Hit Parader : Ace, how different is it in Kiss now as compared to 20 years ago ? Ace Frehley : We're older (laughs). Nah, i don't even know if that's true. When we're on stage it seems like we're the same age we were 20 years ago. Nothing has really changed. There's still that bond, that really special feeling between us that made Kiss great back then and hopefully keeps us great today.
HP : How long did it take you to really feel comfortable on stage with Paul, Gene and Peter during the last tour ? AF : It didn't take that long for a couple of reasons. We worked really hard before we even went on the road to make sure that we sounded as good as we ever did. The chemistry was still there. And I had been playing some of those songs on my own over the years, so they were still all very familiar to me. The thing was that either I had changed some of the solos on songs that I still performed, or I had forgotten some of the other ones. I had to go back and relearn some of my own solos ! (laughs) I actually was pretty good !
HP : You're still very loyal to your trademark Gibson Les Paul guitars. Why ? AF : Because I get a deal on them from Gibson (laughs). Actually, I love those guitars and I'm very loyal to them. They give me the sound I want. I've never really experimented with that many different guitars because those Les Pauls always have kind of been my trademark. I've been playing them for years.
HP : How excited are you to be recording again with Kiss ? AF : It's about time ! It took a little while for us to get around to doing this, but I'm really glad that we're doing it. I think to go back on the road this year, and have a really great tour, we need to have some new music to play. I think we all agree that just playing 20 year old songs forever isn't going to be that much fun. We still want to play those songs, but we want to have some new things to throw in as well.
HP : There was a long, long time between Kiss gigs for you. What did you do to occupy your time ? AF : Oh, a little bit of this and a little bit of that. I kept myself busy with a lot of things. I went on the road with my band and we were playing all over the place. The reaction we got was really great - it kept me going. There are a lot of young kids out there who I know are too young to have ever seen me in Kiss the first time around, so it was nice to know that I was reaching a new generation of fans. And then, when i have time, I'm working on my art. i have my computer set up at home, and I really enjoy going down there and working to develop new styles of artistic expression. It's kind of a new art form when you work on a computer, but it's really interesting.
HP : How long have you had this fascination with computer generated art ? AF : For quite a while. It's not something I've gotten into just recently. I've had computers for a long time, and since I've had a home recording studio for years, I've always been very interested in new types of technology. I've always had an interest in art going back to before I was even in Kiss. But I helped design some things for that band - including the Kiss logo - and over the years I've always looked for  ways of expressing myself. The computers just worked out very well for me
HP : how would you describe your artwork ? AF : I guess that the best way to describe it would be to call it modern art. It's kind of hard to describe. If anyone knows me, I think it's safe to say that what I create is an extention of my personality. It's fun, bright stuff that happens to make a lot of people smile when they see it.
HP : We hear that you have already had a number of high class gallery shows for your art. Are you actually selling some of the pieces ?
AF : Yeah...if people want to buy'em (laughs). I've had a few exhibits already, and the response has been very good. It's interesting because at those exhibits you tend to get some fans who are into my music, as well as some art people who maybe don't even know who I am. That makes things fun. I kind of enjoy it when I meet people who don't know me as Ace Frehley, the guitarist in Kiss. i think I get a much more honest appraisel of my art from those people.
HP : Do you still have time to work on your art now that you're so busy with Kiss ? AF : Over the last few years, ever since we all got back together, I really haven't had time for anything else in my life. I'm so happy about being back with the guys again, and being on the road with Kiss, that everything else has taken a back seat. I love my art, but for the time being it's definitely going to be put aside. All my attention, and all my time has gone into making sure my work with Kiss is the very best it can be.
HP : Did you ever dream that you'd find yourself back in Kiss after so many years apart ? AF : Not really. There were times when I wasn't even in touch with Gene and Paul, though I always knew that they were behind me and cared about me. They've always been my brothers, and like any family, there are times when you're very close, and other times when you're not so close. Even if I had never worked with Gene, Paul and Peter again, they would have been my brothers until the day I died. But now that we are working together, that brotherhood is stronger than ever.
HP : How does it feel when so many musicians-from Pantera's Dimebag to Stone Temple Pilot's Dean deLeo-call you "their biggest influence" ?
AF : Obviously it feels great. That's really a great compliment when young musicians come along and say that.
I try and listen to new bands when I get the chance, and what I like is that some of the bands today are really trying to say something new and different. If the people who said I influenced them were just copying what I've done, I wouldn't like it. But the fact that they're doing their own thing is great.
HP : So Ace, are you happy these days ?
AF : (Laughs) Yeah, I think that's safe to say. I don't know if I've ever been happier in my whole life. Getting back together with the guys is really a dream-come true for me, and I don't want this dream to end.