Next up, I asked Bruce about the new album that KISS completed before Gene and Paul decided to do the reunion tour. You've all probably heard by now that Bruce is singing lead on the album for the first time on the track "I Walk Alone." I started by asking him how the band managed to get him, Mr. "I only sing in the shower," to sing on an actual recording.
"The vocals that I did for 'I Walk Alone' were quite a trip for me. I have a low singing voice that [makes] it hard to hit those big high notes KISS is famous for, but the general consensus was that it is very cool. Toby Wright, our co-producer, was real supportive of me, as was Gene, who I co-wrote it with. It is a really long song and there are many surprises in it. Gene and Paul also sing at the end without me and the song really takes off again."
Moving on, I asked about some of the other tracks on the album. I had received a full, confirmed list of titles a few weeks before, so I asked Bruce to give us a Metal Edge-style track-by-track analysis of each of the remaining songs on the list...giving us the first glimpse of what to expect from the album.
Well, folks, I guess you're all nice and wet after hearing about what sounds like a totally f-king awesome KISS album! Obviously, my next question was "When will this thing actually come out?"
"Ahh, the million dollar question!!! I guess it depends on the record company and the fans. As you can tell, I'm proud of the record and want to share it with our fans. Be patient...all good things come in time."
Bruce mentioned in his comments on "Childhood's End" that he is now playing his custom ESP "BK" model signature guitar. I asked him to elaborate a bit on what we can expect from it and when it will be available.
"It is a cross between a Gibson SG model and a B.C. Rich. I love those guitars, so it is a combination of them. Only the prototype is built now, and we (ESP and I) are working to get the bolt-on version ready for the summer. My prototype is a neck-thru guitar. Look for it soon or call ESP for a catalog at 1-800-423-8388."
Okay, so all of you can now at least look like Bruce when you play, but do not attempt to sound like him!! Well, since Bruce obviously isn't going to be all that busy this year (much to our chagrin), I thought I would ask him about doing a solo album with Eric so we can hear what the two of them can do when not held within the boundaries of KISS. Unfortunately, Bruce said that there are "No plans yet," for such an album, adding that "I'm not a big fan of guitar solo albums. It has been done so many times." Yes, but never by you, sir!
Since we won't get an album, I asked if Bruce would consider doing a clinic tour of music stores this summer. He responded that "I have been putting together a clinic tour for ESP in Europe this summer that will last from June 12 until mid-July. I will be visiting Switzerland, England, Italy, Germany, and maybe one or two other countries. It is all being put together now. It's not as cool as concerts with KISS, but I love playing for/with the fans." Hopefully, Bruce will also do something like that in America later in the year, but he didn't mention any plans for that just yet.
Finally, I had to ask a rather goofy question. Many of our female readers (and a few males!) have been wondering if and when Bruce was going to shave off the Grizzly Adams beard that he's been sporting in recent photos... "My beard was wild for me. I was in the studio all the time but now it is gone, so everyone can relax!"
Bruce ended the fax by saying to all of us "Take care and thanks for your support as KISS fans," and I will end this article by saying to Bruce that we have, are, and always will be supportive of you and the continuing future of KISS. Thanks for the interview, and we'll keep in touch!
Thanks,
Michael Edwards
Editor, KISS KARISMA