I’m not a musician.  However, if I were to ever find that proverbial genie in the bottle, one of the wishes that would be elbowing its way into the “final three” would likely be to become a proficient guitarist of all genres. 

Well, since the only bottles I’ve come across lately have been of the two liter soft drink kind whenever I order out for pizza, I haven’t been granted my three wishes.  In fact, the sound from opening said two liters pretty much describes my guitar abilities:  Pfffttt!!!

However, I DO play vicariously (read that as “via air guitar”) through the hands of many an outstanding virtuoso.  One of those axe handlers would be the incredible guitarist, Bruce Kulick.

As the last of the Baby Boomers were half way through college, Kulick blasted to the forefront of the music scene when he was brought on to be Paul Stanley’s six-string sidekick in the super group, KISS.  Bruce enjoyed an incredible, legacy building twelve years with the band, scorching the band’s Asylum, Crazy Nights, Hot in the Shade, Revenge, Alive III, KISS Unplugged and Carnival of Souls: The Final Sessions albums. 

What a lot of fans don’t realize, however, is that Kulick first engraved his riffs into the minds of Meatloaf fans while supporting the “Bat Out of Hell” tour with his licks.  He currently is Grand Funk Railroad’s guitarist, having owned that role for the past nine years.  When he’s not tearing up the GFR stage, he’s supporting his impressive roster of fellow musician friends.

Oh, and he works on his own projects, too.  His first solo album, Audio Dog, came out in 2001 with Transformer following in 2003.  On February 2^nd will bring his latest project, BK3, to a store or website near you.  I almost literally wearing out the advance copy of the disc, it’s that good.  I must say right here that BK3 promises to be THE CD that fans and guitar aficionados point to as being on their short list of must-own discs.

I had the privilege of chatting on the phone with Bruce Kulick in early December about BK3.  He had just returned from a short trip to Europe and was leaving for Australia two days after our interview.

One of the things that struck me about BK3 is that, in addition to the phenomenal musicianship and production quality, there was a consistent, positive message.  I interpreted the lyrics as containing words of personal strength, resolve and encouragement.  I asked Kulick if I had heard the messages correctly.

“Yeah, pretty much.  I mean, I don’t like to whine and complain about things.  I try to be a little more like the Beatles were - reflective about life but you’re not complaining about “woe is me” kind of thing.  It’s always a challenge in writing lyrics but I think that I was able to accomplish what I really wanted to on this record.  The ones, obviously, that guest people came in on; they wrote things that were appropriate for them as well.  It’s just an interesting way to work but I think it worked out in the end really well.

Because of the incredible guest list that pitched in on his project, I jokingly asked Bruce if he had some explosive pictures on them.

“Funny for you to put it that way.  I mean, actually, I have good relationships with all of them.  If I didn’t know them to well – like, say, Tobias (Sammet, from the German metal band, Edguy) he worked with Eric (Singer) and was a big KISS fan and he was aware of me.  So he was all excited to, in some way, to be involved with my record.  Of course, I’m going to return the favor and be involved with his next project.”

When I commented that it was quite a testament to how they respected him by participating in BK3, he humbly replied, “It’s great for all of them to say yes.  Of course, the one that I was most nervous about was Gene (Simmons) but he really surprised me with a quick and firm “yes” and even offered up his son.  So how COULD I complain?”

Well, who’s who in the zoo on this disc?

 “Well, obviously, it’s mostly my guitar work except for the (Toto guitarist, Steve) Lukather thing.  I even let Jeremy (Rubolino, musical prodigy and producer phenom), my producer, play the acoustic on the beginning of No Friend of Mine.  But, in general, the guitar work is mine, of course.  Jeremy and I shared the bass work except for (Yellow Jacket bass player) Jimmy Haslip that played on the instrumental with Lukather.  Obviously, the other guitar playing on that song being Lukather, of course, which was amazing getting him involved.