New Ace Song Out: ‘Outer Space’

Cool shot of Ace, courtesy of Magnet Magazine.

The tune ‘Outer Space’ from Ace Frehley’s new album Anomaly (out next month) is available for a listen (below), and sounds like classic Ace. It starts out with ‘2000 Man’-like chugging, the vocals of course have Ace’s signature sort of “wavy” style and the lead is backward, like the lead in ‘Speedin’ Back to My Baby’ off Ace’s solo album.

In other words, this is EXACTLY what Ace fans have wanted – if the rest of the album is like that, which apparently it will be. In a 2008 interview with Billboard magazine, Ace said this about Anomaly: “I’m trying to get back into the mindset I was in when I did my first solo record [1978’s ‘Ace Frehley’]. That record seemed to have all the elements everybody liked — a real cool instrumental, a hit single, some real heavy rockers, a nice variety of different genres of music.”

Ace has some big shoes to fill: his own! And while I haven’t heard any tracks other than ‘Outer Space,’ much as I and many other Ace fans might wish it, I doubt Anomaly will be Ace Frehley II. Thirty-one years is a long time! Still, we will get new Ace and classic Ace in the same package, plus a tour, which is very cool.

Working on getting an advanced copy of the CD….

Recent Interview

Following are highlights from an interview with Magnet Magazine:

Your last solo record, Trouble Walking, came out 20 years ago. Why so long between albums?

A lot has happened! [Laughs.] The main reason was I ended up doing the Kiss reunion tour, which led to the Psycho Circus record and tour, which led to the Kiss Farewell Tour. Six years later, I needed a break! And the biggest reason was my sobriety. On Sept. 15, the day Anomaly comes out, I’ll be celebrating three years clean and sober. This new record would have never come out if it wasn’t for that.

What was it like playing “Deuce” at that first audition with Gene, Paul and Peter in 1973? Was there a feeling of instant magic?

I knew there was a chemistry there. I truly believe that when the four of us were at our peak, in those mid-’70s tours, no one could stop us!

Did you go into the 1996 Kiss reunion with any trepidation? Was there concern that the same inter-band problems that caused you to leave the first time would resurface?

I have no regrets about the reunion tour. But history sure has a way of repeating itself.

You’ve stated that one of your favorite Kiss songs to play is “Deuce.” What was your least favorite song that was actually in the set most nights?

I wasn’t too crazy about “I Was Made For Loving You.” I thought we were a hard-rock band and we were doing a disco song. But it was a huge hit, so who knows?

You seem to have made peace with all things Kiss. Is that an accurate assessment?

I’m proud of the fact that I was a member of one of the most influential rock groups in history. No regrets.

What does the future hold for Ace Frehley?

Anomaly, the record and the world tour. I can’t wait for everyone to hear this new record. I’m very proud of it.

Notable

> Gear-wise I have no direct knowledge about anomaly, but I’d be shocked if Ace strayed from his Les Paul, DiMarzio Super Distortion, Marshall (JCM 800?) roots.

> Here, according to Ace’s website, is the track listing for Anomaly:

1. Foxy & Free
2. Outer Space
3. Pain In The Neck
4. Fox On The Run [Sweet cover]
5. Genghis Khan [which Ace says has a ‘Kashmir’-like feel to it]
6. Too Many Faces
7. Change The World
8. Space Bear
9. A Little Below The Angels
10. Sister
11. It’s A Great Life
12. Fractured Quantum [based on ‘Fractured Mirror’]
13. The Return of Space Bear (Dedicated to Tom Snyder) [iTunes-only]

> The album was mixed by Marti Frederiksen, who works extensively with Aerosmith and many other well-known bands.

> It looks from the Anomaly promo video below that Ace’s new signature Les Paul will be the blue sparkle one, as many Ace fans have speculated. I’m digging the chrome pickups with that guitar (in the vid). Is he playing ‘Cold Gin’ with John 5 there?!

Category: Ace Frehley, Les Paul, Marshall