{"id":42,"date":"2013-12-19T01:57:26","date_gmt":"2013-12-19T01:57:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mrzeros.com\/blog\/?p=42"},"modified":"2016-08-25T23:29:22","modified_gmt":"2016-08-25T23:29:22","slug":"kiss-hotter-than-hell","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mrzeros.com\/blog\/kiss-hotter-than-hell\/","title":{"rendered":"KISS Hotter Than Hell"},"content":{"rendered":"
\""Hotter<\/a>

“Hotter Than Hell”<\/p><\/div>\n

KISS: \u201cHotter Than Hell\u201d 1974<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cBUZZ\u201d Newspaper Article March 2012 (12- L)
\nBy: MrZero; R.L.Schwinden<\/p>\n

How ya doin\u2019 St. Cloud !!!<\/p>\n

As some of you may not know I was a member of the staff that wrote the book \u201cKISS: Alive Forever\u201d. Put out on Billboard Books in 2002 with the ISBN # 0-8230-8322-5. I had 27 entries and conducted some 8 hours of interviews. I was recently asked then why is it, I have not yet done an article on one of my favorite bands? My response: \u201cThere is too much to cover in a 3 page article. So in an attempt to satisfy the fans, I narrowed the focus down to my favorite period of KISS 1974- 75. When I was in Grade School in Jackson, MS. my buddy Greg A. gave me \u201cHotter Than Hell\u201d for my birthday and I was never the same again, I had found what I had been looking for all my life, And away we go\u2026.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Birth\u201d<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

KISS was born from the ashes of the \u2018Epic Label\u2019 band \u201cWicked Lester\u201d in Dec 1972. Gene $immon$ (Chaim Weitz: 25Aug1949; Haifa, Israel, then Eugene Klein NYC) on Bass & Vocals, Paul Stanley (Stanley Bert Eisen: 20Jan1952; Queens NYC) on Vocals & Guitar, Peter Criss (George Peter John Criscuola: 20Dec1946; Brooklyn, NYC) on Drums & Vocals & Ace Frehley (Paul Daniel Frehley: 27Apr1951; Bronx, NYC) on Lead Guitar & Vocals. The band recorded a 5 song demo tape on 13 Mar 1973 the tape contained: Deuce, Cold Gin, Strutter, Watchin You & Black Diamond. I was able to interview Gene in Jun 1990, in Des Moines, IA. I was told \u201cBlack Diamond\u201d was started by Gene inspired by a brand name of guitar strings & or a brand of bowling ball, but finished up by Paul for someone he knew in NYC, Paul confirmed to me, in an interview I conducted with him in Oct 1990, in Sioux City, Iowa.<\/em> KISS recorded their 1st LP \u201cKISS\u201d from Oct- Nov 1973 at Bell Sound Studios in NYC. It was released on Casablanca\/ WB Records NB-9001 on 18 Feb 1973. The 1st version contained only 9 songs \u201cKissin Time\u201d was recorded later on in April 1973 for a 45 Single then later added to new pressings of the LP.<\/p>\n

\u201cBring on the Heat\u201d<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

KISS relocated to LA in Aug- Sep 1974 to work with, for the 2nd time, producers Kenny Kerner and Richie Wise. The band being from NYC did not like the surroundings of west coast California. The band lived out of hotel rooms with Gene & Peter starting off as roommates because Gene said \u201cPeter and I were a lot alike, in the fact we were both like giant little kids, we both loved treats like Twinkies, Hostess Cupcakes etc. we used throw all our treats in a pile on the bed and then divvy them up equally\u201d<\/em> until one day Paul was frustrated & went to Gene and asked Gene to please switch Ace for Peter as a roommate. On this same trip to LA Paul\u2019s Custom Schecter \u201972 \u201cFlying V\u201d with the lower fin being longer than the top fin (like Albert Lee\u2019s) was stolen on the 2nd day of recording. This same guitar (I own the leather strap that came with it) was later traded to a friend of mine Kenny of the band \u201cPatriot\u201d sometime later in 1975 in Mynott, ND. for the \u201974 black Gibson reversed Firebird Paul uses on the cover of \u201cAlive\u201d. It originally had a tobacco finish before Paul had his father\u2019s company paint it black. Also on this visit Paul received his now famous \u201cRose\u201d tattoo from legendary tattoo artist Lyle Tuttle. (this tattoo is rumored to have a copyright)<\/p>\n

\u201cRock N Roll Ball\u201d<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Staying on the west coast was not going well for the band. Ace was in a car accident on 23 Aug 1974 which caused a problem when it came to photograph the front cover. Ace received a cut just over his right eye, preventing him from applying his entire face makeup. To compensate, the right side of his face was superimposed and airbrushed in. The costumes on the front cover were worn from roughly May 1974 to Jun 1975. In an interview I did with Ace in Apr 1990 in Phoenix, Ace told me \u201cI still have my first two \u2018Leathers\u2019 (1974-75 Costumes) and the Marshall amps I used on that tour\u201d <\/em>On the back cover the photos of Gene, Peter & Ace are shown with them wearing costumes that as far as I know were only worn on that one occasion, specifically for the Norman Seeff photo shoot party. Interestingly Peter\u2019s wife Lydia Criss was in attendance but Ace\u2019s girlfriend Janette was not. The party got so wild and Paul got so drunk someone decided it was a good idea to lock Paul into his own rental car; the rumor is it took him half an hour to get himself out.<\/p>\n

\u201cHotter Than Hell\u201d NBLP-7006 (LP, 8Track, Cassette &CD)<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Was released 22 Oct 1974 for me this is the most band cohesive album they ever did as the songs were written or co-written by 3 of the 4 members. As well as the last album where all 4 members played their own instruments on every track (the only other LP after this to have all 4 play on every track was \u201cRock N Roll Over\u201d in 1976). The original title of the LP was \u201cThe Harder They Come\u201d recorded at the \u2018Village Recorder\u2019 in LA. I interviewed Peter in Dec 1993 in Chicago; he informed me \u201cHotter Than Hell\u201d was his favorite KISS LP and that in fact his correct birth year was 1945.<\/em><\/p>\n

I am going to review the 8-Track release of the LP as it is very rare and is not in the same running order as the LP release. The 8-Track catalog number is # CABF-87006 & the track listing runs in this order:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. 1. \u201cHotter Than Hell\u201d Paul\u2019s tip of the hat to \u2018FREE\u2019s\u2019 \u201cAlight Now\u201d apparently 1 of Paul\u2019s favorite songs and one of the few covers songs he would play with any regularity.<\/em><\/li>\n
  2. \u201cLet Me Go Rock N Roll\u201d Originally titled \u201cBaby Let Me Go\u201d Paul wrote the chord structure first and Gene wrote the melody & Lyrics later on.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    3.\u201dComin Home\u201d Paul told me in Dec 82 \u201cEven though it\u2019s credited to both of us (Paul and Ace), I wrote the whole song. When I brought it into the studio, Ace wrote a few chords for the bridge & ending\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

    4.\u201dParasite\u201d Written by Ace and sung by Gene. When I asked Paul about this one he said \u201cIt\u2019s a great song, but by \u201976 we had so many other great songs, something had to go from the set.\u201d When they played this live they added an extra chorus to the end of the song.<\/em><\/p>\n

    5.\u201dAll The Way\u201d Originally titled \u201cTalkin Louder\u201d. Another Gene song written before he was in KISS, perhaps from his days with the \u201cLong Island Sounds\u201d or \u201cBullfrog Beer\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

      \n
    1. \u201cGoin Blind\u201d Originally titled \u201cLittle Lady\u201d written with Steven Coronel before Gene, Paul & Steven were in \u201cWicked Lester\u201d Gene & Coronel also wrote \u201cShe\u201d about the same time.<\/em><\/li>\n
    2. \u201cWatchin You\u201d Gene used parts from 2 songs he liked by \u2018Jeff Beck\u2019 & \u2018Mountain\u2019 as inspiration for this song which was also written well before KISS.<\/em><\/li>\n
    3. \u201cStrange Ways\u201d Written when Ace was in \u2018Milemo\u2019 in the early 70\u2032s so the rumor goes. Sung by Peter the original version contained a several minute drum solo from Peter, cut out before the LP was released. Ace once said \u201cI regret not singing lead on that one. The effect in the solo is the harmonic on the string from my thumb holding the pick\u201d from my Apr90 interview.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      9.\u201dGot To Choose\u201d Paul reworked an R&B song \u201c99 & 1\/2 (Won\u2019t Do)\u201d by Wilson Pickett. This is hands down my favorite KISS song.<\/em><\/p>\n

        \n
      1. \u201cMainline\u201d Rumored to have been played live in concert 28Nov 1974 in Charlotte, NC. There\u2019s a rumor about this song, being written by Paul about Peter\u2019s dabbling with heroin.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        One 45 Single was released for this LP \u201cLet Me Go Rock N Roll\u201d b\/w \u201cHotter Than Hell\u201d<\/em> the song failed to chart.<\/p>\n

        \u201cBack on the Road\u201d<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

        The tour for this LP started in Oct 1974 to Feb 1975, the band played 53 concerts on this tour with other bands such as: Black Oak Arkansas (personal friends of mine), RUSH, Wishbone Ash, Jo Jo Gunne, Foghat, REO Speedwagon & James Gang (with Tommy Bolin), Trapeze, T.Rex & UFO. A TV commercial was created to promote the LP & Tour using song snippets from the LP. When I interviewed Paul in Dec 1982, I asked him about this time period. He said \u201cI have the \u201974 Gibson \u2018Midnight Special\u2019 in storage in our warehouse in NY, it\u2019s actually white with sparkles in the finish, there were only about 25 made, as prototypes\u201d<\/em>. There are only 3 known recordings from this tour. One concert from 31 Jan 1975 was filmed in B\/W in San Francisco, CA. at the Winterland Ballroom another concert was captured on Cassette from 18 Oct 1974 Hammond, IN. Here are the set lists as follows. Note: \u201cShe\u201d would not yet be released until Mar 1975.<\/p>\n

        18 Oct 1974 w\/ RUSH
        \nParthenon Theatre
        \nHammond, IN. (Audio recording)
        \n<\/u>Deuce
        \nStrutter
        \nGot To Choose
        \nFirehouse
        \nShe (not yet released on LP)
        \nAce\u2019s Solo
        \nNothin To Lose
        \nParasite
        \n100,000 Years- Peter\u2019s Solo
        \nBlack Diamond
        \nLet Me Go Rock N Roll
        \nCold Gin<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

        31 Jan 1975 (B\/W Video)
        \nWinterland Ballroom
        \nSan Francisco, CA.
        \n<\/u>Deuce
        \nStrutter
        \nGot To Choose
        \nHotter Than Hell
        \nFirehouse
        \nWatchin You- Ace\u2019s Solo
        \nNothin To Lose
        \nParasite- Gene\u2019s solo into;
        \n100,000 Years- Peter\u2019s solo
        \nBlack Diamond
        \nCold Gin
        \nLet Me Go Rock N Roll<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

        \u201cIn Conclusion\u201d<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

        To me and Peter Criss this is the definitive KISS album as it was a true group and band effort. So if you haven\u2019t heard this one or seen the concert video do yourself a favor and check it out.
        \nThis article is dedicated to my Junior High School friends growing up on the Westside of Sioux City, Iowa, Spencer & Chris C. & Eric W. oh, yea, and \u201cJohn S. Pyro\u201d too\u2026\u2026<\/p>\n

        Just in case you were unaware, I am in a KISS Tribute Band (with MN Pete, Tony & Christian) \u201cKISSin Time\u201d (find US on \u201cfb\u201d) which recreates this early time period of KISS on Tour late \u201975 & early \u201975. Contact KISSinTimeMPLS@Gmail.Com<\/a><\/p>\n

        Thank You Good Night, Twin Cities!<\/p>\n

        By: R.L.Schwinden aka MrZero and Special Guest Editor Jason \u201cBakko\u201d Bakken: of: \u2018Jesus Chrysler\u2019<\/p>\n

        Mr. Zero’s *Est. 2009<\/p>\n

        www.MrZeros.Com<\/p>\n

        1744 Lexington Ave. N.<\/p>\n

        Roseville, MN. 55113<\/p>\n

         <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        KISS: \u201cHotter Than Hell\u201d 1974 \u201cBUZZ\u201d Newspaper Article March 2012 (12- L) By: MrZero; R.L.Schwinden How ya doin\u2019 St. Cloud !!! As some of you may not know I was a member of the staff that wrote the book \u201cKISS:…<\/span><\/p>\n

        Read more ›<\/a><\/div>\n

        <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[40],"class_list":["post-42","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-articles","tag-kiss-1974"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mrzeros.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mrzeros.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mrzeros.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mrzeros.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mrzeros.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=42"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.mrzeros.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":852,"href":"https:\/\/www.mrzeros.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42\/revisions\/852"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mrzeros.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=42"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mrzeros.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=42"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mrzeros.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=42"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}