ACE FREHLEY: 'I'm Not This Virtuoso Musician, And I Definitely Make Mistakes In My Solos'

Original KISS guitarist Ace Frehley was recently asked by Artisan News what it is about his guitar style and technique that sets him apart from other players. He responded (see video below): "That's an interesting question. I don't really know. Some people say it's my vibrato. Some people say it's the way I approach songs. Since I'm not a schooled musician, and I never took a guitar lesson, I approach music slightly differently than, let's say, somebody who took guitar lessons and knows how to read music. I play sometimes very unorthodox, and I think, for some reason, kids who are just starting out maybe somehow sense that and pick it up and realize that I just started learning playing chords — E, D and A — on an acoustic guitar and eventually got my first electric guitar when I was 13. So maybe somehow that comes through the grooves or through the speakers. There's that innocence about my music where I'm not this virtuoso musician, and I definitely make mistakes in my solos — they're not perfect — but they have attitude. And I always thought that was more important. When you listen to THE ROLLING STONES, you hear mistakes on their records, but you know what?! Boy, does it swing."

"Space Invader", the first new solo album from Frehley in five years, sold around 19,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 9 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD arrived in stores on August 19 via Entertainment One Music (eOne Music).

Ace's previous CD, "Anomaly", opened with around 17,000 units back in September 2009 to debut at No. 27.

"Space Invader", which was made available in Europe on August 18 (three days earlier in Germany and Scandinavia) through SPV/Steamhammer, includes 11 brand new original songs as well as a cover of Steve Miller's "The Joker".

Frehley's touring lineup includes none other than Richie Scarlet, who rode shotgun performing rhythm guitar and vocal duties on Ace's "Trouble Walking" platter in 1989, and is doing so again on stage. Richie toured with Ace in 1984 and 1985 and periodically from 1989 through 1995 and was also known for touring with Sebastian Bach.

On bass and vocals is Chris Wyse from Queens, New York. Previously recording with Ozzy Osbourne and playing on Mick Jagger's 2001 solo album, Chris is well known as the bass player from THE CULT since 2006. Chris can also be heard on Frehley's new album, "Space Invader", on select tracks. He also covers bass duties in his current band OWL.

Finally, Scot Coogan is behind the drum kit for Frehley's tour. Coogan played with Frehley for five years until 2012 when he left Ace's band to focus on other projects. He has since toured and recorded with LYNCH MOB and sat behind the kit for Lita Ford on the 2012 "Rock Of Ages" tour with DEF LEPPARD and POISON.