Ace Frehley. Simply put, the man is a legend, an icon. As the original lead guitarist of KISS, he inspired and influenced legions of musicians. Outside of KISS, he has had the most successful solo career of anyone who has passed through that band’s ranks. On Sept. 15, 2009, two decades after his last collection of original solo material, a clean-and-sober Ace returns with “Anomaly,” a record that successfully channels the spirit of his popular 1978 solo album. Live Metal’s Greg Maki recently caught up with Frehley to discuss the new album and more.
LIVE METAL: It’s been 20 years since your last solo album. So why is now the time to come out with a new one?
ACE FREHLEY: Oh, this and that. [laughs] I was planning on going in the studio right before KISS offered me the reunion tour. I put it on hold, and I’m glad I did because since that point in time I’ve written so many new songs and better songs. The album wouldn’t have been half of what it is today.
I’ve gotten to hear most of the album, and to me it sounds closer to the first solo album you did than it does to your ‘80s stuff. Did you use that first album as a reference or starting point for this one?
Well, I’ve told a lot of people in interviews recently that one of the things that I always get from my fans is that their favorite record is that first one I did, with “New York Groove.” I was never really sure why until I started examining the record and started listening to it over and over again and realizing it has all the different elements. I kind of got a flavor of why fans like that. I tried to use that as kind of a roadmap for this record. I think this record is more like that album than anything I’ve done.
A lot of the songs are pretty heavy. Some people, when they think of Ace solo, “New York Groove” is the first thing that pops into their heads. You might surprise some people with how heavy it is.
Right.
How long did you actually spend writing and recording the album?
I started principal tracking in early 2007. Probably the one that I wrote the furthest back was “Sister.” Songs like “Pain in the Neck” and “Ghengis Khan” I wrote around 2004. And then probably the last song I wrote for the CD was “A Little Below the Angels.” Actually, I rewrote that like [laughs] a month ago.
[laughter]
So it was right down to the wire with that one.
You’ve got another song in the “Fractured” series on there. When you do one of those, do you decide, “Alright, I’m gonna do another ‘Fractured’ song,” or are you writing something and then you think that could fit in there?
No, I consciously wanted to make that song sound like it fit in with the other ones. And I think I achieved that. There’s an effect I used on the actual first “Fractured Mirror” that I haven’t used until the most recent one, “Fractured Quantum,” where I use the double neck guitar and I play the figure on it. I tied the pickups off on the neck that I was playing the figure on, and I used the pickups on the opposite neck. So basically all you’re getting out of the amplifier is resonance.
Did you work with any other writers on this one, or is this all you?
Pretty much all me, except for I collaborated on “Outer Space” with two guys. And then there’s a cover song, “Fox on the Run” by Sweet.
Yeah, why did you choose that song to cover?
Actually, a good friend of mine, Sam, came up with the idea, and we just ran with it because everybody that I brought it up to thought it was a great song for me to do.
How did you come up with the album title, “Anomaly?”
The previous working title was “Acts Eternal.” Acts means peace, “Peace Eternal.” I thought it was OK, but it could’ve had a little more edge to it. I was with my assistant, Frank, and we were just brainstorming on the Internet. We were both saying, “Maybe it would be better to go with a one-word name.” “Anomaly” just popped up. I came up with it. I looked at Frank, and Frank goes, “Yeah, that’s it.” [laughs] It was just one of those things.
Yeah, it seems to fit. You’re releasing it through your own label, Bronx Born Records. It seems more and more artists are going that route. Why did you decide to do that?
A lot of the major record labels are in financial trouble because people aren’t buying records anymore. So it didn’t make sense to sign with a major label at this point compared to what they were offering. So I just decided to start my own label.
There’s a bonus track if you get the album through iTunes, which is cool, but it also kind of makes me sad because the actual music stores are disappearing and, like you said, no one’s buying records anymore. Do you feel that way, too?
Music is constantly changing. I’ve been around long enough to see records turn into cassette tapes and eight-track tapes. CDs was a huge jump way back when. The music business is constantly evolving. It’s got a life of its own, and it just kind of goes with technology. The iPod was a huge jump for digital music. It doesn’t surprise me. I’ve seen all these different changes over the years, but the whole digital revolution is probably the biggest change.
When you did that tour in late 2007/early 2008, I went to the first show. It was a lot of fun for me to see you play in that type of venue. Did you enjoy that tour?
Which show was that?
It was at Jaxx in Virginia.
That was great. That was one of the first shows I had done in like five years, performing, and it was great to get back onstage. I forgot how much I enjoy performing live. I thought I assembled a pretty good band, and we had a lot of fun playing.
I read in another interview that you had a little difficulty with fire marshals in some places with your smoking guitar.
Yeah. I wasn’t quite sure why they made a big stink over a smoke bomb because there’s no open flame. But rules are rules, you know?
Are there plans to go out on tour again sometime soon?
Yeah, we’re sure shooting for the late fall. With the September 15 release, we’re trying to put a package together. So we’ll see what happens.
Are you gonna have the same guys in your band?
As of right now, yeah. Anything can change.
You’ve got a new signature guitar coming out. Can you tell me a little bit about that.
Yeah, I went to visit the Gibson factory in April and sat down with the people there. They were excited about my new CD and they wanted to come up with a new guitar. So we put our heads together and we came up with something similar to my last cherry sunburst, but it’s gonna be a blueburst. They’re gonna release it in Nashville at the NAMM show in July. [pauses] Although, wait a minute, what’s today?
It is July [pauses] 29.
I think we just missed it. [laughs] I don’t even realize what day it is, I’ve been working so hard on this album. I guess it’s not gonna be released at the NAMM show. I can’t believe I just said that.
[laughter]
I’ve lost complete track of time. I was rushing to get this album completed and mixed, and then I’ve been doing promotion and marketing, going to meetings constantly and trying to get everything set up so the album is handled correctly. And I didn’t realize that the NAMM show in Nashville is probably already gone. [laughs] Yeah, we’ll see what happens.
How big is your personal guitar collection?
I think I have probably around 60.
Are there any that have any special meaning to you?
My number one, my Ace Frehley signature model. I used that on the reunion tour, and I used that on my last tour. The serial number is 001, and I actually have 001 and 002 on the road with me all the time. And I still have a couple of my smoking guitars and light guitars that I used on the reunion tour that I take on the road with me. My special effects guitars are very special to me.
You’ve influenced a whole generation of guitarists. How does it feel when someone in a band comes up to you and tells you that you’re the reason they picked up a guitar?
I get that a lot. If I knew I was gonna influence as many people as I have, I probably would’ve practiced a little more when I was younger. I’m real flattered that a lot of people cite me as a major influence. It’s a great honor.
Who are some of the new guitarists, newer guys out there today that you admire or enjoy hearing or seeing?
There’s so many good guitar players out there, it’s hard to say. I still enjoy going to see The Rolling Stones, you know? Led Zeppelin was a huge influence on me, just as was Eric Clapton, Cream, Jimi Hendrix, The Who. Paul McCartney’s still doing it, God bless him. [laughs] It’s amazing how some people aren’t around anymore and other people just keep plugging away. Hopefully that’ll be me. I don’t have any plans of retiring any time soon.
Well, that’s great to hear. I saw it was announced that you’re going to be at the next Ride for Dime.
Yeah, August 15 I believe that is.
I know he was a huge KISS fan. Did you know him?
Yeah, we were good friends, actually. I met Dimebag at a photo shoot for Guitar World, and we became good friends instantly. It was really unfortunate about his untimely death. That was a tragedy. I still remain close with his family and friends.
Do you have any interest in hearing the new KISS album that’s supposed to be out later this year?
Yeah, I’m really interested in how it’s gonna be received.
Do you keep in touch with those guys?
We speak once in a while but not very often.
A few years ago, you got sober. How long have you been sober now?
Ironically, the release date of my CD is my three-year anniversary. It wasn’t planned. It just kind of worked out that way. I was planning on releasing the album, actually, in July, and it got pushed back and back, and ironically, yeah, September 15 is my three-year anniversary. That’s kind of a nice sentiment. [laughs]
How has that changed things for you?
I think I’m a lot more productive. I’m a lot more focused. I think some of the songs I’ve written over the last couple years are some of the best songs I’ve ever written. It’s nice to be in control of your destiny and aware of what’s going on. [laughs] It’s nice to be in control. It’s nice not waking up with a hangover, too. Life’s good today. It really is.
That’s really good to hear. I don’t want to take up a whole lot of your time. I’ve been a KISS fan since I was 9 years old, so this has been kind of a thrill for me to talk to you. I’ve heard most of the new album, and I’m looking forward to hearing all of it. Is there anything else you’d like to say?
I just want to thank all my fans for all the great support over the years and standing by me. I got the best fans in the world.
Thank you very much for your time.
OK, man, you have a great day.