KISS – AN ALTERNATE LIVE (DVD-R)

Description

Cobo Arena, Detroit, MI, USA 16th May 1975

　What is this?! This is amazing, absolutely incredible!

　This video was produced by an overseas fan, but its level of perfection is “completely official-grade”… no, “beyond official-grade”! In fact, it’s far better than most professional shots. Among all of our KISS collection, this is the most beautiful, the coolest, the most fun, and the most moving piece ever created!!

…I apologize for the sudden surge in excitement. However, it’s impossible to remain calm after seeing something like this. The true nature of this mind-destroying work is an alternate version of the masterpiece album “ALIVE!”, and at the same time, a video version. It is “another ALIVE!” constructed by combining the entire stereo soundboard audio with multiple video materials, centering on the Detroit performance recorded on the day of “ALIVE!”.

　Originally, ‘ALIVE!’ was planned as a live album based solely on the Detroit concert, but it was ultimately produced by editing together audio from four days of performances. This work is a real-life “what if” scenario created by overseas fans: “What if the Detroit concert had been officially released as is?” Moreover, it’s a powerful and ambitious work that goes beyond the boundaries of a live album, even achieving a video release.

　Before we get to the details, let’s start with some basic information. Let’s review the schedule from that time, which outlined the four days that formed the basis of ‘ALIVE!’.

● “HOTTER THAN HELL Tour”
– January 7th – February 22nd (14 shows)
● “DRESSED TO KILL Tour”
– March 19th – May 11th (28 shows)
* May 16th: Detroit show ←★Main focus of this work★
– May 17th – July 5th (24 shows)
* July 20th: Davenport (2 shows + sound check) ←★Here★
* July 23rd: Wildwood show ←★Here★
– August 2nd – 28th (10 shows)
● “ALIVE! Tour”
– September 10th – November 29th (17 shows)
* November 30th: Largo (Landbar) show ←★Here★
– December 2nd – December 31st (14 shows)

[An unparalleled level of production quality never seen even in official works]
　This is KISS in 1975. The Detroit concert that forms the core of this work is the day the band and producer Eddie Kramer recorded a sold-out show at Cobo Arena for their new live album. However, they weren’t satisfied with the final result, so they added other concerts afterward. Combining all of these resulted in the “ALIVE!” that we know.

　And this work is a realization of that “what if” scenario. The producers remixed the stereo soundboard recording of the Detroit concert included in the ‘ALIVE!’ box set, and supplemented it with soundboard recordings from other concerts for songs that weren’t performed in Detroit. In other words, they recreated the live performance of that time on the largest possible scale.

　And here’s where the real brilliance comes in. They’ve combined that massive soundboard with pro-shot footage from the Detroit concert, 8mm film, TV appearances, and material from the photo session at Michigan Palace the day before and the PV shoot, among other existing video footage, to recreate the full 93-minute live performance “with video.”

　What’s truly astonishing is the level of detail. Even the slightest movement of the mouth or fingertips feels perfectly synchronized. While some footage, such as 8mm film, differs from the actual performance, there’s absolutely no sense of incongruity. Footage unrelated to the live performance is switched in sync with the beat, making it look like a music video using documentary footage. This level of editing skill is beyond the level of a “fan’s hobby.” It’s the work of a professional videographer… no, I’ve never seen such precise footage even in official productions. This is what I meant when I said it’s “officially superior” at the beginning.

[Fully Official-Quality Stereo Soundboard Recording]
　Of course, the main soundboard audio is also of official quality. The main Detroit performance is a stereo audio remixed by the producer. Paul is positioned on the left and Ace on the right, in line with the standard of other KISS albums. A grit has also been added to Gene’s bass to emphasize the live feel. It is basically a raw mix that respects the “live” sound, with no overdubs like in ‘ALIVE!’. Minimal corrections have been made to the parts where drumsticks were dropped and tuning issues, but it is the real sound of the band at this time that is heard as is.

　In addition, some songs suffered from technical issues (such as snare wire malfunctions or dropped drumsticks), which affected the sound quality. Therefore, the drums were replaced with recordings from other performances. Furthermore, songs not performed in Detroit were added using soundboard recordings from the Davenport, Wildwood, and Largo shows. Let’s now summarize the usage at each performance.

● Detroit performance (16 songs + α)
– Rock Bottom / Strutter / Two Timer / Firehouse / Nothin’ To Lose / Got To Choose / Let me Know / She (Drums: Wildwood) / Ace Solo (Partially Largo) / Parasite / C’mon And Love Me / Deuce / 100,000 Years / Cold Gin (Drums: Wildwood) / Black Diamond (Drums: Davenport) / Rock And Roll All Nite / Let Me Go, Rock ‘n’ Roll (Ending: Wildwood)
● Others (4 songs + α)
– Largo performance: Ladies In Waiting
– Davenport performance: Hotter Than Hell (Vocals: Wildwood) / Drum Solo
– Davenport performance soundcheck: Watchin’ You / Room Service

…And that’s how it is. It’s put together with takes that don’t overlap at all with the official version of ‘ALIVE!’, making it a truly unique “another ALIVE!”.

　This is an unprecedented video production born from the passion and editing skills of overseas fans. The other world beyond “ALIVE!” is brought to life with a soundboard of official quality and video that surpasses official standards. The distinction between official and unofficial no longer matters. This is a shocking masterpiece that will surely reign supreme among all existing KISS videos. This is the birth of the ultimate video that you must confront with all your heart!

★An official-level video production created by overseas fans. It realizes the original concept of “ALIVE! made solely from the Detroit performance,” and includes songs not played on that day that were added from other performances. Furthermore, it utilizes every existing material to create the video. It is both “another ALIVE!” and “ALIVE! in video form.” Moreover, the level of production is even higher than the official works. This is the ultimate video that will surely become the greatest masterpiece in all of KISS video production.

1. Intro
2. Rock Bottom *
3. Strutter *
4. Two Timer *
5. Hotter Than Hell **** / ***** (vocals)
6. Firehouse *
7. Ladies In Waiting **
8. Nothin’ To Lose *
9. Got To Choose *
10. Watchin’ You ***
11. Let Me Know *
12. She * / ***** (drums)
13. Ace Solo * / **
14. Room Service ***
15. Parasite *
16. C’mon And Love Me *
17. Deuce *
18. 100,000 Years *
19. Drum Solo ****
20. Cold Gin * / ***** (drums)
21. Black Diamond * / **** (drums)
22. Rock And Roll All Nite *
23. Let Me Go, Rock ‘n’ Roll * / ***** (ending jam)

* Cobo Hall, Detroit, MI, USA 16th May 1975
** Capital Centre, Largo, MD, USA 30th November 1975
*** R.K.O. Orpheum Theatre, Davenport, IA. USA 20th July 1975 (Soundcheck)
**** R.K.O. Orpheum Theatre, Davenport, IA. USA 20th July 1975
***** Wildwood Convention Center, Wildwood, NJ, USA 23rd July 1975