News Archive February 2010

BK3 - Bruce Kulick Releases New CD
From: ShopInRI.com
by Christopher and Andrew Allin
Posted: February 3, 2010

Grand Funk Railroad guitarist Bruce Kulick has released BK3, a new solo CD (www.kulick.net). The first single, "Hand of the King," features guest vocalist Nick Simmons, from A&E's "Family Jewels" reality show. This is Kulick's third solo disc this decade, hence the title. Full of straight ahead rock and roll, BK3 also makes shameless use of heavy industry contacts, (read - his personal friends); and while the guest vocalists vary from song to song, Kulick's strong, tasteful guitar work keeps BK3 very much his own musical statement. Classic Rock Magazine named BK3 on it's list of "Six To Look Out For In 2010", saying the disc "truly rocks...but is very creative".

Bruce Kulick, 56, was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. His brother Robert is a well known, and well respected session guitarist and Grammy winning producer. Being older by four years, Bob brought home all the exciting new music of the British Invasion, seminal bands like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who, and Led Zeppelin. Bruce was an eager sponge, learning to play guitar partly from Bob, and also tapping into a natural talent. A self described book worm in high school, Kulick knew music was definitely in his future, as it was something he was very good at.

In 1977 at age twenty three Bruce, along with Bob, leaped into big time rock and roll by joining The Neverland Express -- Meat Loaf's band for the huge "Bat Out Hell" tour, taking the Kulick brothers all over the globe, including an appearance on "Saturday Night Live" in 1978. After that high profile gig ended, Bob resumed his session playing, including both credited and uncredited appearances on KISS records, while Bruce moved on to work with Billy Squire, The Good Rats, and Michael Bolton among others (they formed a band together called Black Jack in the early 80s, long before Bolton became every housewife's heartthrob).

Kulick's next opportunity arrived unexpectedly in the fall of 1984. KISS, a year after removing their makeup and costumes, had a hot new album and hit single, "Heaven's On Fire"; European and American tours had been booked and tickets were already sold. What they didn't have was a lead guitarist. New hire Mark Norton, the third person to play for KISS in two years, had contracted Reiter's syndrome, a rare and acute arthritic condition which made playing guitar impossible.

The group reached out to friend Bob; he recommended Bruce. Initially, Kulick was expected to only fill in for the European leg of the tour; but by the time KISS began touring the U.S., Norton was still having problems, and not all of them related to arthritis. He had difficulty with KISS' grueling schedule, repetitive playing style, and the dictates of co-founders Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons.

Unlike Norton, who was mainly a guitar teacher from Los Angeles, Kulick was a working professional, used to high pressure situations, and had little trouble adjusting his playing to fit KISS' current sound; a very obvious choice was soon made. It was a time of rebirth for the band, who had clawed their way back from oblivion by shedding their entire identity and adding an 80s guitar style to redefine their sound, appealing to the current generation of teen audiences.

It was working, and Kulick was the final piece of the puzzle. He provided much needed stability and could play anything called for. His gentle and laid back nature enabled him to deal with the often overbearing Simmons and Stanley. Unlike previous lead players, he handled the pressure, showed up on time and sober, clicked personally with drummer Eric Carr, and wasn't out for himself. Fans immediately liked his solid playing, approachability, and obvious decency. With KISS, Kulick again toured the world and added more Gold and Platinum awards to his walls than most musicians could dream of. The 1996 KISS reunion, complete with the return of the make up, costumes and the original line-up, ended his twelve year stint. He quickly formed his own band, Union, with former Motley Crue singer John Corabi, who was also the casualty of a classic band deciding to reunite. Union toured and recorded for three albums before disbanding.

But, a guitarist of Kulick's caliber doesn't stay idle for long, and sure enough, another supergroup snapped him up. In 2001 he agreed to join Grand Funk Railroad. Even with that all-encompassing commitment, Kulick still had more to express, and released two solo CDs, 2001's "Audio Dog", followed by "Transformer" in 2005. He also participates in the Rock N' Roll Fantasy Camp, as well as doing guest spots on several solo projects from each of his former KISS band mates.

Still popular among KISS' devotees, Kulick has built up his own following over the years by attracting hundreds of them in major cities around the world (including Providence) for fan-run conventions that emphasize personal contact. Like Bruce Springsteen, Bruce Kulick has accumulated a loyal base of followers, patiently waiting to support solo material and side work outside of the supergroup day job.

BK3 is available from Twenty4Records, through Amazon.com, or through Kulick.net.

HIGHLIGHTS:
BK3 boasts a heavy guest list for such a personal project. KISS bassist Gene Simmons contributes vocals, as well as Nick Simmons, and John Corabi. Other stellar musicians you'll find include Steve Lukather (in a great guitar duel with Kulick), Tobias Sammet and, believe it or not, Doug Fieger from The Knack!