Bruce Kulick Clarification
by Willie G. Moseley
1996 Vintage Guitar Magazine

The October 1996 issue of Vintage Guitar featured an interview with veteran guitarist Bruce Kulick, the lead guitarist for Kiss when our conversation was recorded. Just prior to press time, Kulick left that platinum-selling band, and VG opted to run his interview as it was recorded. The introduction to the interview noted Kulick's recent career move, and stated that the opportunity for an update from Kulick was in the offing.

And such was the case when Bruce Kulick called Vintage Guitar's Southern Regional Office soon after his interview was published. In a brief and cordial conversation, he filled us in on the details of his departure from Kiss, and his future plans:

VG: Well, we had time to change the text to note your departure from Kiss, but we didn't have time to change the artwork, since it was the color centerspread. The interview's subtitle was "No Kiss-off." Ironic, ain't it?

BK: (laughs) Yeah, but I thought it turned out really great, and I've gotten some comments from other people who enjoyed it. The point is, I really was proud of what I'd accomplished in that band, and I still am.

VG: Since we last talked, I've seen an old video of Meat Loaf's "Paradise By The Dashboard Light." Is that you playing the Start of the Les Paul?

BK: Neither my brother or I are in that video, even though we were on the Bat Out Of Hell tour for a year. Bob and I were in the studio with another singer, but his career didn't go anywhere. They got two guys that sort of looked like us; people do think it's Bob and me.

VG: You noted in your interview that you saw the MTV Unplugged album as being "pretty much a one-off for the band." Is that what the reunion/"makeup" tour was supposed to have been, as well?

BK: It was originally presented to me as "we're just going to do this for a year." I wasn't happy about it, but I was getting paid. But the next thing I knew, the "makeup" tour was being touted like it was the second coming of the Messiah. It is kind of cool as a nostalgia trip, but they're not doing any new music. They're only doing material up to 1980; what about the other 16 years that the band sold gold and platinum records?

The success of the concert ticket sales put me more in a position of thinking that the band would want to stay in it's makeup for awhile, and I started to ask: "What about my career?" We'd done a brand new album with 12 songs, and I co-wrote nine of them, which was the most co-writing I'd ever done for a Kiss album. I sang a song called "I Walk Alone," which, come to think of it, was probably a prophetic title (chuckles)! I though that album really helped in an attempt to bond with Kiss fans. Some fans have gotten bootleg copies of the album, and I've heard that "I Walk Alone" is one of their favorite tracks.

I wasn't planning on staying inactive during the years, but then I was told that the new album was going to stay shelved indefinitely; no release date.

VG: Was that the proverbial "last straw?"

BK: Once I was that the focus of the record company was on the "makeup" phase when they released yet another live album, I figured a new album from the "makeup" version of the band would be an obvious followup when they got through touring. If it did happen, it wouldn't do anything for me. I couldn't have gone from more of a "high" about the new record to more of a "low," considering what's happened, in terms of my commitment to the band. It was a very awkward position to be in. I need to create music; I can't sit around. Without any guarantee of knowing when the "makeup reunion" would run its course, I figured it was time to move on.

VG: Did you discuss the situation with Eric Singer (Kiss drummer who departed same time as Kulick)? Was it a mutual decision?

BK: I can't say which one of us was more frustrated. We decided to put out one press release at the same time, because things weren't working for either of us. He's an extremely talented drummer, which I think is very evident on the Unplugged album.

Actually, the whole band discussed the future; it wasn't like Eric and I were plotting behind anyone's back. We all got together and talk about things; I didn't get any guarantees, so it was time to look at other options.

VG: And I understand you haven't stayed inactive; you told me when we did the first interview that you were going to Europe to do some clinics.

BK: Actually, I've been there twice. The first time, I did 21 clinics in five countries. It was really exciting to play for the fans; I don't think Kiss has played in Europe often enough. When I got back, I got hooked up with a singer named Lenita Erickson, whose album was produced by Curt Cuomo, who's a good friend of mine that co-wrote some songs with Paul Stanley and me. Lenita was going to Europe to so some promotional concerts, and she needed an acoustic guitarist to accompany her. I'd seen her in Curt's studio; she's quite talented, and sings kind of like a female Rod Stewart. To me, it's real heartland music; it's not trendy or "alternative." We did 10 shows in Europe, and it was a challenge, because it related to the Unplugged experience. It was great fun, and once plans are set for her here in America, I'm definitely going to be involved.

VG: Other future plans?

BK: I've got a manager named Larry Mazer, who worked with Kiss and Cinderella; we're real hungry to do something. I'm doing some writing, and have got the "nucleus" of a band together, but it's too soon to say who. I want to get a record out that's comprised of some great melodic rock, and the band that records it will be able to kick some serious musical butt. And by the time this interview comes out, Eric Singer and I will have done some clinics in Australia. When we were there a couple of years ago, we sold out some huge arenas and did multiple-night gigs, and we don't have to go down there in makeup for the fans to support us. Eric and I will do our individual clinics, and will do some jamming together.

I've produced other artists this year, and I've got a website; the address is http://www.nextlevel.com/brucekulick. We got over 20,000 hits on it in the first two weeks. So I haven't been on vacation this year, and I'm willing to have a lot of pressure on me, because that's when I'm at my best; I'd go crazy if I was hanging around the house. I'll be sure to let you and your readers know what's going on.