Ep. 421 Bruce Kulick Takes Us Inside the KISS Asylum Tour and All His Tour Guitars

Episode 421, March 2, 2021. This week we sit down with former KISS lead guitarist Bruce Kulick and talk all about the KISS Asylum tour. We look at some of Tommy Sommers amazing Asylum tour photos and Bruce shares comments and stories. He also talks about the various guitars he played on tour.
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Press requests please contact Michael Brandvold at www.michaelbrandvold.com
Since launching in 2012 Three Sides of the Coin has been viewed or listened to over 6,000,000 times. Three Sides of the Coin has been joined by special guests including former KISS lead guitarist Bruce Kulick, Eddie Trunk, WWE Superstar and lead singer of Fozzy Chris Jericho, Angel lead guitarist Punky Meadows, Five Finger Death Punch guitarist Jason Hook, Vinnie Vincent Invasion and Slaughter lead singer Mark Slaughter, Twisted Sister’s Dee Snider, comedian Craig Gass, KISS’ former business manager Chris Lendt, the Black Veil Brides' Andy Biersack, Frank Munoz associate producer for Ace Frehley's Anomaly album, award-winning songwriter Adam Mitchell, Ed Kanon (Peter Criss' drum tech), Kevin Valentine (drummer on KISS' Psycho Circus album). Three Sides of the Coin was picked (October 2013) as a 'What's Hot' podcast by Apple's iTunes.
In the early '90s, Michael Brandvold launched the fifth ever website on the Internet devoted to KISS, KISS Otaku. He built, launched and maintained Kissonline.com (KISS' official web presence). He now owns Michael Brandvold Marketing, providing marketing services and digital strategy to musicians. Tommy Sommers spent 15 years on the record show circuit collecting, trading and selling memorabilia / Kiss merchandise. He is now a successful residential Real Estate agent in the Minneapolis / St. Paul area. Tommy has also produced a KISS song For The Oddfathers and is the owner of Rock Steady Digital Photography. Mark Cicchini, is a world-renown KISS collector. KISS has used parts of Mark’s vast KISS collection for audio, video & print materials including their book NOTHIN TO LOSE, CD re-release of the LOVE GUN album & the VH1 Ultimate Album KISS ALIVE! special as well as many other KISS projects. His wife also makes a mean meatloaf!!!
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Three Sides Of The Coin is unofficial & unsanctioned and has no affiliation with the band KISS.

[@ChadStormTheAftermath]

Bruce is such a class act. I can’t say enough nice things about him. He’s the best.

[@MKPlaysGuitar]

Bruce's relationship with his fans along with his work ethic and professionalism in keeping his name out their even though not being in KISS for many years is why all KISS fans love him and continue to support him.

[@larskidd2693]

Eric tripped on the steps in Atlanta. I was on that side of the stage, Paul made the joke of " Have a nice trip, see ya next fall. " Poor guy was a little embarrassed, but just laughed and smiled it off.

[@npriester6689]

He may not be the original KISS sound but Bruce is by far the most talented and consistent guitarist they ever had. He is also one of the nicest guys in the world. I am biased because he is my favorite. I know Bruce is busy but he needs to be a somewhat regular on the show.

[@npriester6689]

@@vaekkriinhart4347 I somewhat agree. But I would argue that this specific era of KISS had no originality. KISS was chasing that 80s sound to be "mainstream" and current and Bruce was hired to fit that sound. That doesn't take away from his abilities and how he stacks up with the other KISS guitarist. I think it says more about Paul and Gene not wanting to carve out their own sound in that era.

[@michaelmiglino6512]

Absolutely agree!

[@kevinspevak3043]

Vc. V cc

[@mariorezendes4324]

Bruce, I want to see a reunion. Your era was my favorite

[@ThrillingTwo]

Bruce is the best, man. Love Bruce! In 96 I was hopeful the reunion tour would be a one-and-done thing and they'd go back to the Revenge lineup after the tour. This one's gonna be great! Tommy's photos are incredible.

[@cellblocknine5385]

They should have took the makeup off after the farewell tour.

[@garym6688]

Great show - I know we can all agree that Bruce is 100% the MAN! So glad you guys were able to get him on to discuss Tommy's amazing pics. Really funny to hear Lisa's recollection of the Pittsburgh show because I was there too!! She's right - we were literally all standing outside waiting for the doors to open when they made the announcement that it was cancelled...talk about a punch in the stomach! We were fortunate that the band tacked on our rescheduled show at the end of the tour and it was really worth the wait. I don't recall my exact seats, but I know my friend and I were in the first ten rows and I just remember Bruce melting our faces over & over that night. A very memorable Kiss show for a number of reasons. Thanks again guys for this; one of your best shows ever!

[@romelovesdan]

Had a wait after a date cancellation, but loved the Asylum Tour at the LA Forum. Bruce was on top of his game!

[@GosselinCreative]

Asylum was my first Kiss concert! I saw the Charleston, WV show where Bruce came out after his guitar solo playing Gene's bass. They still had the lightning bolt stairs and boy did they look shaky. The Charleston Civic Auditorium was right across the street from a mall and we were killing time in Disc Jockey before the show when, unbeknownst to me, Gene was in the back of the store signing autographs. Imagine my surprise when he walks right by me on the way out of the store. A group of fans formed around him as he exited the store (me included) and it was like the rats following the pied piper through the hallway until he exited through a side door to a waiting limousine in the parking garage. Great show. W.A.S.P opened. I came home with half of a WASP Last Command poster and a Paul Stanley guitar pick.

[@pablobendixiii5536]

The first Bruce pic would make a great poster.

[@planetcool2240]

Bruce was the man on the Revenge tour and album. Biggest highlight for me as a kiss fan since 1977.

[@davidelam631]

I grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas and this tour started there at Barton Coliseum! I was 14 back in that small 9000 seat arena. We all snuck out and lied about staying at other friends houses. My friends mom dropped us off. Crazy!

[@KISSARMYConJon]

Where’s the love for the photographs taken by Tommy?!?! ABSOLUTELY STUNNING WORK! Great interview with Bruce, not doubt about that!👍🏻👍🏻but the Photos!!!! Tommy! YOU.DA.MAN!!!Michael, Tommy and Mark! Y’all 3 never disappoint!!! Thank you guys! I’m in love with Lisa Martini 😍😍😍

[@markdouglas9182]

Very cool interview. I didn't realize Bruce has an active you tube channel.. I just went over and subbed.. and have already watched a few cool things on the channel..

[@dono6971]

Absolutely loved this episode. Love Bruce and that entire era.

[@mattyc6513]

Great episode with Bruce!! Just wanted to comment on the KISS Live auction page and how great it is. i don't have many friends, let alone KISS friends, and KLA is such an accepting group. From the stories, and how accepting they are with sharing information about KISS collectibles and not condescending when i don't know something. All the members are amazing people. i don't feel like such a loser when i watch these auctions. You don't have to buy anything; you can ask questions, joke around, and make friends along the way. Such a great group.

[@leswadley6792]

This was a great episode! Met Bruce several times at expos and conventions! Fav moment is when he was in Nashville! His parents were in the audience right in front of me! They were super nice to me! My only issue is why do the guys have to talk down to people who support the show? Like when the comment about there is only the one song guys! It’s your show, I get that! Just saying most of us super collectors and legitimate fans don’t act like a fool! Anyway; dig the episode!

[@planetcool2240]

I bet he’s got some good Eric Carr stories. Eric was a solid drummer.

[@lowbodyfat6707]

Bruce is the kiss guitarist I was introduced to when I discover kiss, he is bar far the most talented guitarist Kiss have ever had.

[@thomasandreasen9571]

BK has my vote for the Kiss hero in 2020. I appreciated all the cool videos he posted, kept things interesting.

[@Taylor-kd6lr]

This was a fantastic interview guys. Great questions and an interesting look into Bruce’s time with Kiss. Well done!

[@mariorezendes4324]

Tommy,awesome pictures. I was a huge Kiss fan from when I was 8 or 9 in the 70s until I was 14 or 15. My walls were plastered with their pictures

[@mariorezendes4324]

I never got to see them play, but the 80's Kiss was my favorite. Got into punk through Metallica and Anthrax like Discharge and GBH. But Kiss was my favorite rock band when I was a little kid.

[@mariorezendes4324]

Love these pictures

[@danhuff8446]

I have met Bruce a couple of times and always generous and humble.

[@ELEVATETHESKY]

So amazing! What a great episode you all. Bruce Kulick is such a wonderful and nice guy. \m/

[@spike14501]

Trivia Question: The picture of Bruce, Gene, and Paul on the lightning bolt together, what song were they playing?

[@jcollins1305]

Bruce seems like a good, stand up guy. RIP Bob Kulick, he just passed a few weeks ago. Lot of talent in that family.

[@mariorezendes4324]

Carnival of Souls was better than Psycho Circus, just saying

[@TheRobFeeney]

Love this. I was two rows behind you guys that night, so seeing these are amazing. I also took some photos but they’re not like these.

[@cecilmusick8629]

Great Show, Bruce is such a class act!

[@simonscott1121]

It broke my heart when they did the stupid reunion thing. Saw them one more time in the farewell tour, said my goodbyes and havent followed the band since. Still love the 80s/early 90s KISS tho :)

[@charleslaine]

I saw them on this tour in Waco Tx. It was Feb 1986 and WASP was the opening act. I still remember that it had just snowed the previous week. There was still some snow and slush on the ground on the day of the concert.

[@LaGrungeMusic]

Mark's picture looks so much clearer with his Rob Halford purchased Router

[@drummerw17]

My respects always to our Eric Carr R.I.P. 🙏🎼🥁🎼🙏who has been one of my favorite drummers in Kiss. Throughout his career with the band he did a great job, he did it with that passion that characterized him. Asylum one of my favorite Kiss albums. Eric Carr put the power in those drums.

[@valensinn2395]

I was at that Toronto show! Amazing! Great time love the album! Bruce still rules!

[@kevinspevak3043]

Good stuff with Bruce, Asylum was my first Kiss show as a 12 year old. Also, as of the fall of 2021 Glenn Hughes is singing and playing AMAZING, I just saw him with the Dead Daisies.

[@KISSARMYConJon]

WOW Tommy!!!! KILLER photos man! Very impressive! A+++ 👍🏻👍🏻 Loved this episode! 👍🏻😎🤟🏻

[@markokovanen1808]

What could be said about this? The cold shivers went as I listened and looked! Thank you, Thank you, thank you

[@tnix7396]

I went to the show and thought the stage was odd. They had the lightning bolts and I think they had the album cover on the stage. I remember those BC Rich guitar Bruce played. Only saw it on that tour. I loved Eric’s solo with the red kit and strobe lights. Don’t remember the fire flash at the end of the solo.

[@poeslanding]

My first concert was the asylum tour at the forum in Los Angeles. The only thing I really remember about it unfortunately is Gene. wearing the red dress. They are still my favorite band and I wish I would’ve seen another concert with that lineup as it is my favorite! I probably watched the Animalize Live video 100 times so I was disappointed when I got to the forum.

[@GerryBlue]

80's Kiss was and will always be the best Kiss

[@mikefromohio6489]

I saw the Asylum tour December Friday 13th 1985 Dayton Ohio I liked how Bruce would run up them stairs doing solos

[@LisaPat]

Bruce Kullick saved Kiss!

[@kissmuseum432]

Awesome photos Tommy! Wanna see more in upcoming episodes...

[@pettson6812]

Very great episode. I love the Asylum era. Unfortunately they never came to Sweden with that show.

[@jamesbridges1107]

What a terrific guy!!! Great interview everyone!!!!

[@usdave2115]

Asylum was my favorite tour stage...., and an enjoyable album.

[@ausbornbred7358]

The home video Lisa was thinking of was actually Kiss Konfidential.

[@loveiseternity]

Bruce is a good human.

[@michaelangelomidnight5769]

That BC RICH Ironbird is fuckin amazing...definetly top 5 Bruce guitars from the Kiss Kulik era

[@charleslaine]

I dont remember those yellow stairs in Waco, but its been 35 years. lol

[@eminardi]

Fantastic, thank you very much guys! I could not find the episode where you were hosts at the Eddie Trunk show, can you please post the link on FB? Thanks!

[@thrainnbaldvinsson]

Awesome!

[@vestel777]

To bad there’s no better pictures of Bruce’s Blue B.C. Rich Iron Bird Guitar. I would LOVE to have a replica made.

[@McAagrim]

Great episode, but why the bad sound except of Kulick and Brandvold?

[@tcrane8630]

Tommy looks like he's in the Every Breath You Take video

[@firewind2471]

I think the other reason non make up era is getting more respect because since the reunion ,you have people who were kids in 1996 and became fans ,not just kids..and some of those fans ,as the base grows, want to get back catalog and that adds value to those records... ..Plus now people are fans ,when Bruce does conventons,expos.. people who are even casual fans hear "kIss guitarist" and then they look into it and realize they heard the tune before or they hear it and like it >> i think thats why a lot of the respect comes later..

[@mick_c_horror_and_pop_culture]

Awesomeness 🤘

[@AlexThorn]

I go to a KISS Show once every 5 years or so and I don't go to hear parasite, cold gin and let me go rock and roll. I seriously wish they could add in rise to it, unholy & is that you. Like one song from every album isn't bad. It's just ridiculous to have 75% of the set list be from the First 4 albums. Like c'mon.

[@dwaynecole6636]

The End Of The Road Tour would benefit the fans if Bruce's band were in the opening slot.

[@jeremylynch6459]

Regarding the Asylum outfits, the band was looking to latch onto the emerging glam look. In some cases, their costumers missed the boat, certainly in the case of Gene.

[@metalmanxx666]

Transformers also blew out in Salt Lake City halfway through the show!!!!

[@billjannusch]

Awesome episode..Killer..

[@TheChristoph68]

Lisa needs Cue Cards for the show! Maybe we should start a gofundme for Lisa's Cue Cards!

[@jblooz2371]

Only KISS podcast worth listening to. The best by far at the least.

[@mattford9043]

Is this a daily Podcast?

[@cellblocknine5385]

He is the only living member that never wore makeup in the band.

[@Ljgarland76]

The ultimate sin is 35 year's old

[@metalmanxx666]

I loved the album...... Gene songs kicked ass..... although it wasn't as good as Animalize nor LICK nor Creatures.... albums that had those thunderous amazing drum sounds....and no fucking keys......or ballads.......so for some stupid fucking reason they kept getting lighter and cheesier with each new release(Paul's doings I'm sure).....I thought the album cover was absolutely horrific.... and the clothes were the same!!!!! A 7.666 on the Roxxster scale!!!

[@B-Slade]

He SCREWED his own brother Bob out of his rightful half of their ‘Kulick Brothers’ merchandise following the success of their stellar performance on the KISS Kruise (largely great because of Bob). Bruce never would have even been in KISS if Bob didn’t push Bruce on KISS when they needed a new guitarist. Bruce always [seemed like] a great guy until he very publicly broke his brother’s heart, shocking Bob with his selfish inequitable greed. And Bruce gets to live with doing that, his last brotherly “deed”, just WEEKS before Bob died. Sorry folks; FACT, TRUTH.

[@MichaelBrandvold]

Can you produce proof of your claim of Bruce screwing Bob out of merchandise? You better back up YOUR facts and truth.

[@1967MLP]

bruce kulik was as good on guitar, as criss was on the drums, below avg.

[@mrbevelaqua8649]

F*ck that. Bruce is an absolute beast on the axe and Peter was a monster on drums in the 70's

[@1967MLP]

@@mrbevelaqua8649 you probably loved the bay city rollers, bruce kulick is below average AT BEST