Interview: BRUCE KULICK, the guitar hero talks about his career in an exclusive interview!
July 27, 2019
We had the honor of talking to the great guitar player Bruce Kulick, who besides having been a member of one of the biggest rock bands in the world, Kiss, has many other stories to tell!
Bruce Kulick has made his mark in rock history by participating for twelve years in one of the most important bands of the world, KISS. Bruce was invited to join them after a brief passage of the guitar player Mark St. John, whose journey was interrupted due to health problems. Joining the band with the pressure of being the right guitarist for the band, he was strong throughout the post mask phase, recording several albums and being the most important guitarist after the original Ace Frehley. Bruce also has on his resume other major projects like Union, a band that he formed with John Corabi (ex Motley Crue), ESP, project from the current Kiss drummer Eric Singer, as well as being part of the important 70s band Grand Funk Railroad, and his own solo project, which he has already released three albums and is getting stronger and stronger. With so much story to tell, ‘Revista Freak’ went straight to Bruce Kulick and brought you this chat talking about Kiss, Brazil, Union, solo career and much more. Check this out!
Photo by Neal Zlozower
Bruce, first of all I want to thank you for this interview and say that I’m a big fan of Kiss and your work. To start, I would like to ask about your first time in Brazil with Kiss in 1994 at Monsters of Rock. Do you remember this concert? What was your first impression of Brazil?
I LOVED IT! Brazilians are probably the most dedicated and loving fans I have ever met! I felt like I was in The Beatles!
I always read that you joined Kiss through an indication of your brother Bob Kulick, but you already had contact with the members of the band before, right? Can you tell us how you joined the band? Did you have to auditioning?
In 1984 I did some ghost guitar work for KISS on Animalize. Paul always knew from my brother that I was good, but it was others as well that he knew that spoke highly of me. Mitch Weissman was one. You know I filled in for Mark St John, and the rest was KISSTORY!
Photo by Nico Ciccarone
When and how did you start playing guitar?
I started young, around 10 years old. The Beatles were a huge reason! Seeing them on Ed Sullivan in early 1964 made me want to play guitar.
What do you like to listen to and what are your influences as a guitar player?
So starting with The Beatles, the entire British Invasion of bands, really got me excited. From Cream, The Who, Led Zep, Jimi Hendrix! Mountain, Yes, Jethro Tull. ELP to Yardbirds, and Jeff Beck. Later on Eddie Van Halen was a big influence.
You joined Kiss at a time that seemed to be a bit complicated for the band with the departure of Vinnie Vincent and the illness that prevented Mark St John from continuing playing, how was that beginning for you? Was there a lot of pressure to be the right guitarist for the band after so many changes in a short period of time?
I was happy just to go and fill in for Mark. There’s pressure, but I didn’t actually think the job was MINE. It did feel good playing with them, and in time it was apparent I belonged in the band! What an amazing opportunity.
Photo by Ric Gould
After all the changes that took place after you quit Kiss, Eric Singer and Tommy Thayer ended up wearing the original makeup of Peter Criss and Ace Frehley, with which many fans did not agree. What do you think about it? And if it was you, would you like to get an original mask or would not mind representing the space man?
If it was me, they would of had to ask me be the Spaceman. I do miss being in KISS, but as the Ace character, it would of completely erased for me, what I did in my 12 years in the non make up era of the band. Tommy does a great job as the Spaceman.
Photos by Erik Hellquist / KISS Kruise, in 2018
About Union, a band that you joined forces with John Corabi, which in my opinion is one of the best hard rock singers in the world. Are you still keeping in touch with him and is there any chance of resuming this project someday?
We do keep in touch and we jammed recently in Indianapolis at the KISS Expo. John’s a great singer, and a great guy. Regarding the future, I am open to the idea.
Divulgação Bruce Kulick / Union
You’ve been part on the Gene Simmons “Asshole” solo album and Paul Stanley’s “Live To Win”, how were those invitations to you, and if you do not mind commenting on that, how is your relationship with your old Kiss bandmates nowadays? Are they really hard people to relate to or is it just speculation?
My relationship, especially since the last two KISS Kruises are great with the band! They approached me to join them on their solo efforts, and I was honored. As to them being hard to relate to, not for me at all. Eric and Tommy are good friends of mine.
Photo by TourBusLive.com
I need to ask you about Kiss farewell tour “End Of The Road,” even though it’s a tour where they wear masks, I believe that because of your importance in the band’s history, your participation even if it were in some concerts would make the happiness of many fans, would you like to participate? How are you seeing this farewell tour?
I would like to join them onstage, and of course I will see them. Regarding participating, that is something I can’t confirm, but hope it can happen sometime!
You’re currently playing with the Grand Funk Railroad, right? How’s it going? Is there any chance of coming to Brazil?
I have been playing for 19 years now with Grand Funk, and the band is terrific. I don’t think the band will go to South America, they prefer just flying around the US.
Photo by Jim McGuire
Can you tell us about your other projects outside Grand Funk these days?
Other than GFR, I do some sessions, some clinics and appearances, and I have some plans in the future regarding the terrific band I performed with on the KKVIII. Todd Kerns, Brent Fitz and Zach Throne, love KISS music and we are a formidable group. I want to record with them, and we shall see if we can schedule some touring, when schedules permit.
Credit: TourBusLive.com
Bruce, I want to thank you once again for this interview and before we finish it, can you send a message for Brazilian fans?
Brazil has always been amazing to me! I hope you are all patient for my return to your country so I can play your fave songs again soon!
Visit my website, it’s new! It’s www.brucekulick.com
Thank you all!
Some videos of Bruce Kulick’s bands:
Bruce Kulick Discography
“Live in Japan”
ESP
2006
“BK3“
Bruce Kulick
2003
“Tranformer“
Bruce Kulick
2003
“Audio Dog “
Bruce Kulick
2001
“Carnival Of Souls:
The Final Sessions”
Kiss
1997
“MTV Unplugged“
Kiss
1996
“Kiss Alive III”
Kiss
1993
“Revenge“
Kiss
1992
“Hot In The Shade“
Kiss
1989
“Crazy Nights“
Kiss
1987
“Asylum“
Kiss
1985
“Animalize“
Kiss
1984
“The Blue Room“
Union
2000
“Live in the Galaxy“
Union
1999
“Union“
Union
1998
“ESP”
ESP
1999
“Lost and Spaced “
ESP
1998
“Everybody’s Crazy “
Michael Bolton
1985
“Worlds Apart “
Blackjack
1980
“Tale of the Tape “
Billy Squier
1980
Visit: www.brucekulick.com
Designer e músico apaixonado por arte e rock n’roll. Gaúcho de Porto Alegre, já morou em São Paulo, Nova York e atualmente reside em Madri, na Espanha. Em seu currículo como músico tem passagem como baixista das bandas Rosa Tattooada (Porto Alegre), Jungle Junkies (NY) e Monodrive (SP).
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