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
It’s unfortunate that many who dismiss Kiss as being “novelty”, “image based”, of “for the kids”, don’t give enough credit to the albums (too many to count) of top notch, well produced, well performed rock material. Even radio, save for ET’s show doesn’t get it, playing Rock ‘n Roll All Night mainly and going “back wall” for truly great songs and HITS like “Shout it Out Loud”, “Detroit Rock City”, “Strutter”, etc… These are just the tip of the Kiss iceberg, as, especially during their prime period, and later, when they evolved beyond that point, they had ample songs and albums worth of R&R HOF-worthy material. If Alice got in, it’s definitely Kiss’ turn. Whether we get to see all of them play together seems to be in Gene and Paul’s hands. I honestly can’t see how a band that’s popularity has been so fan-based (Kiss Army anyone?) would ignore their fans for a great moment like that. Then again, Gene and Paul are stubborn dudes. First let’s see if they get in. If they do, maybe they’ll have the good sense to not have Velvet Revolver sing their songs!
They have the lead in the fan vote now.
Watch Kiss and Vegas in the next few years…Gene & Paul want that residency and Jersey Boys Kiss thing out of the starting gate. Peter & Ace and all the ex Kissters ought to do a convention tour, I bet G&P would front it.
That was some interview I don’t even think Gene can talk that long about Kiss!
hello eddie, joe in louisiana. i listened to the entire podcast with you and the guy’s from 3 sides of the coin and must say you covered quite a bit in those 2 hrs. and i believe it’s like you said, you have to express how you feel as a fan and your entitled to your own opinion . and like myself i am a strong believer as a fan of kiss since 70’s , what you stated was true, i just wonder is it because maybe the older fans like myself as well from that period in the 70’s followed the band for so many years were dedicated and loyal and supported them through many lineups, …(who know’s) i just can’t grasp the concept of kiss today in it’s current form, anyways i loved the interview , some of it i had heard before already because i remember you from the megaforce days , anyways i thought it was genuine. .keep up the good reports .. i stand behind you 100%
Remember what Gene said many years ago…”Critics tear us to bits but print a picture!”