Description
Red vinyl with printed innersleeve. Limited 500 numbered copies
This compilation features rare studio outtakes in a wide variety of material mainly focusing on the 1970’s. The album comes in a nice full colour sleeve with photos done by photographer Norman Seef for the Hotter Than Hell record, the photo shoot was set up with the band getting wasted (except for Gene) and has strippers and “professional” women to liven things up. As with most demo material the quality can vary but the cover states that the material comes from original acetates and master reels and after numerous listening I can only agree. Most all the material comes from the Simmons archive and his song writing ability is the main showcase on this release.
High And Low 1975; A Gene song recorded around the Dressed To Kill record, a nice heavy riff that would soon evolve in parts into Calling Dr Love, the lyrics Come baby get on your knees is there and a small riff that would be used for Baby Driver.
Burning Up With Fever 1975; The original version of the song that later appeared on Gene’s solo album in 1978, more basic with a slightly different feel than the one that would ultimately be released three years later. A decent enough song with a good Gene vocal and good guitar solo, perhaps with a little faster and heavier arraignment it would had a KISS record.
Rotten To The Core 1976; A song with a long history, it was worked on the previous year and never finished and would eventually be dusted off during the 1998 Psycho Circus sessions and finally revamped as Sweet & Dirty Love on Simmons 2004 Asshole record. Typical Gene lyric about sex, the song has a decent riff and some great drumming, very up tempo.
Jelly Roll 1975; A strange song that was worked on through out 1975 as it is on many sessions, kind almost sounds like Queen’s tie Your Mother Down with laughable lyrics, “She’ll make your jelly roll”.
Daily Planet 1975; A KISS instrumental with a nice fat riff that is just repeated with some slight variation.
Howlin For Your Love 1976; Another leftover from the Rotten To The Core sessions and would eventually be re worked as Plaster Caster for the Love Gun record. Obviously there was a lot work put into this song, it has a polished feel complete with female background vocals.
I Don’t Want Your Romance 1976; Another from the rotten To The Core sessions, again with female background vocals. The song is an up tempo version of Ladies Room from Rock And Roll Over record, many of the lyrics are already in place. Thank god they did not keep the background vocals.
Man Of 1000 Faces 1976; A song that would later appear on Simmons 1978 solo record with some lyrics that would make their way into Got Love For Sale from Love Gun and Tunnel Of Love from Simmons 1978 solo record. Obviously inspired by his love of horror movies and Lon Chaney.
Rock And Rolls Royce 1976; The original version of Love Em’ Leave Em’ from Love Gun with a little Sweet Pain guitar riff thrown in. A very together song complete with a great Ace guitar solo.
See You In Your Dreams 1976;Background vocals come from the female Group With No Name who had a Casablanca record deal and featured Married With Children’s Katey Sagel who Gene was involved with at the time. The song would eventually be re worked and recorded for the Rock And Roll Over Record.
See You Tonite 1976; A song with origins back to 1969 and later recorded for Simmons 1978 solo record, a very good song with a nice chorus it is similar to Hard Luck Woman and owns a nod to there Beach Boys.
True Confessions 1976; Referred to as a “Cock Rocker” this Gene song features Helen Reddy on back ground vocals who apparently did not care for the lyrical content.
Love Came To Me 1977; Another Love Gun out take that features more female background, it would eventually morph into the also un released Love Is Blind song, harmony guitar playing is decent but over all an annoying song.
Bad Bad Lovin II 1978; Version number 2, the 1975 original would be worked into Calling Dr Love, this version was possibly done around the time of Gene’s 78 solo record. It has some interesting Sax playing and back ground vocals. Definitely not in the KISS mold and has a late 70’s feel.
Reputation 1978; Again another song in the same vein as the above two songs, womanizing lyrics with a decent chorus. A bare bones affair with simple guitar and bass but no drums.
Not For The Innocent 1982; Totally different than the version that would appear on the Lick It Up record. A rougher version that has Paul on vocals, stripped down and very heavy, possible recorded during the Creatures Of The Night sessions. The song length is 5:53 and is longer that the demo found on “If its Too Loud Your Too Old” release, it is not as polished.
Track list:
1. High And Low
2. Burning Up With Fever
3. Rotten To The Core
4. Jelly Roll
5. Daily Planet
6. Howlin For Your Love
7. I Don’t Want Your Romance
8. Man Of 1000 Faces
9. Rock And Rolls Royce
10. See You In Your Dreams
11. See You Tonite
12. True Confessions
13. Love Came To Me
14. Bad Bad Lovin II
15. Reputation
16. Not For The Innocent