The last several years, Bruce Kulick has been a guest on the KISS Kruise. Like for the past 3 Kruises, Kulick was accompanied by Brent Fitz on drums, Todd Kerns on rhythm guitar and vocals and Zach Throne on bass and vocals. For the attendees, Kulick’s sets have been one of the highlights of the Krusies. On this particular Kruise, his band did 2 sets. We will focus on the 2nd set that was played inside the Stardust Theater for this particular review.
Opening up the night was the track “Exciter.” Even though this song was written before Kulick’s time in the band, it’s still a non makeup era song and the track hasn’t been played since the ‘Lick It Up’ tour back in early 1984. An exciting way to open up the set (no pun intended). The band dove into the deep end right away by tackling the heavy “Unholy.” On this version, Kulick’s licks were just as tasty from back on the Revenge tour (if you were lucky enough to see it). Throne handled vocals for this tune and all the Gene Simmons songs and has that deep dark voice that truly resembles the God of Thunder himself. Three out of the next four were songs off the ‘Asylum’ album. It was a surprise to hear “Radar For Love” as I believe this has never been attempted to be played live by KISS. Kerns has a high enough register to tackle the tough to sing Paul Stanley vocal tracks. Along with a dynamic voice, Kerns wins over the audience every time with this stage presence. He constantly thanked everyone for being on the Kruise. You can tell he is generally happy to be performing these songs live. The edgier “Thou Shalt Not” was brought back by the Kulick Band to be played again for this Kruise. It was first performed for the only time ever live back on KISS Kruise 8. So playing it again was twice as nice. A love theme medley from Kulick was up next with both “Radar for Love” with the only makeup era song in the set with “Makin’ Love.” The 2 bonus tracks off of ‘Smashes, Thrashes and hits’ followed. Again, these songs barley have seen the light of day. They both were fun to hear live. Some of the crowd reenacted the video pose’s Stanley made famous during Kulick’s performance of the song ;’Let’s Put the X in Sex.” KISS drummer Eric Singer took Fitz’ spot behind the kit for “Domino.” Kerns remarked, “That it was a thrill for him playing with half of the ‘Revenge’ lineup on stage.” One of my favorite non makeup era KISS songs is “Jungle.” It’s always a treat to hear this or any other song off of “Carnival of Souls” album. I believe the highlight of the set might have been “All Hell’s Breaking Loose.” I know lots of KISS fans been dying to hear KISS play this live for years so it was a pleasant surprise to hear Kulick’s band do it live for the Kruisers. Its been almost 30 years (November 24, 1991) to be exact that former KISS drummer Eric Carr lost his life to cancer. Kulick didn’t forget his former band mate and friend with a tribute to him. The band did “Carr Jam” in his honor. The continued with the ‘Revenge’ theme by playing a medley that consisted of “Paralyzed,” “Spit” and “I Just Wanna.” Of course, the set was ended just like we were back on the KISS Alive III tour back in 1993. This is where Kulick would end the set with his rendition of the “Star Spangled Banner.”
KISS has a huge catalog of songs to choose from so it would be virtually impossible to do every song or even do as many deep tracks as the diehards would like to hear. So, having former guitarist Bruce Kulick on board doing a lot of the non makeup songs with a few other tunes scattered in, is really a win win for everyone who attends the Kruise. Let’s hope they continue to bring them back because along with KISS’ set, Kulick’s sets remain a highlight of the Kruises as well!
Setlist:
Exciter (KISS song)
Unholy (KISS song)
Tears are Falling (KISS song)
Who Wants to be Lonely (KISS song)
Thou Shalt Not (KISS song)
Radar for Love (KISS song)/Makin’ Love (KISS song)
Let’s Put The X in Sex (KISS song)
(You Make Me) Rock Hard (KISS song)
Domino (with Eric Singer- KISS song)
Jungle (KISS song)
All Hells Breaking Loose (KISS song)
Forever (KISS song)
Revenge Medley: Carr Jam/Paralyzed/I Just Wanna/Spit (KISS songs)
Star Spangled Banner (John Stafford Smith & Francis Scott Key cover)
