Paul Stanley has learned, over the years, much about the craft of songwriting. And he’s tried to forget most of it, in service of making better records for his fun-loving band Kiss.
Stanley and Co. are set to release the new album Monster next month. It’s is the group’s initial release since Sonic Boom three years ago, and will again be produced by fellow Kiss co-founder Gene Simmons.
They have promised a lean, hard-rocking affair, in keeping with Kiss’ earliest, career-making efforts — something that grows ever more difficult to do with age, Stanley admits.
[SOMETHING ELSE! REWIND: Kiss’ new single “Hell or Hallelujah” is indeed a nod to the past — a rocker in the spirit of their 1970s work, but with a little ’80s glitz and that ‘Revenge’ grit, too.]
“As you live, your experience is enhanced and influenced,” Stanley tells Classic Rock Magazine. “The danger is you can find yourself a more adept songwriter, but not writing better songs.”
In keeping with that throwback theme, Kiss has already commenced a co-headlining tour with Motley Crue, as well — the first time these two heavy metal icons have shared a stage since 1982. Simply called “The Tour,” it features each band playing a 90-minute set.
“I don’t believe the key to great rock ‘n’ roll is honing your songwriting expertise. Sometimes that can get in the way. You have to make an effort to deprogram yourself and unlearn things,” Stanley adds. “The beauty of some of the earlier material is its lack of restriction, a lack of understanding. As you continue, you learn a craft that may get in the way of what rock ‘n’ roll is meant to be.”