Bruce Kulick

Axvault did a recent interview with Bruce Kulick, with Grand Funk Railroad. He has had an impressive career and has quite a few guitars.  He has played with KISS on 9 albums and three compilations.  He also has played with Michael Bolton, Meatloaf, Billy Squier, and ESP, among others.

A: Bruce you have an incredibly successful career with many of the top bands in world. What is the secret to your success?

Bruce: I think walking into a gig like KISS, I was replacing somebody iconic, Ace Frehley, and that was not exactly my style but I always learned to (incorporate) the signature riff into my work but not sound like a tribute band. And it is like the Grand Funk situation. Mark Farner was the lead guitarist as well as one of the principal figures. He had a lot of riffs that were important to the song. I just (have) found that I am very versatile and able to make the band sound authentic without it sounding like a tribute band.

A: Among the many bands you have played in, KISS and Grand Funk are two very different sounds.  What would you say are the biggest differences for you playing with them?

Bruce: During the KISS years they were still moving along and making albums and still creating their entire legacy and what they are. Obviously when the reunion happened they did a record together and that was a minor disaster.  It took them a really long time before they were ready to record with Tommy and Erik. They were on and off. It is extremely difficult when you have such a large catalogue like they have. During my years it was every two years they would come out with a new record and a tour, just always moving with an eye to the past.  It is never easy for a band like KISS that is used to playing AAA+ plus to go ahead playing B+ and that is why I did the reunion tour.

With Grand Funk it is a different version…with Don and the rhythm section because they are such a tremendous talent. We have this killer singer Max [Carl] that can cover the vocal stylings of Mark Farner and it completely works.  The band is great and we are not trying to be the new Grand Funk…even though we play some new songs written by Max. We are concentrating on playing the hits so the pressure is not the same.  I don’t have to worry about will “Hot in the Shade” sell as much as “Crazy Nights”. [Grand Funk] is all about will the crowd remember this band’s legacy; let’s do the hits and have a party for the night. It is not the same pressure I will admit.

Although I do I always want do my best. I want to always do really good. I owe that to my Dad. He worked as a quality controller. He was always saying you have to do the job right.  He was a bit of a perfectionist… sometimes to a fault. It pushes me to do the best I can.

A: When you started out playing did you ever see yourself being so successful?

Bruce: I always wanted to play professionally when I was young. I played for my friends and in a high school band. I remember some people asking me what is your major going to be when you go to college? I was never really sure it would be music. People would say we really love the way you play guitar why don’t you go to music college and I did. I only did it for a year and half at Queens College in Queens [New York City]. But I started to get offers for gigs to travel and actually perform. Since 1975 on I haven’t stopped. So I never did finish a college degree. But you know what they say about school, and I would never tell anyone not to go, but there is a big difference between being out in the real world and performing and having all those opportunities, and being in the classroom trying to get some degree. While at Queens College they did push me to listen to classical music. I ended up getting exposed to Chopin, Stravinsky, Beethoven and others. I was immersed in amazing music all the time. So for a guy who has made a career in rock music, I do have a great affection for jazz and classical music. My girlfriend and I—she has a great voice for jazz Standards—do some of our own jazzy arrangements. One of my goals in the future is to put together a set to with her and perform a few shows.

A: What guitars are you playing these days?

Bruce: I have always played ESP guitars. I have been involved with them since the ‘80s. I especially like the “Viper” and “Eclipse.” I have several rigs (touring instruments and gear) that I use on tour. I have a couple ESPs and a Paul Reed Smith (PRS) McCarty and Custom 24. I also a big fan of Gibson Guitars, I have Les Pauls on some of the rigs. I also have some Strats or an ESP Vintage Strat style. One of the Rigs even has an ‘81 Gibson Explorer. It has changed a bit through the years.  But guitars are a real passion of mine. ESP’s “E” line of guitars are really good especially some of the Korean made stuff. I fell in love with this first white “Viper” one I had. I have 4 of them now.  I don’t like to travel much with my best guitars. One of my past Canadian rigs supplied by my backline company had a really nice Strat and a really nice Les Paul. It was 11 pounds of course. I do (bring) one of my ESPs an Eclipse a silver version. It is kind of a Gibson Color… Just to make sure I have something.  The ESP warehouse is nearby where I live in California.  I have some strict requirements for my guitars. I do not like guitars that are more than 8 lbs. or have a small neck. I can play a big neck, a “V” neck or a wide neck, but I just cannot play a real small neck.

A: What is the one guitar you wish you owned?

Bruce: There is a reason why the ‘59 Les Paul is the Iconic version. That is what makes them worth the most money.  I have a converted 53’ Les Paul.  The 53’s had real friendly necks. They [the necks] became bigger through the years. I am not sure where Gibson gets their neck profiles for their reissues, but my ‘53 has a great neck. When I bought it from my Brother in the ‘70s it already had routing for Humbuckers, and now I have a black PAF in the rhythm position and had it refinished in the K.I.S.S days by Tom Murphy of Gibson Guitars. Tom Murphy is the guy everyone wants to have refinish their guitar. You can’t put a price on the work he does. This guitar was featured on the cover of Vintage Guitar Magazine. I have a couple of Gibson re-issues and a Les Paul Classic from 92’ that sounds very close to that guitar, but the ‘53, there is just something about the sound. I do wish I had a ‘57 or ‘59 from back in the day when they were only a $1000.00.

A: Who are your big musical influences?

Bruce: The Beatles of course, and the whole British invasion guitar-based bands of that time. There was Eric Clapton, Jimmy Hendrix’s, Jimmy Page, and Jeff Beck. It was really great emotional guitar playing.  It was about the tone and feel. Then you have Eddie Van Halen who super-charged everything in rock. Yngwie Malmsteen has tremendous tone and vibrato. But I am not really into that sweep picking.

A: What was it like touring with Meatloaf?

Bruce: My brother and I had dueling lead guitar roles.  In the beginning they were a little hesitant with me. I had yet to play with anyone famous. Then when I showed them I could play all the riffs on the “Bat Out Hell” album, Meatloaf and his management were really happy. It was an exciting time. I went from playing small shows to sold -out arenas.

A: What is the status of your BK3 solo project?

Bruce: The record does well.  I am proud of it.  I spend most of my touring time with Grand Funk so I really only get out to Europe, Australia and Brazil.

A: Any advice you would give to people who want to become a professional guitarist today?

Bruce: I would tell them to listen to all the kinds of music that turns you on. Keep in mind the bigger picture. Don’t just try to copy all the players you like.  That stuff is all based on somebody else. Develop your unique style.

www.kulick.net

www.grandfunkrailroad.com