Saying that his latest solo album, “10,000 Volts,” would embarrass Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley was shrewder than any marketing strategy that former KISS guitarist Ace Frehley’s team could have cooked up, because, regardless of how his ex-bandmates would actually feel, fans couldn’t wait to hear the finished product. His confidence was infectious and elevated the already highly-anticipated follow-up to 2018’s “Spaceman” to another level of intrigue.
When the album hit shelves on Feb. 23, listeners were treated to an upbeat collection of vintage Ace rockers filtered through the modern production techniques of Trixter/Tokyo Motor Fist guitarist Steve Brown. Together, they crafted an album full of riffs and delectable melodies that is guaranteed to have people on their feet when Frehley comes to the West Herr Riviera Theatre on Aug. 21.
I had the pleasure of speaking with the man himself recently about his creative process as well as what KISS cuts will find their way into the set this summer.
MNOD: “10,000 Volts” has been getting a lot of positive press lately and appears to be one of your most successful solo releases at this point. Steve Brown has also been getting attention for his role in the process. How did your collaboration come about?
Frehley: It was a joy working with him. Me and him clicked right away in the studio. It was such a pleasure, because he’s a great Pro Tools engineer and I was able to save money on that, as well. Normally, engineers cost anywhere from $300-500 per day, but Steve fit that role perfectly. We collaborated on songs and he was a great coach in terms of my vocals. I don’t have enough positive things to say about him. He’s always said that his two favorite guitar players growing up were Eddie Van Halen and me, so I think he was excited to work with one of his idols and I was just as excited to work with him after realizing his talents.
MNOD: While you were working together, did you get the vibe that the album was going to catch on as much as it has?
Frehley: Halfway through, I remember thinking to myself that it was going to be a great album. Steve looked at me and said that, if he produced it with me, it would be one of my top records ever. It was such an easy process. I never thought that I would live in New Jersey, but I met a woman and it’s been a great ride. I would play rough mixes of songs like ‘Cherry Medicine’ for her friends and they would say how great everything sounded. We were always having fun in the studio and always in a good mood. Steve and I had no disagreements. I think that you can hear that excitement on the record and in the songs. The record company initially wanted to call the album ‘Walkin’ on the Moon,’ but I wanted to stay away from the space theme on this one given that I put out an album called ‘Spaceman’ back in 2018. Once they listened to the title track, ‘10,000 Volts’ became the name and we made a video for it. We’ve hit 1 million views on YouTube, which is great. People are saying that it’s my biggest release since the 1978 album with ‘New York Groove.’ There was no stress and everything just fell into place. The record company also hired someone to upgrade my social media. I’m on TikTok, which is really a younger person’s medium. I remember Gene Simmons saying that rock is dead, but I think this album brings back that vintage rock sound that people want to hear. I’ve never wavered from that blues-based style. I learned from guys like Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, and Eric Clapton, so maybe younger players will hear this album and want to put a band together. I haven’t been excited about a new band in a long time except for Plush, who are an all-girl band. I’ve known the bass player Ashley since she was a kid and she’s been at my house. Some nice tours are all they need. With KISS, we put out three albums that did OK, but it wasn’t until ‘Alive’ came out that we took off. That album really made us.
MNOD: You mentioned that Steve served as a great vocal coach for you on this album and there are definitely some great vocal melodies on here. How has your confidence as a singer grown since the early days?
Frehley: I’m much more confident now. When I play live, I have a band full of singers and I also sing 9 or 10 songs myself. I’m not a great vocalist, but I think my voice is stronger now than it ever was. and he knew how to get the most of my voice.
MNOD: In terms of the guitar parts, how much of them were you and how much did Steve contribute along the way?
Frehley: We were always exchanging ideas. I would say that a song needed a second chorus here or a bridge there and he would be open. He played a few leads, but the majority of the soloing was all me.
MNOD: The album kicks off with the title track, “Walkin on the Moon,” and “Cosmic Heart” in succession, but, to me, the pairing of “Fightin’ for Life” and “Blinded” is the sweet spot. How did those songs come about?
Frehley: I’ve had so many people say that ‘Fightin’ for Life’ is their favorite. I did a few interviews earlier today and they also mentioned that song. Obviously, it wasn’t one of the first three singles, so how did we overlook it? ‘Blinded’ is a song with lyrics describing the dangers of AI, which interested me right from the beginning. We had an early mix of it that sounded great, but I remember going to bed that night and thinking that it would be even better if we started the song off with vocals. Steve wasn’t sure if it was the right move, but it ended up working out. I’m always about thinking outside the box.
MNOD: Your tour begins on March 28 and you’ll be coming to Western New York this summer. What can fans expect in terms of a setlist?
Frehley: We added ‘Rock and Roll All Nite’ and ‘Shout it Out Loud’ to the set in addition to stuff like ‘Cold Gin’ and ‘Shock Me.’ We play stuff from ‘10,000 Volts’ as well as material from my solo catalog. I think we’ll put together a pretty good set that’ll get people up on their feet.
MNOD: Lastly, one of the most debated topics in recent rock news has been the announcement that KISS will continue on through the use of avatars. What do you think about that?
Frehley: I wouldn’t have approved. I wouldn’t have spent the money on that. I wish them nothing but the best, because we’re all still brothers in rock ‘n’ roll. We are all for one and one for all before we became millionaires and started going off on our own. I don’t think Gene and Paul were prepared for my 1978 album to be the biggest one, either. I was fortunate to work with a top engineer in Eddie Kramer, but I also put 110% effort into making that album what it is.
“10,000” Volts is available now wherever music is disseminated, but do us all a favor and pay for a physical copy.
Ace Frehley plays the West Herr Riviera Theatre on Aug. 21.
See http://www.acefrehley.com or http://www.rivieratheatre.org for details.
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