It all happened march 17th 2007 in Helmond in The Netherlands. It was my second time I saw the band and here’s my review of this rockin’ day…
With some friends/visitors of my site and a Dutch KISS-forum we met early around 1 p.m. at the venue where the ESP gig and KISS Expo would be take place. Before the start of the expo we first get to a restaurant for soemthing to eat ect. This was also a opertunity to talk to eachother besides on forums. So these pics show you a part of the gang…And as you can see, we had a lot of fun!
Around 5 p.m. we where back at the venue and we checked out the mini-expo. There was still all kind of KISS items for sale. Also Keith from KISSonline had some cool stuff with him. I talked a with him and thanked him for putting my topic about my Ace Frehley Sideshow Figure on his site. Keith compliments me on my weblog and that he really enjoyed my work. Also the whole day people came up to me saying how much they liked my website and that’s always nice to hear that people appreciate it!
A little bit later it was time for ESP’s soundcheck and this is something you usually never get to see. Bruce, Chuck & John testing their guitars and Eric checking his drums out. Also they played We Are A American Band…
Chuck during the sound check. Below: Bruce & Eric and some small talk on stage…
A while after the soundcheck was over it was time for the Q&A with only Eric & Bruce. They talked about their current projects (like the third solo CD from Bruce K3) about what kind of drummers & guitarist they liked and of course there were a lot of KISS questions, most of them has been asked on many expo’s before, so not much news here. So here are some answers: Bruce was never asked to fill in for Ace. Eric believes there will be 1 more world tour before all ends and about a new album, he says; you never know…Also Eric said that KISS planned to come to Europe in 2001 and that they’ve booked/scheduled a tour 3 times that year, but Ace didn’t want to do it…But that was in 2001, it’s now 2007 and still no European tour (yet)
After the Q&A session it was now time for the meet & greet signing session with also only Eric & Bruce and, oh boy, it was chacotic again (this happened also 2 years ago when ESP played in Helmond) Totally no good organisation again and with a hired secrurity who didn’t know what to do than pull fans away from the signing table! Eric & Bruce stayed there for almost 3 hrs to sign items for the, about 500 fans who showed up!
Always cool as ever…Mr. Bruce Kulick & me…
So, after all this it was finally time for ESP live!!! They played a lot of the songs from their, just released, ESP – Live At The Marquee DVD so here’s the setlist: Four Day Creep, Watching You, Love (I Don’t Need It Anymore) Unholy, Schools Out, Sweat Leaf, Jungle, Domino, Dancing Days, Nothin’ To Lose, War Machine, Maybe I’m A Leo, American Band, Power To The Music, I Love It Loud, encores: Black Diamond & Tie Your Mother Down. Bruce even played a little bit of Hate. They had a lot of fun on stage, especially with John’s whore story…Those who where there knows what I’m talking about…Chuck "The Beast" Garrick who does a great Gene impression when he sings, Bruce cool guitar playing, John’s interactions with the crowd and of course Eric on the drums!
My favorite part of the show was during Jungle when both Eric & John playing on the drums…
And before I knew it, it was al over. I enjoyed the show, ESP played a good setlist, the sound was good and the guys had a lot of fun on stage! After the concert almost all the people left the venue and we stayed there to get a drink and after a little while Chuck, John, Bruce & Eric showed up and talked, signed stuff and take photo’s with fans (there where maybe 80 people still there) So here are mine…
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Mr. Eric Singer & Me…
Mr. John Corabi & me…
And Mr. Chuck Garric & me…
Above you see my ESP photo, signed by all members!
BTW this report is also posted on the official Japanese Eric Singer Site in Japanese of course!