ERIC SINGER: 'Original KISS Doesn't Exist Anymore … It Can't Exist In That Incarnation'

Michael Christopher of The Delaware County Daily Times recently conducted an interview with KISS drummer Eric Singer. A few excerpts from the chat follow below.

On what it is that makes the new KISS album, "Sonic Boom", so appealing:

"Everyone knew what the task at hand was. We all got on board in the same vehicle heading down the same road and we knew what are destination was."

"We weren't trying to make a '70s record. We we're trying to make a record in the spirit of the '70s where a band went in, worked on riffs, and recorded them live. Paul [Stanley] said, 'I want to make this record like we did when we started out.'"

"We really created more of a unified sound where everybody contributed, it wasn't like one guy was the main writer and he does everything; we wanted to do everything organically like the way we do live."

On how KISS' 1992 record "Revenge", like "Sonic Boom", is seen as a touchstone in the band's catalog and a return to form after many had left them for dead:

"A friend of mine said, 'It's kind of ironic how two of my favorite KISS albums are two that you played on.' I'm not gonna take the credit for it, but I do believe that sometimes a certain chemistry with people at a given time contributes a lot to a band's sound and a vibe and an energy and a direction that you may have."

"It's like baking a cake; you can make the same cake over and over, but sometimes it just tastes a little better, especially when people make things from scratch rather than follow exact directions."

On Singer and guitarist Tommy Thayer donning the "Catman" and "Spaceman" make-up, which many fans consider sacrilegious:

"I can understand how they can really appreciate the original KISS. Hey, I like the original KISS too, I loved it all, but original KISS doesn't exist anymore … it can't exist in that incarnation."

"People should get on board or move on. I think that a lot of people have obviously chosen to stay with it because certainly they love the band, they love the music and they realize that is bigger than any one individual member."

"I do remember when I first started wearing the make-up in 2001 and Ace [Frehley] was still in the band and they called me up and asked me about coming back and playing. I was on the road at the time and someone who was handling my business called and said, 'Hey, KISS wants you to come play in the band,' and I said, "OK, are they going to want me to wear make-up?" And I was out of the country at the time and he said it would all be worked out by the time I got home."

"I think they paused for literally a second and said, 'What do we do here?' but this is what everybody knows, they know these characters, so that was it."

"People know these four characters; these are the icons for what KISS is known for, and to keep trying to change with different members … I mean, people say, 'Well, they did it for Vinnie [Vincent],' but when you look back, it kind of diluted things."

On being nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2010:

"Everybody has their own personal opinion as to what they think about that whole Hall of Fame stuff. I'm a big sports fan, so when I think of 'hall of fame,' I think of it from a sports point of view where they honor you and recognize you and it's not just for longevity, it's for achievements whether it's passed for a lot of touchdowns or broken a lot of records, and to me that's what it's about."

"To me, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is a popularity contest based on some select individuals and what their personal tastes are rather than the achievements that an individual band has accomplished."

"With all due respect to certain artists, but how does PATTI SMITH end up in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame when ALICE COOPER or especially a band like KISS is not in there now? No offense, but all the time I grew up, she was someone that only critics ever liked."

"I don't remember any of my friends or anybody I know being huge fans of hers or really liking what she did, but somehow people go, 'Oh she's legit, she's credible.' And I'm thinking, 'But in the Hall of Fame? In rock and roll?' Come on, it should be what a band accomplished, and nobody has ever accomplished what KISS has done."

"I'd be there whether I'm one of the people inducted or whether I'm there supporting the band being inducted. I've been a part of Kisstory and there's a lot of people who've helped the band keep going and had success with the band that may not be original guys and they are all a part of that too."

"To me, everybody that's been a part of KISS deserves to be recognized."

"If the band does get inducted, how they'll deal with that, at the time — I don't know. Let's hope we have to cross that bridge."

Read the entire interview from The Delaware County Daily Times.