BRUCE KULICK Discusses His Time With KISS

BigMusicGeek.com recently conducted an in-depth interview with former KISS and current GRAND FUNK RAILROAD guitarist Bruce Kulick. A few excerpts from the chat follow below.

BigMusicGeek.com: How much did you ultimately contribute to the recording sessions for "Animalize"? Rumors are persistent..

Bruce: "I did a little ghosting, which is probably what you'll read if you do a little looking into it. (Former KISS guitarist) Mark St. John was already having problems and two of the songs weren't finished, so Paul [Stanley] asked me to do it. He said something like 'Don't cut your hair.' Two months later, I realized why he said that when they asked me to go to Europe with them. It was something that I thought would be very interesting because I thought I would be in the band for two or three months, something that would look good on my resume. I didn't think it would turn into twelve years. I just kinda slipped into there. There was not big announcement or anything. I was kinda frustrated by that, but I understood it at the time. It was pretty embarrassing for them to go around touting a new guitarist that could make an album and a video appearance, but can't tour."

BigMusicGeek.com: In hindsight, how do you feel regarding "Asylum"? Do you consider it one of the group's weakest releases?

Bruce: "I think it's a good record. I never really felt like it was a weak record. I think, for me, the biggest criticism was that the artwork was a little to 'artsy-fartsy,' but it was something that Paul really liked. I tend to prefer the more typical KISS colors. But at the time, that was the vibe. I think there's some really cool stuff on there and I stand by all the stuff that I did. If there's one record during my KISS tenure that irked me, it's (1989's) 'Hot In The Shade'. I thought maybe it had too many songs and there wasn't any real chief on it. But there was still some real great stuff on it between 'Forever' and 'Hide Your Heart'."

BigMusicGeek.com: When Ace [Frehley] permanently left the group in 2002, were you given seriously consideration as a replacement?

Bruce: "I would hear that my name would come up, but I know that Ace put them in such an awkward position sometimes that (current KISS/ex-BLACK 'N BLUE lead guitarist) Tommy (Thayer) would have to suit up. And that happened more than a few times. It even happened where he had to go out and play. I believe it was for a private party that they were booked for. I think at that point, they were like, 'We can't carry on like this.' I think they knew that approaching me without any guarantee when I already had the gig in GRAND FUNK… I think it was just so easy for Tommy to do it since he was already there and used to play Ace in a tribute band. I can easily go on record saying that I miss playing in KISS. There's absolutely no doubt. But I also established my own identity during those twelve years, so for me to become Ace or something, which is the role Tommy is more or less in, is something I would be less comfortable with. I think it was much more natural for Eric [Singer] to do that with only five years in the band without the make-up and only a few albums ('Revenge' and 'MTV Unplugged') under his belt. I kinda represent the 'Crazy Nights' era."

BigMusicGeek.com: When (late KISS drummer) Eric Carr passed away in 1991, was there any doubt the group could continue?

Bruce: "Eric had some great contributions to the band, but we were in the middle of starting 'Revenge' with (acclaimed producer) Bob Ezrin (ALICE COOPER, PINK FLOYD) and I knew that the machine would keep going. It was sad, of course, but we were too committed. Unlike a LED ZEPPELIN who just falls apart when a drummer dies, Gene [Simmons] and Paul are just going to keep moving forward. I don't think it was the wrong decision. Fortunately, 'Revenge' had a nice tribute to him with the song 'Carr Jam 1981'. I was the one to play first after we buried our friend. It was crazy, but work is a good healer. It affected all of us in our own way very intensely, but the truth of it is that you want to remember someone fondly, so I found it very exciting to play on a track that I didn't even know existed until he passed away. So I just looked at it that way. I know Ace put his name on his new record (2009's 'Anomaly'),which was cool. He and Eric were very close, actually."

BigMusicGeek.com: How would you describe your relationships with the various members of KISS? Good, bad or otherwise?

Bruce: "It's great. Not only am I considered part of the family, I'm really tight with Eric [Singer]. Gene, Paul and I speak fairly often, especially Gene as I've worked with him recently. Paul and I did a fantasy camp where he was a special guest and that just blew everyone away. In fact, I was just backstage at a KISS concert last week. Carte blanche, go wherever you want to go, ya know? I was just hangin' out in the hospitality room, practically watchin' them put the make-up on. It's always been really cool. It was kinda funny when I was walking out of the arena because some of the fans were stopping and going 'Hey! There goes Bruce.' (laughs)"

Read the entire interview at BigMusicGeek.com.