thunderous response when it was through. We felt that the crowd really appreciated the effort that we put forth in performing a track from Sonic Boom, KISS’ new studio album.
One cosmetic change that we made to the stage for this show was the addition of an extra vocal mic on a platform in the center of the stage. We talked about the use of the microphone before the show started citing that it wasn’t very “KISS-like” but it did offer an extra advantage if we found ourselves out of place and needed to add a vocal part in a pinch. The best advantage that it offered was during my intro to “Black Diamond”. I utilized the platform and was able to sing an extra verse of “I Still Love You” before leading the crowd through our usual call and response of “Black Diamond” that we’re all very used to.
Finishing the show in typical KISS fashion with tremendous participation from the crowd was exactly what we were hoping for. The fans in Toledo are loud and proud of their passion for rock and roll. This night would be another example of why we love playing at the Omni. After the show we met with fans for almost an hour taking photos and signing autographs. Thanks to everyone that hung around with us and made us feel as welcomed as always. We’ll look forward to seeing everyone once again in 2010.
Blog Entry, 10.17.09
The Sly Fox
The cool chill of fall was in the air last night as we arrived at The Sly Fox. Not having performed in a club setting for some time we knew that our fans were going to be ready for a long night of rock and roll.
We quickly transformed the empty duct tape covered stage into a reasonable facsimile of a rock and roll show. The guys were soon ready to sound check but I discovered a technical glitch with my guitar rig which unfortunately caused me undue stress and also set me back with my make up preparation. We quickly ran through one song to get things close to where we needed them to be and it was off to the dressing room. By this time a decent crowd had started to gather and the adrenalin began to flow. Cramped in our beer…I mean dressing room, we really do get ready in the room where they store all of the alcohol for the club the rest of the guys were well ahead of me in the prep. But I rose to the occasion and we all crossed the finish line neck and neck. To be honest, all I have to do is a lousy star on my face, right Andrew?
So just before 10:30 we began the short walk to the stage. An enthusiastic crowd greeted us with many new faces looking back this time. We sometimes find ourselves so pumped up when we hit the stage that we seem to race through our opening set faster than we would like to. But tonight we kept the tempo of each song very steady and the show worked out very well. Once again we performed our two newest songs…Modern Day Delilah and Tears Are Falling. Many fans agreed that we perform the new KISS single very well and that’s a great compliment for us. It’s very gratifying to know that our hard work with this new material is reaching the fans in that way. We have talked at rehearsal about which other songs from Sonic Boom we’d like to try and add to the show. Once we narrow it down and begin rehearsing which ever song it is we’ll be sure to add it to the live show soon after.
I can’t say that this was our best effort but it had some shining moments for sure. A number of clichés come to mind but in the end it gives us something to work towards. I’m certain that many that attended the show went home with a satisfied feeling and a renewed sense of why they listened to KISS to this day. I did meet a very nice couple after the show ended that told me this…they came to the show with some friends and really didn’t know much about KISS. By the time the show was finished they were thrilled with what they had seen and wanted to know more about KISS and will definitely be coming to see us again. Mission accomplished.
Blog Entry, 09.26.09
A Homecoming KISS - Cadillac, MI
As I begin writing this blog I quickly become aware that I will struggle to put into words exactly how I felt this past weekend in Cadillac. It seemed like only yesterday that Jim Neff and I starting putting the blueprint together for what would ultimately become one of the defining moments in our bands history. A tremendous amount of anticipation surrounded us for the ten months leading up to this show. Let’s fast forward to Friday, September 25th. We had arranged with a good friend of ours to travel in style for this weekend on his motor home complete with a 16’ trailer. This way everyone could sit back and relax and take in the 6 hour trip into northern Michigan.
I must interject that Cadillac wasn’t our only stop along the way. We did manage to catch the opening night of the KISS tour at Cobo Hall as well but that’s a completely different story in itself. So after leaving the KISS show we continued our trek north into Michigan arriving at our destination just before 4:30 AM on Saturday. Everyone quickly grabbed a few hours of sleep before we were on our way to the high school for our load-in and sound check.
Jim met us at the high school with a great group of friends that also doubled as MR.SPEED roadies for the day. Their help was invaluable. We turned a quiet and empty auditorium stage into a lurking monster about to unleash it’s fury on an unsuspecting victim. Before long we were almost ready to go. Our vocals were giving us a problem so we took a break and headed into town to be the guest judges at a “70’s style” dance competition. Back at the high school we put the finishing touches on our sound check. We then all took some time to grab lunch at our favorite restaurant in Cadillac called Maggie’s Saloon.
By now it was closing in on 3:00 PM and the show was five hours away. We gathered back at the high school and put the finishing touches on all of the incidentals associated with the show. Also along for the trip this weekend were three friends of ours that were collectively working on two different video projects for us. Dustin has been employed to create our new promo video. Jim Sweeney and Lynn Ischay are working on a short film or documentary about MR.SPEED. I also must mention that Karen and Pete Menyhart were there too taking hundreds and hundreds of photos making sure that we documented this momentous occasion with still photographs as well.
We wanted to make sure that we took advantage of our time with Karen so we put together a photo shoot in one of the school hallways. In the end we discovered that the worst time to try and accomplish a photo shoot is on the day of a show. Things really didn’t go as planned and we all sort of felt a sense of emptiness as time ran out on our opportunity. By this time it was nearly 6:30 PM and Jim had arranged for us to meet with a group of VIP’s for photo opportunities. Many city officials and alumni posed for pictures with us including the 1975 Homecoming Queen and even Coach Dave Brines. Mayor Bill Barnett and his wife Denise were there too.
Bill would be instrumental during our show as he would accompany Andrew on piano for a very special version of the KISS classic “Beth”. The photos were finished and the show was about to begin.
Electric anticipation was in the air as over 700 fans packed the auditorium seats for our show. Not since October of 1975 had there been quite this same feeling running through the halls of Cadillac High.
At precisely 8:00 PM a special video segment from Kissology1 was played on a giant video screen above the stage.
As the video ended the curtain opened and we hit the gas and headed for “Detroit Rock City”. Through the darkness we could see many painted faces throughout the crowd. Not quite to the magnitude that KISS may have seen but surreal just the same. After a few songs Joe enticed the crowd to come up to the stage and really let loose and that’s exactly what they did. From the final notes of “Do You Love Me” the room was filled with the intensity of Tiger Stadium and Cobo Hall all wrapped into one. It was very apparent to us that these fans had waited a long time to see something that would resurrect the magic that KISS brought to their town some 34 years earlier. As with each show we strive to add something special not only for the fans but for ourselves as well. In the few weeks leading up to this show we began rehearsing two new songs to add to the show. They were “Tears Are Falling” and the soon to be KISS classic “Modern Day Delilah”. The reaction to both songs was overwhelming and you can be sure that these two songs will become staples of our live show from now on. With each song that we performed the crowd seems to get more and more into it. Their responses to our songs at times were deafening. It was sad to know that with each song that the end of the show was drawing near. Before we finished in our usual fashion with “Rock And Roll All Nite” we presented Jim with his very own honorary membership in MR.SPEED. We presented him with a plaque commemorating the special event. It was a tremendous pleasure for me to do this and it was a special moment between Jim and our band that we will always remember. We closed the show with everyone giving it their all. The call and response between us and the crowd has never been so loud.
As an added surprise we showered the first few rows with gold streamers as the final chorus of the song began.
Afterwards we met with almost 100 fans for photos in the lobby of the school. The biggest thrill in meeting the fans came when a student from the ’75 class handed us each an original KISS flyer that the band threw out of the helicopter as they left the football field at the end of that historic visit. We were blown away, truly the coolest way to end an amazing day for us all. Exhausted and exhilarated were the feelings that came over me as I made my way back to the dressing room after the show. I can only hope that the outpouring of appreciation for our tribute will bring us back to Cadillac before another 34 years passes us by. I miss them already…
Blog Entry, 08.22.09
Holmes County Fair
For anyone that knows what it’s like to grind it out during the work week like we do the weekends offer us the best therapy that we could hope for. As is typically the case when we have an outdoor performance the wind is usually swirling. As we arrived at the Holmes County Fair for our first ever performance there we were met with beautiful blue skies. The stage was set on a grassy field that was separate from the midway full of rides and concessions. As is typically the case with a fair the aroma of manure could be sampled quite frequently even with the wind beginning to pick up as evening drew near.
We found ourselves with a little bit of a time restraint seeing as there were two other bands performing before us. So we all worked together and set up our show in record time…I believe it was pretty close to a half an hour. We were extremely pleased with our progress but I’m sure that the band that performed right before us was less than enthused. Nonetheless we transformed a rather unattractive stage into one that was chomping at the bit for some classic KISS. Once we were set up we took in a quick meal and relaxed before beginning the make-up process at 7:30.
Darkness fell just before our show was about to begin. The temperature also dropped which seemed quite unusual for the end of August. But once we hit the stage a great crowd was awaiting us. Many young fans had their faces painted with their favorite member's design. Once again KISS and MR.SPEED tee shirts could be seen throughout the crowd. We wanted this show to be a stand out performance seeing as we would be taking a few weeks off before our next event. Kicking off the show with “Love Gun” everything seemed to be right on track. The sound was very good and the initial reaction from the fans was extremely positive. Quite a few familiar faces were among the crowd along with many that were new. The young fans can’t ever seem to get close enough straining for a better view or even a guitar pick. One woman even held an infant right in front of the stage. The amazing fact about this was that the child was unaffected by the sight of us or the volume that was pouring forth from our Marshall amplifiers. Andrew tried some new pairings of songs for our set list including one that had us play “Watchin’ You” into “Hotter Than Hell” and then into “Shout It Out Loud”. One of the drawbacks to performing live at times is the adrenaline rush that we get when we’re on stage. We really try to pace ourselves so that the tempo of the show remains even all the way through. But inevitably we find ourselves adding extra songs to compensate for the energy rush. We managed to add “War Machine”, “I Love It Loud” and “I Stole Your Love” to the delight of the fans that were requesting many different options to us.
As the show drew to a close we brought the fans remaining closer to the stage. Smiles could be seen on many of the faces as they sang along to “Rock And Roll All Nite” with us. The temperature didn’t seem to matter much any longer. Fists were pumping in the air creating enough energy to light a small city. As my boots came to rest on the stage from my last leap of the evening we gathered with a good number of fans for photos near our merchandise table. The response from many expressed a sincere hope that we will return to the fair again next year. I met with many on the committee after the show and the likelihood looks very promising that we will return. We look at that as another victory for both KISS and our tribute to them. We’ll look forward to our return next year and to seeing you there as well.
Blog Entry, 08.14.09
Rally in the Alley
After having not played for some time we were chomping at the bit to get back at our “live” show. But this wasn’t going to be just any show. This show is the show in town especially because two of us live here. With each outdoor show we keep a close eye on the weather forecast to make sure we know what we’re in for. Thankfully the rock gods were smiling on us as we brought the show to the alley behind the Main Street Café in Medina, OH.
We were somewhat reluctant that we would be able to fit our whole show on the stage after having attended a few previous performances to sort of scope things out. But all of our worries were laid to rest once we arrived on Friday afternoon. We fit our show perfectly on the stage and the sound and lighting crew that worked the show with us could not have been nicer. We really want to tip our hats to them for a job well done. Our dressing room was set up in the back room of Woodsy’s Music, a great local music store next door to the venue. Thanks to Greg and Brad for all of their help in keeping us cool and helping us to get into our gear for the show.
Our show was split into two sets. We hit the stage right at 7:30 for the first hour of our set. A very good crowd met us as we exploded into “Detroit Rock City”. It didn’t take long for our on stage antics to be sweat covered from the near 90 degree temperatures that persisted into the early evening. There were lots of KISS and MR.SPEED tee shirts strewn throughout the crowd which always makes us feel good. It’s very satisfying to know that what we’re doing as a tribute to KISS is bringing fans back time and time again to see us. I could tell by the faces that were staring back at me that a good bit of the crowd at this point wasn’t quite sure what to make of us. So we turned it up a notch as the first set came to close with a smoking version of 1977’s “Love Gun”.
We took a much longer break than normal which is customary for the event each week. So from 8:30 – 9:30 we met with fans by the side of the stage. There we posed for photos and signed tee shirts and 8x10’s. By this time the crowd was growing in size. It was becoming difficult for us to maneuver among them to accommodate the requests that many of them had. Soon it was time to retake the stage for the second half of the show.
If you listened closely you could almost hear the needle drop on the record of “ALIVE!” as we tore into “Deuce” to start the second half of the show. For any performer it’s extremely satisfying to know that what you believe in so much is making an impact on the fans that are coming to see you. By this time the crowd has swelled to an unbelievable number with some fans even daring the heights of nearby rooftops just to be a part of the show! This night we witnessed an amazing display of emotions as Mother Nature and the KISS Army met at the holy church of rock and roll for one unforgettable night. By the time we brought everyone to the climax of the show with “Rock And Roll All Nite” it was very evident that our long wait to be a part of the Rally had paid off. Everyone will attest that this will most definitely not be the last time that classic KISS is brought to the alley just off the main square in Medina. I guarantee that when it returns it will be brought on the platform boots and chrome covered drums of it’s hometown KISS-heads…MR.SPEED!
Blog Entry, 07.10.09
Ritz Theater
The last time that we performed in Tiffin, Ohio was just about 10 years ago. So I guess you could say that this show was long overdue. The eight months of preparation and waiting for this show to arrive went by with the blink of an eye. There we were on the stage of the Ritz. What a beautiful place. It truly is a gift to be able to play at places like this. The stage held our back line and KISS sign perfectly almost as though we were meant to play there. Of course we weren’t the only band performing but in our minds the only band that mattered. For this show we were sharing the stage with a local tribute to AC/DC and Draw the Line, a tribute to Aerosmith.
Our set up routine seemed effortless and our sound check was an absolute treat. The PA sounded great and the feeling that came over me as I stood on the stage was one of real accomplishment. In true MR.SPEED fashion we arrived on time and got right to work. Once our set up was complete we had time to take in a local pizzeria for a pre-show meal. Back at the venue shortly thereafter we put the final touches on our gear and our instruments before heading back to our dressing room. The Ritz was set up with not one but two dressing rooms so we had plenty of room to set up our kits and lay out our costumes. Our show time was on the earlier side at this show, 7:50 PM and our set was to last 75 minutes. As usual our normal banter took place as we got into our “war paint” for the show. By the way…don’t leave your cell phone unattended in the dressing room. Everyone was ready with time to spare so we made our way to the stage a little earlier than planned. The crowd was beginning to sense the start of our show and we began feeding off of their energy. As our intro concluded we ripped into “Love Gun”. The crowd was stunned at first with many showing looks of shock and amazement. We didn’t hold back and as each song passed we could feel the crowd beginning to loosen up. Joe’s smoking guitar solo seemed to be just what we needed to ignite the flame. We put together a set of KISS classics knowing that the crowd was looking for the songs that they knew the most. But in true MR.SPEED style we did add “Mr.Speed” to the list as a result of an on-line fan vote that was held prior to the show. When we played “Lick It Up” it seemed that the flood gates just burst open. Fans began dancing in their seats and pumping their fists in the air. From there Rob dug deep for an extended version of his blood routine just prior to “God of Thunder”. Andrew seized the moment to add an impromptu drum solo as a prelude to the finale of the show that included “Detroit Rock City” and “Rock And Roll All Nite”.
Sometimes you don’t want to see the show end and this was one time that I had hoped for just that. I was very happy with our performance and I felt that we left the fans wanting more. We quickly exited the stage and gathered in the main lobby. There we met with fans for photos and autographs. It seemed that many of the fans that met with us were extremely pleased with our performance, many seeing us for the very first time. Overall we really had a great time being a part of this event. Since we have retuned home we have had a few emails from fans that already are asking us when we’ll be back in Tiffin. Time will tell and I hope that it won’t take as long between show dates for us to do just that.
We want to thank George Vastag for his passion and desire to put on a show like this for the fans. George is just like us…he’s a fan too. We hope that in the end your Relay For Life team gets one step closer to helping those in need to see a brighter future.
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