When was the last time you were star struck? can you remember? have you ever been? Well I can...and I'm gonna tell you - whether you are bothered or not! ;-)

At approximately 8.35pm on Tuesday 2nd March 2010 - the unstoppable Rock and Roll behemoth that is KISS took the stage at the O2 Islington Academy and promptly proceeded to blow my socks off for the next 75+ minutes. Not since seeing my all time favourites Megadeth for the first time back in 1997 in a tiny, cramped LA2 Astoria have I felt such a rush from watching 4 guys create such effortless and perfect live music. A room rammed with 500 die-hard KISS Army recruits only served to heighten the atmosphere and create a feeling of belonging that only rock and roll can do!

But let's backtrack a brief moment and quantify that bold opening by recounting my experiences of the other 2 gigs I also recently within the space of 2 weeks - Metal giants Mastodon and Machine Head.

Machine Head were in your face...and your ears and your nose and your chest - basically any part of your body not sound-proof to a PA of a million decibels! Yes, that's right, I thought it was TOO LOUD to hear the music properly! That didn't stop Machine Head's PA from making my heart feel like it was going to explode through my chest from minute 1.

"Harumph, grumble grumble, old git..."

etc etc..yes I am north of 30, yes I have partial tinitus in my ears and yes I (usually) wear ear plugs these days.

I should point out I have no problem with loud music, I don't mind it being loud but if you cannot make out the majority of the guitar parts and vocals over the drums and bass I struggle to enjoy it so much.

Often hailed as the people's metal band, the crowd’s reaction more than laments this - serving to help you forget that on this night the sound is not as great as it could have been. Fortunately, Robb Flynn is on top form as the proverbial Puppet Master. His outstretched arm conducts the frenzied crowd of willing marionettes to “HEAD BANG MOTHER FUCKERS!” during anthem Davidian to which you feel compelled to comply! Few front men have such a handle on their crowds beyond the atypical cheering and singing. When Flynn says “JUMP!” you damn well better obey!

Contrasting starkly with is are Mastodon who ripped through their critically acclaimed LP "Crack the Skye" (plus a smattering of other classics) without so much as a "good evening!” I don't think they spoke until the gig was done and they were saying goodnight! Not that this was a bad thing, as I fully concur that breaking up said masterpiece with idle chit-chat would only destroy the ambiance. The album itself took on a whole new level of attitude live and the sound-man deserves high praise for creating a great clarity in the mix - despite the multitude of layers and effects present. My lack of knowledge of their earlier material was the sole reason I did not get quite so much out of part 2 but nevertheless it was an impeccably precise performance, albeit without the same sense of belonging as at Machine Head. This was definitely a gig I would happily sat down for and been engulfed by the music.

So we have one show with average sound but great crowd atmosphere vs another with much improved clarity and precision - yet lacking that sense of 'brotherhood' between band and fan base.

Enter KISS, with nearly 40 years experience under their 7 inch platform shows, battle armour and makeup to show the youngsters how it should be done. For me, this was the perfect balance of showmanship and musical talent that produced something that even now I still smile just thinking of. Being 10ft from the icons of Rock and Roll is an image I will happily take to my grave and few others can say that as this was their smallest gig circa 1975!

Donning my full Gene Simmons makeup, singing arm-in-arm with total strangers is what this is all about. If you want a mere taste of the atmosphere youtube will reveal all.

A penultimate song confetti display, courtesy of some giant CO2 canons, whilst spectacular, deprived the group of oxygen meaning the set ended several songs short. This did nothing to dampen the evenings impact on me. Watching a man of 60 years old strut around the stage whilst effortlessly banging out classic songs that have not aged a day should leave anyone in awe - especially compared to the relatively statuesque performance from Mastodon which no amount of awesome Mullet hair-dos can make up for.

I still profess that 75+ mins of KISS on such form is greater than 99% of everyone else playing for 2 hours! All I know is that as the final notes rang out inside Islington Rock City, I just wanted to "Rock & Roll All Night, and Party everyday!"

In short, I am inspired to quote an old saying that my father would often throw at me during my younger years when he had successfully bested me at various sports / activities,

"Age and experience will always triumph over youth and enthusiasm"

And that my friends is why you can "KISS" the rest goodbye! :-)

Love & Bruises

The Beadle