Former Skid Row frontman Sebastian Bach speaks to Ultimate Classic Rock about KISS’ induction into the Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame and why he believes the original line-up will not be preforming at the ceremony.
The singer says, “As a fan, I understand why people would want to see that, But as a 46-year old man that has worked with Gene Simmons and Ace Frehley, I understand why Gene Simmons doesn’t work with Ace Frehley.”
His explained his position further by stating, “Ace has sides to him that maybe the fans don’t see. That’s all I can say.” He revealed that he’s currently working on an autobiography and there will be stories in that book “that will explain more of that topic.” He finished his thoughts on the subject by reiterating ”I understand why Gene doesn’t play with him.”
As he indicated in his comments, he had worked with Frehley in the past, both onstage and in the studio. The two paired up to record a song called Know Where You Go for drummer Anton Fig’s solo album Figments in 2004. At that time, Bach called the collaboration with Frehley “a dream come true and an honor.”
Sebastian Bach’s new album, Give’Em Hell, will be released on April 22nd.
Anthrax frontman Joey Belladonna has discussed his recent comments about being “only allowed so much friendship” with his bandmates.
He insists he didn’t mean to suggest there were problems within the ranks, but admits he’d still prefer to have a closer relationship with the rest of the band.
Back in February Belladonnna said: “I don’t think I’ve ever really found my place with this band. They were open to me, but they weren’t doing anything to make me feel it was going to be the best thing in the world. It was more businesslike.”
Now he tells Rocksverige: “I don’t necessarily say that we’re not getting along. When I grew up playing with people in my hometown, we’d hang together. We just don’t. But that doesn’t mean we’re not [d]oing what we need to do – my intentions were not to make things [out] like we’re just a mess.”
He’s sure the situation isn’t an intentional one, but says: “I’m always picking at people and trying to get them to open up and maybe talk. A lot of people don’t want to do it, and that’s fine, but I’m not that kind of guy. Sometimes you don’t know what you’re dealing with until you talk to people. Maybe you can get something off your chest and maybe something can actually be resolved by it.”
Belladonna admits guitarist Scott Ian spoke to him about his previous comments. “Scott asked me, ‘We’re trying to keep things positive, right?’ Scott was on his promotional tour and doing his spoken-word – so what a great time to answer questions!”
Meanwhile, the vocalist continues work on material for the follow-up to Anthrax’s comeback album Worship Music. “We have a lot of stuff,” he says. “There could be around 15 or 16 songs at this point. I have three just finished. It’s going to be really intense and I don’t think we’ll let you down.”
Had a great hang with Ace Frehley tonight on the SiriusXM show. Ace was in great spirits and said all the Kiss drama would not take down his fun finally going into the HOF this Thursday. I’m sure the audio will be everywhere on Youtube and elsewhere soon if not already. It will also be on the SiriusXM On Demand app likely by tomorrow. A few highlights:
*His new album Space Invader will be released June 24th. He did record a cover of Steve Miller’s “The Joker” as one of the tracks. He will also assemble a new live band to tour behind it.
*He still wishes there would have been a performance for the HOF, wanted to play with another band, but HOF would not allow. Joked he might do a solo “NY Groove” during his speech. He has no plans of wearing a Kiss costume or makeup.
*The individual speeches have been cut from 3 minutes each to 2. He and Peter speak between Gene and Paul who start and finish in the speaking order. Said he likely would not use a teleprompter and just go for it.
*Said the recent anti semetic claim by Paul is absurd and noted his fiance is Jewish. Was aware of recent photos of Paul himself in Nazi regalia and said he can’t figure out what’s going on with Paul these days.
*Did not rule out jumping up and joining in the all star jam at the end of the night but wasn’t sure.
*Said he can’t speak on other members not being inducted into the HOF with Kiss since he has nothing to do with the decision and there are precedents for both scenarios.
Ace answered everything that was thrown at him including a ton of calls for the listeners. I will be sitting with him and Peter at their tables for the big night Thursday and will provide info as I it happens when I can via Twitter @EddieTrunk More soon no doubt. Appreciate him coming in. He really was in a great mood and committed to having a fun week in NYC and not letting all the sniping dim this event as you will hear in the audio.
I can’t think of a more plain way to say this, so I just will: KISS does not belong in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Period. End of Story.
I will argue my case, but the facts speak for themselves: KISS does not belong in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Over Commericalized Garbage Hall of Fame? Sure.
One-hit Wonder Hall of Fame? Right up there with the best of ‘em.
Don’t tell me that Rock and Roll All Nite is the Rock and Roll national anthem. It isn’t. That’s like saying We’re the Monkees is one of the ‘60s enduring classics.
In short, there is nothing that qualifies KISS for entry into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
And yet, on Thursday, KISS along with the E Street Band, Nirvana, Linda Ronstadt, Peter Gabriel, Cat Stevens — aka Yusef Islam — and Daryl Hall and John Oates, will be inducted into the Cleveland shrine glorifying Rock and Roll.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m attacking KISS here, but I’m not sure Hall and Oates belong in it either. Unless a nomination is akin to a popularity contest.
Explain to me though how KISS beats out Deep Purple? You want an anthem? What the heck is Smoke on the Water?
Machine Head with Highway Star, Smoke on the Water, Lazy and Space Truckin is better than the entire KISS catalog.
For that matter how does KISS get into the winner’s circle ahead of Paul Butterfield? I mean the Butterfield Blues Band played at Monterey with Hendrix and at Woodstock with Hendrix and The Who. I think a better argument can be made for Butterfield as he opened the doors for Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughn and played alongside Muddy Waters and Albert King.
Name one artist even slightly influenced by KISS or a style of musicianship influenced by the high-heeled poseurs. You can’t.
So what other bands and artists should be honored before KISS?
I would definitely put The Cure, Chicago, Journey, Bon Jovi, The Cars, Barry White, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Jethro Tull, Los Lobos and Willie Nelson in ahead of the make-up boys. How do we really know who is up there playing anyway?
Even Devo and Soundgarden deserve spots in the Cleveland waterfront museum.
To make matters worse, KISS’ guitarist isn’t happy with the induction. But that’s because the HOF has some — albeit limited — standards. CEO Joel Peresman said Thursday’s ceremony will only honor the band’s original members: cat guy, dude with the long tongue, starface and silver eye make-up freak with shoulder pads.
“I don’t need the Hall Of Fame,” Starface told Rolling Stone Magazine. “And if there’s not reciprocity, I’m not interested. The Red Hot Chili Peppers, practically every member was inducted, and virtually all 175 members of the Grateful Dead. Rules need to apply to everybody.”
Probably embarrassed, Peresman nonetheless defended the limited selection.
“…There are certain acts that are nominated and brought in on their entire body of work, up until the day before the nominating committee meets,” Peresman told the Rolling Stone. “They are still evolving bands that are breaking new ground. With KISS, there wasn’t a single person we spoke to that didn’t feel the reason these guys were being inducted was because of the four original members.”
Sadly, even that’s a stretch. But as my friend Dion Lefler points out, “It ain’t the Rock N’ Roll Hall of Quality.”
Eagle Rock Entertainment is proud to announce the May 13th release of Live In London: Hammersmith Apollo 1993 on DVD, SD Blu-ray and double CD formats, from the incomparable Dio [Pre-book Order Date April 18, MSRP $14.98 DVD, $19.98 SD Blu-ray, $17.98 2CD].
This is the first ever video release of this classic 1993 concert and includes anthems such as Holy Diver, Rainbow In The Dark, Strange Highways, Stand Up And Shout, Man On The Silver Mountain, Heaven And Hell, We Rock, and more. Filmed at London’s Hammersmith Apollo on December 12th, 1993, this concert film captures the then newly-reformed Dio on the last night of their European tour in support of the Strange Highways album. The line-up of Ronnie James Dio (vocals), Vinny Appice (drums), Jeff Pilson (bass), Tracy G (guitar) and Scott Warren (keyboards) the band delivered a blistering performance of tracks from their new album, previous Dio classics and favorites from Ronnie’s career with Black Sabbath and Rainbow. This powerful performance is presented in DTS Surround Sound, Dolby Digital 5.1, and Dolby Digital Stereo.
In addition to this amazing concert, the AV formats offer a bonus Behind-The-Scenes feature entitled “Hangin’ With The Band.”
One of the most influential and celebrated vocalists / frontmen of hard rock and heavy metal, the late Ronnie James Dio’s commanding vocals and mammoth stage presence has resonated with generations of fans. His sophisticated, classical vocalization mixed with imaginative, fantastical song themes was genre-defining, establishing him as one of music’s most beloved icons. Live In London: Hammersmith Apollo masterfully captures him and his namesake band, Dio.
Live In London: Hammersmith Apollo 1993 track listing:
1) Stand Up And Shout
2) Strange Highways
3) Don’t Talk To Strangers
4) Evilution
5) Pain
6) The Mob Rules
7) Children Of The Sea
8) Holy Diver
9) Heaven And Hell
10) Man On The Silver Mountain
11) Drum Solo
12) Heaven And Hell (reprise)
13) Jesus, Mary & The Holy Ghost
14) Hollywood Black
15) The Last In Line
16) Rainbow In The Dark
17) We Rock
18) Here’s To You
For a sneak peak at Live In London – Hammersmith Apollo, here’s a video of Mob Rules.
Just back from a busy weekend in the Pacific NW with Don & Jim doing our live stage show. These are so much fun and it’s been great to meet so many TMS fans as well as fans of my radio shows. We each do 20 minutes on stage of stories and comedy, then a Q&A with the audience, then a little live trivia with prizes. Usually bands play when we are done. Saturday in Seattle we had a sold out crowd 700 strong at Studio 7. Michael Wilton and Parker Lundgren of Queensryche jumped on stage with us for some Q&A as well. They said the name decision with the two bands is very close to being announced. Last night was another great gig in Portland at Tonic Lounge. Smaller club but also a great turn out and tons of fun with some cool local live acts after we left the stage. Thanks to all who came to these gigs. We have more being added based on our schedule. They are listed on the home page under Appearances as they are confirmed. Remember NONE are TMS tapings. Special thanks to promoter Tony Lopez for taking good care of this on this latest run. Next up, this weekend, we come to Mexico City and Puebla! Mexican fans so supportive of TMS so can’t wait. Dates on the home page.
Tons of pro photos will be posted soon from my recent hosting of the MOR Cruise. Some already on the site in news.
Thoughts and prayers to my friend and guitarist Karl Cochran. Karl is an old bud from NJ and a talented musician who has worked with Ace Frehley, Joe Lynn Turner and many more. Was stunned to hear the news he was stricken with a serious stroke. Get well Karl!
Thanks to all for the kind words about the season finale of TMS last night. That was the last of our 12 episode new season and many felt it was one of our best seasons yet. VH1 Classic decides when and where we do season 14. Likely not until the Fall from what I am hearing with location and details TBA. I’ll keep you all posted. Most of the Spring and Summer will be a reshuffle of many repeats so a good chance to catch shows you may have missed. Thanks to all our great guests for being on and all of you guys for watching. Can’t wait to start again but VH1C makes all the calls as to when. Also please note I do NOT control where the show airs outside the USA and how it can be accessed online. I also have nothing to do with TMS merch. Please see the merch I do have for sale on this site, including the all new just released “That Eddie Trunk/ Stump This” shirt!
I will be live on SiriusXM tomorrow 6-10P ET on channel 39 TRUNKNation (Hair Nation). Ace Frehley will be in studio around 6:15PM ET. MUCH has gone on around Kiss and the HOF induction which is this Thursday. We will get into all of it. So much has been said from so many sides last couple months. Sucks as Kiss fans waiting so long for this not only are we getting no performance but the sniping has really been pretty brutal. Today’s NY Post story with Paul the latest example (in the News section). Not sure any band has gone into the HOF with this much drama before. Hopefully at least for a few minutes they can stand at the podium and make their speeches and then be done with this. It has certainly not been the celebration Kiss fans have hoped for fighting to finally see this day. More to come no doubt and we will discuss with Ace and let you speak with him as well tomorrow on Eddie Trunk LIVE TrunkNation!
Have some cool new announcements coming for more upcoming gigs and hosting events. Keep an eye on this space, Twitter and the Appearance section.
Finally if you’d like to see Iced Earth in NYC at Best Buy Theater 4/18 email me through the site with “Iced Earth Tickets” in the subject line. Include your name and address in the email. You will get a confirmation email if you are a winner. Please only send one email. YOU ARE ONLY A WINNER IF YOU GET AN EMAIL SAYING YOU ARE IN, OTHERWISE YOU ARE NOT ON THE LIST. THANKS.
