Three Sides Of The Coin, a KISS talk show, co-hosted by Michael Brandvold (of Michael Brandvold Marketing), Mitch Lafon (rock journalist) and Tommy Sommers recently celebrated their 50th episode with special guest, Eddie Trunk. For over two and a half hours, the four delved into Trunk’s start in the music business at Megaforce Records, the Rock N’ Roll Hall Of Fame, his love and support of influential guitar hero Ace Frehley, his thoughts about the current KISS line-up, his sometimes shaky relationship with KISS frontman Paul Stanley and much more.
“There will be, very soon, a version of KISS with no original members,” muses Trunk about the band’s near future. “Nobody went to a KISS show in the ‘70s and said ‘I hope I catch a guitar pick from Spaceman tonight’. It was ‘I can’t wait for Ace’s guitar to smoke,’ stated Trunk about the band’s current branding. ‘It didn’t say bass by the Demon on KISS – Alive! It said Gene Simmons. They were the people,” added Trunk emphatically. When speaking of his personal relationship with affable KISS icon, Paul Stanley, Trunk declared, “Paul has always been hot and cold with me.” As for Eric Singer and Tommy Thayer, Trunks says, “they are great musicians. I have no problem with Tommy and Eric. I don’t begrudge them at all for doing this.” Voicing his opinion on the different line-up changes, Trunk throws out, “I’ll never forget hearing Animalize for the first time, I was like ‘Oh, my God – KISS has a shredder in the band (Mark St. John)’ and it was exciting because it was different. That, to me, made line-up changes exciting,” and adds, “one of the beautiful things about being a KISS fan, I think, is that throughout their whole history every record was a different turn. Unmasked was a power-pop record, The Elder was a concept record, Creatures (Of The Night) was an all out metal record; whether or not you like these records is irrelevant. They took these different turns. You had all these different variations.” As for KISS’ being included on the Rock N’ Roll Hall Of Fame’s ballot this year, Trunk says clearly that, “as KISS fans we have fought the perception for years that KISS is nothing, but a manufactured joke that can’t play their instruments or write songs. What’s offensive to me is that we’re here over ten years after they first became eligible and still trying to figure out if they should get in. They should have gone in the first time they were eligible.”
Watch the full interview below.
59 Responses
That was an excellent interview you did at 3 Sides of the Coin. It was definitely on par with your excellent interviews that I’ve heard with not only Ace and Peter but even Gene and Paul. Cheers keep up the awesome work. Like you said we’re all Kiss fans in the end!!!
Eddie,
Listening to the bit about Paul Stanley and your icy relationship with him, it is not impossible for me to understand why Paul acts as he does. Some folks, away from the camera and stage, are impossibly insecure and intolerant of any opinion which is the least bit challenging. It conflicts with what they are able to handle. Paul is one of those guys who is easily challenged, thus the reason why he loves being on CNN just answering questions about RNR All Nite. It is all he is really comfortable handling. You seem totally confounded and disappointed in Paul’s behavior towards you. The fact that Paul runs away with the misinformation he hears from you is all you need to know about him. Red Flag. He will be that way forever. He does not have the “make-up” to be the least bit tolerant of being questioned whatsoever. If Paul hears even a whiff of a possible criticism – even those reasonable and objective, he is the kind that is going to have a problem with it. He is intolerant of anything. Guys like Hager and Elliot who laugh off your constructive criticisms about aspects of their career are just NORMAL, even balanced and secure people. It is fun to speak your mind and voice your displeasures with regard to whatever aspects of a bands career that you didn’t care for. Its on Paul if he isn’t interested in sitting down to separate fact from fiction. Who has time for him? I know you care because he is one of your favorite Kiss characters but its hopeless to expect anything different from him. I’ve met him once and it is so easy to see that this guy is moody and ULTRA sensitive in every way. There are lots of fans, like Paul, who are intolerant of any whiff of criticism. That is way they are quick to dish the heat on you. I love what you do because it is REAL. I am bored without open and honest discussions. Everything you’ve said on this show is honest and constructive. If some people can’t handle it, its on them. Honest discussions, like the one here, is more entertaining and informative than bs interviews that only cater to the fragile egos of some rock stars. Don’t stop doing what you do and speaking your mind. Thank you for everything you do and say that is honest and sincere.
You’re actually right on that regarding Paul. He is hyper sensitive to criticism. Just surf youtube for interviews, and you will know how he is… Just look at the way he snaps at any reporter who is just a little critical.. He’s in the wrong business if he can’t handle the criticism.
I agrred with Eddie. And it’s so nice to hear someone speak their mind. Keep it up Eddie.
Seriously? Yes, Paul Stanley is in the wrong business. Maybe he should try event planning. You are about as smart as my shoe.
Hey Eddie, Switzerland calling.
Best podcast of 3 sides of the coin since they started it! Your opinion is appreciated, great to hear your thoughts on all things KISS once again. You nailed it. Congrats to your radio show, TMS rocks also.
Ace = God.
Just let it go and let the band move. It is best to have anybody playing KISS songs just as long as KISS songs are being played and enjoyed and rocked out to! Believe me, it will be a sad day when you can’t appreciate KISS songs in any live environment, be it in a theater, casino,local dive bar or a residency in Las Vegas!! KISS did not write songs to only be played in their lifetime. KISS is forever…Dude!
Entitled to your opinion of course, but I prefer any band I like to have their music actually played live by at least some of the members that made it…
True Eddie, I hear what you are saying. I was critical at first. Can you imagine M.S.G. without Michael Schenker? But to segue into carrying KISS music into the future, we will have to resign to the fact of having all it’s members being unknown almost like a tribute band. The Kiss tribute band I saw at a club years ago was a hoot! With KISS today, I guess I don’t focus on the new visual look of KISS so much but instead enjoy the music they are writing and playing. I guess it boils down to musicianship and chemistry within the band which also then translates to the audience appreciation… Cheers Eddie.
Hey Ed, Listened to you on the 3 Sides Podcast yesterday. Great interview. Cool to hear your side first person and not rumors off the Net. Keep up the good work!