KISS co-founder & frontman, best-selling author and Rock & Roll Hall
of Famer PAUL STANLEY has spent the last few years developing a
project close to his heart. Soul Station is a band gathering some of
today’s leading musicians to pay tribute to the greatest artists and
songs from the R&B and soul catalog to keep this vital music
current. While a surprise to many, Stanley’s early pivotal roots in
this music has quietly turned this passion into a celebrated touring
and recording band. Stanley’s 15-piece ensemble group has toured the
U.S. and Japan, and recently recorded an album of nine classic soul
songs and five new original songs.
"Now
And Then" will be released March 5 on UMe available for
pre-order NOW, the first single “O-O-H Child” (The Five
Stairsteps) is available today
HERE.
Speaking to new music, Stanley said: “Between us doing some great
Soul Station shows and starting the album I started to think that
neither the band or the music we love should depend only on the past
so I started writing with the goal of seamlessly taking songs into
the present. From what a lot of people I respect have told me, that
mission was accomplished.”
When Stanley conceived Soul Station, the group excelled in the live
venue setting, playing smaller, intimate clubs – a setting where
Paul Stanley would reflect on those classic hits that were his early
inspiration, playing the songs with a reverence and respect for how
he and the band believe they should be performed and heard.
“Long before I ever heard the great British bands, I grew up
listening to Philly Soul, Motown and so much more. I was lucky to
see Otis Redding and Solomon Burke among others. That music and its
storytelling gave me strength and hope even in some tough days. The
great classics of that era are magical medicine for most and I felt
myself drawn back to that era for some sorcery I think we could all
use.”
SOUL STATION NOW AND THEN
DOCUMENTARY
January 8 :
Singer Göran Edman felt like a slave while recording nine
songs at VINNIE VINCENT’s home studio in late ’80s From
:
80’s Glam Metalcast
Former Yngwie J. Malmsteen lead vocalist Göran Edman was recently
interviewed by Metal Mike for the
80’s Glam Metalcast podcast. Edman handled the lead vocals on
three songs from Europe guitarist
JOHN NORUM‘s debut solo album
Total Control (1987) and he was the singer on Yngwie J.
Malmsteen‘s albums Eclipse (1990) and Fire And Ice (1992).
Edman was seemingly ex-KISS guitarist Vinnie Vincent‘s pick to
replace Robert Fleischman in Vinnie Vincent Invasion back in 1986.
On working with Vincent, Edman indicated (as transcribed by the 80’s
Glam Metalcast podcast with slight edits):
“Vinnie wanted me to copy Robert Fleischman‘s voice. I recorded
every song on the first album up to the solo. So my demo ended up on
the internet. Someone put it there. I don’t know why Robert
Fleischman wasn’t on board anymore, but Vinnie was looking for a new
singer. He wanted me to record these as an audition. I sent the
material back and he said he was onboard with me and he really loved
what he heard.
It was time for to me pack my bags. A few weeks later he called me
up and he sounded disappointed. He said the record company had the
option on this album with the contract and they wanted an American
singer and not me. He couldn’t do anything about it. Chrysalis had
the last word. The label wanted Mark Slaughter and Vinnie wanted me.
At least that’s the version that Vinnie told me. A few years later,
like late ’88 or ’89, he called me again. He asked to come to L.A.
because he had some new songs and he wanted me to audition again.
Actually, I think he just wanted me to sing on a
demo for free. I was stranded for 14 days in his home studio in
Rosita, I never did get to see L.A. I was a slave in his home
studio! We did like nine complete songs.
We went to Chrysalis to show them the new material, but he was fired
from them. They signed the band but not him… Slaughter. They weren’t
interested. They were like, “Don’t call us, we’ll call you”. Vinnie
was really disappointed. He asked me to promise to wait for him to
get a record deal. I waited for almost a year. Then I got a call
from Yngwie‘s manager for an audition. So I ended up signing with
Yngwie Malmsteen. Ironically, after that, Vinnie called me. He told
me he got a record deal and wanted to get me back in the US. He
picked up on that fact that I was being quiet. I told him I signed
with Yngwie. He wasn’t mad. He wanted me to give it a second
thought, but I decided to stick with my decision. I don’t think I
ever could have sang all the material. It was too high. I would have
ruined my voice. I would have had to squeeze my balls to get up
there.”
Interview with Göran Edman by Metal Mike for the 80’s Glam Metalcast
podcast :
Vinnie Vincent Invasion demo tapes with Göran Edman on lead vocals :
January 4 :
Bruce Kulick reveals plans to record new music with
Todd Kerns, Brent Fitz and Zach Throne From
:
Rockin' Metal Revival
Former KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick closed out 2020 guesting on
Rockin' Metal Revival. He discussed his time with the band, the KISS
reunion that forced him out if the band, and his curent relationship
with Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons. Kulick also reveals his
tentative music plans for 2021. Check out the interview below.
Bruce Kulick : "My plans are to work with - I affectionately call
these guys The Mobb; Members Of Bruce's Band (laughs) - and between
Zach (Throne), Brent (Fitz) and Todd (Kerns) it's a formidable
quartet of great players who can sing amazing. Zach is the secret
weapon. We're going to work on originals and maybe some covers that
make sense and fit us really well. I don't know where in 2021 it's
going to go landscape-wise for the entertainment business, but I do
feel confident that I can get down to the reality of making some
recorded music with those guys. That's the goal."
