April 29 : a conversation with
Frehley's Comet John Regan From
:
Chris Czynszak | Decibel Geek
John Regan is commonly known amongst KISS fans as the bassist for
Frehley's Comet but his resume tells a much bigger story. John was
nice enough to talk to Chris & Aaron this week about his 30+ year
career in the music industry, working with artists such as Ace
Frehley, the Rolling Stones, and Peter Frampton.
We
start in 1980 with Regan's first meeting with Ace Frehley while
collaborating on mutual friend
Crazy Joe Renda's Variable Speed Band album that featured the
quirky Frehley-penned single 'Eugene.' Regan shares how Renda and
North Lake Sound Studios in White Plains, NY would continue to be
crucial in the advancement of his musical career.
In this long-form discussion Regan shares how he first started
working with Peter Frampton in 1982 and the marathon 3 day
cram-session to learn Frampton's entire live set. This would mark
the beginning of a friendship and musical bond that would bring the
two together numerous times over the next three decades.
1985-86 would see Regan working with legendary artists such as David
Bowie and Mick Jagger. In this discussion you'll hear his
recollections of recording with the two for their 1985 duet of 'Dancin'
in the Street' as well as his memories of working with the Rolling
Stones during the sessions for the Dirty Work album.
A
bit of recording and touring in 1984 with Frehley would lay the
foundation that Regan would return to in 1987 as Megaforce Records
picked up
Frehley's Comet and backed the new lineup featuring Frehley,
Regan, drummer Anton Fig, and guitarist/vocalist Tod Howarth. John
shares his memories of the recording process for the album and the
difficulties that came up after Fig was given the full-time job as
the drummer for David Letterman's band.
Regan shares his memories of working with Jamie Oldaker as the
legendary drummer took over the drum stool in the Comet. Some Comet
fans throughout the years have expressed resentment that Oldaker
didn't "fit" the Frehley sound and, in this discussion, you'll hear
Regan's reaction to that criticism.
Also
in this long-form talk, Regan shares his thoughts on Eddie Trunk and
his place in helping get Ace Frehley back into the public
consciousness. "I don't think Ace would have got signed if it
weren't for Eddie being the real force behind it." Regan shares how
Trunk was adamant about Frehley's potential and swayed Megaforce
president Jon Zazula to give the former KISS axe-man a shot. He also
shares, later in the interview, how he heard that Trunk has been
telling Frehley that a Comet reunion would not be a good idea.
Regan also tells us his opinion of
Second Sighting and how he thinks the
Live +4 album that was shoehorned in between it and the debut
may have sabotaged the band's potential growth. John also notes that
the absence of Eddie Kramer behind the board may have hindered the
album's sound but how there are also some shining moments as well.
1989
saw Frehley release
Trouble Walkin'. With Kramer back behind the board and Richie
Scarlet replacing Tod Howarth on guitar, the album had a grittier
feel than the earlier Comet material and also did not bear the Comet
tag. Regan explains why Howarth may have left the group and what
went into the decision to not bill this lineup as Frehley's Comet.
We also ask Regan his opinion of claims made by Gordon Gebert in his
KISS & Tell book that involve Regan producing Frehley-related live &
greatest hits packages as a method for recouping money owed to him
by Ace.
Other topics touched on in this hour plus interview include Regan's
work with artists such as Michael Monroe and David Lee Roth. We also
ask John some listener questions that were sent in.
There's a lot to get to in this discussion and we barely scratched
the surface. John was a great sport and we really appreciate him
appearing on the show. We hope you enjoy this talk. known for his
production skills. He has produced bands including the Chesterfield
Kings, Dez Cadena of the Misfits and dozens of other artists.
Although Richie's main instrument is lead guitar and vocals, he also
plays 8 other instruments including all keyboards, bass, drums and
nearly any other stringed instrument on the planet.
April 28 : Richie Scarlet Debuts
"Without Your Love" Video From
:
sleazeroxx.com
Guitarist Richie Scarlet has posted a video for his latest single
"Without Your Love".
The song appears on Scarlet's new album 'I Plead The Fifth',
available for purchase at
www.richiescarletmusic.com
and
www.cdbaby.com.
Known worldwide as 'The Emperor of Rock and
Roll', Richie Scarlet has played guitar and toured with Ace Frehley
and Peter Criss from the legendary band KISS, appearing on both
their solo albums. He has also preformed with Sebastian Bach, the
Alice Cooper Group, and played bass with Mountain for many tours.
His solo career boasts seven critically acclaimed CD's as well as
DVD's. His most recent projects include his live performance, 'Live
In Japan', filmed at the ESP Center in Tokyo and the 5th Avenue
Vampires CD with Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and original
Alice Cooper bassist Dennis Dunaway.
Richie is also known for his production skills. He has produced
bands including the Chesterfield Kings, Dez Cadena of the Misfits
and dozens of other artists. Although Richie's main instrument is
lead guitar and vocals, he also plays 8 other instruments including
all keyboards, bass, drums and nearly any other stringed instrument
on the planet.
From
:
Kiss
Related Recordings
Guest musicians on "I Plead The Fifth" includes Guns N' Roses guitarist Bumblefoot and Dez
Cadena (currently playing guitar with the Misfits). Other notable
guest stars on "I Plead The Fifth" include former ACE FREHLEY
bassist, John Regan, and original Alice Cooper Group bassist Dennis
Dunaway.
In an interview with Swedish metal Blog/Online Metal Newspaper
called "Metal Shrine" Joe Lynn Turner mentions he was negotiating
for a new record deal with Frontiers Records.
Besides Joe Lynn Turner the band should include Carmine Appice, Tony
Franklin and Bruce Kulick. Maybe the interview will be posted online
@
Metal Shrine later this week.
April
9 :
VICIOUS RUMORS covers "Strange Ways" From
:
Kiss
Related Recordings
San Francisco Bay Area metal veterans VICIOUS
RUMORS new album "Electric Punishment" features a wicked cover of
KISS "Strange Ways" by KISS.
"Electric Punishment" will be released through SPV / Steamhammer on
April 26th in Germany, April 29th in Europe and May 7th in the
US/Canada. It will be available as a jewel case version, double
gatefold colored vinyl and download.
April 9 : A World With Heroes 40th Anniversary KISS Tribute update
From :
PledgeMusic
/
BraveWords.com
/
Kiss Related Recordings
As reported here February 16, to mark the 40th Anniversary of KISS, rock scribe Mitch Lafon has
gathered some of the greatest rock musicians for a KISS tribute
album. A World With Heroes features unique performances of
incredible KISS songs.
Today the project have reached 82% of its goal
with only 8 days left.
REMEMBER - without your pledges the KISS
Tribute CD does not get made...
so please pledge! @
http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/kiss40thtribute.
Vocalists and other artists that will contribute to the CD include:
Terry Ilious (GREAT WHITE), Bumblefoot (GUNS N' ROSES), Russ Dwarf
(THE KILLER DWARFS), Ron Young (LITTLE CAESAR), Doug Alrich (WHITESNAKE),
Rex Brown (KILL DEVIL HILL, PANTERA), Dery Grehan (HONEYMOON SUITE),
Bill Leverty (FIREHOUSE), Derek Sherinian (BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION,
DREAM THEATER), Phil Lewis (L.A. GUNS), Doro, Mark Zavon (Kill Devil
Hill), SLAVES ON DOPE, Chris Van Dahl (ex-L.A. Guns), TOMMY DENANDER,
Johnny Dee (DORO), JEFF PARIS, PHIL NARO, WILLIE BASSE and Sean
Kelly (NELLY FURTADO, HELIX).
Lots of updates are added at
PledgeMusic
since February 16, so here's a list of artists and songs confirmed
so far :
* SOMETHING UNTO NOTHING (S.U.N.) featuring Sass Jordan & Brian
Tichy along with
Godsmack/ S.U.N. live drummer Tommy Stewart : I Stole Your Love.
* Former L.A. Guns frontman, Chris Van Dahl, will be recording
versions of "Hard Luck
Woman" and "Beth". One track will be made available exclusively to
pledgers via an
downloadable update.
* SLAVES ON DOPE, will be recording versions of "New York Groove"
and "Anything For My
Baby". One track will be made available exclusively to pledgers via
an downloadable
update.
* Ron Young of LITTLE CAESAR has chosen to cover the
unintentionally eponymous KISS
cover,"Little Caesar" taken from the 1989 album, HOT IN THE SHADE.
* DON DOKKEN : Cold Gin
* Mark Tornillo of ACCEPT : Spit (from KISS "Revenge"album)
* KILL DEVIL HILL's Rex Brown and Mark Zavon : Larger Than Life
* GUNS N' ROSES' Bumblefoot : Detroit Rock City
* FIREHOUSE's Bill Leverty with THE KILLER DWARFS' Russ Dwarf :
Deuce
* (Ex- XYZ) and current GREAT WHITE singer Terry Ilous : Forever
* DORO PESCH offers a special 2013 version of "Only You".
* HONEYMOON SUITE : Reason To Live
* BLACK SHEEP's Willie Basse : I Love It Loud
* RON KEEL : Rock N Roll Hell
* KILLER DWARFS' Russ Dwarf and Sean Kelly (CRASH KELLY, GILBY
CLARKE) : Unholy
* JEFF PARIS : Shout Mercy (from KISS' recent 2012 "Monster" album
!!)
* ... with singer PHIL NARO : Psycho Circus
* ... with singer PHIL LEWIS (Girl, LA Guns) : Master & Slave
* ... with singer RICK HUGHES (Sword (Canada) : Love Gun
* ... with singer GEOFF TATE (Queenryche) : The Oath
Lending their talents musically are Doug Aldrich (guitars;
WHITESNAKE), Mark Slaughter (guitars; SLAUGHTER), Eric Brittingham
(bass; CINDERELLA), Jeff LaBar (guitars; CINDERELLA), Troy Lucketta
(drums; TESLA), Tommy Denander and Gary Fraser (guitars; BRIGHTON
ROCK).
More to be announced shortly. Please support this great cause.
At
PledgeMusic you can be a part of the creation of this album.
Visit
PledgeMusic for further details and to see how you can be
involved.
