Frehley’s
guitar blasts Kirby
Photo courtesy of JA Donnelly |
Backed by a polished and energetic
band, former KISS guitarist delivers
By ALAN K. STOUT
MUSIC ON THE MENU
WILKES-BARRE – Ace Frehley
must like Northeastern Pennsylvania. On Saturday night, the former KISS
guitarist and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer performed in the
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton market for the sixth time as a solo artist, dating back
to 1985. This time, he was back at the F.M Kirby Center, where he had also
played in 2016. And, like last time, he rocked the joint pretty good.
Frehley took the stage to the
sound of “Fractured Mirror” – an instrumental piece which closes his 1978 solo
album - filling the theater. He then opened the show with “Rip It Out,” the
opening track from that same album. “Parasite,” from KISS’ second LP, “Hotter
Than Hell,” followed, and chances are it probably wasn’t the first time Frehley
performed the song on that same stage, as KISS had played the former Paramount
Theater twice in 1974.
“How ya doing
Wilkes-Barre?” said Frehley after the second number. “You ready to rock?
The answer was ,”Yes,” and
Frehley then tore into 1979’s “Hard Times,” a KISS gem that deals with Frehley’s
teen years and the tough street life of the Bronx. Frehley offered an extended
solo during the number, aptly displaying his lead guitar skills which have not
diminished over the past 40 years.
One of the highlights of the show was Frehley’s new backing band, most of which he discovered last year while doing some shows with former bandmate Gene Simmons. Three members of the unit - guitarist/vocalists Ryan Cook and Jeremy Asbrock and bassist/vocalist Philip Shouse - had previously backed Simmons at some of his solo concerts. Frehley was impressed and hired them. The three additions, along with longtime drummer Matt Starr, give Frehley one of the best bands he’s ever toured with. The triple-guitar attack bolstered his sound and the harmonies were spot-on. Frehley was also generous to the musicians, allowing them take lead vocals on some numbers and solo. That, and their own charisma, made the concert experience even more enjoyable.
One of the highlights of the show was Frehley’s new backing band, most of which he discovered last year while doing some shows with former bandmate Gene Simmons. Three members of the unit - guitarist/vocalists Ryan Cook and Jeremy Asbrock and bassist/vocalist Philip Shouse - had previously backed Simmons at some of his solo concerts. Frehley was impressed and hired them. The three additions, along with longtime drummer Matt Starr, give Frehley one of the best bands he’s ever toured with. The triple-guitar attack bolstered his sound and the harmonies were spot-on. Frehley was also generous to the musicians, allowing them take lead vocals on some numbers and solo. That, and their own charisma, made the concert experience even more enjoyable.
A churning performance of
“Watching You” also connected with the KISS faithful and during a performance
of the new “Rockin' With The Boys” Frehley frequently tossed guitar picks into
the audience.
“It’s starting to get hot up
here,” said Frehley, while taking off his blazer about five songs into the
show. “I don’t want to pass out like I did last time.”
The comment - referring to
his 2016 performance at The Kirby, during which he became ill, had to cut
the show short, and was treated for dehydration at Wilkes-Barre General
Hospital – drew a chuckle from both Frehley and the crowd. On this night,
however, all was well, and Frehley and the band then ripped through
guitar-heavy renditions of “Rocket Ride,” "Mission To Mars” and “Strange Ways,”
the latter of which featured another extended guitar solo. ”2,000 Man,” a song
written and first recorded by The Rolling Stones, but has become a signature
song for Frehley, also got one of the night’s biggest cheers.
“I’m looking out there and I
think I see a few rock soldiers,” said Frehley, before launching into “Rock
Soldiers.” The anthem-like song, which appeared on 1987’s “Frehley’s
Comet” album, remains a fan-favorite and also had the crowd singing along. And
for his performance of the 1978 hit “New York Groove,” he brought out his
famous lighted guitar which pulsated to the beat of the song. It, too, had
plenty of fists pumping in the air.
It was during “Shock Me,”
however, that Frehley showed his fans why he is the quintessential lead
guitarist. Sure, he hauled out his trademark smoking guitar for a part of the
solo, which made for a fun visual, but it was what he played that seemed to
impress the crowd the most. It was one of the longest guitar solos Frehley has
ever performed, full of both beefy riffs and quick playing. Frehley was already
a guitar hero to many before the “shredders” of the ‘80s arrived on the music
scene, and that’s never really been his style, but on Saturday night, at least
for parts of his solo, Frehley was shredding. It was almost as if he was just
having some fun showing off. And it was impressive.
The set ended with a pounding
rendition of “Cold Gin,” which also featured an extended guitar solo.
Encores included “Detroit
Rock City” and “Deuce,” and it is when you see Frehley tearing through the guitar
parts of “Deuce” that you realize how important he was to KISS’ initial
success. His sound is very much the sound of KISS “Alive,” the band’s now classic
1975 breakthrough album, and it is clearly a sound that he still holds dear and
can still deliver.
Ace Frehley apparently
likes Northeastern Pennsylvania.
And apparently it also likes
him.
Another good show from the
Spaceman.
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This story also appears in The Times Leader newspaper and can be read online here:
https://www.timesleader.com/features/lifestyle/748533/frehleys-guitar-blasts-kirby
------
This story also appears in The Times Leader newspaper and can be read online here:
https://www.timesleader.com/features/lifestyle/748533/frehleys-guitar-blasts-kirby
Alan K. Stout has covered rock and pop music in Northeastern Pennsylvania since 1992. His weekly radio show, “Music On The Menu,” airs every Sunday from 9-10 p.m. on The River. Reach him at musiconthemenu@comcast.net
Very accurate. . Ace and this new band are a great combination!
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