Fans don sequins and makeup for a once-in-a-lifetime movie date
By KIERAN GRANT/Canadian Press
HAMILTON -- They usually leave performing to the band, but KISS's faithful fans got a chance to act out at Copps Coliseum yesterday.
About 3,000 devotees and curious onlookers joined the veteran schtick-rockers in a climax concert scene for the upcoming, KISS-inspired movie Detroit Rock City. The film, which stars Terminator 2 and American History X's Edward Furlong and is produced by tongue 'n' bass wielding KISS leader Gene Simmons, has been shooting around the Toronto area for the past two months.
Yesterday's shoot recreated a 1978 KISS show, with Copps standing in for Detroit's Cobo Hall. True to "KISS Army" regulations, many extras came bedecked in KISS's trademark kabuki makeup, sequin-spangled capes and platform boots. The stands were filled with reasonable facsimiles of Simmons, singer-guitarist Paul Stanley, lead guitarist Ace Frehley and drummer Peter Criss, while the real group performed half-a-dozen takes on stage, lip-syncing to their 1976 hit Detroit Rock City with full lighting and pyro effects.
Other extras wore retro-style clothing and hairstyles to help create a late '70s concert look. Vintage, felt KISS pennants and banners added a nice touch.
Detroit Rock City is a comedy about four teenaged buddies who go through a hellish obstacle course of disapproving parents, lost tickets and muggers to see their favourite band in concert.
Darryl Andrews, 28, could identify. He made the trip with three pals from Newmarket in full KISS regalia. "We came here in the spirit of what the film is about," said Andrews, who added that he's been to 17 KISS concerts. "This is the music we loved as kids. It's always been with us."
Nine-year-old Vance Michaud wasn't there the first time around but has managed to see KISS three times since. He came dressed from head to foot as Ace Frehley, whom he got to meet when he was pulled on stage between shots. "It felt good, I almost cried," Michaud said. "I was in the front row, and one of the security guards asked me if I wanted a guitar pick. I said, 'No, I want to meet them.' "
KISS cover band Hotter Than Hell acted as stand-ins earlier in the day. Once the real KISS emerged, they served as ideal cheerleaders, whipping up the crowd and staying "in character" between shots. With a keen eye for detail, Simmons saw to it that out-of-date costumes -- ie a 1997 Simmons Halloween mask, 1979 body armour -- were removed.
Guitarist Stanley was particularly "on," even managing at one point to convince a svelt extra to remove her KISS top. A harried production assistant intervened before she could remove her bra. For his efforts, the assistant received a solid round of booing from the crowd -- and Stanley.
Later, it was Stanley who got booed when he got his geography confused. The same assistant was on hand to remind the singer he was in Hamilton, not Toronto.
"We were going to film this in L.A.," Stanley told the audience. "But audiences up here in Toronto are so awesome. You're the real thing, Hamilton."
I bet he says that to all the cities.
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