CHAPTER 15 - Hotter Than Hell (1974)

“Hotter Than Hell” Album Notes:

Produced by Kenny Kerner and Richie Wise, this album was originally going to be titled, “The Harder They Come” (Circus, 1974). The album was recorded at The Village Recorder Studios in Los Angeles during August and September, 1974. Engineered and mixed by Warren Dewey at The Village Recorder.

15.01. Got To Choose

Originally titled “Who’s Your Baby,” this Paul Stanley song would be re-titled during the “Hotter Than Hell” recording sessions. The chorus, which became the basis for the song, was inspired by a riff in another band’s re-working of a Wilson Pickett song, “Ninety-Nine And A Half (Won’t Do)” (Sharp, Ken - Goldmine).

15.02. Parasite

Originally titled “Parasite Lady,” Ace Frehley blossomed to a certain extent by writing two songs, and co-writing a third with Paul for the “Hotter Than Hell” album. There have been unsubstantiated suggestions that part of this song was based on earlier Molimo material. However, it would seem unlikely, since Ace had joined that band at a late stage and had little to do with the song-writing. This song was given to Gene to sing who recalled, “Ace pretty much thought out those songs from beginning to end. The riffs, lyrics, the point of view, etc. There was very little rearrangement done, whereas ‘Cold Gin’ did feature contributions from some of the other guys in the band. But when he brought in ‘Parasite,’ which was originally called ‘Parasite Lady,’ we were floored” (KISStory). Ace is rumored to have played bass on the recording of this song.

15.03. Goin’ Blind

While the song had something of a long history as “Little Lady,” being performed live by Rainbow, the “Hotter Than Hell” version of “Goin’ Blind” would see the lyrical input of Paul Stanley, who would come up with the lyric “I’m 93 and you’re 16.” There would also be some other lyrical modifications, removing the somewhat flakey lyrics, which could be heard on KISS’ 1996 “MTV Unplugged” album. This was another Gene Simmons / Stephen Coronel composition. For details, refer to the “Gene Simmons pre-KISS” section.

15.04. Hotter Than Hell

“Hotter Than Hell” was Paul Stanley’s attempt to rewrite one of his favorite band’s songs. According to Paul, “I was always a big fan of Free, and ‘All Right Now’ really meant a lot to me – it was a perfect song. ‘Hotter Than Hell’ was basically me re-writing that song. There’s nothing wrong with stealing, as long as you do it right – and make sure that you’re stealing a diamond, not a piece of glass. All bands start off being fairly derivative, and copying others is the first step toward developing your own style” (Guitar World, 8/92).

Paul describes the story the song: “ ‘Hotter Than Hell’ was written about an encounter with somebody in a bar, and then at the end of the song I didn’t know quite how to end it so I came up with this riff that was kind of like a Sabbath, a Black Sabbath kind of riff and we tacked that on” (KISS Konfidential Radio Tapes). The song, even being the title track of the second album, would not survive for long in the band’s live set, essentially being dropped following the European leg of the “Destroyer” tour in 1976 and rarely returning until 1992.

15.05. Let Me Go, Rock ‘N Roll

For more details, refer to the “KISS March 1973 Demo” section. By the time the “Hotter Than Hell” album was under construction, this song, originally called “Baby, Let Me Go,” would briefly be re-titled “Rock ‘N Roll” before getting its final title of “Let Me Go, Rock ‘N Roll.” This song would provide the A-side to the only single issued in support of the “Hotter Than Hell” album, backed with the album’s title track, but would not chart. Interestingly, the original “Blue Label” Bogart release of this single is probably the rarest single in the United States singles catalogs. While the promotional stereo/mono version is extremely rare, there is a very large question mark as to whether the single was ever found in distribution channels for retail sale. A 1976 “Filmworks” reissue of the single can be found.

15.06. All The Way

Written by Gene Simmons. The song was at least partially written prior to the album recording sessions, since it appeared on a very early list of prospective songs for the “Hotter Than Hell” album. One of Gene’s early lyric books included the first two verses for the song, though without any title.

15.07. Watchin’ You

For details, refer to the “KISS March 1973 Demo” section. When KISS did finally record this Gene Simmons song for release, little would change from the original March 1973 demo recording. The differences in production between the two songs is more noticeable than the 7-second difference.

15.08. Mainline

Written by Paul Stanley, this song would be given to Peter Criss to sing on the album. According to Gene, “Peter literally came over to us and said, ‘if you don’t give me a song to sing, I’m leaving the band.’ So Paul was nice enough again, and let him sing ‘Mainline’” (KISStory). “Mainline” would be performed live by the band just once.

15.09. Comin’ Home

Co-written by Paul Stanley and Ace Frehley, this song stands as an unique combination of the two KISS guitarists. The subject matter of the song is very obvious and understandable, since the band had essentially toured non-stop from December 31, 1973, hopping on any bill they could get themselves on in any state or city.

15.10. Strange Ways

Ace would record the totally spontaneous guitar solo in one take for this writing contribution to the “Hotter Than Hell” album. While Ace would not sing, it has long been rumored that Gene Simmons recorded a vocal track for the song, before it was given to Peter to sing. According to Ace, “I let Peter sing it because I was afraid to sing it” (Grooves, 1978). For a couple days in early 1975 the song would be a part of KISS’ live set, though the song would later become central to Ace’s solo band’s live set in the 1990s.

The original recording of “Strange Ways” had a 7-minute drum solo in the middle of it, something that was later cut out of the album version. Gene recalled that Peter had insisted on inserting the solo into the song, even though the rest of the band didn’t feel it was necessary: “Peter went into this long, dull solo and said, ‘If you guys cut this thing, I’m leaving the band’” (KISStory). It would almost be a situation of Peter trying to imitate John Bonham’s “Moby Dick.” Paul continues, “So at the end of the day when Peter left the studio, Gene and I stayed behind with Kenny Kerner and Richie Wise.... We all knew the solo was terrible, and we cut it from the song without Peter knowing it” (KISStory). Peter didn’t quit the band.

15.11. Too Young

Title of Gene’s written or possibly demoed song, considered for use on the “Hotter Than Hell” album. Also considered for recording for the band’s second album were Wicked Lester’s “She,” “Simple Type,” “Keep Me Waiting,” and “Love Her All I Can.” Refer to Gene Simmons pre-KISS section for additional details.

15.12. Mad Dog

Title of Gene’s written or possibly demoed song, considered for use on the “Hotter Than Hell” album. Refer to the “Box Set” section for further details.

15.14. Red Nails

Title of Gene’s written or possibly demoed song, considered for use on the “Hotter Than Hell” album. This song almost certainly dated earlier than 1974. “Red nails will sink in deep / And should you want to keep her / Red nails, she’s full of lies / Red nails, just look in her eyes.”

15.15. High And Low

Title of Gene’s written or possibly demoed song, considered for use on the “Hotter Than Hell” album. Refer to “Rock And Roll Over” section for further details. One early version of the song had different lyrics, notably on the first verse: “You got me runnin’ high and low / You try to fool everyone you know / I’d never believe you, you won’t bring me down / No baby, you won’t make me feel like a clown.” With a bit of recycling and development the piece would evolve.

15.16. Got No Pity

Title of Gene’s written or possibly demoed song, initially considered for use on the “Hotter Than Hell” album. Includes a couple of classic Gene lyrics: “You paid your cash in advance / Just because of that, Baby / Think you deserve a chance” and “Baby, baby, baby / We haven’t got pity / We got no pity / Cause we’re from New York City.” An earlier version of the song was titled “Who’s Got Some Pity.”

15.17. Ladies In Waiting

Title of Gene’s written or possibly demoed song, considered for use on the “Hotter Than Hell” album. This song would eventually be recorded for “Dressed To Kill.” Refer to “Dressed To Kill” section for further details.

15.18. Reputation

Title of Gene’s written or possibly demoed song, considered for use on the “Hotter Than Hell” album. It is not clear whether this song bears any relation to the song with the same title that Gene would later demo.

15.19. Great Expectations

Title of Gene’s written or possibly demoed song, considered for use on the “Hotter Than Hell” album. Refer to the “Destroyer” section for details on the song that would eventually use this title. One early form had a different verse: “You’re sittin’ in your seat / And you stand along with the rest / Our music drives you wild / And you know that we’re the best.” It’s easy to see how Bob Ezrin was able to take material and help develop and refine it.

15.20. Kansas City Kitty

This song was possibly demoed, and was considered for use on the “Hotter Than Hell” album. Written by Gene Simmons: “You know you can’t keep a good kitty down / Can’t keep ‘em down on the farm / Can’t tell them apart - They look alike to me / But you might like to see // Kansas city kitty / She’s lookin’ pretty / Roamin’ street corners / For all the lovers / She can cover / In her ‘vette 449 / All the cats just howl / She’s so fine...”

15.21. Into The Void

While KISS would later record a song with the same title, originally Gene Simmons had started a piece, that seems to have not gone much further than some basic ideas: “Space race is under way / All contestants - right this way / Please line up - or get away / Into the void with you / Into the void / And away...”

15.22. Mr. Miracle

15.23. Lady’s Blisters

15.24. Non-Stop Express

15.25. Life Preserve Us

15.26. Blood And Guts

Tracks 15.21-15.26 are the titles of Gene Simmons written or possibly demoed songs, considered for use on the “Hotter Than Hell” album. Additionally, they may simply be “catchy” phrases Gene wrote down so as to not forget them. Further details unknown.

15.27. Drive Me Wild

While the transformation of elements of “Drive Me Wild” to create the KISS classic “Rock And Roll All Nite” is well known, it should be noted that “Drive Me Wild” was very much a song in its own right prior to Gene and Paul’s patch work. According to Paul Stanley, he and Gene would combine their song ideas while still at the Continental Hyatt in Los Angeles following the conclusion of the “Hotter Than Hell” tour. Gene’s original song was basic though the “you drive me wild, I’ll drive you crazy” chorus was inspired by the lyrics of “Mama We’re All Crazee Now” by Slade. Gene would recycle some of the discarded lyrics, notably on “Rock And Rolls Royce” and later “Love ‘em And Leave ‘em.”

15.28. Who’s Gonna Care

Almost a companion piece to “I Am A New Man” with its bleak lyrical nature: “Barren land repels all people / But there’s one thing that I know / It’s good for war and there are people / Who call for that much more // Born in hunger, trained to hate / Starting a lot younger / But you have to start young, hate can’t wait / ‘Til you’re over eight or you’re saved...” This song was not necessarily demoed, but appears in one of Gene Simmons lyrics notebooks.

15.29. Svengali

15.30. Starry Eyed

Simply words Gene liked as a possible song titles. It is not clear whether he ever wrote a piece to go with these titles which were included in one of his lyric idea books.

15.31. Parasite (Original Demo)

15.32. Who’s Your Baby (Original Demo)

15.33. All The Way (Original Demo)

15.34. Mainline (Original Demo)

The original demos for these recordings, which were used for the “Hotter Than Hell” album, were done in late-July 1973 at Minot Sound Studios in White Plains, NY (Suhs – KISS Magazine “Inside The Vault).