Gene Simmons – Surf Ballroom – Clear Lake IA – May 2nd 2018

By Kyle Hansen 7 years ago

Gene Simmons Band Rocks the Surf Ballroom – Clear Lake, IA – May 2, 2018

Last night was something special.

If you’re a KISS fan and haven’t seen Gene Simmons’ solo band live yet, you’re seriously missing out. On May 2nd, 2018, Uncle Gene brought his powerhouse lineup to the legendary Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa, and absolutely blew the roof off the place.

This wasn’t just another gig — it was the start of a new run of shows, and Gene came out swinging. He played with passion, freedom, and a little mischief — clearly loving the chance to dig deep into the KISS vault and beyond. When Gene’s the boss, he plays what he wants, and as fans, we get rewarded with a show that’s raw, real, and refreshingly unpredictable.

A Band Built for Rock ‘N’ Roll

Gene’s band? Absolutely incredible. These guys don’t just back him up — they bring the thunder. With three guitars, the sound was even heavier than your typical KISS show, and every riff hit with force. They nailed the classics, tore into deep cuts, and gave everything a little extra bite.

You could tell they’ve been reworking the setlist, and the result was a mix of all-time favorites and a few true rarities — including one straight from The Vault. (If you haven’t checked it out, head over to GeneSimmonsVault.com — it’s a treasure trove for fans.)

I’ve been to over 40 KISS and solo shows, and still heard songs tonight that I’d never experienced live. That’s how you keep the die-hards coming back.

Rock Stars and Real Moments

One of the best parts about a Gene Simmons solo show is how personal it feels. He interacts with the crowd, tells stories, and best of all — brings fans up on stage to sing with him. Tonight, he invited people up during:

  • Do You Love Me

  • I Love It Loud

  • Rock and Roll All Nite

And yep — I got lucky enough to be up there for Rock and Roll All Nite. Nothing like singing that anthem on stage next to a legend. It was loud, wild, and pure fun.

We even got to hang out with the band before and after the show. Super down-to-earth guys who clearly love what they do. Huge thanks to them for the stories, the laughs, and the killer performance.

Setlist Highlights

Gene gave us a monster setlist, packed with hits, deep cuts, and a few surprises:

  • Deuce

  • Shout It Out Loud

  • Are You Ready

  • It’s My Life

  • Calling Dr. Love

  • I Love It Loud

  • Love Theme from KISS

  • Long Tall Sally

  • War Machine

  • Fits Like a Glove

  • Sweet Pain

  • She’s So European

  • A World Without Heroes

  • I

  • Charisma

  • Let Me Go, Rock ’N’ Roll

  • Rock and Roll All Nite

Final Thoughts

Gene Simmons might be best known as The Demon from KISS, but on this tour, he’s showing a different side — one that’s looser, more personal, and still totally committed to rock ‘n’ roll.

Whether you’ve seen KISS a dozen times or you’re brand new to the scene, go see Gene’s solo band. It’s heavy, nostalgic, and full of surprises — and it just might be the most fun you’ll have at a rock show this year.

Tags: , ,