Kiss and Tell
Thunder Downunder
On The Street November 13, 1996
by Nio Morton

The original Kiss reformed. Great! Well great for fans that is, but what about two of the "Johnny come lately" members now left out in the cold, Bruce Kulick (guitar) and Eric Singer (drums)? The fact is both are aware that the reunion tour is going to last at least two years, so they better be doing something else. Right now they have combined forces and are coming to Australia as part of the Unholy Downunder Tour. The tour not only includes a selection of live gigs but also special clinics for other musicians, who wish to gain from their expertise.

The fact is, both have an enormous performance background. Kulick has 20 years experience, playing and recording with such artists as Meatloaf, Billy Squire, Michael Bolton, as well as the 12 year stint with Kiss. Not only that, he co-wrote nine of the songs from the last Kiss album. Meanwhile his partner in crime Singer has bashed skins with an equally illustrious list of players including Black Sabbath, Lita Ford, Gary Moore, Alice Cooper, Badlands and even Paul Stanley's solo band which was the door to joining Kiss.

The advantage of Kiss to both their careers is something that Singer and Kulick readily admit. "Kiss have the best fans in the world," says Singer with a sly grin though he refuses to be drawn any further. "The experience and exposure you get from such a band is extraordinary. Perhaps the only drawback is that it becomes almost impossible to work with other artists."

"And that it was extremely loud," adds Kulick ruefully.

This hasn't stopped Kulick's musical ear from functioning. While Singer keeps doing drum clinics and studio work "...until I find a new home," Kulick is well on the way to setting a new musical direction for himself. "I'm writing songs and will put out a new album in '97 either with a band or solo."

The Unholy Downunder tour certainly does offer something new and entertaining on the clinic circuit. Instead of the normal gather around the musician kind of thing, these tours have a certain amount of performance included. Each show includes a star opening with Kulick and Singer performing live, before the stage becomes host to only one, for a unique look at the instrument they play, as well as an insight into the way they are as individual players. This is followed again by a large performance at the end with the two together.

In terms of their playing style both are incredibly modest despite their years of experience. When it came to finding out what they had to offer that none of their contemporaries could, it was more a matter of approach than technique. Kulick claims that "I always try to compliment the song rather than bury it with noise," while Singer admits, "I don't have any particular drum skills but I feel I work well with others and listen very well."

Talk to them about what is the most important asset for a musician o make it in the industry and similarly it has nothing to do with instrumental pyrotechnics either. "Learn to deal with the downside," says Singer. "This industry is a lot of bullshit, but it's great."