This week we take a look back at Scott Carr’s Pencil Storm KISS Unmasked Fantasy Album Draft LP from 2018!
Read MoreANGEL / Empire Concert Club Akron, Ohio
Scott Carr on a heavenly trip to Akron to see Angel. (We couldn’t resist.)
Read MoreKiss Video Vault Springs A Leak
Pencil Storm staff writer Scott Carr on the newly-uploaded KISS video extravaganza.
Read MoreAlbum Review: Angel / Risen - by Scott Carr
SPOTIFY PLAYLIST - LISTEN WHILE YOU READ
Friday October 4th was a big day for fans of 70's Glam/Prog rockers Angel. The band returned with their first new album in nearly forty years featuring original members Punky Meadows and Frank DiMino. Early reports seem to indicate that members of the Angel Earth Force Fan Club feel it was well worth the wait.
A little history on Angel before we dive into the new record. Angel was formed in Washington D.C. by guitarist Punky Meadows and original bassist Mickie Jones. The original line up was rounded out with vocalist Frank DiMino, Drummer Barry Brandt and Keyboardist Gregg Giuffria. Angel were discovered in a club by Kiss bassist Gene Simmons and were eventually signed to Kiss' label Casablanca Records.
Angel had a big theatrical stage show and dressed in all white stage costumes. Some looked at them as the anti-Kiss. Meaning Angel were the Angelic Rockers while Kiss were the Demons of Rock. Seemed like this would have been the ultimate touring package but it never happened. I’m guessing once the Kiss team saw the Angel stage production along with their music, it made them a little nervous to share the concert stage with them.
Angel's debut album was released in 1975 and featured the signature song "The Tower". Four more albums followed with 1978's White Hot being the most successful. In 1979 the band released their final studio album Sinful followed by a double live album Live Without A Net. By this time the band felt like their "all white" image was holding them back and wanted to go for a more streetwise image. Unfortunately Casablanca Records was going through a lot of turmoil at the time and the band lost their deal with the label. For a short while the band tried to continue but soon splintered.
Original Angel line up during the 70’s.
During the decades following the break up, various members stayed active in different projects but guitarist Punky Meadows pretty much retired from performing and recording to focus on other ventures outside of music. Vocalist Frank DiMino attempted an Angel resurrection in the late 90's with the release of a new record called In The Beginning but many fans felt the album lacked the spark and energy of the bands classic 70's albums and didn’t feel like an Angel album. Original drummer Barry Brandt was also featured on the album. Keyboardist Gregg Giuffria had the biggest post Angel success with his bands Giuffria (who briefly used the Angel name) and House Of Lords. Giuffria eventually retired from music and became involved the casino gaming business.
In 2015 Punky announced that he was coming out of retirement and would be releasing an new album called Fallen Angel. Around this same time Frank DiMino also released new music. Frank appeared on Punky’s Fallen Angel album and the pair also released a three song EP together. Things evolved quickly and the duo decided the time was right for a full blown return of Angel and once again wear their "all white" stage outfits.
The revamped version of Angel signed with Cleopatra Records in 2019 and began recording a new record.
Risen hit record stores October 4th and it is quite a triumph. Punky and Frank are the only original members from the classic 70's line up that appear on Risen but the record has many of the elements that made Angel such a special and unique band. It's a musical journey that should please most of Angel's die hard fans.
Songs like "1975", "I Don't Want You To Go", "Turn Around", "Tell Me Why" and "Desire" would sound at home on White Hot or Sinful. Very poppy guitar driven songs with hooks that immediately stick in your brain. The band doesn't embrace their prog rock side that some fans of their first album were hoping for. The prog influence is there with some keyboard interludes and some arrangements but for the most part this is a guitar heavy record. I’ve always been a fan of the band’s melodic pop songs, so this album connected with me as soon as I dropped the needle.
Speaking of guitars, Punky Meadows really shines on this record. He has such a distinctive style and tone. Like I said earlier, this is a heavy guitar record and it reminds me a lot of the bands second album Helluva Band from 1976. Songs like 'Under The Gun", 'Over My Head", "Shot Of Your Love", "We Were The Wild", "Our Revolution" and "Slow Down" may be some of the heaviest riffing the band has ever put to vinyl.
Vocalist Frank DiMino also delivers a stunning performance on Risen. His vocals sound like he could have recorded them in 1978 at the bands peak. His voice has never sounded better. I got a chance to see Angel twice earlier this year and hearing Frank sing all those classic Angel songs was a treat, the man is a powerhouse.
One thing that strikes me about Risen is the cohesiveness of the new line up. They really sound like a band, it doesn't feel like guys trying to sound like Angel. They do have that classic Angel sound but there is an energetic vibe that gives this line up it’s own voice. .
Rounding out the new Angel line up are Charlie Calv (Keyboards), Steve E, Ojane (Bass Guitar), Billy Orrico (Drums/Backing Vocals) and Danny Farrow (Guitar/Backing Vocals). Guitarist Danny Farrow played a big part in the revival of Angel and he co-wrote most of the songs on Risen with Punky and Frank.
The album ends with a nod to the bands past with a rerecorded version of their best known song "The Tower". The band delivers a solid performance on the new recording of "The Tower" but they didn't need to add this track because the new material can stand on it's own.
I've been a fan of Angel since 1978 when I saw them open for Blue Oyster Cult in Huntington, WV. I remember leaving half way through Blue Oyster Cult's set because I thought they were kinda boring after watching Angel and opening band The Godz. I went out and bought all the Angel records I could find and had magazine clippings of Angel all over my bedroom walls along with my Kiss posters of course. Sadly that was my one and only time seeing the band during their original run but it was enough to make me a life long fan.
Hopefully Risen is the beginning of a new chapter for the band and we will hear more new music from them in years to come.
Risen is a strong contender for “Album of the Year” . Yeah, it’s that good!
Scott Carr is a guitarist who plays in the Columbus, OH bands Radio Tramps andReturning April. Scott is also an avid collector of vinyl records and works at Lost Weekend Records. So...if you are looking for Scott....you'll either find him in a dimly-lit bar playing his guitar or in a record store digging for the holy grail.
Me with Punky and Frank earlier this year in St. Louis.
Me purchasing Risen on vinyl the day it was released. Photo taken by Brett Ruland (Spoonful Records).
Kiss Army Radio On Sirius XM: Hit Or Miss? - by Scott Carr
After reading Ricki C's not-so-positive (but entertaining) take on Sirius XM's limited engagement channel dedicated to all things Kiss, I thought it was my duty to counter with my own thoughts on Kiss Army Radio.
I was pretty excited when I heard Sirius XM Radio would be doing a Kiss channel. They have done limited engagement channels for many artists in the past, including Tom Petty, Billy Joel, The Rolling Stones and others. They even have permanent channels for Elvis and The Beatles. (editor’s note: and Bruce Springsteen.)
Most people listen to Sirius XM Radio in their cars but I am a non-driver, so I had to download the app and listen on my phone. This was kind of a pain because I had to sign up for a subscription to Sirius XM Radio for a minimum of 6 months at $5.99 a month. Not really a big expense, but once Kiss Army Radio is over I probably won't use the app much anymore.
It kind of reminded me of a time back in 1979 when I begged my parents to get HBO because the new cable movie channel announced they would be airing a Kiss concert that was taped in Japan. My parents really didn't want to get HBO but with my non-stop pleading they eventually caved and I got to watch the Kiss concert several times.
Sometimes you just gotta do things for your favorite band.
Anyways, I picked a random hour to tune in and see how many "good" Kiss songs I would hear on Kiss Army Radio. I will admit I am a bit biased when it comes to Kiss but I also don't mind calling them out when they fall short.
This is how my hour with Kiss Army Radio went:
1. "A World Without Heroes" (Music From The Elder / 1981)
So the hour didn't start out with a bang but I do like this song. I love The Elder, it's actually in my Top 5 favorite Kiss albums. I wish the hour had started out with "The Oath," but hearing anything from this album on the radio makes for a pretty exciting day.
2. "Do You Love Me" (Kiss Symphony: Alive IV / 2003)
Another good Kiss song but I do not like the symphony version. I think the MTV Unplugged version would have worked better here.
3. "Hell Or Hallelujah" (Monster / 2012)
This song comes from what will probably be the last ever Kiss studio album, Monster, released in 2012. Typical latter-day Kiss rocker. I'd say this song is just ok, not horrible but not great either.
I did notice that this song along with "Modern Day Delilah" from 2009's Sonic Boom album got a lot of airplay. I guess they had to throw Eric Singer and Tommy Thayer a bone every once and awhile.
4. "She" (Dressed To Kill / 1975)
A track that dates back to Paul and Gene's pre-Kiss band Wicked Lester and eventually appeared on Kiss' 1975 album Dressed To Kill.
"She" is a classic! I love everything about this song. It has cool vocal harmonies, a killer bass groove from Gene Simmons, and a tasty guitar solo from Ace Frehley.
If you have ears, you will recognize that this is a killer song.
5. "Creatures Of The Night" (Creatures Of The Night / 1982)
Kiss made a big return musically with their 1982 album Creatures Of The Night and the title track is one of the best Kiss album openers ever. This is an excellent song and you can tell Kiss were on a mission to prove they could still rock.
6. "Charisma" (Dynasty / 1979)
"Charisma" comes from an album that a lot of people refer to as Kiss' disco album. Dynasty definitely had flourishes of disco on it but no more than The Rolling Stones Some Girls, The Kinks Low Budget or The Game from Queen.
Dynasty is a solid rock album and "Charisma" is one of my favorites from the record.
Dynasty is not Disco and Carnival Of Souls is not Grunge.
Speaking of Carnival Of Souls, did anyone hear a track from that record on Kiss Army Radio?
7. "Black Diamond" (Kiss / 1974)
Epic song that closes Kiss' 1974 debut album.
Written by Paul Stanley who sings the intro and then turns the lead vocal over to drummer Peter Criss. I always loved how Kiss traded off lead vocals in the early days. As a kid I never really knew who was singing what, it seemed so effortless on their part.
"Black Diamond" is a truly a classic by any rock n roll standard. A song so great that The Replacements covered it on their excellent Let It Be album.
8. "Rocket Ride" (Alive II / 1977)
An often-overlooked classic from the band featuring Ace Frehley on lead vocals.
This song appears on Side 4 of Kiss Alive II. The band recorded five brand new studio tracks as a special surprise for fans buying the new live album. I loved all the new material on Side 4 of Alive II and "Rocket Ride" is a strong showing from The Spaceman.
9. "Psycho Circus" (Psycho Circus / 1996)
Title track from the band’s 1998 reunion album with Ace Frehley and Peter Criss.
It actually wasn't much of a reunion album at all, as Ace and Peter had very limited involvement with the creation of the album.
It was an exciting time to be a Kiss fan, though. The band had just completed a highly successful world tour with the original lineup, Kiss was back on top.
Even without Ace and Peter being involved, I do like the album Psycho Circus. The title track has a classic Kiss vibe about it and it has been a staple in the set list for the past 20 years.
10. "New York Groove" (Ace Frehley / 1978)
I was wondering if Kiss Army Radio would delve into the 1978 solo albums and to my surprise they did.
"New York Groove" was the only actual hit to come from the 1978 Solo Albums, so I guess it makes sense that they included it here.
Wow, we are up to 2 Ace Tracks this hour. Things are looking good.
11. "Hell Bent For Leather" - Judas Priest (Kiss pick)
Each hour during Kiss Army Radio there was a track that was supposedly hand-picked by the band. These songs were from bands that influenced Kiss or had some sort of connection with the band.
Judas Priest opened for Kiss during the 1979 Dynasty tour. At that time Judas Priest was supporting their recently-released live album Unleashed In The East that was recorded during their Hell Bent For Leather tour of Japan.
I saw Priest open for Kiss in July of 1979, so I can approve of the inclusion of this song during my Kiss Army Radio listening experience.
12. "Room Service" (You Wanted The Best, You Got The Best / 1996)
Another great song that originally appeared on 1975's Dressed To Kill.
The version played during this hour came from the archival release You Wanted The Best, You Got The Best. This album combined previously released live versions of Kiss classics plus some doctored-up live versions of songs that had never been released.
Paul added new vocals to this vintage track and it sounds a little weird to me. 1996 Paul sounds a lot different than 1975 Paul.
Still a great song but I would have played the Dressed To Kill version.
13. "Lick It Up" (Lick It Up / 1983)
Title track from the band’s 1983 album and the first to feature the band without their trademark make-up.
"Lick It Up" is a good song but I've heard it so many times over the years that it isn't really one of my favorites.
I would have picked "A Million To One" instead. In fact, I actually did pick this song for the KISS Unmasked Fantasy Draft.
14. "Spit" (Revenge / 1992)
Some interesting programming going on here, "Lick It Up" followed by "Spit"? Accident? Probably not, I'm guessing Gene was controlling the airwaves for these back to back tracks.
I love the Revenge album but this is not one of my favorite tracks. Musically I think it's great but the lyrics are a bit cringe-worthy.
With that said, "Spit" did somehow make it onto my fantasy Kiss record when the Pencil Storm staff attempted to rank the songs of the non make-up era of the band.
15. "Calling Dr. Love" (Rock And Roll Over / 1977)
A signature Gene track from Rock And Roll Over.
I dig this tune and I love Ace Frehley’s crazy guitar solo on this track. One of my favorite Ace solos.
Definitely a good one.
16. "Shock Me" (Love Gun / 1977)
The hour came to a close with another Ace lead vocal, we are up to three now!
This is Ace's signature song and one of my favorites from the Spaceman.
Time’s up.
Overall I think my hour with Kiss Army Radio was pretty solid. Definitely wasn't packed with hits but Kiss really isn't a "hits" kind of band.
I think Kiss Army Radio did a great job of satisfying casual fans but they really did dive deep for the die hard fans as well.
I have randomly tuned in over the last few days and heard songs like "Torpedo Girl", "I", "Paralyzed", "And On The 8th Day", "Tonight You Belong To Me", "Is That You" and many other lesser-known songs.
The channel did a nice job of covering all eras. Ace seemed to be well represented during the times I spent listening. Could have just been a timing thing but I didn't hear many songs from Peter. I heard "Beth" and "Hard Luck Woman" several times but no "Hooligan" or "Baby Driver". I'm sure they played more from the Cat but I must have missed it.
Also, I do wish they had included some vintage concerts or maybe some interviews from the vaults.
Kiss Army Radio is now just a memory but hopefully they will bring it back in the future. It was a fun listen and I’d say a hit!
Sirius XM aired a live broadcast of Kiss performing at the Whiskey A Go Go from the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles, California. Check out the clips below of the band performing “Deuce” and “Black Diamond” at this historic venue.
Scott Carr is a guitarist who plays in the Columbus, OH bands Radio Tramps and Returning April. Scott is also an avid collector of vinyl records and works at Lost Weekend Records. So...if you are looking for Scott....you'll either find him in a dimly lit bar playing his guitar or in a record store digging for the holy grail.
The Gene Simmons Vault Experience Cleveland - by Scott Carr
The Gene Simmons Vault Experience Cleveland - by Scott Carr
It's been well over a decade since Gene Simmons first spoke of releasing a mammoth box set of unreleased demos spanning his entire recording career. When it was first talked about it had a working title of Monster. Gene claimed it would be the biggest box set ever and all Kiss fans know Gene knows how to hype a project, so when he said it would be big, we knew it would be something special.
As time went on the project seemed to hit some road blocks and went into a state of limbo, so much so that Kiss used the Monster title for their 2012 studio record.
Finally last year news started to break that the Gene Simmons box set was back on track and had a new name: The Gene Simmons Vault!
Gene also announced that he would be doing something that had never been done before, he wanted to hand-deliver the box sets straight to the fans. There would be no retail version of The Vault, Gene wanted to make it an "experience" and travel the world to deliver The Vault to the fans. The project became known as The Gene Simmons Vault Experience.
Gene teamed-up with Rhino Records and they developed a box set like no other: The Gene Simmons Vault weighs in at almost 40 pounds and it actually looks like a vault. Inside The Vault is a hard-back book full of text & rare photos and - more importantly - 11 CD's of unreleased Gene Simmons demos that date back to 1966. You also get the first ever non-makeup Gene Simmons action figure and other goodies.
The Vault website soon took shape and event dates started popping up, so purchasers could pick a city close to their home and make plans to attend The Vault Experience and receive their Vault directly from the demon himself.
Once The Vault dates started to appear I would casually check the event page to see if there were any close to my home of Columbus, OH, with no real thought that I would actually be able to attend one. I absolutely wanted to do it but I wasn't sure everything would fall into place to make it happen. I'm a working musician and have a pretty busy gig schedule, so the date would have to fall on one of my off days, and there aren't many of those. Beyond scheduling, how could I afford it? The Vault isn't cheap. Maybe I could sell a guitar? No, I don't have one that I could bear to part with. Sell of some of my prized vinyl collection? That definitely wasn't an option, I've sold off records in the past and have always come to regret it.
A date was announced for Cleveland Ohio on Saturday April 28th and it worked out that I had that entire weekend off. I had been stashing away money made from gigs playing with my band and I had managed to save the cash to buy The Vault Experience.
After several visits to The Vault website, I finally pulled the trigger and made the purchase.
A couple months later I found myself heading to the Cleveland Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to meet The Demon and get MY Vault.
I arrived in Cleveland the night before the event. I wanted to be well-rested and ready for my Experience. Of course I did not get any sleep the night before because I was so excited for my adventure that would be unfolding the next day. It was like Christmas in April.
Vault attendees were told to arrive at the Rock Hall around 10am the day of the event and wristbands would be given out to designate your place in line. Of course it ended up being a cold, rainy, windy day in Cleveland but Kiss fans are troopers and we didn't have to wait very long before being ushered into the Rock Hall.
Keith Valcourt from Rhino Records was on hand and he and his staff had everything rolling along very smoothly.
The first part of The Gene Simmons Vault Experience consisted of a "songs and stories" segment. All guests were in an intimate theatre on the fourth floor of the rock and hall and Gene entered with an acoustic guitar and basically played songs and told stories about how he writes and creates songs. Keith from Rhino kept this portion of the experience moving along and would ask Gene questions, and also fielded questions from the audience.
Gene during the songs and stories portion of The Vault Experience.
Gene with Keith Valcourt (Rhino Records) Showing off what's inside The Vault.
After the "songs and stories" portion concluded, Vault purchasers were taken in groups of 5 to a lower level of the Rock Hall to meet Gene and get their Vaults.
I was No. 7 in line, so my turn came up pretty quick. It was fun hanging out in the green room with other Kiss fans prior to meeting Gene. We were talking all things Kiss and comparing items that we were gonna get signed.
Finally it was my turn to go see Gene and get my Vault. I wasn't nervous but I was really excited. I had met Gene three times over the years and had always been really engaging and nice to me, so I knew this would be another special Kiss memory.
I entered the room and there stood The Demon and next to him was my Vault. This man is larger than life even without his monster boots. He welcomed me into the room and we just began chatting. There were other people in the room, including Rhino staff photographers and I was also allowed to bring a guest. Once I started chatting with Gene it was like everyone else disappeared....I was in my own little world with one of my childhood idols. I felt like I was 12 years old again.
We talked about music, we talked about our moms, we talked about The Vault and I was also able to give him some of my Kiss related writings I've done for Pencil Storm. He seemed genuinely excited to receive these, explaining that he loves to read about himself. Classic Gene!
Gene signed a few different items that I had brought with me, including my original 1978 Solo Album Picture disc, an original 1974 ad for the first Kiss album and also a picture of Gene and myself from 30 years ago. Gene really liked that picture and we talked a bit about how that meeting had occurred.
Lastly he signed the top of my Vault . He wrote "Only Got One Life, I'm Gonna Live It, yeah," which is a variation of a line from the song "Trial By Fire" from the Kiss album Asylum.
"Only Got One Life, I'm Gonna Live It" was kind of my motto for this entire Vault Experience.
A couple months have passed now since my event and I am still working my way through the music that is included in The Vault. It really is a 50-year journey through the songwriting evolution of Gene Simmons. It's a lot to take in. Although most people think the music is why fans are doing these events but the music really seems like a bonus. Meeting Gene and hanging out with the Kiss fanatics is what The Vault Experience is all about.
I've done a lot of cool Kiss related things over the years and seen Kiss in concert more than any other band, but I will have to say that the Gene Simmons Vault Experience ranks at the top of my list of Kiss memories.
Scott Carr is a guitarist who plays in the Columbus, OH bands Radio Tramps andReturning April. Scott is also an avid collector of vinyl records and works at Lost Weekend Records. So...if you are looking for Scott....you'll either find him in a dimly lit bar playing his guitar or in a record store digging for the holy grail.
The Vault
Meeting The Demon!
Presenting Gene with some of my Pencil Storm articles.
Gene signing my Vault.
Gene and myself. I'm holding a pic we'd taken together 30 years ago.
