By Erin Wilson

CHRONICLE SPECIAL WRITER

Upon hitting the stage, the odds against Poison were stacked higher than the Fender amps. And the amps were stacked up to the lights.

The group's last hit album, "Flesh & Blood," was released over a decade ago. The group has been dismissed by some critics as a "hair band" _ a relic of the late 1980s.

But on a perfect Muskegon evening at Heritage Landing, Poison rocked the house, nearly blew the amps and conclusively beat the odds.

As a live act, Poison tears it up.

It should be no surprise they're hungry, as their first platinum record, "Look What the Cat Dragged In," was made for less than $23,000. But Poison surprised a lot of people Monday night.

The atmosphere couldn't have been better: founding member Rikki Rockett called Muskegon the "most beautiful" stop on this tour.

When Poison first played Muskegon, more than 10 years ago, the marquee at the L.C. Walker Arena nearly shook off its base. On this visit back to Muskegon, the band made it risky to set a beverage on the ground, which pounded like a bass drum. Fans who brought children seemed more interested in renting ear plugs than lawn chairs.

And it was a good thing, because Poison fans had no patience for blankets or lawn chairs. Heritage Landing was packed from the front row to the back row, even before the band hit the stage. It was almost impossible to find anyone sitting.

And with good reason. Straight away, the pyrotechnics were furious enough to almost melt the pavilion tarp _ Poison seemed determined to stretch the stage to its breaking point.

The band kicked things off in grand style with "What The Cat Dragged In." Bret Michaels came out wearing a full length white fur coat. The crowd was into it from the start.

By the second song _ a rousing rendition of the Loggins and Messina classic, "Your Mama Don't Dance" _ security had escorted a dozen fans out of the frenzied front row. But this is Muskegon, and those fans all got a second chance to see the show, from a little further back.

And Poison is all about second chances. On their first ballad of the night, "Something To Believe In," Michaels referenced guitarist CC Deville _ who left the band temporarily in the mid 1990s because of drug problems _ said, "I'll give you something to believe in: CC is alive ... and back in Poison."

Michaels repeatedly thanked the audience for making the stop so memorable. "I'll never forget this stop on the tour," Michaels said, "or any other tour."

In the end, the fans were rewarded with the greatest glam-rock anthem of all time, "Don't Need Nothin' (But a Good Time)."

Opening for Poison, the Automatics didn't seem to understand they were an opening band. Decked out in black leather, the trio took their hard-edged rock right into the audience, playing original material and giving life to several covers. The group had the crowd on its feet for the whole set.