It’s the summer of 1974.  I was 14 years old and spending the summer in the beautiful, rolling hills of Eastern Tennessee.  Like all teenage boys in those days, I was rocking out and playing air guitar to many of the great, straight-forward rock and roll being produced at that time.

It was during those days that I heard a brand new band that was taking the country by a storm with their bone-jarring, thunderous music.  But what was also commanding the world’s attention was the mystique they created by only being seen in public with their uniquely applied kabuki stage make-up.  Their fan base was legion almost instantaneously and they quickly were referred to as the “KISS Army”.

Each of the band members had their own distinct “mask” that was painted on for each performance.  Commanding the bulk of the limelight was the blood-spewing “demon” bass player, Gene Simmons.  Next in command was Paul Stanley, the “Star Child” who often shared the spotlight with Gene while playing rhythm guitar.  The foundation for that rhythm was provided by drummer, Peter Criss, whose character was the “Cat Man”.

However, the opinion of most guitarists who know these things, the person who was providing the prolific guitar work in almost every technical sense of the word was Ace “Spaceman” Frehley.  While Gene and Paul commanded most of the visual attention, musicians and musician wannabe’s were captivated by Frehley’s blistering licks and pyrotechnics emanating from his guitar.

Of course, we all know that KISS went on to accomplish international fame for their music and antics on, and off, the stage.  Eventually, the make-up went away but the band continues as a wildly successful musical and marketing sensation.

Well, members of the KISS Army, you’re going to be absolutely jumping with joy to learn that Ace Frehley has come out with his first album in twenty years!  It’s titled, “Anomaly”, and it’s about this project that my interview with Ace Frehley begins. 

I started our chat by commenting that I get the impression that he was having a lot of fun while recording “Anomaly”.  Ace agrees.  “I feel the same way I felt 31 years ago when I finished my 1978 solo record. I'm very proud of both records.  From the great reviews I've read about ‘Anomaly’, I think the fans agree too!”

When I first listened to “Anomaly”, I immediately recognized the classic tune, “Fox On The Run”, originally recorded by Sweet.  When I asked Frehley what was behind his decision to cover that song, he says, “My make-up artist for photo shoots, Pam, suggested that song.  And after discussing it with everyone in the studio, they all thought that song was suited to my voice.  It's funny but I'm reading a lot of fans saying that they thought that was me singing the original version from the 70s.”

Hoping to get a little inside scoop from Ace, I asked if the song, “Pain In The Neck” is about anyone in particular.  Laughing, he shoots back, “What do you want to do?  Get me in trouble or something?”  Hoping for at least a little be of juicy gossip, he chooses to leave me hanging on that one.

It’s honestly hard for me to pick a favorite cuts off of “Anomaly” but one that would have to be on my short list of top picks is “Space Bear” and the iTunes bonus track, “The Return of the Space Bear”.  I asked Ace what was the story behind those tunes.

He enthusiastically says that, “Space Bear was originally called "Skels".  The associate producer of ‘Anomaly’, Frank Munoz, was the one who came up with the idea of leaving it as an instrumental. And then (he) came up with the concept of adding my lines from Tom Snyder's Tomorrow Show where the somewhat ‘drunk’ me tried to capture Tom's teddy bear.  We had a blast recording it.”

Another great cut from the disc is an acoustical instrumental number entitled “Fractured Quantum”.  Ace fans will immediately notice that, as in the case of “Fractured Mirror” (from “Ace Frehley”) and “Fractured Too” (from “Frehley’s Comet”), 12-string guitars form a catalyst to the tunes.  I asked Ace about the significance of the 12-strings and what gear he used to play the tunes.  His answer was interesting. 

“If you listen to the end of ‘Quantum’, it finishes where the original (‘Fractured Mirror’) begins.  I use the same 12 string & the effects.  It’s come full circle and this song completes the series.  I'm thinking of maybe piecing them all together in a row.  Maybe I'll throw it up on iTunes or something.  Who knows?”

Remember, Ace fans, you hear it here first!

“Well, are you going to tour to promote ‘Anomaly’ and, if so, where are some of the stops” (begging him to please say ‘Dallas’)?  The Spaceman teases with this word of advice: “Yes.  Keep checking AceFrehley.com for details.  How’s that for a plug?”

C’mon, Ace!  That’s cruel and unusual punishment!

Realizing that I’m not going to get any more of an answer than that (so you’ll have to join me in monitoring his website for tour dates), I turn the subject toward the world of touring.  Having toured with a band that been around the world several times, I thought it would be interesting to get his thoughts about how touring in a rock and roll band has changed since the ‘70’s. 

“Well, the hotels are better!  The promoting business has changed a lot.  It used to be you went to one specific guy in every city, every year.  Now, there are so many promoters worldwide, it’s definitely a business and that has taken some of the fun out of it.”

“Do you think the economy has affected concert attendance?” I ask.

“Rock ‘n Roll will always be a way for people to forget their problems for a few hours.  I don’t think it’s hurt us too bad.”

I asked Frehley to continue in the “then and now” comparison mode but in the area of music. He minces no words when stating his views.

“Where are the guitar heroes of today? In the 70’s, you had Brian May, Joe Perry and myself.  In the 80’s, you had Eddie Van Halen & Slash.  Dave Grohl is from the 90s.  But who else in the past 10 years? I grew up with Hendrix, Page, Richards, Beck, Clapton, and Townshend.  I can keep going.  It feels like kids today are getting cheated.”

Asked if there are any artists or bands that are grabbing his attention, he mentions only one.  “I really dig Katy Perry’s attitude about the music business.  ‘Don’t take it too seriously or you’ll go crazy.  Have fun performing and the rest will just fall into place.’”

What does he see as the single biggest development in the music business in the last 40 years.  “Pro tools recording: the death of the lavish recording studio.  Why pay the big bucks to rent when you can record in your home on your computer?”

Chatting with Ace Frehley, it wasn’t lost on me that this gifted man has seen and done a lot in his life.  Things that most of us mere, earthbound mortals can maybe only dream of.  However, I was curious if there was ANYTHING that he hasn’t accomplished or tried that he’s wanted to do.

“I’d love to score a film someday.  Y’know?  It’s funny but someone told me the other day that they thought ‘Fractured Quantum’ from ‘Anomaly’ sounds like a theme song to a TV series.  I might be on the right track.” 

Ace is famous for his special effects guitars that emit smoke and do other weird and wonderful things.  As a result of a world of us wannabe’s wishing to play guitar just like him, Gibson Guitar produces an Ace Frehley line of Les Paul’s (minus the pyrotechnics).  I asked Frehley about the signature line. 

“(They’re) still tweaking it as we speak.  I tried it at the Viper Room in LA and it still needs some work.  You can check out the prototype in some of the Viper pics on my website.

With our time wrapping up, I asked Frehley what was next for him after ‘Anomaly’.

“The Anomaly tour and then rest for awhile.  But, don’t worry.  I’m not going to make you wait another 20 years again for an Ace Frehley record!”

Well, your legions of fans certainly hope so, Ace! 

Well, you fellow Space Cadets, as our beloved Spaceman told us, we can learn more about his upcoming tour, see pictures and videos, as well as buy some pretty cool Spaceman gear by checking out www.acefrehley.com. 

I’ll race you to it!