Kiss - Strutter (Demo 1973)

[@RyanLBrown9396]

Ace Frehley is responsible for one of the most addictive guitar tones ever

[@samuelcf97]

It's in his touch and technique

[@H3avyHaul3r]

as a kid i couldn’t wait to hear Ace’s solos...then Pauls resonate vocals...then maybe drums and last that dude on bass who should of just been the bass player and nothn else...you know who you are... g g g

[@lonnierincon7651]

Yes it was very Chuck Berryish - bluesy with a touch of rock a billy & loud enough to call it good ol' American rock

[@lonnierincon7651]

and ol' Gene on the bass wasnt to shabby either

[@timhuggins7069]

He did or will never top Robin Trower's tone. Trower is second to none.

[@guitarfrehley2171]

ladies and gentleman, that's the real KISS. The raw, hungry, chemical, black and silver KISS.

[@ronniewilliams2465]

I read Paul’s Book, and with their first advance they played in front of a small crowd and blew up all their pyrotechnics. Lol. Rock and Roll. Practice, blown up early. They just went ape shit nuts, from early on. Been a HARDCORE fan for only 45 years. I had a banana seat Huffy and an 8 track in 1980 with only two tapes. Greatest hits of the 50s and 60s and Kiss Double Platinum. 13 speakers, motorcycle battery. I was king of the world.

[@markmarkofkane8167]

I like this better than the official release.

[@jethrotull7773]

Me too.

[@ericjohnson2543]

Almost sounds to polished to be a demo.

[@geoffdavis1954]

Me too

[@bigtommy9715]

@@ericjohnson2543 the original sounds more like a demo than this

[@pauldivers6355]

Yep, lot better, a lot of bands demo,s are better than the albums, AC/DC demos r gr8, rush has some gr8 stuff too...gr8 day to ya,,,...P.D.

[@Workerbee-zy5nx]

That 70s heavy rocking sound, only KISS could produce. 😎

[@fig1115]

more energy in this than the album version

[@emilegeorge6225]

Mind you: a demo. A DEMO. What a sound.

[@mateuszmattias]

Theatrical image aside (although that most likely was a unique selling point) if they sounded anything remotely like this when first presented to the record company, it's no wonder they got signed. Most band never manage to sound this good even after they get professional recording backup.

[@dalethelander3781]

This demo was produced by Electric Ladyland Studios' house producer, Eddie Kramer. He was Jimi Hendrix' producer.

[@rubbersole79]

Back in the 70's, when their first 3 albums were just out, we wore the grooves out of that vinyl and loved it. There wasn't any internet, MTV, or any other kind of visual exposure for bands other than the Midnight Special or Don Kirshners Rock Concert. But the songs melody and lyrics gave us all the visual imagery we needed. Along with memorizing every picture on the album sleeves. Great memories of a great band.

[@SilverWealth_Draper_Mint]

rubbersole79 What a time it was to be alive...

[@johnharris3117]

MAN, Ace killed it on this take! I would’ve preferred this raw version over the EP release.

[@michaelmonfils2642]

This song epitomizes the first KISS lineup's sound and approach to songwriting. This is an historical document. Ace's early solo playing was very reliant on syncopated motifs and bluesy bends. This is very good pre-shredding improv for its time.

[@daveyourko4124]

I started listening to kiss in 1975 and stayed faithful for years. Even today I can sing every word of the older songs. Up till about the time that Peter criss left.

[@foono62]

Dave Yourko me too.Except I lost interest I their journey when they were at about the Shandie stage.. But man I loved them in the early days..

[@anthonyglennmollicasr.425]

Same

[@chumchum2543]

Same here, the original 4 members....that was KISS. and like you I also lost interest once Peter and Ace left the band.

[@sigfridofajardo6261]

Born in the City of NEW YORK on March 23 1961. Growing up I thought these guys were the new York dolls. Goes to show how dumb of a kid I was when they were getting started in the days of the analog sounds, pre digitals. It was two years later down the road I purchased my first ever KISS album of DRESSED TO KILL in 1975. They, at the time changed my personality and city attitude forever from this point on and always. God love em and to those who followed them as well. Cheers..

[@johnnorth6004]

People forget how good a bass player Gene Simmons is...just listen !!

[@RSTI191]

I'm a bassist myself. They playing is very solid here. I'm wondering if it's really him or a hired cat.

[@johnnorth6004]

@@RSTI191 Considering the year and that it's a demo I would bet its him. Sounds like his style to me also.

[@RSTI191]

@@johnnorth6004 I hear a "seasoned" player. Could be, probably is, don't know for sure.

[@cynsini9211]

When he tries, he is very solid and underrated. Truly respectable playing. He's a jerk though, so when he's in a mood he'll let his playing slide as a way to pout.

[@dalethelander3781]

Walking bass line. Very professional. When Gene wasn't singing, his basslines were more complex. When he was singing, he resorted to "one note" playing.

[@lucan4042]

That brought back so many memories it made me feel like I was 19 again !!! Saw them in '75. ... Best 24 hrs of my life !!!

[@MarkBoyd]

These demos just positively BURY the versions that appeared on their first album. ALL of them. Captures their live energy for sure. Thank you for posting this. Sooooo cool!

[@johnniehoney6561]

I agree. It sounds like them when they cut loose on stage.

[@cameron_fairchild]

I read somewhere they were not even successfully making money for Casablanca until the KISS ALIVE lp came out. My point being, they ALWAYS sound FAR better live to me.

[@brianphillips9152]

The energy here is unreal. Peter's drumming!

[@dyr234]

the thickness and heavy tone of ace's guitar on all 6 kiss records is so 🤘

[@abbyarnold4477]

It's much better than recorded version .

[@svdd10]

You can thank Eddie Kramer for that! He was the engineer on these demo versions, but sadly not the versions released on record!!

[@raydotzler9117]

Love this version better than album guitar solos great 🤘🤘

[@dannymathis7275]

Demo? It's better than the album version!!! Gene is stompin on this! Ace is smokin Hot!! Thank You!!

[@lobowolf9406]

Incredible

[@derricklogan2058]

Now this is the way that song should have been released! Longer and better!

[@kotabear151]

I enjoyed the old pics! You could see who they were and what the were trying to become to eventually what they became. The greatest Rock N Roll show ever! I only wish I could live back in those years again....to enjoy it all over like it was the first time! - Rock on guys!👍🎸⚡⚡💖

[@mikeshimer9912]

Great version. Love the guitar sound

[@noahhenson1669]

I love all the early pics of the unrefined make-up and costumes! It's fascinating to see. I got into KISS in 1977 when they had developed their look and sound to a T; the Destroyer and Love Gun record covers made my eyes pop out of my head. So seeing the earlier incarnations of the band's characters is really intriguing.

[@danflory6340]

This demo sounds better than anything being put out today.

[@shemp_]

I wish Ace kept the solo like this, it's so great

[@plastershak7250]

The bass is absolutely thumping so hard through out the song

[@joebaxley1503]

Back when KISS was good.

[@acdchivoltage2149]

For sure!

[@Atreyufolife]

This may be my favorite version.

[@gemachterMann]

Ace, he is the Man

[@valone390]

Ace on fire!!

[@davidpawlowski6909]

Where TF has this been ?? This is SO sic & killer!! I just happened to run across this by accident. Strutter is my favorite older KISS song, I cant stop playing this since I heard it!! My guess, back in 73, times where different, songs on radio airplay had to be around 3-4 mins in general, which I can only guess as to why this masterpiece was hacked up!!

[@katvonwinehouse4941]

no one else can touch this band

[@kalimpoutsiskleitoriadis1413]

no..just no man...they were great i can confess that but your way of thinking is out of this world

[@rakistangpinoy4745]

Wow, this version is way better than the album version.

[@boardskins]

The producer wanted AM radio hits, so he toned them down, to their detriment. Remember, Casablanca was the label of disco. KISS was their only hard rock band in the beginning. It wasn't until they put out KISS Alive (out of desperation) that the band finally started selling albums.

[@donaldhoot6386]

Ace Frehley, lead guitar!

[@johnpoche9759]

I don't know anybody who doesn't like kiss don't want to know anybody that don't like kiss

[@emoney9650]

I think we can all agree. A band that’s hungry is a band that’s best .

[@robertwitkos5041]

Kiss in the 70's was the best.

[@stephenpetrovich2383]

wow..that was great...best version of that song I have heard

[@Technosphile]

Absolutely blistering. Almost punk.

[@logank1761]

But it's not Punk! It's KISS! lol

[@logank1761]

They made something totally new!

[@perfectfan2006]

gee i am in my 60s and i remember being at the kiss alive concert in detroit like it was yesterday and yes my now husband got very lucky that night lol..

[@scientificdevil4672]

Marie Miller You rock and you made my day. Thank you!😘

[@perfectfan2006]

@@scientificdevil4672 gee same here i was not having a good day and your reply made my day as well.. that drum solo that night was amazing and omg strutter was the best ever.. my son turned 42 if i remember he was born about 9 months after that concert ... go figure kiss was very good to me.. lol.. all blessings to you s/d

[@scientificdevil4672]

@@perfectfan2006 Kiss was good to you lol. My oldest is 35 and in a rock band. They travel all over the U.S. when they tour. Check them out ( Gabriel and the apacolypse). They have a bunch of videos on KZbin. I'm glad I could make your day. You sound like you would be a hoot to hang with. I saw Kiss once in around 88. They didn't have makeup or Ace or Peter but they were still good. And I remember there were a lot of girls at the show. It was fun.

[@perfectfan2006]

@@scientificdevil4672 omg i love you,,, my youngest son has a record store and he and my husband did national tours together. i want to leave you a link to our old bar in goleta ca from 1980 we had a bar in an alley for underground bands .. link 1 1980 link 2 1988 .. wow thanks so much you have no idea how much your interest means to me at this point in my life,,, links on the way

[@perfectfan2006]

@@scientificdevil4672 kzbin.info/www/bejne/Znurq5t5o7uhotU

[@AR-pm9nv]

My HS band was covering this in 1979. Fun song to play. Thanks for the memories guys!

[@misfits859]

Ace is blistering here. Incredible.

[@edwardestes8038]

I saw Kiss Feb 22 1975 in Schererville Indiana at the Omni 41 ice Rink.I still have the stub and great memories of my very first Rock Concert.And it was the first of a series of rock concerts that year until Freddie Fenders creepy following started a fire somewhere inside the venue.The country bumpkin THUGS put a stop to future events.Just goes to show you that us Rock-N-Rollers know how to behaive a a live show.Also saw Rush there.....Aerosmith....Foghat.....Golden Earing.....James Gang....without Walsh.....great memories when i was 15.

[@taster321]

This is pure Glam Rock. I saw Kiss in Gothenburg Scandinavium Arena 1975 . First 3 Studio albums + Alive is awe some.

[@jethrotull7773]

Scandinavia wow I never been there. What's it like there?

[@gitaneVYS491R]

My favourite Kiss song (not really much of a Kiss fan), this is a great version.

[@davefrommaine9822]

I'm 51 and my first album I ever bought was rock and roll over. I still have it! KISS ROCKS!

[@DR-xt9ux]

Worth some money for that original album

[@davefrommaine9822]

@@DR-xt9ux it probably is it don't have a scratch on it. But is worth something to me having it all these years. Plus I have a shitload of other Kiss albums all in great condition.

[@Revener666]

Best version, more guitar solo :)

[@tonymich291]

If is wasn’t for KiSS I don’t know how my life would be...fan since 5 years old 1976

[@demogog3449]

I was 3 in 1977 when they came to the Summit in Houston. I begged my Dad to take me but he could not get tickets or convince my Mother to let him.

[@jamescarriere8478]

This was kiss you can feel the hunger to make it in the music. They were all at the same level of wealth which made them unique. That’s when Paul was the bandit before star child but I remember buying that first album you could feel the raw energy. It was amazing

[@amoruzz]

I like this version, more extended riffing, got a little more spank to it too.The solo Ace does is good, but the solo on the album version is a little hotter, imo. Great stuff, thanks!

[@jamesburnsfisher3304]

Gene has allways been an under rated bass player.As this demo proves he is actually very good,even unique.His "walking" the bass style is allways interesting and really enhances the rythum and melody at key times.Very animated old time rock boogie notes that many others at the time didn't or couldn't play but instead just thumped out the chords root note over and over.I learned how to play bass listening to Genes style and PAUL MCARTNEYS melodic bass lines as I'm sure GENE SIMMONS did too.

[@simban00]

I thought the same, BEATLES like bass melodic.

[@heatherphelps5490]

I saw kiss in 77 with AC/DC best concert I've been too and I've been to hundreds

[@misstery5942]

I was a massive kiss fan and would've killed to go to a 77 show but I was busy being born 😂 I always arrive too late!!!

[@georgehogart461]

These guys were the hit at High School in 73. All anyone talked about was Gene's tongue - real or not. Then came the Double live LP. They've grown on me over the years. No, it's not Led Zeppelin. Never tried to be but they had something and what it is is entertainment and sometimes that's all ya need.

[@JohnBGood-ry9wj]

The whole band rocks!!! Ace, Paul, Gene & Peter the original New York City madmen!!!!!!

[@jethrotull7773]

There's only two New York City mad men now, and it's not Gean, and it is not. Paul .

[@introvertedhuman1776]

@@jethrotull7773 Gene**

[@bobettejennett8085]

Love the classic KISS

[@rockthesix1679]

I remember hearing ALIVE for the first time as a youngster. From that day on, i owned my moms tennis racket. 😎

[@jimmypagesnyper]

the bass is awesome

[@stu71disco]

This version is great......love it

[@johnmagill3072]

WOW this is so much better the released version. Ace's solo, Paul's, Vocals, Peters Drumming and Genes bass playing. So much better on here. Full of raw energy that it needed to start with.

[@Boogieboy138]

This is such a fucking awesome take on this song.

[@davidbell7050]

They nailed it the KISS sound right from the start this is as good as it gets

[@davidbell7050]

They had the magic down from the start but later the $$$$ & drugs & whores wore them down but the magic was there from the start

[@razzle2112]

Why is this better than the actual version lol

[@Cutter-jx3xj]

I grew up in the 70s and I did lead vocals in a band called Cliques in the 70s and early 80s. The 70s were perfect for a band like Kiss. No one had ever seen anything like it before and it worked. They just didn't know when to quit

[@HappyMachorino-bd8no]

...simply because of fans like me. I wanted KISS forever! And ever!

[@korgond]

You wanted the best, you got the best !!

[@valdispelsh8265]

Mabe baby

[@chillinit8544]

Ace's solo at the end is badass! They should have left it in the final.

[@derrydylanger8994]

Ace is always kick ass!

[@Tommy2704]

all the demos from the first album are way better than the actual versions on the album

[@advancedtechniquesinstitut9605]

The album version is way over produced. They took out all the rawness out of this.

[@maryboogaloo]

I don't think so, some different takes are equally as good. I love underproduced music, so I can feel the value on all of them.

[@jasonbone5121]

+Chic Matthews - That was indeed Ace. Those were standard Ace licks. WTF?

[@sdf427]

Tom Hardy kisssssssss

[@fizzy4149]

Chic Matthews -- Ace did it!!

[@stephaneguitare8313]

the second solo is very good

[@markymarco2570]

Demo sounds better than first record.

[@markfady8488]

I think Paul Stanley is a very underated singer?

[@timbrown57]

He is - I've had 15 years of Opera lessons and my vocal instructor said Paul Stanley is one of his favorite rock singers.

[@Deucealive75]

If you notice at 0:38 the concert flyer. It says "with HEAVY METAL MASTERS". Interesting. And look at those early black leather outfits and dog collars. Who helped define what a metal band should look like? KISS did. Most bands including Judas Priest, Motley Crue, etc didn't start wearing black until around 1980 and after. These photos are from 73 and 74.

[@skepticalbill2644]

Kiss was/is amazing.. ..Genes larger than life stage presence...Paul's piercing gaze...Aces wing it attitude and finally Peter's drum levitating rhythm made the show a smorgasbord for the senses....saw them 22 times loved every single show...Freaking amazing.. .!!!

[@whoosh1965]

Love the images of early days kiss, absolute classic. Thank you for posting them.

[@mpc3po]

this demo is raw, rocking, and lively! better than album version!!

[@l.j.sedlet2917]

That guitar solo!!!

[@simban00]

Gene's bass is better here than the studio version. The bass line is kicking. Gene is an underrated beassist.

[@radubasarab]

I agree. I played this bass line recently, and it isn't so easy to play, because the bass never stop to swing since the begginning to the end.

[@christopherwelch136]

For a good reason. Lol!

[@fabienlamour3644]

I think it's not him....

[@parkingclube]

Totally agree! As a bassist he's never taken the lazy path, he's always busy but never unnecessarily flashy. A true musician

[@chrisdee5032]

Man Ace was on fire on this!

[@josez1]

better then the album version.... they should have released this version...

[@davidmarshall385]

saw kiss in 75 ace is why i play guitar george lynch hendrix clapton dime etc all smoking hot players rhoads batio degarmo the list goes on forever ty for the inspiration happy holidaze yall

[@charleskuckel3173]

OMG! WAY better than the album version! Why oh why did they slow it down and dump the great guitar solos? From what I heard of the demos, they should've released ALL those versions and everyone would've taken the band's music more seriously!

[@seaside882000]

really like Ace's solo on this.

[@soulburn6671]

Not only is this from the seventies it's also a demo and it sounds really good have to love it.

[@jamescook4289]

This is a demo? Damn this is so much better than the LP version!

[@BsEIYxin]

I was just looking for a suitable space to make that exact comment! This sounds live!

[@berserker7140]

I don't know why they didn't have Eddie Kramer produce their album. He produced Alive though and the rest is kisstory.

[@maxbruno3614]

One of my kiss favourites...

[@C_G_1962]

I am impressed by the guitar solo at 3:34 !! Genial !

[@michaelreardon3958]

It is a lot tougher than the version on their debut album

[@pauli.vanili]

Michael Reardon ...definitely!

[@Demetrio1967]

Minha banda preferida na adolescência! Os caras mandam muito bem até hoje!!!

[@chuckselvage3157]

Genes bass playing and Ace guitar stand out for me.

[@greg5709]

This swings in a way the other doesn't. Fantastic!

[@CorpseGrinder1967]

The chemistry they had and the fire is phenomenal. The early KISS had such power for the time period. I love the 2 measures of the bridge after the chorus is fantastic. This is one of my fav songs from them. Still to this day. Too bad things turned rotten for the band and between these guys over time. They really did have a new look and perspective on rock music and they delivered it perfectly at this early time period.

[@keelinmetaljam923]

You should check them out doing it live during a fashion show while the models do the catwalk. Forget what year but around sonic boom (a guess)-- I kept waiting for God of Thunder and the plus size models but... 🤘😘🤘

[@DaveAnchovies]

Bands start out hungry and desperate (which is why Demos are so good)....once they have fame and money it becomes a business. The music often suffers from it. The really great bands avoid this

[@christopherpotter6650]

Kiss had a giant cobweb prop on stage during the Club Tour (the very first Kiss concert tour) in late 1973. That was kinda cool! 🕸️

[@sickb2200]

Love the extended guitar solo in this version.

[@briansoukeroff8692]

sickb2200 ace frehley🤘🤘

[@monacoathlete2755]

First time you hear this track you know it's gonna be a hit! ⚡⚡

[@unclekennymusic]

When I saw Kiss for the first time on Nov. 3rd 1974 I didn't know who they were, well that changed in a hurry...

[@introvertedhuman1776]

Welp happy anniversary for that! Well now not because its 4:57 am but you get the idea

[@chuckselvage3157]

Ace Frehley is a champion

[@higgs3040]

Ace killing it WOW

[@mikeames8339]

Can I please go back to the 70's?!?

[@higgs3040]

@Martin Deehan I guess it could be Stephen Coronel from Wicked Lester.

[@higgs3040]

@Martin Deehan Well I did some research Ace Frehley was added to the lineup in December 1972, and the band was named Kiss later that month. They may have wrote it in 72 but the demo was recorded in 73.

[@Jerry-nu2rs]

@@higgs3040 nah it’s ace listen to 3:34 it’s similar to his solo on parasite

[@xflnx756]

I did Grow up Listening to KISS and I will die listening to KISS !!!

[@vince_vatican777]

If it wasn't for Ace Frehley ⚡ 🪐💥 I would of never picked up the guitar 🎸 now after my 5 albums the appreciation is emence! Thank you Ace Frehley ⚡☄️ 💥

[@christhevancura9113]

I love Ace his guitar is so right.