Paul Stanley: Detroit Rock...Sydney!

Sun 18th Feb, 2007 in Features

Paul Stanley is to forty-somethings what Paul McCartney is to fifty-something’s. Laugh if you will, it won’t phase Stanley. He and his bandmates from that little distortion combo called KISS have likely copped more derision than any mega band could possibly endure despite dominating record sales and sold-out concert tours for three-decades.

Anxiously awaiting the interview to commence, I begin to comprehend the exact reality of who I am about to speak with; The leader of the KISS army, with countless miles of big road behind him,  twenty-or-so Kiss reunions winding down, and while his partner in crime, Gene Simmons, continues to make a spectacle of himself in Reality TV hell: Paul Stanley, the star child, and the co-founder of a monstrous pop culture machine is segueing nicely into a matured but still feisty solo artist, staking claim to nostalgia and prescience all at once by crafting a new record, Live To Win as his sonic manifesto.

With or without the infamous make-up, Stanley is something of an icon, not only to the children of the 1970s, where hype and glamour and cocaine disco dreams meet somewhere on the rock and roll crossroads to redefine showmanship; but an icon to any child born with a love for theatrics and  a true rock and roll stage show.  ”I am the star child; I was – I am and will always be the star child. I live to entertain, however, life is constantly evolving but at this point and it’s amazing that I can do so many things on my own that I find creatively exciting – whether that be music, art or family.”

In the world of KISS, there’s no such thing as boundaries or limits. While that line of thinking has served the band well for more than three decades, the charismatic frontman isn’t afraid to admit that downtime from KISS has proved a welcome vacation from the chaotic lifestyle of being in a touring band. “Everything is great with KISS, and the beautiful thing is – we are at a point in our lives where each of us have different dreams and aspirations, and it’s fantastic that we can pursue them.”

Such is the case with his latest release, Live to Win, his first solo album since the eponymous KISS solo efforts were issued in 1978. Absent of course are the bombast, display and spectacle that mark his full-time band. Present are the sweeping choruses and lavish songwriting that marked the bands more memorable late – 80s and early 90s moments, as well as Stanley’s signature vocal tone and unmistakable style.

“Each album is a reflection of a moment in time and when I did this album, I didn’t know what I wanted but I knew what I didn’t want – I did not want to re-create the first solo album.” Stanley deliberates. “I wanted to figure out where the where the 28 years had taken me. But who knows… the next solo album which isn’t far off in the future may sound more like the first.”

While Live to Win, has been embraced by fans world over, it would seem that Paul is less then satisfied in the recording company’s support of his most recent musical pursuit. “The fact is my record company that virtually ignored my solo album” he lets on. “If I said they did a miserable job in promoting it [Live to win] that would imply that that did anything – but they have done nothing. But that doesn’t change my love for my music, my fans and my belief that going out on the tour is in my blood. That’s what it’s all about.”

Stanley’s tour is set to include an Australian visit that follows his latest tour of the United States “I didn’t want to get off the road after America – we are all having such a great time, so when asked where I wanted to go next, I asked if we could we visit Australia.”

This is in fact Stanley’s first solo tour since 1989, when he thrilled fans with tracks from his previous offering, plus some surprising selections from his enormous KISS catalogue. “The fans this time around are going to get a set list with tracks from Live to Win, some from the my first solo album, and the remainder – who knows –  selections from the KISS catalogue, hits and rarities and songs that have never been played in concert before”. Bringing with him are the incredible musicians who formed the house band in the hit reality TV series Rock Star: INXS and Rock Star: Supernova.

Recently, Paul has been blessed with more then sold out shows and critically acclaimed album reviews – as the most recent addition to the Stanley family came in the form of a baby boy. “It’s so fantastic. I now have a five month old son, and I have a twelve year old son, and he and I get on amazingly… he is a great young man, my wife is amazing, beautiful and smart… I’m a lucky guy”.

So where exactly does KISS fit into this new direction for the bands iconic frontman ”Everything is great with KISS, we are at a point in our lives were we have different dreams and aspirations, and it’s fantastic that we can pursue them”.

“Kiss will definitely tour again, but I’m not sure if there will be another album… People will always want to hear songs that they grew up with and have an emotional connection with.” Stanley explains “For instance, I don’t go to a rolling stones concert top see new songs.”

Paul says that there are always new experiences to look forward to with KISS. “The band – last time I looked was Eric [Singer], Tommy [Thayer], Gene [Simmons] and myself and while I still speak with Ace; he is coming out with his own solo album. He is doing great, he is a person who has dealt with drug and alcohol dependencies and he is really doing an admirable job of staying clean and sober. I tip my hat off to him.”

From start to finish, Paul Stanley’s tale is a story riddled with passion, charm, talent, ambition, and ultimately purification. Speaking with the man – it’s clear that he is an individual certainly bracing the soundtrack to life, while creating music that is reminiscent of his very own unique human spirit and position as frontman of the greatest band in the world. KISS.

Andrew McManus and FasterLouder present Paul Stanley Live to Win tour: