Bruce Kulick Talks KISS & The BK3 Solo Album

Bruce Kulick

Bruce Kulick has been playing professionally since 1975. He first gained notoriety as a member of the touring band for Meat Loaf's classic "Bat Out Of Hell" album in 1977, playing dual guitars with his brother Bob. Shortly after, Bruce formed the band Blackjack with then aspiring singer Michael Bolton. After the release of two albums, Blackjack folded and Kulick considered joining Billy Squier's band after playing on Squier's debut, "Tale of the Tape". This never materialized, as Bruce was asked to join KISS, where he remained as their lead guitarist for twelve years, joining the band for the Animalize tour in 1984 and continuing with the band until the 1996 reunion tour. Bruce performed around the world with the KISS and won many Platinum and Gold awards. The amazing relationship relationship he still has with the KISS Army is a true testament to his performing and writing abilities shared with the iconic group.

After leaving KISS, Bruce continued his musical development, forming UNION with John Corabi in 1997. UNION released three albums between 1998 and 2000 before going on hiatus to pursue other endeavors. Bruce and John teamed up with Eric Singer and formed the Eric Singer Project (E.S.P.), releasing an album in 1998. Bruce also maintained his connection to KISS, contributing to their Psycho Circus album, the Detroit Rock City soundtrack, and both of the solo efforts from Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley.

In early 2001 Bruce released his debut solo album, Audio Dog, which was followed in 2003 with Transformer. Both albums showcase many different sides of Bruce as a performer, with a great mixture of instrumentals and vocal tracks. Another facet of Bruce's playing was revealed in 2001 when he joined Grand Funk Railroad as lead guitarist after receiving a personal invitation from drummer Don Brewer. Bruce is still touring with GFR and is currently in his 9th year as their lead guitarist.

Now, on February 6, Bruce will be releasing BK3, his third solo album featuring an all-star cast of friends. The album takes listeners for quite a ride over its twelve songs...from the frenetic and anger-fueled "Fate" (co-written by Kevin Churko, known for his work with Ozzy Osbourne) to the philosophical and uplifting "Life." Never one to mind sharing the spotlight with other talented musicians, Kulick invited several guest artists to appear on BK3, including Gene Simmons of KISS on the anthemic "Ain't Gonna Die," Doug Fieger (lead vocalist of The Knack) on the soon-to-be pop classic "Dirty Girl," Tobias Sammett (EdGuy, Avantasia) and Eric Singer (KISS) on the fierce "I'm The Animal", Nick Simmons (son of Gene) on the first single "Hand of the King", former Union cohort John Corabi on the moody "No Friend Of Mine," and guitar legend Steve Lukather (Toto) on the exciting instrumental "Between The Lines."

Thank you for talking to me today. How are things going?

Congratulations on BK3. It’s a cool album and a lot different than your other solo releases. What did you have in mind when you went to create it?

What’s the reaction like so far?

This one will be available through Frontiers Records in several countries. Is this your first record company experience as a solo artist?

Is it a little overwhelming, going from Do It Yourself – to – the Record Company?

Are the songs on BK3 all newly written?

So, some song have been sticking around for a while. Did you rework some of the songs?

Like with I’ll Survive, fans can sometimes pick out the topic of the songs, but when you record instrumentals, what do you draw from to create those?

On BK3, Steve Lukather joined you. He’s such an under-rated rock guitarist.

10 BK3 turned out to be an all-star cast. Was it originally planned to be like that?

When I first hear that you put out an album with some guests on it I first thought you would of had your brother, someone from Grand Funk, Meatloaf and maybe even Michael Bolton. Any chance we might see that on the next record?

What are the chances that there will be a BK model guitar for sale?

Of all the great bands you’ve been with and all the great artists you’ve recorded and played with, what is the single greatest moment you’ve ever had?

OK Last question: if you and your brother were chosen as the two guitarists that would have been in the Crossroads movie, who would have been the Devil’s guitar player and who would have been the humble blues guitarist?

by Avril Savoie
RockStar Weekly

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Comments (3)

2010-01-21 09:42:54 |72.224.28.240| mark leggiero - good luck

I wish you good luck on feb 6th with the new album release. You deserve it with all the time and hard work you put in.Rock on

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