Carbondale wanted the best and they got the best. The hottest cover band in the world, Strutter, brought its impeccable KISS act to Detours Sunday.

Dressed to kill in six-inch platform-sole boots and full KISS make-up, the band ripped the stage open with pyrotechnics and the bass-heavy classic Deuce. Not wanting to miss a beat, the band instantly fired up an exceptional rendition of Strutter.

With bassist Bill Sabetta, a.k.a. Demon Gene Simmons, wearing a studded leather cape and showcasing a flailing tongue, the crowd was convinced from the opening chords that the year was 1977 and this was in fact, the hottest band in the world. The only missing components were the dragon-tooth boots that Demon Gene wore back in the 70s.

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Bob Kise sported Ace Frehley’s mylar foil colored boots and vest he wears for the show. He played every note of each song with the accuracy of the original recordings. A guitar solo let him display his ability without the constraints of a rhythm section. He sped his fingers frantically up and down the neck of the instrument before working over the strings slowly for a bluesy contrast to the speed.

Crowd enthusiasm, rarely seen at such levels on a Sunday in Carbondale, fed the group the extra energy it needed to emulate what concerned parents called Knights in Satan’s Service.

From the hairy chest of Dino Pileggi’s Paul Stanley act to Andrew French stepping out from behind the drum set to sing Peter Criss’ Beth while tossing carnations to the crowd, this band was hotter than hell. Sabetta even had the ponytail on top of his head and the side-to-side head jerks to show it off, adding to the already perfect authenticity.

Sabetta’s bass solo was highlighted by a blood-spitting routine that left his made-up face stained red. Even better than the blood, the solo provided the overture for God of Thunder (And Rock n’ Roll). There was barely room enough for the fire-breathing act; flames rose to the ceiling before dissipating into blackened smoke.

Pileggi, messing with the crowd while setting up a song, asked the crowd what they turn to when beer is not working.

You roll yourself up a big joint, he said, answering his own question as he rolled up an invisible marijuana cigarette above his head.

And if that doesn’t work to bring you out of the dumps? he asked.

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The crowd, anticipating the answer, shouted Cold Gin in unison, and a pyrotechnic explosion kicked off the song.

Drunken spectators thrust their fists in the air as Sabetta sang the boozing anthem.

It’s cold gin time again/you know it will always win/You know it’s the only thing/That keeps us together.

The light and laser show was a mere sidebar to the heavy-duty rock Strutter unleashed on Carbondale.

By the end of the show, the crowd was screaming the chorus to Shout It Out Loud, pointing their fingers at the band while Sabetta and Pileggi hoisted their index fingers high in the air, physically announcing what position they were in. The crowd coaxed the band back on stage with their cheering to play the ultimate party anthem, I Wanna Rock n’ Roll All Night.

Strutter awaits pole position in the race to be the best cover band in the nation as rumors of a reunion tour with all original members of KISS lingers.

The opening band, Spellbound, warmed up the crowd with its own covers of traditional party tunes. AC/DC seemed to be a favorite of the band, and singer Tommy Strietzel did his best razor-voiced Brian Johnson impersonation on Have a Drink on Me. He changed the tone of his voice a little to accommodate original AC/DC singer Bon Scott’s whiskey-soaked voice on, Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap.

Phil, the balance-impaired bassist, continually got overeager, plucking away at his instrument while lying on the floor. As part of the act, Phil slowly peeled himself from the floor just to return to his head-banging playing. He sang lead for the group through Nirvana’s Rape Me and All Apologies as Strietzel caught a breather. Spellbound played music that made you want to go party and, if you were already doing that, it helped perpetuate the feeling.