You probably all know by now that Craig McLachlan (ex-Neighbours, BUGS to name a few) is a major KISS fan, but did you know that he was at the Wembley gig on 25/3/99? Craig has very kindly agreed to answer some questions for the site about being a member of the KISS Army! Many thanks to both Craig and Mark Fell-Crook from The Craig McLachlan Website for taking the time to get me this exclusive interview and for allowing me to use the pic.
CM Yes I'm happy to talk about KISS....
Paul...very cool to hear from you.
KISS questions ..you bet.. happy to!
Q A friend of mine told me that you were sitting very near
him at the recent Wembley gig, what did you think of the show?
CM The Wembley Show. Loved it as did thousands of others
judging by the vibe in the place.I actually spent most of the gig down on the floor
partying with the animals it was a blast.
Q How long have you been a KISS fan? Did KISS influence you
in starting up your own band?
CM I first heard KISS at a friends place when I was ten years old.
Funnily enough I'd just received an electric guitar for my birthday only days before. I'd
been learning for a couple of years on an old ropey nylon string and had decided it was
time to rock. Enter Ace Frehley! My mate had a copy of ALIVE I heard the outro solo in
DEUCE and that was it. By age 12 I was playing Detroit Rock City with a drummer mate of
mine and in fact to this day when I'm gigging I throw in a fave KISS song.
Q Have you been to any other KISS shows recently apart from
Wembley? I understand that KISS were pretty huge in Australia in the early 80's, did you
ever attend any of those shows?
CM Other KISS shows? You bet Donnington and Wembley on the Reunion
Tour. Paul Stanley called me up in 92 while I was in the U.K and invited my manager and I
along to the Revenge show in Glasgow and yes I was there at the Sydney shows in 80.
Q What is your favourite KISS song/album/line up etc? Were
you happy to hear about the reunion when it started in 1996?
CM I guess my fave line up is the current one... the original.As a
musician I could certainly appreciate the talents of the other members and therefore dig
elements of the other line ups but....it's a chemistry thing I guess and the four original
guys just have that thing!Also the actor in me just loves the theatrics and the magic of
the make up and craziness. So yeah I was delighted to hear they were getting back
together. And my fave song and album...to hard where do you start !The thing with KISS is
one day you wake up in a Cold Gin kinda mood the next day you find yourself wanting a
little Room Service only to find yourself in the Ladies Room Makin' Love with something
that's Almost Human....
Ya know what I mean?
Q Have you ever covered a KISS song? If not would you
consider playing one live? If you were ever asked to appear on one of the many KISS
tribute albums would you consider it?
CM Paul if you hear of another tribute project let me know (no pun
intended) I'm there! No I haven't formally covered a KISS song on any of my records but I
did have the time of my life meeting and writing with Paul Stanley 91/92 in L.A. Our song
writing session basically turned into A KISS jam spanning their entire catalogue up to
that point which was after Hot In The Shade. We didn't write anything that wound up
anywhere but......there is a Paul Stanley song performed by me on my solo album Hands Free
on Sony. So you collectors check it out!
Q We haven't seen much of you in the UK recently (since Bugs)
what are you up to nowadays? Do you still touring with your band?
CM Since BUGS I've been working all over the world filming in Canada
and Australia doing live stuff too and currently working on all sorts of things here in
Oz..including a new album...with a KISS cover??? You never know!
Q Do you ever use the internet to
visit KISS sites? If so have you ever been to KISSin' UK?
CM Paul I'm pretty new to this computer caper but my manager and I
have checked out KISSin U.K and man it rocks!!Well done!
Oh and I do have quite a cute story involving me and Gene Simmons but I'm gonna save that
for next time.
Q Finally do you have any KISS stories or a message you want
to share
with other KISS fans?
CM Paul and fellow KISS faithfuls it's been a pleasure! This is Craig
McLachlan with his trusty Gibson Sunburst Les Paul on his lap about to shred through ALIVE
2. I'll be lovin ya and talking to ya soon.xxx
Drop me (Paul Finn) an E-mail.