Issue #16: Interview With Eddie Trunk

Well, since they seemed to have gone over pretty well in the past I figured I'd remove my Video Spotlight hat and don my interview hat once again. What I have in store for you is a real treat. What you are about to read is an interview I recently completed with WNEW DJ (and fellow NJ resident) Ed Trunk.

For those of you not familiar with Ed or his credentials I'll give you a brief run down, He worked for Megaforce Records in the 80's and was responsible for the label signing Ace Frehley, among others. Ed also has a credit as executive producer on the 2nd sighting album. In the early 80's Ed started working as a DJ for WDHA a local radio station here in Northern NJ, later moving on to Q104 in NY and finally to WNEW also in NY where he hosts Saturday Night Rocks (a hard rock-heavy metal show) from 10-2 (unless Mike Piazza is the guest then it goes a bit longer usually LOL).

As of late Ed has written some cd reviews for Metal Edge & was featured on an 80's heavy metal special done by VH1. Ed has been a longtime fan of Kiss as well as on friendly terms with many of its members past & present. Easily Ed is one of the only DJ's to continually play Kiss on the radio on a regular basis as well as interviewing members of the band from time to time. Ed has even made Internet headlines when Ace Frehley told fans about the Farewell tour months in advance. SNR (for short) also was the program Gene broke his silence on the whole Peter Criss/Eric Singer situation. I always find it fun interviewing people especially friends of mine. In this case it was a lot more fun due to the fact that I got to interview someone who usually is the one asking the questions. I hope you all enjoy reading this as I did doing this and I will see you all soon with a new Video Spotlight article.

For more on Ed visit http://www.eddietrunk.comit's an awesome site full of news, photos playlists fromSaturday Night Rocks and interviews from his show if you're in an area that WNEW cannot reach you with the help of Real Player can hear some of Eddie's interviews with Ace, Bruce Kulick and many other stars. You also can purchase a T-shirt with some of the proceeds going to charity.

Byron Fogle: Tell us a little about yourself, background, how you got into radio?

Ed Trunk: I started in radio as a fluke. I was writing the music section of my high school paper and was approached by a local college to work at their station in the summer. It didn't last long, but it gave me interest. I've always worked in all areas of music; writing, managing a record store, working for record labels, and managing artists, but radio has been the focus the last 7 years. As long as it's music or entertainment, I'm into it.

BF: When did you become a KISS fan and what drew you to them?

ET: I remember this very well. My first favorite band was a power pop group called The Raspberries (don't know how this happened, but I still love them). I was in 7th grade walking home from school with a friend. Each day we passed a local record store. One day my buddy said he was going in to buy a new album by a band called Kiss. At the time, the new Kiss record was Rock & Roll Over, however he didn't yet know how it was, so suggested I get into the band by buying the previous album. I trusted him and was blown away by the cover, so picked up Destroyer. I hadn't heard of Kiss, but after putting on the record that night and staring at the cover while it played, I was hooked. The next day I had my mother drive me to get The Originals and the sickness started!

BF: What year did you start working for Megaforce & how did you come to signing Ace Frehley?

ET: Started in 1986. Megaforce at the time was dealing with only very heavy bands. The owner had an interest in expanding the roster, and as a Kiss fan I knew Ace was out there and could sell many records. His reputation was really working against him at the time, but the owner and I met him and felt it was worth the risk. We tracked him down through Eddie Kramer and started getting the first album together. It was really a great time for me, to be able to help bring back into the limelight a member of my favorite group. The owner of the label (Jonny Z) was not a Kiss fan, so he really relied on me for the project. I was with Megaforce till 1990. I also worked with Anthrax, Overkill, Testament, King's X, Prophet, Raven, Icon, TT Quick, White Lion and many others.

BF: Most people reading this may or may not that know you are very close friends with Ace to this day, are there any interesting or funny stories you can share?

ET: Ace is a character, and we are still close friends. It's always fun when he comes on the radio with me, because since we are friends, he gets real loose, and says some outrageous stuff. Most recently, a few days after his 50th Birthday, we got together and celebrated. We were out all night, bowling and having dinner, Ace ended up staying over it got so late. I never imagined as a kid buying Destroyer that day, that 15 years later the lead guitarist would be sleeping on my couch!!!

BF: Were you ever in the studio with Ace when an album was recorded, any lost tracks you know of?

ET: I visited the studio for all the albums, but the one I was most involved with was Second Sighting. Ace wasn't very involved in that record and it shows. That whole time was a major disappointment. Everything from the cover on down was a problem with that record. I don't remember to many tracks that weren't used. Everything has been pretty much released by now. I always loved "Give It To Me Anyway", that should have been on the first album.

Ed puts his best foot forward..well actually backwards. Photo from booklet of 2nd Sighting CD

BF: Rumor has it that it is you're sneaker on the inside cover of the LP of 2nd Sighting can you confirm or deny this?

ET: It is. One day I was talking to Ace and was standing in a weird stance with my foot turned. Ace just started cracking up because he thought it looked so awkward. I guess I'm double jointed, because I was able to turn my foot behind me and Ace just freaked! He was laughing so hard he almost dropped to the floor. He broke out a camera on the spot and took a photo. Being a computer freak, he ran it through some color effects and put it as the inner sleeve photo. So many fans wondered what it meant, but it was just Ace's sense of humor. When he hosted Headbangers Ball on MTV for Second Sighting, he made me come out and do it on TV. That was the first time I was ever on TV, turning my foot backward with Ace cracking up!

BF: What is your all time favorite moment in your career having to do with KISS?

ET: I've been lucky enough to intro them a number of times, but the first time was most special. It was the Hot In the Shade tour at the meadowlands. I was so nervous. I was great friends with Eric Carr and he walked me out to the curtain on stage, giving me shots of booze to take off the edge. Then during the intro he was throwing drumsticks at me from behind the curtain. I'll never forget it. I did an intro like on the live albums and the crowd went nuts, great buzz!!!

BF: What is your favorite Kiss album, song & tour?

ET: Impossible to name a favorite record. I go through moments with all of them. That's the cool thing about liking a band with so much music, there always a record for every mood. I've always liked Paul's stuff the best. The best non-makeup tour was Hot In the Shade by far in my opinion. Best set list, stage show and non-original lineup. My first show was 1977, but I don't remember it that well.

BF: If you had your way, what you change about KISStory?

ET: Well the first thing that comes to mind is that Eric Carr would still be alive and well, but that's something we couldn't control. I would really change the over marketing of the band. I just think it takes away from the fact that Kiss has some great music.

BF: Are you in agreement that Kiss's set lists have become repetitive and mundane, if so what songs would you add or drop?

ET: Yes, but I also agree that you, and I, and probably the people reading this, are hardcore fans. The general public only knows a couple Kiss songs, sad but true. I understand both sides of the debate. Personally I would have liked to hear more songs from R&R Over and Love Gun. There are many people that just go to Kiss shows for the show, so beside R&R All Night and a couple others, they're lost anyway.

BF: What is the reason why Richie Scarlett left before the debut Frehley's Comet album came out. (Note a version was recorded with Richie and exists in the bootleg circles)

ET: We were never really told. Ace was the only one signed to the deal and I think he thought Richie wanted more of his own career at that point. He also wanted to try working with some other people. There were many that auditioned. Todd is very talented, but I think Richie works best with Ace. I loved Trouble Walkin, very underrated and fun to make.

BF: What is your take on some of the products that have come out (I.E. the Kasket, phones, condoms)

ET: I was never into Kiss collectibles, just to many to keep up with. I always just stayed with the CD's and imports. I was never even into bootlegs unless they sound incredible. I think the new stuff is stupid. It's funny, if you listen to tapes of the band around 1980-81, they say over merchandising ruined the band. I guess they didn't learn from the first time. People always ask me why I think Kiss still doesn't get respect and get played on the radio much; I think this is a big reason.

BF: I read a review of the new Aerosmith album "Just Push Play" that you wrote for Metal Edge where you termed it "Just Push Eject" do you feel Psycho Circus can be filed in the trash bin as well or do you think it was a good album.

ET: I liked the album for the most part. First time I heard the song Psycho Circus I thought it was great. Ace also told me he loved that song. I know the debate about who played on it, but it's not the only Kiss album to have outside people. Ace told me the only track that's the original four is his song "Into The Void". I know he was upset that he didn't get more than one track. As always, I love the Paul stuff, and I think Journey of 1000 years is a really cool track from Gene. Incredible to think the last real original lineup album is Love Gun!

BF: What is you're favorite Kiss interview you've done past or present members?

ET: The last couple times Ace did my current show on WNEW were insane. They made world news!

BF: How does it feel knowing your show "Saturday Night Rocks" caused some KISS headlines with Ace announcing the Farewell tour prematurely & the first place Gene talked about the Peter/ Eric switch?

ET: It's great. I have gotten to know Paul and especially Gene pretty well. I think they trust me, and know I'm a real fan who truly supports them all the time. I love the fact that Kiss fans know they can get great news and honest info from me and my website. http://www.eddietrunk.comKiss is a huge part of every show for me, I never don't play at least one song, and the annual Merry KISSMAS shows are pretty legendary.

BF: What is your take on the Peter/ Eric situation and if it ever happened would you accept Bruce in Ace's makeup?

ET: I understand why they are doing it, but I would have but Eric Singer in different makeup, then it's simply a fan decision if they want to see that lineup. But using another member in the cat costume is crazy. It would have been much easier to just come up with a separate design for Eric and ruffled a lot less feathers with fans. I think the backlash would be 10 times worse if they did it to Ace, but I still think some fans would check it out because they would be curious, and because we are fans.

BF: I know most fans are mixed on this subject, I for one would love to see it but do you think KISS should go into the studio with Eric and do one last album whether or not they tour behind it?

ET: Not with Eric. What would be the point? I would say the only way was if it was the original band on every track with great songs. That would be a nice final release.

BF: How did you come up with the Merry KISSmas special and how long have you been doing it now?

ET: I first pitched it about 10 years ago when I was at a local NJ station. They made fun of me for even thinking of such a thing. Finally after a couple years they let me do it, and I've taken it with me and done it everywhere I've worked since, the weekend before Christmas. Funny thing is, the original station I did it at in NJ, is still doing it and using the same name, so I guess it wasn't that crazy after all! Last year when Ace was in was just incredible.

BF: Word Association time: I'll give you a Kiss member and you say whatever comes to mind

ET: Paul Stanley: Rock Star
Gene Simmons: Money
Peter Criss: cats
Ace Frehley: crazy
Eric Carr: great guy
Vinnie Vincent: mystery
Mark St. John: shit luck
Bruce Kulick: good person
Eric Singer: Badlands

BF: This is purely my opinion but would you agree also as an Aerosmith fan Paul has been trying to emulate Steven Tyler as of late? Reason I say this is Bruce Fairburn produced many recent Aerosmith albums before he passed away then he produced Psycho Circus, Diane Warren wrote a hit single for Aerosmith for Armageddon, Paul got her to try to write a hit for Detroit Rock City etc. seems like a pattern to me.

ET: No. I think Kiss might be a bit envious of Aerosmith because they came out at the same time and sell more record and get tons more airplay, but I don't see a connection. Fairburn has produced many artists, and Paul wrote with Dianne Warren long before she was a hit machine.

BF: What is your take on the radio industry today?

ET: It's very controlled, more than ever. It's incredible how many people don't know DJ's have nothing to do with what they play. It's incredible tough to get control of your own show. I'm lucky because I have it, and it's in the biggest market. The worst thing about music radio is that much of it is programmed by people that don't know music!! It's all research and other shit, it's pathetic. I am so tired of hearing the same songs from the same artists over and over, that's why I do SNR.

BF: Did you have any influences that made you decide to go into radio?

ET: No, like I said, it was kind of a fluke. He wasn't an influence because I don't do his style of radio, but I still think to this day Howard Stern is the best and most influential personality. I could listen to the guy read the phone book!

BF: What do you think about the Kiss movies Phantom of The Park & Detroit Rock City?

ET: Both bad. I am a big movie fan. I was so young when Phantom hit, it was just cool seeing Kiss on TV, but it is awful. It's good for a laugh. I thought DRC could have been good, but it just wasn't funny.

BF: What do you see for the members of Kiss after the Farewell Tour is finally over?

ET: Ace doing a record and tour, Paul acting, maybe a record down the road (I hope), Gene doing business deals and constantly putting out Kiss stuff, and Peter laying low.

BF: Anything you'd like to add or say to the KISS fans reading this interview on KISS ASYLUM?

ET: Thanks very much for your support of me and of my radio show. I have a bond with Kiss fans like no other group. Whenever I go to conventions I'm amazed at how many people know who I am. It's very flattering.

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