Former KISS Guitarist BRUCE KULICK Says Additional KULICK BROTHERS Performances Will Happen
Former KISS and current GRAND FUNK RAILROAD guitarist Bruce Kulick was recently interviewed by Totally Driven Radio. The full conversation can be streamed below. A few excerpts follow (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET):
On his recent "Kiss Kruise VII" performance with his brother, guitarist/producer Bob Kulick, and being invited to perform together again on "Kiss Kruise VIII":
Bruce: "Certainly, I was very aware of the impact that it could make, but in the moment, I was just trying to do my best. We didn't get to rehearse a lot. I saw that we went over [well], but it just seems like the magic that happened, it was less apparent from my eyes that night and more apparent watching it on YouTube [laughs], and then, of course, hearing what the fans are saying. You've got to remember that most artists, they hope to do their best on stage, and they want to perform well, and you're concentrating on that. The last thing you really want to do is just constantly tell yourself, 'Oh, this is epic,' because that's when you'll hit the wrong chord. You just try to be there in the moment. It was a lot of fun, and I was very pleased afterward. I had no concept of how amazing everybody would [react]. Obviously, that was a captured audience on the sundeck of the kick-off night, so it was a prime time, but I didn't realize that all those YouTube [clips] would be so effective. That's kind of how we got the invitation back. I know that the fans spoke, and it was very easy for Gene [Simmons] and Paul [Stanley] to realize, 'We should invite them back.' That's very flattering to me. That may be the biggest vote of confidence — that they enjoyed it too. It was a special night, and we were able to do something very unique in the world of KISS. I could represent some of my era and Bob's era all in one set, so the ingredients were quite tasteful, and I guess we had a good meal up there."
On whether they're planning additional performances:
Bruce: "Technically, we're not a band, but obviously, we have a lot that we can represent in a solid set. When opportunities arrive, we'll be doing more of it. It's been hard – a lot of people have asked, and with my GRAND FUNK commitments, it's not that easy to go say, like, 'Yeah, I've got ten days. I can go to Australia and do this.' Besides, we love Todd [Kerns, who sang and played bass on the 'Kruise'] and Brent [Fitz, who played drums], and we have to coordinate everyone's schedule. It's just something even, no matter how much I'll look at the opportunities, it's something I'm real proud of, and I know my brother's thrilled. He certainly came to the party with guns blazing, and loved it. He's enjoying the sunshine, if you know what I mean. There's a bright light there. It's all on the horizon. We've just to see how it fits into everyone's schedule. The fact that people are interested and excited about it really does mean a lot to us."
On the KISS family tree, and the band being highly visible in recent months despite not releasing any new music or embarking on a high-profile tour:
Bruce: "Gene put out the 'Vault', and I went out to support that here in L.A., and Bob was there in Vegas for him. I like all the little connections that have been very – kind of good family relations related to KISS lately, and I very much appreciate that. I think the fans are going crazy over it. Even Vinnie Vincent reappearing suddenly. All this is great for the fans, because it's a big world, what KISS has represented — lots of eras, amazing albums and videos, and there's a lot to share. It's something the [Rock And Roll] Hall Of Fame didn't want to do, which Paul and Gene were very vocal about, so it's really been an exciting time in the KISSworld without necessarily KISS touring. It's all these other things related so strongly to KISSthat are making the fans excited, so it's great to be a part of that. I think maybe we're at that post-20-year mark now that mixing things up and maybe trying some other things will show value. I know that the fans are buzzing about it. I think Gene and Paul see some of this as well. It's very clear to me they wouldn't have invited us on the 'Kruise' [otherwise]. Even having Ace[Frehley] on the 'Kruise', it's like, 'What? This is great!'"
On whether he plans to write an autobiography:
Bruce: "I'd love to write a book, and my book would really be about everything that I accomplished through the years, not only the KISS years. My brother, last year I know he was working pretty hard on doing something with a book, but I haven't heard him talk about it much [lately]. I don't want to compete with him or anything. He's got a fascinating story. I should ask him, 'What's going on your book, because people are asking me about mine.' It isn't something that's off my radar; it's just in some ways, my story is still being written, because new, exciting things keep coming."
During last year's "Kiss Kruise VII", the Kulick brothers played a 13-song set that featured 10 rarely performed KISS songs such as "Turn On The Night" and "All American Man", as well as three classics from Paul Stanley's 1978 solo album (on which Bob performed).
