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November 26 : Bruce
Kulick "
BK3" Studio blog update
From:
Bruce
Kulick / Kulick.net (studioblog, day 35)
You all read about the recording of the new instrumental for BK 3, well now it was time to do some guitars. I wanted to be tight with the rhythm section of Kenny and Jimmy, so Jeremy suggested I do TWO parts for the Stratocaster rhythm/riff parts. I used my new white ESP Vintage plus and a Candy Apple Red Fender Relic to get those sounding amazing. Fender Bassman head for one, and the Orange head for the other. We added some Telecaster for chords in the chorus, and a PRS as well. An acoustic (my Gibson Dove Elvis Presley) was added along with piano to make the textures on the chorus come alive.
Once we got that tight, it was time to get to some lead guitar work. My go to guitar is always my old '53 Gibson LP Standard with PAF pickups in it. It's a conversion guitar, for all of you that have knowledge of vintage guitars. This is the guitar from SO many KISS discs, and it sounds amazing. My fave Marshall head was used and NO effects were needed. Got my chorus theme parts done then it was time to get away from it, to see what was accomplished. The song is still very new for me, and Jeremy was excited to have this brand new song added to the BK 3 collection.
As you all know I have been recording for a few years, but I finally do see the light at the end of the tunnel. In the past few months I have really made great progress, doing some killer songs with both Gene and Nick Simmons, Tobias from Edguy and Avantasia totally rocked on one, and I am making plans for John Corabi to sing a strong rock riff tune very soon in early December. So, I can't wait to finally finish. Thanks for your support, as I hear from many of you about my disc and I appreciate the
feedback.
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November 26 : Gene Simmons seeks Canuck jewels
By JANE STEVENSON - Sun Media
Fire-breathing rocker in makeup, high heels and black leather one day, Canadian music scout the next.
Such is the life of KISS bassist-singer-songwriter Gene Simmons, who is in Canada this week checking out new groups to sign to his relaunched Simmons Records label, in a deal with both Universal Music Canada and Belinda Stronach, the former MP turned businesswoman again.
"I want to find the next great three Canadian acts from different genres (each year)," Simmons, 59, said in a chic Toronto hotel bar. "And don't let them go to America. Provide the care and support that they need here, make them monsters here, and then take them to the rest of the world."
One possible signing is Toronto prog-hip-hop act Down
With Webster.
"But if they do it the way they want to do it, they will fail," said Simmons, who was attending three nights of music showcases. "You gotta do it my way. It's a benevolent dictatorship."
Simmons Records was originally launched in the late '80s with BMG, and "we had a few hair bands," said Simmons, "and then music changed."
The label was relaunched to put out Simmons' 2004 solo record, A--hole. The new deal partners him with Universal and Stronach, whose family Simmons has known through business.
"I'll be in the studio with the bands," he said. "I'll be there to beat them up regarding their image, their names. If one of them is a drug addict he's going to be gone. And I've had experience with that. There's no room for idiots in bands. Because aside from the luck of the draw, it really is hard work. You have to get up every day, and 'cool' is a moving target, so it's a very hard target to hit."
Simmons is also proposing a reality-TV show for a Canadian network, to document the selected bands' journey to the studio.
"We're going to film the development of these bands, so when the record hits the TV show will hit at the same time."
As for his day job with KISS, Simmons confirms the veteran glam-rockers are writing songs for a new album that he expects they will record next year and release next summer. KISS singer-guitarist Paul Stanley will produce the disc. The band will follow the album's release with a limited tour.
"We'll do a handful of shows just to keep in the game (next) summer, maybe 10 (dates), some Canadian shows. I know Halifax is one, but before you get out there and start the baseball season, they hold exhibition games, that's what we're doing. 'Cause once we go out, it's going to be for a year and a half."
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November 20 : Vinnie
Vincent drummer interviewed by Rockpages.Gr
From:
Rockpages.gr
Rockpages.gr continues their year-long KISS special feature with the 19th interview of a KISS-related figure. This week, ex-VINNIE VINCENT Invasion drummer, Andre’ Labelle talks
about his tenure in the band between 1989-90.
Check the recently added interview by
clicking the link below.
- Andre'
Labelle (drummer of Vinnie Vincent Invasion)
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November 19 : Bruce
Kulick "
BK3" Studio blog update
From:
Bruce
Kulick / Kulick.net (studioblog, day 34)
Saturday (November 15) was an insane day in LA. Fires burning and power outages all over the area. Of course that would be the day I booked a studio and some amazing musicians to do a new tune I wrote about 3 weeks ago (with no title other than INSTRUMENTAL). I realized it was really needed for my BK3 disc. It was funny that I hadn't written one before, but I was determined to have great players to support me. Kenny Aronoff has played with EVERYONE in the business on drums, and he even appeared on a few tracks for me on AUDIODOG my first solo disc. We talked about some studios to book, as my fave place was not available, and he recommended a place here in the Valley called Steakhouse. I knew the room and I was excited to have a chance to book it as they have a vintage EMI NEVE board that sounds really sweet.
Kenny mentioned Steve Churchyard to engineer who has a long list of credits including members of the Beatles, so I was like, DONE!! To round out the day Jimmy Haslip was booked on bass guitar. Jimmy has ghost played on the Creatures of the Night KISS disc, and of course he was in the band I had years ago with Michael Bolton called BLACKJACK. He is another Grammy award winning player I have had the pleasure to know. Google these guys and you will see all the work they have done in the biz. So, with fires 25 miles away and a dodgy power supply, the studio thankfully was up and running.
A bigger problem was a call from Kenny, who was coming back from Palm Springs.
He was returning from a show with Joe Cocker and his car hit some road debris and he was lucky NOT getting killed. But waiting on tow trucks and all in the desert heat, that wasn't too much fun for him. Sadly he was going to be delayed by 3 or 4 hours, but we set up what we could and got ready for his late arrival. We lost some time, but I love hanging with Jimmy and Jeremy of course gets along great with him as well. Once Kenny arrived, safe and sound but a bit frazzled, we started rehearsing this tune which is best described as a cross between Stevie Ray Vaughn meets Joe Satriani in styles.
First few times playing the tune was very ruff, but we started to really get it tight by take number 8. By 12 we had our song, and I was able to thank Kenny for making it and playing his ass off as usual. I put down a guide rhythm guitar for Jimmy to play his magic to, and WOW he really was terrific! He is a master bassist and I wanted to feature him on this track, so Jeremy produced the hell out of him. What a pleasure to listen to him do his thing. Long day, but mission accomplished. Steve the engineer got wonderful sounds from all, and my rhythm section played the tune with passion and precision.
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November 16 : "Misty Mountain
Hop : Tribute To Led Zeppelin"
From:
Versailles
Records
On November 25, Versailles Records will return to retail with "Misty Mountain Hop: A Millennium Tribute To Led Zeppelin", which features current/former members of the following bands:
KISS, Megadeth, Black Sabbath, Dio, Badlands, Lillian Axe, the Circle Jerks, Deep Purple, L.A. Guns, Warrant, White Lion, Alice Cooper Band, Slash’s
Snakepit, Hanoi Rocks, Dangerous Toys, Zebra, Ratt, Riot, Ace Frehley Band, Rainbow,
Billy Idol Band, Roger Daltry Band, Quiet Riot, and others..
The set also includes liner notes by legendary record producer Ron Nevison (LED ZEPPELIN, THE WHO) and a bonus CD sampler featuring millennium rock/metal bands influenced by LED
ZEPPELIN.
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November 7 : Bruce
Kulick "
BK3" Studio blog update
- Tobias Sammet
From:
Bruce
Kulick / Kulick.net (studioblog, day 33)
Tobias Sammet is not a name you all know, but he fronts a band called Edguy from
Germany and is also in another one that is very popular called Avantasia. I knew of
him from KISS drummer Eric Singer and finally heard his voice in Japan this past
Feb. when someone played the Avantasia CD at the meet and greet before our show in
Tokyo.
I asked Eric about him and he told me how talented he is and I should contact him.
I had a song for BK3 that I had reserved for Gene, which gave birth to a completely new
different song that I told you all about in previous blogs. So what
could I do with this great track???
Fast forward to Jeremy and going to the Key Club for a performance of Edguy with Tobias leading
the German hard rock band. They were great, and I was really impressed with the band
and how well Tobias sang. Of course I had sent him the song as an MP-3 weeks before
to see what he thought and he was excited to work on it.
We made plans to record while he had a few days off in LA before his long trip back to Germany.
We had dinner at the famous Rainbow on Sunset Blvd the night after his show, and
then the next day it was time to hear what he came up with. We discussed lyrics on
the internet and we had agreed on an old title I had for a song called "I Am The
Animal".
I was really blown away with what he sang me in his hotel room, and I knew the next day he would get the song done right. The day we planned to record I
figured it would be cool to get some pics of Tobias at the famous Rock Walk on
Sunset by Guitar Center.
After that we were off to the studio in the Valley. With some beers close by (he is
German you know!), Tobias made his magic and Jeremy and I were completely blown
away. His voice is powerful and melodic, and we had him do backgrounds and some
doubles for texture. A perfect session from a cool guy. I hope to work with him
again in the future. So this track is a bit of a reunion of sorts as Eric Singer is
on drums and of course he and Tobias have a connection, and I don't have to remind
you of the great stuff with that KISS Eric and I have accomplished in the studio.
From:
tobiassammet.com
After the last show in Hollywood I spent a few days in a hotel on Sunset Strip
to relax and catch up with Bruce Kulick. He came to see our show at the
Keyclub and then we met in my hotel and finished the lyrics I had started for a song
he had. I really loved the song, it's different from what I usually do but it's the
kind of music that I personally really love, it's ballsy dirty Hard Rock and it
sounds like the stuff on the Kiss Revenge album, my friend Eric Singer played on the
song too, that makes it even more Revenge-ish. Anyway, the next day we went to the studio and I recorded the vocals. I hope
you all check it out by the time the album gets released. To check what Bruce has to
say about it, click here.
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November 6 : FREHLEY's New Solo Album Release 'Is Not Imminent'
From:
eddietrunk.com
XM's Boneyard host Eddie Trunk, who has a long-running radio show, "Friday Night
Rocks", on New York's Q104.3 FM, has posted the following message on his web site,
www.eddietrunk.com:
I finally made the trip to Ace Frehley's place in Westchester, New York yesterday
[November 5] and we had a great time as always.
"Ace has been a close friend for over 20 years now and was the first artist I ever
signed and worked with at a label in the '80s. Amazingly he has not done a new CD
since. Obviously, much has gone on in his life since 'Trouble
Walkin'', KISS reunions, career ups and downs, and most importantly he got sober. Another huge
thing that has happened is a radical change in the music business and how people
make and market records and how many they can sell. Ace knows he can trust me and
knows I will give it to him straight, which is why he really wanted me to come and
help him make some decisions on what to do next and hear where he's at with a CD he
has been talking about for years.
"As for the music. I first heard three songs Ace was mixing about a year ago at a
studio in New York City. All sounded good to me, but obviously I hadn't lived with
them like Ace has. He now has about 15 total songs, six of which have been mixed by
two different people. Jay Messina, who has worked with KISS and
AEROSMITH, to name a few, in the past, and Michael Barbiero, best know for the production team in the
'80s of Thompson/ Barbiero (TESLA, GUNS N' ROSES) also mixed some stuff. There are
also many songs not mixed, some not complete, and some still being written. You can
already see where the delays are. This is an album in several phases of completion.
If he wanted to put out a five-song EP it's pretty much done, but the challenge is
figuring out the direction he wants the album to be, what songs make it, and what
mixes. Some of the songs I heard include 'Sister', which has been around for years
and was played live, 'Pain In The Neck', which Ace said could be the album's title,
'Genghis Khan', which may be an instrumental, and my favorite so far, 'Change The
World', which has a very heavy BEATLES vibe.
"As far as the direction, the album is more in line with classic KISS than anything
that has been on any original members' solo releases thus far. Gene's [Simmons] last
album was a little quirky and all over the map, Paul's [Simmons] glossy and pop
leaning, Peter's [Criss] more ballads- and standards-influenced.
This is straight-down-the-middle, in-your-face, loud-guitars hard rock. Exactly what KISS fans would
expect.
"I urged Ace to make a CD for him and his fans, not to follow trends. It was
important I stressed to him that the days of having a hit record are likely over.
Nothing to do with material, just the reality of the business now for classic-based
artists.
"The guitars sounded great on what I heard and Ace's playing was in top form. He
sings lead on all the songs, is producing the record and wrote everything. The band
on the recordings is his current touring band. Most striking to me about what I
heard was Ace's voice. It has never sounded better on record. Clean and in that high
register, with the Ace attitude. He credited this to his sobriety, as well as the
quality of his playing.
"All in all, what I heard is very promising, but I would not expect it to be
released anytime soon. Ace still has some questions to answer about this material,
what will make the CD, what it will sound like, and he is still getting new song
ideas, which is making him rethink things. When you have your own home studio, no
label telling you deadlines, and the demand from the fans that want an Ace album as
good as the first FREHLEY'S COMET or 'Trouble Walkin'' (or, of course, the '78 all-time classic!). There is no release date except for when Ace feels its ready. He
also has some interest from a few labels and has to decide if he wants to go that
route or do what many artists are now doing and sell direct. He also needs to get up
an official website. So there is still much to do on the business and recording
fronts, and again, no deadline but his own. He understands fans are frustrated and
want new music from him, but until he thinks it right, it's not coming out. I am
helping him where I can and can tell you I really think it will make KISS fans and
Ace fans happy when it does come out, but the release is not imminent, in my
judgment.
In an early 2008 interview with Billboard, Frehley stated about his forthcoming solo
album, "Basically, I'm trying to get back into the mindset I was in when I did my
first solo record [1978's 'Ace Frehley']. That record seemed to have all the
elements everybody liked — a real cool instrumental, a hit single, some real heavy
rockers, a nice variety of different genres of music."
Among his favorite new tracks are "A Little Below the Angels", hard-rocking "Pain in
the Neck" and an instrumental called "Fractured Quantum", which is a follow-up to
his previous instrumentals "Fractured Mirror" and "Fractured Too". Another favorite
is "groove song" titled "Genghis Khan", which he likens in tone to LED ZEPPELIN's
"Kashmir".
Frehley told MyrtleBeachOnline.com that he's shooting for 12 tracks on his next
album, his first in 18 years. Studio work has spanned more than 6 months, and some
of the songs go back 12 years.
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November 2 : Bruce
Kulick guests on upcoming Derek Ryan album
From:
KISS
Related Recordings
Solo singer/songwriter Derek Ryan is working on his second solo
album with producer Jeremy at Stagg St. Studio in L.A. Also Bruce
Kulick will appear on the album, who did a tasteful guitar solo on "A Work of Art",
which was recorded October 2 this year.
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last
update : 2008-11-30 |
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News
Archives |
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New Releases |
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Misty Mountain Hop
Nov 25, 2008
Tribute To Led Zeppelin |
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PAUL
STANLEY October
21, 2008
One
Live KISS - DVD |
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KISS
August 27, 2008
Jigoku Retsuden -
Re-Recordings |
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NORTHERN LIGHT ORCHESTRA
The Spirit Of
Christmas (Bruce K.) |
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Got
To Foo
October 31, 2008
a Sagafoo Tribute to KISS |
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PAUL
STANLEY October
21, 2008
One
Live KISS - DVD |
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Metal
Xmas
October 13, 2008
featuring Bruce Kulick |
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FAITH
CIRCUSSeptember
20,, 2008
Faith
Circus (Eric Carr/Bruce Kulick) |
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KISS
MY ANKH
August 27, 2008
A
Tribute to Vinnie Vincent |
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MUSIC
FROM THE FAQ II Aug
2008
A
Tribute To KISS (free download) |
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GREEKTURES OF THE NIGHT2008
A
Greek Tribute To KISS |
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ALICE
COOPER
July 25, 2008
Along Came A Spider
(Eric Singer) |
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Archives |
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Stream of The Month : Jam Pain Society feat. Ace Frehley
