INTERVIEW: Ace Frehley talks ‘Space Invader’ tour, KISS memories, sobriety

Ace Frehley, founding guitarist of KISS, has been invading space lately — and enjoying every minute of it.

The musician, known as the original “Space Ace,” recently released his first solo album in five years. “Space Invader” reached #9 on the Top 200 chart, an impressive feat for a man who has been in the music industry for more than 40 years. Now he’s ready to take his show on the road with tour dates across the United States, including Thursday, Nov. 13 at the State Theatre in New Brunswick, N.J.

This past year has been a memorable one for Frehley. In addition to his successful album, the guitarist was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the other original members of KISS. Although the quartet didn’t perform at the ceremony, the honors were further proof of the band and Frehley’s longevity and dedication to the fans.

“Been rehearsing all week here in San Diego with the band, and we’re all chomping at the bit to get on stage,” Frehley said recently about the “Space Invader” tour. “[On the tour], we’re doing at least three or four songs off the new record, and then pretty much a cross-section of stuff I’ve written over the years and obviously some KISS classics. The band is really high energy. It’s the first time I put together a lineup where all four guys sing lead. We got three-part harmony, plus the vocal on top of that. It’s just sounding great. I can’t wait to hit the stage.”

“Space Invader” came into existence after Frehley shopped around potential record deals. He eventually settled on eOne Music and began writing the songs. The album includes such tracks as “Gimme a Feelin'” and “Past the Milky Way,” plus a rendition of “The Joker.” For Frehley, the music usually comes first and then the melody and lyrics. “Inside the Vortex,” off the new album, was originally written on a bass guitar.

“I love writing the songs. I love creating, writing lyrics and melodies, and it’s a real treat to work in the studio. I’ve gotten pretty good in the studio to the point where I have a home studio, and I can engineer myself if needed. I prefer working with an engineer, so I can stay completely focused on the creative element rather than having to worry about pressing buttons and clicking a mouse.”

On the eve of the “Space Invader” tour, Frehley said he wasn’t nervous. In fact, he said he hasn’t been nervous in a long time.

“I make other people nervous,” he said with a laugh. “I guess it’s because I’ve been in this business now over 40 years. There aren’t too many surprises, and I kind of just go with the flow these days. I’m sober now over eight years, and that makes life a lot easier. I remember what I did the night before. I’m able to focus better and get more stuff done. Life is good today. I just take everything in stride, or at least try to.”

Ever since his days with KISS in the 1970s, Frehley has never enjoyed life on the road. He loves performing, but he classified traveling as a “necessary evil.” The schedule of playing two hours and then spending the other 22 hours running through airports and riding on buses never fit his personality.

Along for this particular tour is a motley variety of accomplished musicians, including guitarist Richie Scarlet, bass guitarist Chris Wyse from The Cult and drummer Scot Coogan who worked with Nikki Sixx. Here’s what Frehley looks for in a touring musician: “Somebody that has a lot of talent, somebody that can put up with the road without cracking. I don’t allow any alcohol or drugs in the dressing room. It’s a sober environment, but, you know, all the guys that I’m working with on this tour, they’ve been around for a while and have played with a lot of different other top celebrities. It’s really easy to work with these guys.”

Frehley said fans can expect some of his classics, including “New York Groove,” “Shock Me” and “Rocket Ride.”

“You know you got to do the classics, or the fans are going to be upset and disappointed,” he said. “There’s a couple of songs we’re doing, and I don’t want to give it away, that may surprise a few people when they come see us live. There’s a couple of songs that we never performed before, so that’ll be a treat — hopefully.”

Both “Space Invader” the album and the upcoming tour seem to be tailor-made for the fans. Frehley said KISS fans and his solo devotees are fanatical. The musician also tries to make records that his fan base will enjoy.

“Some artists sometimes become a little too self-indulgent, get wrapped up in their own heads,” he said. “But during the course of this record, I was listening to my ’78 solo album, which a lot of fans site as their favorite record. You know, I listened to it three or four times and tried to incorporate some of those elements into some of these new songs. I think I achieved that, and the fans seem to be happy with it.”

For KISS fans, perhaps longing for a reunion with original members Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley and Peter Criss, this year’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony was the best opportunity for the planets to align. But, alas, they did not.

“I wanted to perform,” Frehley said. “All four of us were asked to perform by the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame, you know. I know myself and Peter Criss were up for the tasks. Paul and Gene decided they didn’t want to perform with us.”

The guitarist said he tries to stay focused on the future: “I like to look forward and not dwell in the past, but I can’t escape all the stuff that happened in the ‘70s. I started writing my second book. Most of my memories of the past are fond memories. My body of work has really withstood the test of time. It’s all positive as far as I’m concerned. When I’m with people, or I’m in a situation, I always try to find the good in people and minimize the negative stuff. Some people dwell on negative stuff. They’ll meet somebody, and they’ll pick out the part of that person that they don’t like. And I try to do the opposite. I try to find the good in people and minimize what I don’t like about them.”

This refocusing on the positive coincides with Frehley’s eight years of sobriety and even the title of his first book, “No Regrets.” “There’s no way you can change the past, and a lot of times people have to go through a lot of negative things. Sometimes you’ve got to fall and pick yourself up to get where you are. I just feel that I had to make a lot of mistakes in my life to get to where I am today, so I really can’t regret it because it was part of the process.”

For Frehley fans, the future looks positive with no end in sight.

“I don’t really ever see myself retiring. I can see myself slowing down and maybe doing less of this or less of that, but you know there’s a lot of things on the bucket list. I want to score a film. I want to take some bands into the studio, take them under my wing and produce. I have a wealth of information working with some of the greatest producers and engineers over the last 40 years, so I mean there’s a lot I want to do.”

By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com

• Click here for more information on Frehley’s new album and his new tour, including the Nov. 13 stop at the State Theatre in New Brunswick, N.J.