October 5 :
PAUL STANLEY putting finishing touches on SOUL STATION album From
:
blabbermouth.net
KISS frontman
Paul Stanley is putting the finishing
touches on the debut album from his R&B band SOUL STATION.
On Friday (October 4), Stanley shared a photo of him with some of
his SOUL STATION bandmates in the studio, along with the following
caption: "SOUL STATION In The Studio! Home Stretch Now!"
Earlier this year, Stanley told the Real Radio 104.1 radio station
that he wanted to wait for the right time to release the SOUL
STATION LP. "It really deserves full attention and my full
commitment," he explained. "So until we can do great live
performances — the band is amazing live — and until we can promote
it the way we should, it's just going to simmer. But it's really
just mind-blowing good. These are songs that, for one reason or
another, have been relegated to samples on a rap tune. And I don't
wanna hear background music for a rhyme — I wanna hear those songs.'
He continued: "This band is 13 people strong, and everybody's played
with Smokey [Robinson] and Stevie [Wonder] and THE TEMPS [THE
TEMPTATIONS] and Natalie Cole and Whitney Houston, and we knock
those songs out of the park."
Asked if he gets any hate from KISS fans for making an album that is
stylistically far removed from the music his main band is best known
for producing, Stanley said: "I'm sure there are some people who'd
rather me doing a KISS album or something like that, but when you
sign on with me, you understand that we're both in this together,
and sometimes I have to do what I need to do. And that's part of the
joy and the reward for me. So I would rather do a great SOUL STATION
album right now than tamper with KISS or the KISS legacy and do
something that I'm really not feeling at the moment."
A couple of years ago, Stanley spoke to Rock Cellar Magazine about
how the idea for SOUL STATION first came about. He said: "Well, my
roots are much more broad and varied than some people might realize.
This is funny; I was having tea with Jimmy Page in London and we
were talking about this. I said, 'Before I ever saw [LED] ZEPPELIN
or THE WHO or any of those bands, I saw Otis Redding. I saw Solomon
Burke. I saw THE TEMPTATIONS.' So it's very much a part of my DNA.
Motown and Philly soul and Stax/Volt, all that music is really,
unfortunately too nostalgic at this point and used too often for
loops and samples as opposed to hearing a great song. What's missing
nowadays so much is great live performances of that material. What's
being passed off now as R&B is usually a computer and a drum
machine. For a while, I thought about that, and I had an opportunity
a few years ago to put together something that was in essence SOUL
STATION. We did a couple of private shows and we all looked at each
other said, 'Why aren't we doing more of this?' It's great to have
that coming from people who are not only in demand but working all
the time with Stevie Wonder or Smokey [Robinson] or Pink or John
Mayer. These are real crème de la creme players but everybody has
the same passion for this music. To be able to recreate it, not in a
sterile way but with the same passion and intensity that it was made
with is something that we all feel very close to."
Asked what the greatest challenges are that he faces in delivering
this material in a live setting, Paul told Rock Cellar Magazine:
"There's a big weight on my shoulders because I'm singing songs by
some legends, and if I can't deliver them, I shouldn't be doing
them. So if I'm gonna sing Smokey or if I'm gonna sing Al Green or
David Ruffin or Eddie Kendricks, you'd better be on-point or you
shouldn't be doing it, plus the rest of the band is so damn good.
They have played with Smokey, they've played with Stevie Wonder,
with Natalie Cole, they've played with Whitney Houston and John
Mayer and with Carlos Santana; I mean, the list goes on and on. For
us all to be together as peers and be creating something this
exciting, everybody on stage is smiling. We're all just caught up in
the moment. To hear Crystal [Starr] sing 'I Want You Back' is just
mind-boggling. Her dad was a backup singer for Jackie Wilson.
Everybody's got their roots. From the get-go, anybody I ever called
to be a part of this immediately said, 'I'm in!' just to have the
opportunity to recreate and revive these songs; you don't get that
chance."
SOUL STATION made its live debut in September 2015 at West
Hollywood, California's The Roxy Theatre. The ten-piece band also
features KISS drummer Eric Singer.
September 29 :
BRUCE KULICK Joins Horror Icons COURTNEY GAINS And JOHN FRANKLIN On
New 'Dreams In The Witch House' Track From
:
blabbermouth.net
On September 23, 2019 "Dreams
In The Witch House: Penitentiary" was released and
offered as a
free download through October 31, 2019, Halloween.
The track's musicians include former KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick,
guitarist Douglas Blair, cello sensation Tina Guo, MOTHER'S
FINEST bassist Wyzard and EASY ACTION drummer Björn Höglund.
Joining them on vocals are horror icons Courtney Gains
("Children Of The Corn", "The Burbs", "Tales From The Crypt")
and John Franklin ("Children Of The Corn", "The Adams Family", "Childsplay").
Produced by Chris Laney of Danish metal band PRETTY MAIDS and
executive producer Mike Dalager, the track commemorates the 35th
anniversary of the release of Stephen King's "Children Of The
Corn" and Bruce Kulick's first recording with KISS on
"Animalize", where he played the ghost solo for Track 5, "Lonely
Is The Hunter".
"Penitentiary" is a beefed up, cinematic version of the title
track from 2013's Dreams In The Witch House: "A
Lovecraftian Rock Opera" , an adaptation of HP Lovecraft's
classic horror tale from 1932. The track also marks Kulick and
Blair's seventh collaboration with the rock opera. In a previous
interview Kulick noted, "When [Chris] approached me, along with
Mike, about being involved I said, 'I'm in!' even though I don't
know much about HP Lovecraft. But I know Chris understood what
I'd be able to lend to the project."
Hollywood actors John Franklin and Courtney Gains, renowned for
their iconic roles as child cult leader Isaac and henchman
Malachai aren't known for their singing abilities. Executive
producer Mike Dalager states: "They will blow you away with
their vocal chops! John got his start in musical theater in
Chicago and Courtney's an accomplished songwriter and singer who
headlines his cruise grunge band RIPPLE STREET." John Franklin
states, "My teenage dream of being a rock star is suddenly
resurrected. And don't get me started on how friggin' amazing
Mr. Gains is!"
September 25 :
ERIC CARR’s 1999 Rockology Limited Color Vinyl LP From
:
therockologists.com
Eric
Carr’s 1999 album "Rockology"
to debut on Extremely Limited Color Vinyl.
Presale starts October 12th at
www.therockologists.com. (details below image)
The
Rockologists, in conjunction with The Eric Carr Family and Bruce
Kulick are proud to announce that "Rockology",
formerly available only on CD will be available on presale Saturday
October 12th in three exciting variations. There will be versions
available for all levels of Eric Carr and Vinyl LP fans.
The Standard version will be pressed on Orange vinyl. In addition to
all of the great demo’s from Eric Carr with assistance from Bruce
Kulick, it will include a four page Booklet full of rare photos and
liner notes, an exclusive hype sticker, Standard version Rockology
card and an Eric Carr merchandise sheet. A bonus Rockheads collector
card will be included in the shipping container. The standard
version will sell for $28.99, and will be limited to only 500
copies.
While the Standard version will be an awesome addition to any Eric
Carr fan’s collection, The Rockologists trademarked “RockRelix”
versions are going to introduce a bonding level for fans and artists
never before seen.
“RockRelix” Version One and Version Two will both be pressed on a
stunning Orange, Black and Silver Starburst vinyl and will include a
Custom OBI, custom hype sticker, four page Booklet full of rare
photos and liner notes, a “RockRelix” version Rockology card
specific to version one, a Rockheads collector card, and Eric Carr
Merchandise sheet. Each of the two version will be limited to only
250 copies total.
In addition, Both “RockRelix” versions will include an extremely
limited The Rockologists “RockRelix” card containing personal items
owned by Eric Carr.
The Rockologists “RockRelix” Card Version I will contain an actual
piece of the shirt that Eric Carr was last photographed in public
wearing to the MTV Music Awards show. The fabric sample is
authenticated by The Rockologists and Eric’s sister Loretta Carr.
The hype sticker on Version I will specify the matching card
contained inside.
The Rockologists “RockRelix” Card Version II will contain an actual
slice of an Eric Carr KISS era rehearsal drumstick. The drumstick
sample is authenticated by The Rockologists, Bruce Kulick and Eric’s
sister Loretta Carr. The hype sticker on Version I will specify the
matching card contained inside.
Randomly inserted in “RockRelix” Version One and Version Two will be
three “RockRelix” Card Version III. These three chase cards will
contain cut signatures of Paul Caravello. The Rockologists always
provide 100% authenticated in person autographs in our releases, and
these signatures authenticated by Lorretta Carr continue this
tradition.
The costs for The Rockologists “RockRelix” Version One and Version
Two LP’s will be $79.99 each. The Rockologists always strive to
bring their customers the top value for their money.
A limited bundle will be available for the first day of sales. The
bundle will include copies of The Standard version, “RockRelix”
Version One, “RockRelix” Version Two, a promo 8x10 photo, and a
Rockologists LP bag to hold all the items. The Bundle will be
limited to 50 sets, which will only be available for the first 24
hours of the presale. Once 24 hours has elapsed any unsold bundle
LP’s will be returned to inventory and will be available for
individual sales. The bundles will sell for $179.99, the cost of the
LP’s if purchased individually.
Exports outside of the USA will include multiple shipping choices
for customers, including for the first time from The Rockologists,
First class shipping. Customers choosing First Class shipping do so
with the understanding they have no insurance or tracking. The
Rockologists will not be responsible for uninsured or untrackable
shipping choices customers make. That means a lower shipping cost
for customers, but absolutely no refunds for lost or damaged
shipment.
Shipping from the pressing plant is expected to occur in mid to late
December. Please keep in mind that it is not likely that delivery
can take place before Christmas.
September 19 :
PETER CRISS on upcoming RICHIE SCARLET single ?? From
:
Richie Scarlet (facebook) Richie
Scarlet is at DirtyBrook Studios today with Louie Spagnola and fresh
from the stage of Madison Square Garden with Peter Frampton bass
player supreme John Regan. Tracking my new single featuring a
superstar HOOLIGAN on drums!
Stay tuned for more details!
I am super excited about my next single !!
September
19 : CASTLE BLAK's 4th KISS cover "Shout it out Loud" From
:
KISS Related Recordings
On September 15, San Francisco based hard rock / glam rock band
CASTLE BLAK have released a live CD entitled "One More Sin
....Live!". The triple-gatefold CD package is released independently
(and limited to only 500 copies) and includes a temporary tattoo of
the band’s “Babes In Toyland” 1985 album artwork. The album
was recorded February 18, 2017 during CASTLE BLAK’s reunion show at
Dan’s Bar, Walnut Creek, CA, and features 12 songs that span the
band 3 releases from 1985 to 1992. That day was the first time the
band shared a stage together in over 25 years to do one, last and
final live gig ….
The disc ends with the final song of the show, a
cover of KISS’ “Shout It Out Loud”.
During the 80's & 90's CASTLE BLAK released three albums, which all
contained a KISS cover version. Their cover of "Black Diamond"
appeared on their 1985 debut release "Babes In Toyland," while their
next album "Another Dark Carnival" featured a cover of "Do You Love
Me."
In 2006 the band released a 3-CD, 45 song box set entitled
"Glamour & Damnation: Greatest Hits And Dirty Little Secrets." The
box set contains both KISS cover versions as well as a previously
unreleased cover of "Let Me Go, Rock and Roll."
Prior to the 2006 release, KRR took the opportunity to do an
interview with Regent St. Claire,
vocalist, rhythm guitarist and songwriter in 80's Glam Rock band
CASTLE BLAK.
CASTLE
BLAK "One More Sin... LIVE!" tracklist :
01. Ten High
02. Babes In Toyland
03. Throw The Book
04. Strangers Again
05. I Know You’re A Bitch
06. Ready, Willing & Able
07. No Bed Of Roses
08. The Hits Just Keep On Comin’
09. Don’t Tell Me ‘Bout Your Boyfriend
10. Sleep With The Angels
11. Never Enough
12. Shout It Out Loud (KISS cover)
Non-U.S. customers who'd like to purchase the CD will need to
contact the band first at
donnamatrix93@hotmail.com for details &
shipping costs, as this title is not being sold internationally
through ebay at this time.
** NOTE : CASTLE BLAK "One More Sin... LIVE!" will not be
available for purchase on iTunes or other digital streaming
services. The band choose for a download card which package also
contains the limited edition temporary tattoo.
CASTLE
BLAK "One More Sin... LIVE!" album review
(by Jelle Jansen / KISS-Related-Recordings)
I want to take you back to the period of 1984 – 1985. It was just a
few years before Glam, Sleaze or the Hair dayz became really big.
After the success of Mötley Crüe and Quiet Riot, new bands like
W.A.S.P., Icon, Kick Axe, Q5 were signed to big labels, to release
their debut album. When their second album was released, most of
these bands sounded more polished compared to their debut album.
Around the same time many bands like Teeze (Party Hardy), Sin, Sweet
Savage and (then Glam rockers) Pantera, released their (debut)
albums or EP’s on an indie label, just like Castle Blak did in 1985
with their album “Babes In Toyland”. Back in the days I was the kind
of music fan who bought these (US import) albums, simply because I
knew that most of these bands were influenced by KISS and probably
inspired by the success of Mötley Crüe, both my favorite bands at
the time (and still are).
The cool part of this, that from the beginning of this website, many
of these bands / musicians contacted me to inform me about their new
releases or by simply saying “hello”, when they found out that they
were listed at
KISS-Related-Recordings.nl.
One of these musicians was Regent St. Claire of Castle Blak halfway
2000’s. We stayed in contact and to my big surprise I received their
recently released live album today.
From the moment I spinned the disc, I immediately got that smile on
my face ...
With opener “Ten High” (which is also the first song on their debut
album), it’s exactly what I’m trying to describe above …. It’s raw
‘n real, up-tempo (Motley’s “Live-Wire” like) unpolished glam rock.
The riff of the second song “Babes In Toyland” (also from their
debut) reminds me to a young Def Leppard. Also the rocker “Thow The
Book” is from the first album which song would fit on Crüe’s debut
album.
“Strangers Again” is a beautiful ballad from the 1992 Blak’s
cassette album.
In “No Bed Of Roses” Regent St. Claire’s voice just sounds like Joey
C. Jones.
An unexpected surprise to me is the slow and close to dark grunge
sounding song “I Know You’re A Bitch”, which song still doesn’t
sound like Soundgarden or whatever, it’s just a good bass driven and
grooving song.
With a title as “Ready, Willing and Able” you can’t go wrong with
me, a sing along Party Rocker from their debut album again. 1992’s
“No Bed Of Roses” is another up tempo rocker and could be an AOR-ish
song, but Castle Blak still keeps it sounding rough and it features
a great solo. If that song was released during late 80’s it could
have been MTV hit. The mid-tempo “The Hits Just Keep On Comin' “
sounds like 70’s KISS, with various KISS inspired bridges and Ace
Frehley like lead guitar.
The funny “Don’t Tell Me About Your Boyfriend” sounds a bit like the
New York Dolls. “Sleeping With The Angels” is a kind of ballad, but
still performed that raw compared to most regular 80’s Rock ballads,
and again this song reminds me to Joey C. Jones voice … The regular
show ends with the band’s hit single (which wasn’t, because it
wasn’t polished enough) “Never Enough” from their debut disc, but
hell, it’s still a Hit to me. In some way it’s so catchy that my
wife thought it's a cover song, but believe it or not, it’s still
written by Castle Blak’s Regent St. Claire)
As an encore the live album ends with a cover of KISS’ “Shout It Out
Loud” …
Overall, don’t expect a smooth produced live-album, with Castle
Blak’s “One More Sin … Live !” you get pure rough ‘n raw 80’s Glam /
Hard Rock as it was meant to be, just like their 3 albums as
released between 1985 and 1992 …..
September 18 :
Desmond Child to release Live album October 25 From
:
Desmond Child
On
October 25, Grammy-winning and Emmy nominated songwriter-producer
Desmond Child will release DESMOND CHILD LIVE on BMG, a new live
album showcasing his global mega-hits recorded at Feinstein’s/54
Below in New York City. Chronicling his monumental career, Child
takes the stage with his dynamic band and featured guests as they
perform his biggest songs including “Livin’ On A Prayer,” “You Give
Love A Bad Name,” “I Was Made For Lovin’ You,” “Dude Looks Like A
Lady,” and “Livin’ La Vida Loca.”
Over
the past five decades of #1 hits,
Desmond Child has had more than
eighty Billboard Top 40 singles to his credit which have sold over
500 million records worldwide in addition to downloads, YouTube
views and streaming plays in the billions. From Aerosmith to Zedd,
Child continues to fill the airwaves with genre-defying mega-star
collaborations
including KISS, Bon Jovi, Cher, Joan Jett, Alice Cooper, Michael
Bolton, Ricky Martin, Katy Perry, Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood,
Garth Brooks, Meat Loaf, Sia, Cyndi Lauper, Christina Aguilera and
most recently Barbra Streisand.
DESMOND CHILD LIVE will be available October 25 on CD, download and
streaming services.
DESMOND CHILD LIVE track listing:
01. Livin’ On A Prayer
02. You Give Love A Bad Name / Dude Looks Like A Lady (feat. Justin
Benlolo)
03. Angel
04.
I Was Made For Lovin’ You (feat. Justin Benlolo)
05. I Hate Myself For Loving You (feat. Lena Hall)
06. Weird
07. Where Do I Go From You (feat. Tabitha Fair)
08. How Can We Be Lovers (feat. Justin Benlolo)
09. We All Sleep Alone (feat. Tabitha Fair)
10. Love On A Rooftop (feat.
Rouge
with Maria Vidal, Myriam Valle & Diana Grasselli)
11. The Cup of Life / Livin’ La Vida Loca / Shake Your Bon Bon / She
Bangs
12. You Want To Make A Memory
September
12 : Lipstick Generation covers Eric Carr's "Eyes Of Love" From
:
KISS Related Recordings
Nashville, TN based hard rock band
LIPSTICK GENERATION have released a video
for their cover of Eric Carr‘s “Eyes of Love.” The cover song
is not yet released in physical format, but will (probably) appear
on the band's third album.
The Eric Carr, Bruce Kulick, Adam Mitchell written song "Eyes Of
Love", was one of the four songs Eric Carr brought to KISS "Hot In
The Shade" sessions. The Eric Carr demo of the song is eventually
released in 1999 on the CD album "Rockology".
September
6 : New
found KISS 1975 - 1976 cover versions From
:
KISSfaq
/
KISS Related Recordings
It is be known that the Finnish Punk Rockers
DEAD END 5
(probably) was the first band who recorded a cover of a KISS song.
Their 1976 debut album "Dead
Ends" features a cover version of "Let me
Go Rock 'n Roll", which song is in Finnish, entitled "WC-Paperi-75".
More recently an interesting discussion started at
KISSfaq forum to find out what's the earliest cover of a KISS
song to appear on a record or cassette, which
resulted in two more 1975 and 1976 'discoveries'. Both are compilation albums
of then-current top 40 hits as recorded by unknown artists. These
types of releases were common at the time.
In 1975 the
C.B. Radio Music Ensemble covered "Rock 'n
Roll All Nite" which version appeared on the LP "Convoy 20 Of
Today's Hits", as released by Homestead Records in the USA and
Canada.
In 1976 the
GMC Pick Hit Artists covered "Hard Luck
Woman" which version appeared on an 8-track tape entitled "Super
Rock", as released by Charlotte North Carolina label Fantastic
F.
September 6 :
Bruce Kulick guests on VELVET INSANE album From
:
VELVET INSANE
/
Bruce Kulick Last
June Bruce Kulick recorded some guitar pieces for a song entitled
"Ready For a Brand New Start" by Swedish Rockers
VELVET INSANE.
Currently the band is in studio working on their new album.
According to gthe band Bruce Kulick is helping in many different
ways with both the band and the record.
VELVET INSANE is a rock band from north of Sweden centered around
Jesper Lindgren - guitar and Jonas Eriksson - vocals.
