KISS Scandinavia Tour'96.
Fra 'Kiss Army Norway Magazine' #5 - 1997

STOCKHOLM - Friday - 6th December
Kiss Army Norway followed Kiss on the Scandinavian part of the reunion tour, and in this report you can read about all the important events during Kiss's stay in Sweden and Norway as well as all the exi­ting details.
Stockholm were first stop. And we arrived the Stockholm Globe Hotel which is actually connected to the Globe Arena where Kiss were going to play the same day. The hotel were packed with Kiss fans from all over Europe. And in Stockholm, it was Kiss hysteria more than in any other place in Europe. For a Kiss-fan it was just like coming to heaven. All radio-stations were playing Kiss, they had lots of Kiss-fans interviews and contests. All the largest news-papers had Kiss-specials inside. In the record-stores there was a lot of different promotion material to see. But not as much Kiss merchandise as you find at a Kiss Convention. Kiss Army Sweden were arranging their third annual Kiss Convention at Heartbreak hotel/King Creol from 2.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m, so that was of-course where we were going to spend most of the day.

At the convention it was the usual Kiss-stands, music, videos, a Kiss coverband and of course a lot of Kiss fans with make-up. The Swedish coverband « KYSS» were the band to perform.They wasn't that good, neither in look or in musical skills, but some songs still rocked. They also played some rare songs like Naked City, so they were still fun to watch. Compared to other conventions the Kiss conven­tion in Sweden wasn't as great as we thought it would be. But it was a nice warm-up before the concert any-way. Another treat that day were when we had lunch at the Globe restaurant. Through walls of windows that face the arena, we sat down and watched the Kiss crew setting up the Kiss-stage. And what a stage!

When we came back to the hotel, the lobby looked like a mad-house. It was people all over the place, painted up in Kiss make-up, walking around among businessmen in suits and ties. It was hysterical funny.
It was now time for us to enter the Globe Arena together with 14.000 people which all had bought a ticket within' 47 minutes. The Arena were huge and very nice. Most of the audience got a decent seat here. It wasn't that different from the average arenas in USA.

We almost couldn't wait for Kiss to come on, but first we had to listen to opener Nerve Pipe> for about 30 minutes. They ended the set with a heavy version of Strawberry Fields, before the houselight finally went on. The arena was at this point filled up to the last seat. The atmosphere were magical. It was soon to happen. But before Kiss was all ours, they were in all their glory meeting up with a huge press-crowd backstage

KISS PRESS-CONFERENCE STOCKHOLM
Kiss haven't given many interviews during this tour, and only 3 press-conferences have been set up. The first one was when Kiss announced the reunion tour in New York City in April last year, and in August were Kiss holding another one for the European press at Donington. The 3rd press-conference had to happen in Stockholm. Because in Sweden Kiss sold out a total of 25.000 tickets for their shows in Gothenburg and Stockholm within' 53 minutes. And the 70.000 tic­kets for the two concerts at Stockholm Stadium this summer, sold out in a total of only 8 hours. It was very hard to get an invitation to the press-conference this time, as the record company only gave access to the biggest newspapers and TV-Channels. But Kiss Army Norway was of course represented.

Our Swedish friend Niklas Olsson was one of only two present from the worldwide Kiss Army. Niklas Olsson tooke us backstage at The Globe Arena only 20 minutes before the concert were about to start.

Eight o'clock and Kiss came in looking just as spectacular as always. Ace started it
all with German regards, saying "Wie Gehts?", before he started to laugh about his mistake.

Paul:You have to excuse Ace, he doesn't always know which country he's in.

There's a rumor that say that you have already written a contract for another two studio albums with this line-up?
Gene: We can't answer those questions now. But at one point we'll take a break, sit down and go through our material. We have thought about doing it, but it will have to wait a while.
Paul: We haven't decided to record any new music yet, as we're in the middle of a sold out world tour. And as you know, the first show in Sweden this summer was the fastest selling concert in sweden's history.

Don't you think you are getting a little old for this?
Gene: As old as you are babe. How does that feel? Peter: It has nothing to do with age?
Ace: Rock'n roll keeps you young!
Paul: Questions like that usually comes from a little bit of jealousy, and that's not very flattering for you.

You have released 3 live records. Alive I, Alive II and Alive III. Will there be released a Alive IV?
NO say everybody at once.
Paul: Everything might change, but the truth is that there is so many re-rele­ases with old songs now, so the only interesting thing now would be a studio record.

Gene and Paul; you recorded the album "Carnival Of Souls" together with Bruce and Eric right before this tour, while Ace recorded a studio-record last winter. Will these records be released?
Ace: I think it depends on how long we will stay together, and I'm sure that's the answer for the album that Gene and Paul did with Bruce and Eric as well. We have all a lots of songs that have never been released, but there is no chance for us to release it now that we are back together with make-up.

I have heard that you are planning to release a CD-box next year with a lots of rare recordings? You also recorded a album before "The Elder» which have never been released?
Gene: No that's not true. There will be a CD-box, but it won't come out this year and it won't come out next year. We have been working on it for some years, and it will be a lot of cool things on it. Ace: A lot of heroin-tracks (laughin').
Gene: Ace is back!!

There is a lots of rumors about you. They say that there will be a new comic book, a new Kiss movie, and new Kiss dolls?
Paul: Anything is possible, but right now are we concentrating on being a band. In the beginning we had so much merchandise that people sometimes forgot that we were a Rock'n'roll band. We won't let that happen again.

Peter, what have you been doing when you were not in Kiss?
Peter: I kept busy, I have kept playing. When your not in the limelight, people think your dead. I have made some noise, I made a couple of records. Nothing big, but I have had a good economy, so I didn't have to worry about that.
Ace: And you have been living under a pier. (Gene and Ace started to laugh, referring to the fake story that "Star magazine" published about Peter being a house-less bum).
Peter: After this interview I am going to shot Ace. He's really on tonight.

Peter, how does it fell to be back in the 'Kiss-business'?
Peter: It feels so good to be back with the boys again. We are like a family, and they feels like my brothers. You know, I have know them for 24 years. I thank God every day that I got a second chance.

There have been a lots of bands that have had their reunion this year. Have you had any regrets that you decided to have your reunion this year?
Gene: Yes, we're sorry that we are about to earn our first $100 million dollars. The truth is that there is a time were the bands realize that there is good to stop hating each other, and instead get together again to earn some money. But for us isn't money a good enough reason. We did a reunion because we really like each other.

That's it This short press-conference was over and Kiss left the room walking out on their 7 inch platform boots. Kiss Army Norway and Niklas Olsson would like to give a big thanks to Eva Kovacs at Polygram, Sweden for the invitation to this press-conference.

LIVE IN STOCKHOLM - "Globen" - 6th DECEMBER 1996.
The atmosphere in the arena were incredible, people started to do "the wave", and it seemed that everybody were in mood for a real good time. The wave went on for about 5 minutes, and ended when the houselights went off and everybody were on their feet with their hands in the hair.

At the same time were the Swedish TV-company ZTV following Kiss during the two last minutes before they went on stage. Gene, Paul, Ace and Peter were standing together in a room with their security and tour managers. They were doing the last thing to get psyched up before the show. They all put their hands together and one of the people in the Kiss crew started to talk . "This is the first show in Stockholm. You're playing to 70.000 people. You are going to get out there, and for 2 long hours you are going to kick ass". They all put
their fist to the air, as they screamed as loud as they could. (It was of course not the first show in Stockholm and it was not as many as 70.000 people there, but this was how they warmed up). As Kiss was walking down the corridor to the stage, the security director Andre Augustine said through his headphone communication-microphone; "it's time to turn of the ligh"t. Kiss was ready and Kiss could hear the fans screaming as the houselights went down.

Out in the arena we stood screaming so our faces turned blue. Several spotlights were circulating around the arena and onto the huge Kiss stage-curtain that were hiding the stage. Then the famous intro began; ALLRIGHT STOCKHOLM!!! YOU WANTED THE BEST, YOU GOT THE BEST, THE HOTTEST BAND IN THE WORLD KISS!!!!!!!
We could hear Paul's guitar start of with the opening riff for 'Deuce', and then the hole band came in as the stage-curtain drop to the floor while smoke-bombs lit off. There they were. Rock'n Roll's only real cartoon superstars. They looked amazing as usual, and the huge video-screens gave everybody a real chance to see all the breathtaking close-ups.

But what was really appreciated this night was the incredibly great quality in sound and the musical performance. The band were a lot tighter than what they were when we saw them at Donington. They all worked real hard on stage and we knew it were going to be a special concert. The band went into 'King Of The Night Time World', before it were time for Paul to say "Hello Stockholm, how are you doing tonight". And the response from the audience was amazing. I got a question for you said Paul, and used it as a introduction to the next song; 'Do You Love Me?'. The light-show were great, and we enjoyed every minute and every classical Kiss song that they cranked up.

Paul did the usual introduction to the next song; "this song is about a drink, it's not about 'Gløgg'. I love 'gløgg', (Scandinavian drink that is a tradition at Christmas time) but this song is about..." and everybody knew what to scream; 'Cold Gin'. Gene shared the lead vocal on the song with Ace (the guy who wrote the song. Who else?).

First in 'Firehouse' were we treated to one of the pyro-antics that this show brings. It was time for Gene to breath fire. At the end of the song started the fire-alarms, while the stage were covered with smoke and Gene took to mid-stage with a burning sword in his hands, putting it to his mouth before he blew out a big ball of fire. Before the next song said Paul; "I don't know much Swedish, but I can look at that girl and say; jag gillar din rumpa (which means I like your ass). Don't let us down Stockholm, because we have waited so long to come here. Now it's time for us to put the pedal all the way down to the metal". 'I Stole Your Love' blew us away with pyrotechnics and the Kiss logo flashing.

Many people have been afraid that Ace wasn't up to doing this tour, but they have proved to be wrong. VERY WRONG!! A reunion tour with Kiss couldn't have been done without Ace Frehley performing 'Shock Me' . Ace were incredible. All the solos and all the moves were there 110%. In this song as well as all the others. 'Let Me Go Rock'n Roll' were another proof that Kiss's music can stand alone. But why should it when you can have Rock'and Roll and Star Wars at the same time?. More fireworks and flashing Kiss logo brought us through 'Shout it Out Loud' which were one of the songs where people really did sing along. And the response wasn't worse when they played the next song.

Before they started it, said Paul that they had broken all records in Sweden when they put out 34.000 tickets for their summer show. The show sold out so fast, so they were going to ad another show on Sunday, June the 15th. It hadn't been officially been announced before so you can imagine how crazy people got. "When we're coming back we wanna see all of you there, bring your friends, bring everybody cause we wanna rock'n roll Sweden". The next song were dedicated to all the people who were going to one of the summer-shows. 'I Was Made For Loving You' were next.

The Video screens came to it's place when it was time for Gene to drool blood. It was funny seeing people in their mid 30's getting real exited about this horror part of the show. We were kids again. We had come to one of the highlight of the show. The Demon Simmons gargled blood before he put his bat-wings to the air and flew 15 meter over the stage-floor, and landed at a podium above the light-system. Gene sang 'God Of Thunder' from here, while flames shoot out from the light-rig. As in the old days were Peter's drum-solo in the mid of the song. More fireworks took us through 'Love Gun' and '100.000 Years'.

It was time for 'Black Diamond' and a discoball over the stage started to roll as the light made a cool effect in the whole arena. At the end of the song went Ace and Paul out on a platform on the right side of the stage as Gene took to a plat-form on the other side of the stage. BANG!!! Peter and his drumkit started to rise while the platforms brought Gene, Ace and Paul up and out in the air over the audience. BANG!!! and another BANG!!! Kiss were lifted back to the stage before Paul said "We love you Stockholm, Good Night!!!"

Kiss left the stage, but we knew there were more. "WE WANT KISS!!!! WE WANT KISS!!!!" The 4 solo albums covers morphed on the video-screens, but it was the real Kiss we wanted. After a while where KISS back, and Paul said; "Do you love us?? Cause we love you! You have made us feel awesome tonight If you come here and spend a lots of money to see a band, and you don't get what you have paid for. Pick up the phone and call us, and we'll be there, because you deserve the best. The next song is about a city that rocks, it's about you".

Everybody knew that they were going to hear 'Detroit Rock City'. Then it was time for Peter Criss to sing Beth, and it were easy to see that he really enjoy being back in Kiss. 'Rock'n'Roll All Nite' ended the show with more pyro, a confetti-rain, and Paul breaking his Ibanez PS-10 signature guitar. Kiss left the stage, and the video screens showed the text "Tack Stockholm".

LIVE IN GOTHENBURG, Saturday - 7th December
Next day we were heading for Gothenburg. And on the way we were reading the newspapers Kiss reviews about the Stockholm show. The two largest newspapers in Sweden had real different opinions about the show. 'Expressen' wrote that the concert had a lot to offer in musically quality, while the show wasn't that impressive. 'Aftonbladet' said that the show was incredible, while Kiss didn't have to much to offer as musicians. Well 2 points 2 here, gives full score.

As we had seating tickets in Stockholm, we were now ready to sweat a couple of hours down on the floor in front of the stage at Scandinavium. As the day before Kiss came on stage at 8.45 sharp. And again everything were at 100% perfection, the sound were great, and so was the show, but nothing could beat the night before. One rememberable moment was when we stood right in front of Gene while he drooled blood. He had this intense satanic look, and at that moment were we convinced that it was the devil himself. We were all seven years again. Ace looked a little tired and Paul didn't get that close to the audience with his talk between the songs. One of the funny things about standing in front at a Kiss concert is to try and catch guitar picks, drumsticks and towels. Or you could go for the gold medal; the guitar that Paul breaks before he throw the pieces out in the audience.

LIVE IN OSLO, Sunday - 8th December
Approx. 4.10 p.m. Kiss's private jet-plane landed at Fornebu airport in Oslo. And through the V.I.P. entrance (GA-Terminal) Kiss were guided out to the cars. The arrival were confidential, but about 10 people were waiting for a glint of their heroes. A black Mercedes minibus and a white Chevy van drove them right to Oslo spectrum where they had their soundcheck done. Then they were transported to Royal Christiania Hotel, where they were going to stay for two nights. Kiss were in town and all the bars and clubs played Kiss music. It had been Kiss vorspiels everywhere all weekend. We in Kiss Army Norway had our 'Kiss Reunion Party' at Rockefeller Music Hall together with 1300 Norwegian Kiss fans. And it proved to be a great warm-up before the big event that everybody were waiting for. Kiss videos, karaoke, make-up contest, giveaways and the Kiss coverband 'Parasite' made the clock go a little faster this afternoon.

But finally The concert at Oslo Spektrum were going to be a little different from the usual Kiss-shows. The setlist was the same and the show was the same, but Gene, Ace, Peter and especially Paul seemed to be very relaxed and lose this night. They all seemed to be in a real good mood. Paul were very impulsive during the talk between the songs and he came with some cool and funny comments. Before 'New York Groove' Paul said that he felt that we all were a family, and that they now felt like Norwegian. We are proud to be Norwegian he said before he asked, "don't we look Norwegian", and everybody started to laugh. In the introduction to 'Love Gun' Paul told us that Norwegian girls gave him Norwegian wood. And in the mid-drum part of 'Rock'n Roll All Night' while Peter, Paul and Ace were wearing a Viking-helmet Paul started to sing the old classical disco song which go "We are family, I got all my sisters with me". Gene started to do this kind of crazy 'John Travolta disco moves' as they all went out in a big laughter. Gene couldn't keep his face straight, and it was hysterical to see him laugh like that with his make-up on.

Out of the three Scandinavium concerts the Stockholm show were the best, but the Oslo concert were undoubtedly the most fun show. Kiss played quite some mistakes during the Oslo show, but they didn't seemed to care, they were really having fun this night. It was no faking.

After the show were Gene spotted at different bars in Oslo including the place 'Barokk' where he were chasing women. And one of the girls that he swapped spit with this time were Linda Johansen, the nudemodell and editor for the magazine 'Lek' (Play).

Paul were spending time with his wife Pamela Bowen Stanley and their son Even Shane. Ace and Peter stayed for the most part at the hotel.

Monday - 9th December
Kiss were in their hotel-rooms with a dat-recorder, recording radio-promos for the Australian-tour that they were doing in January. Maybe they got some spare time for Christmas shopping in Oslo as well? Gene and Linda Johansen went out for dinner at Costa, and the news was brought out in the newspaper VG the day after.

Tuesday - 10th December
As the interest for Kiss exploded again, when they reunited with the original line-up, it have been very difficult to get close to the band. Even Polygram, Kiss's record-company in Norway didn't have to much to do with the Kiss members themselves. Kiss did not give any interviews during their stay in Norway, since we didn't manage to get a real appointment with the band through the management or the record company, Kiss Army's Cato Kristiansen took a trip to the hotel to get in touch with the members themselves. Cato tells you what did happen when he met up with Peter Criss.

I met Peter in the hotelbar. I had never personally met him, so I introduced myself before I sat down. Peter was friendly and nice, but he said that I had to respect his day of, and said that he didn't want to talk about Kiss. (Oh no!!! The only thing I didn't want to hear)....But we still had a long and nice talk about everyday things. Peter is indeed a very happy man today, and he told me about life with his new girlfriend, and about the land that he had bought in Hawaii. He plans to build a home for his old days there. (no more living under a pier!) bla, bla, bla.

We couldn't stay in the twilight zone forever, we had to get into the subject Kiss sooner or later.
So Peter told me that the record-company pushed for Kiss to go in the studio, but that the band had not decided anything yet. He also said that he was very pleased with the concert in Oslo. "We really had a good time, and it became quite funny when we started to run around with the Viking helmet on" said Peter. "Someone from the crew got it from a fan, and he started to tease me that I didn't dare to take it on when I were going out on the stage during the encores. So I did, and it seemed to be quite successful. I guess we all had it on during Rock'n Roll All Nite". Well there ain't much more to tell about this little conversation with Peter, but it was huge to meet the one and only member that I haden't yet meet. After a handshake and some autographs I was on my way out. And lucky me...In the lobby I ran into Paul and Gene. Paul shaked my hand very polite before he asked me what I thought about the Oslo show? I said it was a fantastic show and that they looked more relaxed in Oslo rather than in Stockholm or Gothenburg. They seemed very pleased and were in a good mood when they left the hotel. Paul together with his wife and son. I was pleased as well. Can you imagine?

It was time for Kiss to leave Oslo. An old white bus brought Ace, Gene and Peter from the hotel to the airport while Paul, Pamela Bowen Stanley, their son Even Shane and Andre Augustine drove a rented Mercedes 500 SC. Gene were sleeping with his pale white face up against the window in the bus. Was it the Norwegian nudemodel Linda Johansen that had kept him up at night??? They all went straight ahead out on the plane-field and Paul carried his son on his arm. Paul and Pamela was hugging and kis­sing the hole time. Paul's little boy wanted to look at daddy's private airplane, so Paul lifted his son up, so he could touch it. Paul had to say good-bye to Pamela and Even because they were staying in Oslo for another night. They were going back to New York the next day. It was of course not easy to get any pictures of Kiss unmasked, as they just want to be promoted as Kiss with the make-up again. But the private Kiss airplane were caught on film. The clock were 2.05 p.m. and Kiss were on their wings to Holland. But it wasn't as sad as it could be, cause it was only six months to the Kiss European summer-tour, which we already had tickets for.