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%U ©amtcock You wanted the best...You got it by John Huiett and Jonathan D iJ n a g i n The Gamecock KISS exploded onto the stage amidst tire and smoke Saturday night at the North Charleston Col iseum for their last-ever American performance. This show capped a career that spanned 27 years, produced 21 gold and platinum albums and thrilled millions of fans. And if the slogan proclaimed by KISS on the back of their Farewell Tour T-shirt, “Legends Never Die,” is any indication of their stay ing power, they will be recognized by generations to come. The four Ieather-and-makeup-clad rock veter ans descended, as if front the heavens, for their clas sic show-opener “Detroit Rock City,” and then pro ceeded to kick up their seven-inch heels for.a two hour and 15 minute set. They stormed through song after song from their extensive repertoire including “Deuce,” “Lick it Up” and “Shock Me.” While critics and sour-faced rock elitists have historically panned KISS, their fans have re iuaiiieu luym anu biuauiabi. This fact was not ignored by the band’s ring leader, vocalist and rhythm guitarist, Paui Stanley, who chose to make it the theme of tltfc evening. “In 1996, when we were going to do the reunion tour, they said it would never work,” Stanley shout ed. “Well, Charleston, you proved them wrong!” Stanley, 50 years old but not looking a day over 25, paid homage to the fans between every song, while the words “We love you” flashed on giant video screens on either side of the mammoth stage. But when the band wasn’t expressing gratitude for fans’ support, they were grinding out raucous rock anthems set to an amazing stage show. In fact, the show itself was more impressive than the band’s musical ability. Dressed in steel and spikes, bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons breathed fire during a siren-capped “Fire house” and vomited blood before being flown to a lighting truss above the audience to growl through “God of Thunder.” Additionally, lead guitarist Ace Frehley’s guitar started smoking and was flown above the stage. Lat er, he shot lasers from the headstock of his sparkling guitar, exploding portions of the overhead lights. Drummer Peter Criss, with a single black tear added to his Catman makeup to convey sadness that this tour would be the band’s last, served as the snow s tpundation. He never missed a beat as he wore a wide grin throughout the setTand he displayed a gripping abil ity for vocals during his performance of “Beth.” Despite the highlights from other band mem bers, the night belonged to Stanley, whose power ful pipes belted out song after song, waling through high notes with rich vibrato as his body slithered and humped across the stage like a cross between a cobra and a Vegas stripper. He took to the air during “Love Gun,” flying out' to a smaller stage in the midst of the crowd where he entertained and excited fans into a fren zy. Unfortunately, the show wasn’t free of disap pointments. While Frehley began the set playing with precision, his performance disintegrated its the show progressed. He missed cues, played sloppy guitar solos and was wobbling on his platform boots and shouting gibberish into the microphone by the end of the show. The explanation for this c;une from Stanley, who pointed to Frehley near the end of the show, and said simply, “So drunk.” But sloppy guitar playing did nothing to detract from the overall performance and meaning behind « Special to The Gamecock Rock ‘n’ roll legend KISS performed its final American concert on Saturday at the North Charleston Coliseum. Mia s last snow. 1 ne atmospnere it prouuceu was felt throughout the crowd and alluded to several times by Stanley as “the spirit of rock and roll.” This spirit took hold of the band, who, near the end of their set, began toying with the audience by launching into a hilarious set of aborted song efforts. Included among these were attempts at “Wild Thing,” “Secret Agent Man,” the James Bond theme and even a few of KISS’s own tunes, while Stanley pleaded for help from the audience. Simmons, Frehley and Criss even treated the crowd to a few square dance steps as they let down their guard and do-si doed between their final few songs. As the show was wrapping up, many in the crowd begged to hear the song that had become KISS’s trademark. With a sly grin, Stanley led the band into their final American performance of “Rock and Roll All Night,” which ended with both Stanley’s guitar and Criss’s drum kit in pieces. However, the band’s reputation as one of the most exiting and powerful live acts in the history of rock ‘n’ roll remained well intact. The spotlight desk am he reached at gamecockspotlight@hotniail.com. re looking for thinkers, not just their diplomas. Create a future with us. For more information, join us at our Information Session on Tuesday, October 10 at the Capital City Club, 1201 Main Street, 25,h Floor. Undergraduate presentation 6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m.; Graduate presentation 7:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m. You may also visit our Web site or contact John Flutto at (800) 776-6411. Attire is business casual. You know you're more than a piece of paper. 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An equal opportunity employer. ^ t>•', Movie Times Camlike Wynnsong 10 5320 Forest Drive, 782-8100 Autumn in New York (PG-13) 2:00, 7:30 Bring It On (PG-13) 2:00,4:30,7:15, 9:30 The Cell (R) 2:00,4:30,7:00, 9:15 Get Carter (R) 2:00,4:30, 7:00, 9:15 God’s Army (PG)4:30,9:30 Hollow Man (R) 1:00,4:00,7:00,9:30 Nurse Betty (R) 2:00,4:30,7:00,9:15 Scary Movie (R) 1:30,4:15,7:00,9:15 Space Cowboys (PG-13) 1:00,4:15, 7:00,9:30 The Watcher (R) 1:30,4:00,7:00,9:15 What Lies Beneath (PG-13) 1:30,4:00, 7:30,10:15 Columbia Mall Cinema 8 7201/802 Two Notch Road, 788 7664 The Art of War (R) 2:15, 4:50, 7:15, 9:50 Backstage (R) 9:40 Rut (R) 2:10,4:40,7:10,9:45 Bring It On (PG-13) 2:30,5:20,7:40, 10:00 Nutty Professor 2 (PG-13) 2:40,5:10, 7:30 The Original Kings of Comedy (R) 2:00, 4:30, 7:00,9:30 Turn It Up (R) 3:00, 5:00, 7:20, 9:20 Urban Legends 2 (R) 2:50, 5:30, 7:50, 10:10 The Watcher (R) 2:25,4:45,7:05,9:25 Columbiana Grande Stadium Cinemas 1250 Bower Parkway, 407-9898 Almost Famous (R) 1:30,2:15,4:40, 7:15,9:50,10:00 Bless the Child (R) 1:45,4:20, 7:20, 9:40 Bring It On (PG-13) 1:15,3:20,5:30, 7:45, 10:00 The Cell (R) 1:45, 4:25, 7:10, 9:50 Coyote Ugly (PG-13) 1:15,3:30,5:45, 7:55, 10:05 Digimon (PG) 1:20,3:15,5:10, 7:10, 9:00 Duets (R) 2:15,5:05, 7:20,9:45 Highlander: Endgame (R) 1:15, 3:30, 5:30,7:30,9:35 Hollow Man (R) 1:25,4:15,7:15,9:50 Nurse Betty (R) 2:00,4:30,7:05,9:30 Saving Grace (R) 2:00,4:30,7:15,9:30 Space Cowboys (PG-13) 1:20, 3:50, 6:45,9:20 The Watcher (R) 1:45,4:00,7:30,9:45 Dutch Square 14 800 Bush Rivfer Road, 750-3576 Almost Famous (R) 1:40,4:10, 7:00, 9:30 Bait (R) 1:50,4:45, 7:15,9:45 Bring It On (PG-13) 2:10,4:30,7:40, 9:50 The Cell (R) 1:40,4:10, 7:40, 10:00 Digimon Digital (PG) 2:00,4:10,7:10, 9:15 Get Carter (R) 2:10,4:30,7:30,10:00, Meet the Parents (PG-13) 1:50,4:30, 7:20.9:45, The Original Kings of Comedy (R) 2:00, 4:40,7:20,10:00 Remember the Titans (PG) 1:30,4:00, 7:00,9:30 Scary Movie (R) 2:30,5:00,8:00,10:10 Space Cowboys (PG-13) 1:30, 4:20, 7:10,9:50 Urban Legends 2 (R) 2:00, 4:20, | 7:50,10:00 Tire Watcher (R) 2:20,4:40,7:30,9:45 What Lies Beneath (PG-13) 1:30,4:15, i 7:00,9:40 Nickelodeon Main at Pendleton, 254-3433 The Color of Paradise 7:00, 9:00 .-• Js ■ x.'r~tvrr_.r-'^>^•.' . v« -ft, ■».,— .■ ^ .. ..IIIW Mil lrwn.ir„i,n«mTm»|- irra—ITr *» ■«-,.* ,^L. , , ■, El Check these out...All Week! “These Hands Don't Hurt” Interactive display supporting efforts to end domestic violence Monday - Friday, I tarn - 1:30pm, Greene Street Sponsored by Sexual Health and Violence Prevention Voice Your Opinion! Message Boards Student opinions on current campus issues Monday - Thursday: Ham - 5pm, Russell House, 2ni Floor Lobby Sponsored by University Housing & Residence Education Creed Week Film Scries Monday - Thursday: Check your WRHA listings! “The Insider" and "City Hall" , (; Sponsored hv University Housing A RHA ' Clothing Drive Donate clothing for the Salvation Army Monday-Friday, boxes in Residence Hall lobbies Sponsored hv Alpha Phi Omega 1 Banner C ontest in Kesiaence nail lobbies Sponsored by National Residence Hall Honorary '_ - - - Tuesday •“Decorate Halls for the Fall” - Community Service Project for Christopher Towers Retirement Facility 6 - 8pm, Blue Room, Russell House, next to Golden Spur Sponsored bv Omega Phi Alpha ' 'rif T, 11 •“The Birdcage, Gamecock Style” 8pm, Russell House Ballroom Sponsored by Carolina Productions and the Bisexual Gay Lesbian Alliance •Community Media Literacy Series: “Killing Us Softly 111” - Advertising’s Image of Women 7:00pm and 9:00pm: Panel discussion following the 7:00pm show Nickelodeon Theatre (corner of Pendleton and Sumter Streets) Admission is free but a $5 donation is appreciated! An ongoing community series organized by the Columbia Film Society, made possible by funds from The Nord Family Foundation, South Carolina Arts Commission which receives support lrom the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Cultural Council of Richland and Lexington Counties. mVfTi uT^v Wi•■>.-■ WPw fc'^WfySW^^^Wffwt^fffW^gffWPWwwMHB—JmJiMM|Tl | 1WWM f iFWillifl'Bfi till11!FPP - fif■» it ;Aftnfcl* Im "AriBiKr ■MH >!>'iUi]lit1 iV1!ji ^.;^ ^f ;■ ^ i■. Thursday •Coffee House: Discussing our Differences by Sharing Our Common Experiences 6 - 7pm, Towers (Moore/Snowden) ... Sponsored by the University Housing Diversity Team j Wjn Q free junch ^ t^e | | Faculty House if you’re] Sponsored by Omicron Delta Kappa j One 01 three Students ----1 spotted wearing your U p |. » . , n Saturday I Creed Week Ribbon! | •Rally Against Domestic Violence 8:30 - 11 ant y meet in Finlay Park and march to State House grounds [.j Sponsored by Sexual Health and Violence Prevention and Sistercare 1 —■- ■ ■ ——— - —-- -^ i |p Carolinian Creed Week is sponsored hv the Carolina Student Judicial Council. \\i University Housing and the Office of Student Judicial Programs. For more information, please contact the Office of Student Judicial Programs.