Introduction

A decent show but better ones exist from this tour.

Background

This was the eighth show of the twenty date North American leg of the Unplugged/Convention tour in 1995.

Video Specifics

Tripod shot from the back of the room. The main problem I have with this show is the lazy filmer. At times, the camera is put on one band member regardless of who is singing or what else is going on. Also, the filmer seems to some sort of fixation with Gene since he gets a large portion of screen time.

The Show

Comin’ Home- well played but a little too much screen time for Gene, if you asked me. There is a short cut before the next song but it is done almost seamlessly.

Goin’ Blind- not the greatest version from this tour. The camera focuses on Paul for most of the song.

Do You Love Me ?- at the start of this song, Paul picks up a piece of paper and attaches it to his mic stand. At first, I though it might have been the words to the song. However, at the end of the song, Paul discards the piece and paper and it looks to be some sort of picture. This version isn’t too great. Paul’s vocals sound tentative and unconvincing.

Sure Know Something- the audience sings most of this song. Someone’s handheld video camera briefly gets in the way during the song. This version might have been best had Paul simply sung the song instead of letting the fans sing.

Strutter- a rare Unplugged performance of this classic. This version is well played but since it has been played so often over the years, I can understand why it wasn’t played more on this tour.

Plaster Caster- there is a short cut before this song but nothing is missed. The camera focuses on Paul during the second verse. Generally, well played.

Got to Choose- a long, lost classic gets a faithful playing by the band.

Christine Sixteen- Gene says “ Is your name Christine ? That’s why you want to hear it. You ain’t sixteen, baby ! ’’. A solid version by all concerned. Prior to the next song, Paul says “ meet Andre Augustine, the fifth member of Kiss. He’s almost on stage as much as we are ’’.

Hard Luck Woman- Paul introduces this song as such; “ you’ve heard it on Rock and Roll Over and Kiss My Ass, now here’s another way ’’. In the background a fan says “ and on Alive 2 ’’ and Paul says “ right. I’m sorry ’’. This version is decent but Paul’s vocals are not great by any means.

Domino- instead of his “ mansize predicament ’’, Gene says “ mansize pepperoni ’’. Gene thinks that the audience will sing but they are less then stellar in support. A more enthusiastic crowd would have helped here.

C’mon and Love Me- the camera stays on Gene for nearly the entire song but it is amusing since he has fun with some female fans by tonguing the microphone.

Just A Boy- the only Convention tour performance of this song. Paul introduces it as “ this is definitely for the diehards ’’. He sings the spoken word beginning but can’t remember the rest. The audience remembers the first verse but can’t remember the rest either. The song is then halted.

World Without Heroes- Gene sings the whole first verse then stops and says “ We’ve never played this live so give us a chance ’’. Since this song was played at practically every Convention show, Gene is clearly fibbing. They start the song again and play a decent version.

Room Service- the camera is on Gene and Bruce most of the time even though Paul is singing. Paul’s vocals aren’t very convincing and he forgets a few words throughout the song. The song is ended prematurely toward the last part of the song.

Take Me- they play about half the song then abort it for some reason.

Nothin’ To Lose- clean vocals and good guitarwork are the highlight of this version.

Rock Bottom- the band plays a few bars of Larger Than Life then Paul plays the guitar intro to I Want You, the band finally settles on Rock Bottom. Well played and one of the better songs of the show. After the song, Paul puts a guitar pick in his mouth and lets a female fan take it out, the guitar pick that is.

See You Tonight- on the Convention tour, Gene, surprisingly, always seemed to nail the vocals on this song and this version no different.

Larger Than Life- a few audience members stand up and practically scream for this song. The band attempts it. Gene gets a few lyrics then breaks down and simply says ‘ we don’t know it ’’. The song is aborted before it ever really gets started. Put this one down under the “ songs attempted ’’ category.

I Still Love You- good vocals by Paul but unfortunately, the camera stays on Gene for most of the song.

Lick It Up-prior to this song, Gene makes a comment about the “ audio guy ’’ being asleep and the microphone guys “ taking there time ’’. The audience participation begins with a guy singing most of the song, Paul helps him with some of the lyrics.

Callin’ Dr. Love- Gene motions “ up ’’ to the one of the crew members in reference to either the bass volume or mic volume. The audience seems to know this song as they sing along.

Cold Gin-

Hide Your Heart- Paul sings most of this but his vocals seem a little tentative at times but they get better as the song goes along. After the song a woman gives Gene a kiss (perhaps the same woman that the Christine Sixteen comment was directed at before ?)

I Love It Loud- surprisingly, the audience doesn’t seem to know the words to much of this song unlike other performances on this tour. Paul and Bruce have a bit of fun during the solo with both of them actually getting off their chairs. The crowd stands up and thus the view isn’t too great. The camera pans around the room and it looks to be one of the smaller crowds on this tour.

Rock and Roll All Nite- the crowd is still standing and they do a better job of singing. The camera moves to the side of the stage, which gives us a better view. The tape ends with the band signing autographs, and posing for pictures. Some of the displays are shown and Gene makes a couple of pointed comments about a few Marvel employees while flipping through an issue of Marvel Classics.

Overall

A decent performance is marred by very mediocre camerawork. If you’re a fan of Gene or would like to hear the rare Unplugged performances of Strutter and Just A Boy then this video is for you. Otherwise, you should look elsewhere for a better Convention show (i.e. Los Angeles, Detroit, Montreal, or New York just to name a few). Overall, a 6 out of 10.