BRUCE KULICK: Seeing GENE SIMMONS' Sex Tape 'Actually Scarred Me In My Own Special Way'

Guitarist Bruce Kulick was recently interviewed live onstage at the 22nd annual New York/New Jersey Kiss Expo by the mysterious Maul Stanley (a parody hybrid of "Star Wars" character Darth Maul and KISS guitarist/vocalist Paul Stanley). Part serious interview and part comedy roast, the exchange has been transcribed and is now available online. In the second half of this two-part feature, Bruce discusses his proposed KISS makeup, the future of his band UNION and how it differs from ESP (ERIC SINGER PROJECT),despite the fact that they share many of the same members. A few excerpts from the interview follow.

Maul Stanley: After being dropped from KISS, you formed the band UNION with John Corabi, who himself had just been fired from MOTLEY CRUE. What originally brought you two together and what is the likelihood that you will record new music as UNION again someday?

Bruce Kulick: I already knew who John was because he had been living in L.A. for a while. I also knew him from his earlier band, THE SCREAM. It was actually former KISS manager Larry Mazer who suggested that I get in touch with him. Larry has always been a big Corabi fan and he thought that it might make sense for the two of us to hook up. We ended up having chemistry right away so we decided to form a band together, which eventually became UNION. We put out two studio albums, one live album and even a live home video. We don't really have any plans to do anything new as UNION, although I do hope to have John sing on my upcoming solo album, which should create something of a UNION vibe. Playing with John is always fun and there's definitely still good chemistry between us. So even though there are no real UNION plans to speak of, John and I will continue to work together in the future.

Maul Stanley: Speaking of which... when you, John Corabi and Eric Singer perform together, how exactly do you determine whether to call the band UNION or ESP? On occasion, the line-ups have been virtually identical!

Bruce Kulick: Well, in 2005 UNION had been booked to play two shows in Japan. It was supposed to be the original lineup of Jamie Hunting, Brent Fitz, John Corabi and myself, but at the last minute we found out that Brent had a scheduling conflict. At the time he was working with a Canadian band called THEORY OF A DEADMAN and he had a prior commitment to them. Since there was no way he could come with us to Japan, we were on the verge of losing a gig that would have been really great for the band. I felt like I was completely screwed and I didn't know who to turn to, so Brent suggested that I ask Eric to do it. Eventually I did ask and even though he was reluctant at first, Eric agreed to help me out as a friend. He knew I would do the same for him and he also knew that Brent had filled in for him in the past with ALICE COOPER. So Eric stepped in and we played the shows as UNION... even though technically we weren't UNION. I mean, we were as much UNION as we were the ERIC SINGER PROJECT, which also features John Corabi and myself. To make things even more confusing, ESP would occasionally perform UNION songs in concert! So obviously, the lines got a little blurred. What started out as a noble gesture on the part of Eric Singer wound up making everyone look a little foolish. I honestly didn't mean to confuse people and I now kind of regret the way it all played out. On the plus side, the experience rekindled my working relationship with Eric and we realized how much we enjoy playing together, so at least one good thing came out of it.

Maul Stanley: UNION also performed another series of dates later in 2005 with Fred Coury on drums alongside bassist Chuck Garric, who also plays bass in ESP.

Bruce Kulick: Right. Well, ever since then, if John is going to be involved, I'd just as soon include Eric and call it ESP. I don't really like to call it UNION anymore without using the original rhythm section.

Maul Stanley: In that case, will there perhaps be more ESP material in the future?

Bruce Kulick: ESP is more Eric's baby than it is mine but it usually seems to work best when the two of us tackle it together. He and I have kicked around some ideas but we're both always so busy. Still, I'm sure we'll do something together again at some point.

Maul Stanley: Bruce, the KISS fans want to know: Even though there has never been an official occasion for you to do so, have you ever toyed with the idea of coming up with your own KISS makeup or character?

Bruce Kulick: I've been asked this question before and I always have the same answer. I figure that since there's already a cat in the band, I should probably be the dog. I'd have a big circle around one eye and I'd look like Petey from "The Little Rascals". I've actually seen one or two fan renditions of what that might look like! So yeah, I'd be the dog.

Maul Stanley: Okay, but have you personally ever sketched out any makeup ideas on paper?

Bruce Kulick: No, I never have.

Maul Stanley: Doodled on a napkin, maybe?

Bruce Kulick: No.

Maul Stanley: Have you ever worn any KISS makeup at all?

Bruce Kulick: Nope.

Maul Stanley: Have you ever just put on some lipstick and gone out for a night on the town with the girls?

Bruce Kulick: No, that has never happened! Although I have worn eyeliner, if that counts.

Maul Stanley: Other than Vinnie Vincent, you are the only living member of KISS never to have been asked to rejoin the band. They even dressed Eric Singer as Peter Criss and hired their tour manager to play Ace Frehley before giving you a call. Do you think they're trying to tell you something?

Bruce Kulick: Well, if you ask me, it totally made sense to have Tommy Thayer join the band. Tommy and I are friends and I understand the whole situation. It actually had more to do with Ace's dysfunction than who they should use to replace him. There were more than few nights when it wasn't clear whether or not Ace would be showing up for a gig. Naturally, it's very hard for a band to function like that. Since Tomm was already on the road with them, it just made sense to say, "Put on the outfit, we don't know if Ace is coming." Plus, Tommy is an excellent musician and he was great in his KISS tribute band. So once Ace left for good, it just made sense to have Tommy replace him. I was actually quite relieved when they chose Tommy because I would've had a real moral dilemma if they'd asked me to do it. I mean, how exactly would that work? I'd spent 12 years in the band as Bruce, but now I'm supposed to be Ace? If I was wearing Ace's makeup and playing only Ace's material, that's just how I'd feel. Eric Singer didn't have as much history in KISS, so that's probably why he was an easier fit. In my case, it would have been hard for me emotionally because I would have felt like, "Damn, what about my years?" So in that sense, I'm actually glad that they ended up choosing Tommy. Of course, from a business standpoint, if they'd made me an amazing offer and guaranteed me a place in the band and all that, I would've had to consider it. I loved playing in KISS and I miss playing in KISS. That's why it would've been such a difficult decision for me. But I'm still very close with both Gene and Paul and I'm glad to see that they're carrying on so well.

Maul Stanley: Did you feel left out when Paul Stanley didn't paint you as part of his KISS portrait series?

Bruce Kulick: I think Paul has much more interesting subjects to paint than me!

Maul Stanley: Since you are also an accomplished bass player, what are the odds of you hooking up with Ace Frehley, Peter Criss and Vinnie Vincent to form your own version of KISS?

Bruce Kulick: Now that's a scary thought!

Maul Stanley: Think about it, that could be huge.

Bruce Kulick: It's a good idea but I probably wouldn't want to entertain something like that.

Maul Stanley: You could call it RE-UNION.

Bruce Kulick: I think I'll just stick to playing bass on records or when people hire me, but that's about it!

Maul Stanley: In the recent past, Paul Stanley has had his hip replaced, your brother Bob has broken his leg and you were shot in the thigh by a stray bullet. Is there some sort of KISS guitarist curse we should know about and is Tommy Thayer at risk?

Bruce Kulick: Maybe! I'll need to call Tommy and warn him right after this interview!

Maul Stanley: It seems as though you've all had to endure some sort of painful leg injury.

Bruce Kulick: True, but those were all just flukes... mine being the biggest fluke of all!

Maul Stanley: Do you think it would help your career at this point to accidentally release a black-and-white video of yourself having sex while wearing a T-shirt?

Bruce Kulick: If anyone saw that video... I'm sorry! Seeing Gene in that state actually scarred me in my own special way! It reminded me of when I used to have my own tuning room while I was on tour with KISS. I would use it to practice and warm up before shows... except for this one time when Gene decided to use it as his little "funtime playhouse!" Walking in on that did a number on my brain! But seriously, my intimate moments are precious to me and I don't ever intend to roll tape on them.

The entire interview is available at this location.