Gallery & Review: Gene Simmons at the Arcada Theatre 5/3/18

Gene Simmons

5/3/18 – Arcada Theatre – St. Charles, IL.

By Bradley Todd 

            While rock and roll icons KISS are on hiatus, founding member Gene Simmons hasn’t let that stop him from getting his rock on, playing solo dates since late last year. Gene is certainly out there for fun, as I’m sure the income generated from a club tour isn’t necessary for his survival at this point. But, as is often the case, Gene does have something to promote – the Gene Simmons Vault Experience, which is an actual vault of old and rare musical recordings never before released, along with many bonus items (details can be found here: http://www.genesimmonsvault.com/vault-experience), not to mention the opportunity to receive your “vault” from Gene himself.

(show gallery below)

So while the solo tour does include KISS hits, it also mirrors the vault in the sense that he and his band perform KISS deep cuts and rare covers, the kinds of songs you won’t see in a KISS setlist anytime (full set list of 5/3/ show below).

The solo show itself is a loose spirited affair with Gene engaging the crowd verbally and also inviting members of the audience up on stage during three separate numbers to sing, dance and hangout. Gene and the band are good sports during the fan participation segments, and will mug for selfies and videos while playing the songs. It’s a brave undertaking for a musician of Gene’s stature, but results in a lot of fun and good will amongst those lucky enough to get onstage.

And while the players in Gene’s band are not household names like he is, they are excellent players in their own right and make for a great supporting cast. The band consists of the three guitar players from Nashville’s Thee Rock ‘n’ Roll Residency (https://www.theerocknrollresidency.com/about):  Jeremy Asbrock, Phil Shouse, and Ryan Cook. The group is rounded out by journeyman drummer, Brent Fitz (www.brentfitz.com).

SETLIST:

1. Deuce
2. Shout It Out Loud
3. Are You Ready
4. It’s My Life
5. Calling Dr. Love
6. I Love It Loud
7. Love Them From Kiss
8. Long Tall Sally
9. War Machine
10. Fits Like A Glove
11. Sweet Pain
12. Do You Love Me
13. A World Without Heroes
14. I
15. Charisma
16. Let Me Go, Rock ‘n’ Roll
17. Rock And Roll All Nite