October 5-12, 2015

10/5:

I earlier had received an email from Anthony Gene containing a link for an ad he was running ... looking for a "Paul" for Alive '75. "You should give me a call, about an opportunity," he also said. I did - and in that convo, I officially revealed my interest in joining forces with Alive '75. We agree to meet/meat up - that is, eat, and go over some stuff. 

We do so at a Bahama Breeze ("it's like a vacation!") Throughout my Jamaican jerk shrimp, mango and pineapple grilled chicken salad, two whole coconuts (I just made that up, actually), and coffee, we talk - and ooh, can we talk. 

We cover everything - expectations, availability, the space program ... you name it. I offer up my house as a rehearsal spot. Anthony and I are similar in views - not only about the project, but in general. We depart equally optimistic about the future, and set up a date to get the whole group together and play.

One our way to our cars, I say something like, "it could be that the Paul and Gene of Alive '75 first officially met at the Bahama Breeze in Wayne, New Jersey!" We laugh, and we get ready to rock.

10/6 & 7:

I go on an opinion gathering mission - "should I do this?" is the question, and I ask it to people who I trust implicitly on the topic.

In short:

Toni (the wife) says to go for it (after laughing). I told her I couldn't do it without her - besides impacting life in general (and wanting to gauge her about that actual impact), she's good with KISS makeup, costumes, and more. She would be totally (Toni-ly) invaluable to the mission.

My buddies Helio and Byron both say to do it* - Helio has been a "Paul" in a Brazilian KISS act for over ten years (he recently switched to being Ace - talk about versatility!) and Byron (along with Helio) played with me in a KISS tribute (I played bass).

"You'd be a perfect 1975 Paul," Helio says, and now for that "*" part - Byron saw the first Alive '75 show, and back then immediately told me afterward that I should be their Paul! I told him he was nuts at the time (who is nuts now?), but he was just ahead of his time. Like KISS' tank stage.

Well, that settles it! I'm going to really give it a shot. I order a pair of KISS boots.


10/12:

We convene at Fennix Studios in Staten Island (nice place!), and run through the Alive! record, as I study the guys - as they study me. It is a casual atmosphere, though - but it is audition. I feel comfortable, and the guys are total pros about the whole thing. They want to know what I can do, but they keep things fun. They also make it clear that if I am accepted, I have to swallow a whole live goldfish.

We run through the whole album, and a few minutes before our time is up, I notice the guys are breaking down their equipment and packing up. Before they go to far, I ask a question.

"Is there anything you'd like to do again?" They guys sort of look at each other, as if saying "we're good." Then, Anthony Gene pipes up.

"Everything sounded pretty good," he begins, but 'C'mon and Love Me" was a little flat … " I hadn't unplugged my guitar or anything yet, so on the microphone I sing and play a verse. 

"You got it - that's good." Phew.

Outside afterwards, we gulp down Gatorades (Anthony Ace has a nice supply in his truck) and talk. Collectively, the guys are like, "so you want to do this or what?" I reply in the the affirmative. We shake hands, and are a band … but more than a band. We have a mission! I'm psyched. 

Now, the work begins.

First Official Studio Get Together!

That's Anthony and Joe back there.