Description

Rare 1992 cd release. This was the first ever cd version of this album If there was a fifth member of Kiss award to be handed out, guitarist Bob Kulick would probably be the front-running recipient. Not only was he in the running to become the original lead guitarist for Kiss, but he has played (uncredited) on several Kiss releases over the years, and even eventually helped recruit his younger brother, Bruce Kulick, into the Kiss fold. Kulick was born in Queens, New York, and by the early 70s was playing guitar in local bands, as well as a few releases by the obscure outfit Hookfoot, and touring with Patti LaBelle's band, LaBelle. But it was his answering of an ad in the Village Voice that led to his Kiss tryout on January 17, 1973. Despite the guitar spot going to Ace Frehley, Kulick struck up a friendship with Paul Stanley and kept in contact with the group. In the meantime, Kulick played on Lou Reed's classic Coney Island Baby in 1976, before his first of several uncredited appearances on Kiss records occurred, when he supplied lead guitar for many of the studio tracks on side four of Alive II in 1977. His next Kiss-related session occurred a year later (and the only one where he received proper credit), when he appeared on Paul Stanley's self-titled solo album. Fast forward four years, and Kulick was invited to supply lead for another Kiss recording — the four new studio tracks on the otherwise best-of comp Killers. Kulick's next Kiss-related happening occurred in 1984, when he recommended the group hire his younger brother as their lead guitarist, which they did. In 1989, Kulick again joined Stanley, this time on the concert stage, for a short solo tour Stanley launched of clubs. Additionally, Kulick has appeared on several releases by Meat Loaf (including touring duties) in the 80s, as well as session work for Mark Farner, Diana Ross, Janis Ian, and W.A.S.P. over the years, and has produced/played on countless heavy metal tribute albums. In the early 1980 he was in a rock / hard rock band called Balance fronted by Illinois native, Peppy Castro, formerly of Blues Magoos. In addition to Castro and Kulick, original member included arranger/keyboardist Doug Katsaros. The trio recorded their self-titled debut album with session musicians, one of whom, drummer Andy Newmark also co-wrote one of the songs on the album and was apparently an official member at one point. The groups most noteworthy release was 1981s single Breaking Away from their eponymous debut album which reached No. 133 on the Billboard 200. The song peaked at No. 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. The album's follow-up single, Falling in Love, peaked at No. 58. The band failed to reach the chart again. In the wake of the 2006 re-issue of Balance second album, In For The Count, Italian label Frontiers Records inquired about a possible new Balance album. Equilibrium was released in 2009 and features original core members Kulick, Castro and Katsaros, along with drummer Brett Chassen, who also co-produced with Kulick, as well as guest spots from Bruce Kulick on bass and Jesse Castro on drums. Track listing: 1. (Looking For The) Magic 2. I'm Through Loving You 3. Breaking Away 4. No Getting Around My Love 5. Fly Through The Night 6. American Dream 7. Haunting 8. Falling In Love 9. Hot Summer Nights 10. It's So Strange