Ex-KISS Guitarist BRUCE KULICK Says His Upcoming Solo Album Will Represent 'A Nice Rebirth'

During an appearance on the latest episode of the "Beardo & Weirdo" podcast, hosted by FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH bassist Chris Kael and comedian Craig Gass, former KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick confirmed that he is working on a new solo album with Todd Kerns, who plays bass and sings in the reformed TRIUMPH and is the longtime bassist/vocalist for SLASH FEATURING MYLES KENNEDY & THE CONSPIRATORS. Bruce said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "[Todd and I are] working on some songs for a new record with me. But that's when I can catch him for the two days he's home [due to his busy touring schedule]. But I have been writing for a record. Although I'm gonna do what everybody seems to do now, just a song at a time, and then it will become an album. Then you'll have a physical CD and album."

Referencing the heart valve surgery he underwent in April, Bruce continued: "The first song, I have to admit, I gotta go back to the recovery, which my job was to do the best I could. That was my job, 'cause I couldn't do much else but eat and let [my wife] Lisa take care of me, and sleep. But I wrote a song for her that was called 'Without Her', which I love, a very Beatley type of thing. But the first verse is all graphic about the operating room. The second verse is about the recovery, and the chorus is about that I couldn't have done it without her. And from that, all of a sudden, I shared it with a few friends, and one of my good friends, Joe McGuinness, who plays with [Chris] Jericho in [the KISS cover band] KUARANTINE. And Joe's a great musician. The next thing I know, he's kind of, like, 'I could put some backgrounds on that.' I go, 'Okay.' And next thing I know, I go, like, 'Oh my God.' And he goes, 'Let's work on some stuff.' So I've been working with him, and then another dear friend that's local here, this guy Pat [Patrick] Vitagliano, who sings in a band called THE BONES. They play here a lot. And he's got another project called PAPER COWBOY. I threw a couple things at him. I didn't know. I'm tight with him and I love that he's such a great musician, but I didn't know what he would do. And then he blows me away, 'cause it doesn't sound like anything he does. And I'm, like, 'Oh my God, what did you do? This is a side of you I didn't see.' So working with him, working with Todd, when he's home for the two days of a year, and moving forward. So I don't know what the first song would be, but I'm pretty obsessed with getting that done. And the the amount of work that you gotta put into… I'm very particular, and the people that I'm work with are also. It's not just slapped together. It's gotta be arranged right and all the performances have gotta be right. Joey Cassata has helped out with some drums. I know he's got the TWISTED [SISTER] gig now with Sebastian [Bach]."

Kulick went on to call his new solo music "a nice rebirth. 'Cause I talked about recording for the past two years and writing since I retired from [playing guitar for] GRAND FUNK [RAILROAD]," he explained. "'Cause I just didn't wanna travel, because it was their legacy and I wanted to concentrate on mine."

Kulick joined KISS in 1984 and remained the band's lead guitarist for 12 years.

Bruce accompanied KISS on the "Animalize" tour and continued with the band until the 1996 reunion tour. Bruce is heavily featured on "Kissology - Vol. 2" and "Vol. 3", the band's DVDs spanning KISS's historic career.

Kulick — who in 2024 launched his own brand to offer period-correct guitars inspired by his KISS era — played on six KISS studio albums and two live records.

Bruce performed at last year's "KISS Kruise: Landlocked In Vegas" weekend-long event at Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas on November 14-16. He is scheduled to play at the 2026 edition of the same event.

Kulick did not take part in either of KISS's farewell tours, in 2000-2001, and 2019-2023. Tommy Thayer has been KISS's guitarist since 2002.

In addition to his years in KISS, Bruce toured or recorded with Meat Loaf, Billy Squier, Michael Bolton, AVANTASIA, LORDI, UNION and many others. He frequently makes appearances at guitar shows, clinics and fan autograph events.