KISS Asylum: Mars Music Presents "Ask Eddie!"

Mars Music Presents: "Ask Eddie!"
The great people at Mars Music have been sponsoring an ongoing Q&A session (using fan submitted questions) with legendary music producer Eddie Kramer at their website since around the first of the year. As you all know, Eddie has been involved with KISS since the very beginning, and so naturally many of the questions he is answering are KISS related. KISS ASYLUM has collected all the KISS related questions and Eddie Kramer's answers to them together here for your convenience. So, read on to see what kind of things KISS fans have been asking Eddie about the band and what his responses have been! If you want to "Ask Eddie" a question of your own, just click on over to Mars Music an fire away! And don't forget to tell him you heard about it on KISS ASYLUM!

April 20, 1998

Question: When you recorded with KISS, did the 4 of them have the same ideas about how the final "product" should sound, or did they have to fight for their own individual ideas (drum sound, guitar sound, etc)?

EK: Gene and Paul had all the ideas for KISS.

April 16, 1998

Question: Even if you had not been involved with Kiss in the 80's, I would like to know if it made sense to do a second remasters-series of those albums to achieve a better sound-quality? Is there any sensible improvement of sound-quality obtainable in comparison to the already released remasters?

EK: Re-mastering can be beneficial to older tapes when one is very careful not to alter too radically what was originally a great sound. If one can enhance the original, but NOT destroy it, then one has done a service to the artisit, the music and the public.

Question: 1. In your mind, from a historical viewpoint, which artist is more significant: Hendrix, Led Zeppelin or Kiss? 2. Do you think that Gene & Paul are real good musicians or more entertainers? 3. Why do you think the band Kiss is generally so underrated among lots of prominent musicians?

EK: 1. Jimi Hendrix 2. Entertainers 3. I really have no idea.

March 26, 1998

Kiss Alive CDs
Question: How many tracks were left over, that were recorded but not used, on any of the live albums? Can you name some titles? And was "2 Timer" ever played, or at least recorded, by you?

EK: I am sure there are some spare tunes left over from the live albums. The release of any of these tracks is entirely up to Gene and Paul. I do not recognize "2 Timer" as a live tune.

March 15, 1998

3 Questions on KISS Alive!
Question: Me and my friend both think that Alive! is THE best live record ever made. Do you know why KISS would gamble with a 2(!) LP live record after having 3 bad selling studio albums? How was the "spaced-out" crowd sound created just before the intro to "Rock Bottom?" You were also the producer of KISS' first demo, how did that happen?

EK: The first 2 records were not exactly bad selling records. They did establish the band. Then they toured constantly for 2 yrs. and built up a huge following so that when Kiss Alive came out, there was a ready-made audience. The spaced out sound you refer to was done by phasing. Ron Johnson, Wicked Leste's producer, asked me to do a rock demo of a new band by Gene and Paul called Kiss, and I agreed.

March 6, 1998

Bruce Fairbain
Question: What are your thoughts on Bruce Fairbain producing the new KISS album? Personally, I would rather you produce the album. Some say Bruce wants a HEAVY album, while you would bring back their original sound.

EK: I think Bruce Fairbain is a very good producer. I'm sure he is capable of getting some good sounds. If they want my help - I am just a phone call away.

Bill Aucoin Question
Question: I've heard that Mr. Aucoin is not always receptive to dicussing his association with Kiss. Was there a bad parting between him and the band? Do you think I should dare bring up the subject of Kiss with him?

EK: If there was a bad parting between Bill Aucoin and Kiss, I would not be privy to that information. My suggestion would be to leave that subject alone.

Dynasty
Question: Did you ever feel upset that after hugely successful albums - Rock and Roll Over, Love Gun, and Alive 2, that KISS chose Vini Poncia to produce Dynasty?

EK: No, because, Kiss made the decision. Also, I am VERY PHILOSOPHICAL when it comes to bands using other producers.

March 5, 1998

Of Course, Ace
Question: There was such a transition with Ace and Paul's style from "Dressed To Kill" to "Destroyer," what kind of things did you mention to them (or tricks for that matter) to get them in the frame of mind for back to basics Rock 'n' Roll on "Rock And Roll Over?"

EK: There were no tricks specifically employed other than me being able to understand what they were after in terms of sounds, and then being able to create a cool vibe in the studio and knock them out with the best guitar/bass and drum sounds. That generally leads to a more creative atmosphere.

The True Facts About Alive!
Question: I think that you have done a great job with both Hendrix and Kiss. The big question is: Is it true that "Kiss Alive" wasn`t live? It really came as a shock to me. Do you think the Kiss fans will accept the fact that a live isn't live? I've accepted the fact that it isn't easy to get live acts perfectly into the master tapes.

EK: It has been generally known for many years that the first Kiss Alive album was not ENTIRELY live. We had to create that album from the LIVE shows with overdubbed guitar because of the fact that Kiss puts on a great SHOW with much leaping about. Obviously, guitars will not stay in tune and accuracy goes right out the the window. So, you fix what's not right.

Kiss and Ace Frehley
Question: 1. Exactly how "touched up" are the Kiss live albums, particularly Alive II and Alive III? 2. Which of the following studio Kiss records do you think is best, "Rock And Roll Over" or "Love Gun?" Why? 3. How would you describe the atmoshpere during a typical day recording? Briefly sum up each member's studio personality (who is serious, who is a cut-up, etc.).

EK: 1. Alive I had the most amount of "fixing" done to it. Much less on II and III. 2. They both have great tracks/songs. It really is a matter of personal taste. I like them both equally!!! 3. Gene is the most serious, then Paul, then Peter, then Ace. Ace is the "cut-up" of the band - however, he can be VERY focused for his solos and basic tracks.

Recording Sessions
Question: Thanks for your time! Has Kiss ever recorded, on film or video, their album recording sessions? I think it would be so awesome to get a chance to see them in the studio recording songs. Tell them the fans would eat that stuff up! I know I would! Thanks, Eddie, and keep up the great work!

EK: No, not to my knowledge, however, I do think it is a good idea. Why not suggest it to the band via one of their Internet sites? Who knows, maybe they will this time.

New KISS Album
Question: Did KISS approach you to produce the album they are working on right now? Since you have produced some of their biggest records: Alive 1 and 2, Love Gun, Ace Frehley Solo, etc.

EK: Gene and I talked about doing work on the new album. I am ALWAYS ready to help KISS put down some great tracks!

March 4, 1998

"Love Gun" Snare Drum
Question: I noticed that the snare drum sound on "Love Gun" is very different from the sound on the "Rock and Roll Over" LP. Was that a decision on your part as Producer, or was it that Peter had a deeper snare than before? I think that is a great snare drum sound and I have been trying to get close to it for YEARS!!!

EK: Probably a deeper snare by Peter, AND, a better sound from me. Sample it!!

Kiss Demo
Question: Back in '73, how was a then relatively unknown band as Kiss able to get you to produce their first demo? While recording the demo, were you impressed by their music?

EK: I was asked by their manager/producer, Ron Johnson, to do a demo since they (Kiss) were doing a heavy rock sound and this was not the kind of music he was used to doing. I thought they were going to be huge from the first show I saw at the hotel in New York City.

Kiss Fans in Russia
Question: I am a Kiss fan from Russia and I would like to ask you the following question: In early years, there are many funny stories about Kiss and Russia. Did they ever think about Russian fans and how popular they are in our country after the release of the Destroyer album?

EK: Thank you for being a huge Kiss fan in Russia. I am sorry but I do not know what Kiss thinks about Russia. You may want to ask them via one of their Web sites.

March 3, 1998

KISS with Ace and Peter
Question: Who do you think is the person that really drives the KISS sound among Gene, Paul, Ace and Peter. I feel Ace is the straw that mixes the KISS drink. It seemed after he left, the edge the band had was gone....what do you think?

EK: I think ACE is a very under-rated guitar player. His contributions in the past, and now with the reformation of KISS, has been invaluable. He has always taken chances and pushed to the outer limits. I hope he keeps this up on the new album.

KISS' Songwriting
Question: How involved have YOU been in KISS' songwriting? Is there anything YOU could say about KISS that has not yet been said (secrets etc)?

EK: I have not been involved in the writing process with Kiss. My efforts were to help them create the sounds and guide them through the process of making great records. I think every Kiss secret you would want to hear about has been published already.

Studio Albums or Live Albums Question: Do you prefer to produce studio albums or live albums? We all know that you produced the KISS studio albums Rock N' Roll Over, Love Gun, and a few others, but which do you prefer?

EK: There is a unique challenge to recording a band in a live situation - anything that can go wrong, will go wrong! So you have to be on your toes. What comes out is a VERY exciting performance that sometimes is impossible to duplicate in the studio. Studio albums have their own "VIBE" and present a different set of problems, i.e. more time: to mess up and to correct them.

February 27, 1998

Question Regarding KISS
Question: How was it to work with Kiss? Did you get to go to any of their reunion shows?

EK: Working with Kiss was always a challenge, BUT, a lot of FUN!!! I was at one reunion show at Madison Square Garden in New York City. They were AWESOME!

Difficulty Capturing Live Shows
Question: Could you comment on the three KISS "Alive" albums you were involved with, particularly the not so "live" sound present on "Alive III." Also, how much touch up is done on the "normal" live album and what sections (drums/guitars/vocals) usually need the most work after the fact?

EK: Fortunately, Drums do not need any fixing! Quite often, though, Guitars have to be fixed for obvious mistakes, particularly when the overall performance is great. Usually solo sections, too, the occasional rhythm guitar, the odd bass note, etc.

February 23, 1998:

Rock and Roll Over - LIVE?
Question: Being a HUGE KISS fan, I wanted to ask you this: Was ROCK AND ROLL OVER really recorded in a "live" atmosphere - with all the guys doing their thing at the same time? If so, what kind of special problems, if any, does that pose in the recording process? Thanks so much!!

Eddie Kramer (EK): The way we recorded Rock 'n' Roll Over was essentially live, and any mistakes were corrected later. There was some tape editing to put together the best performances. Recording a band live with everyone playing is still (in my opinion) the BEST way to get a great performance on tape.

Kiss and the Alive Albums
Question: I want to ask you a question about the KISS "Alive" albums. Of the 3 you produced, which one do you like best and why? And, if KISS asked you to produce a 4th Alive album, would you be interested?

EK: Kiss Alive I was the most fun because of its unique challenge. The boys were pretty raw/rough in the early days, so a fair amount of "fixing up" had to be done. Plus, I had to be creative with the tapes coming from many different sources, making the whole concert sound as if it were recorded in one place. If Kiss wanted a 4th, of course I would do it - in a flash!

Drums
Question: I play drums and I was wondering if you know what brand of drums Peter Criss used when he did the "Alive" concerts with Kiss?

EK: As far as I remember, and I hope my memory serves me well, Pete played Pearl Drums.

KISS ASYLUM --

Photos