We are to yet another disc that was included in the John Humphrey Collection I bought last year at an auction where I got my hands on 38 Bootleg CDs from his personal collection. Oh, if you don’t know who John Humphrey is, you need to know he is a massive Kiss collector. And he is the drummer of the band Seether. John decided to sell off his entire collection…sort of…he kept all the vinyl (like 4,000 of them). He did it through an auction at Backstage Auctions and I had to have a piece of it…which I did.

This particular bootleg comes to us from The Godfatherecords and was released on August 1, 2012. What you get here are a bunch of Kiss demos and these aren’t your typical rough sounding bootlegs. No, these are all pretty high quality sounding demos. The first disc is all demos spanning from 1973 to 1998, giving us 25 years of demos and you get a lot of tracks. There are 21 tracks alone on Disc 1.

And Disc 2 is something even more special. Taken directly from the source tapes that were actually used for the Kiss Box Set, we get the original Wicked Lester album. And all I can say is that is the ABSOLUTE BEST sounding recording I have ever heard of this album. I have the Wicked Lester songs on several different bootlegs and not one of them are of this quality. Damn!! It is like having an official release of the album. Yes, it is that good. Based on this, why have Kiss never officially released that album. Will we get it for the box set of the debut album? I certainly hope so.

The cover of this 2 CD set is an outtake of the photo shoot from The Elder. It has non-make-up wearing Paul Stanley touching the door knocker from the original album and his hand partially covering his face. The back cover has the the track listing, but the interesting thing are the pictures inside. You get a ton of snippets of pictures for the band on this tri-fold digipack release. There is one set of pictures that I refused to take and show on this review and no, it is not because there is nudity. It is because it is Paul, Ace and Peter wearing Nazi attire. And even one where they give the Nazi salute. By today’s standards, it is pretty offensive and controversial and I don’t want any of that non-sense here. So let’s just talk about the music.

CD One:

Kicking off the album, we get two Peter Criss demos and both from the Love Gun Sessions. Peter wrote these with his pal Stan Pendrige. They were recorded in 1977 and Stan has said in the past that both songs were written in the same night. First up is the demo for “Hooligan” which the final version did wind up on the album. The song has a great groove and Peter does such a good job. His gravely voice adds gives the song some character. The chorus here is pretty simple where the album has some more harmonies. The other demos is for a song called “Love Bite”. The song opens with some killer drumming and Peter attacks the lyrics. I might like this one better than the first one, but it isn’t a Kiss song so I get why it didn’t end up on the album.

Next up are the demos for the studio songs on ‘Kiss Alive II’. Although they are all pretty finished if they are demos. It starts with “Rockin’ in the USA”. It is sung and written by Gene Simmons and is actually about touring in the US and dang it rocks out and is a blast of a song. Ace Frehley wrote the next one with Sean Delaney. Ace actually sang and played on “Rocket Ride”.  The song was originally written for an Ace solo album but Kiss needed a song so he gave them this one.  This is a signature Ace song and the guitar playing is slick and it plain kicks major ass.

 Gene is back with another one on “Larger Than Life” which is exactly what this band was in my eyes.  The song is a slower, dirtier groove and more of a menacing Gene song. All American Man” is a Paul Stanley written and sung track that has some great sounding guitars (thanks to Bob Kulick).  As a tall child, I strutted around singing this heavy rock song because I felt it described me…well someday it would as I did reach 6′ 2″. The last ‘Alive II’ track on here is a Dave Clark Five cover of “Any Way You Want It” sung by Paul.  It is very catchy and also very corny and to me the weakest song of the new tracks as it is very repetitive.

Written and recorded by Gene Simmons in California in 1978. “I Have Just Begun to Fight” was loosely based on “Calling Dr. Love” and is very Kiss-like which was the intention. The players on this one are Gene and 2 members of a Bill Aucoin managed band called Virgin. They were Tom Moody on guitar and Chuck Billings on drums. Tom delivered a great solo. It is solid track that was thought to be up for the ‘Asylum’, but didn’t make it.

“Reputation” is another ‘Love Gun” demo and has done the rounds in the bootleg world for years. I think this is on the Deluxe version of the ‘Love Gun’ album too. This is a version of a song that ended up on his solo album called “Radioactive”. Now, that one is really different, but it all began here. Next up is “Take Me Away (Together As One)” which is on Paul Stanley’s solo album. This is pretty close to the final with the exception that the chorus isn’t as full and bombastic, but still pretty killer.

Next up are the four songs Peter Criss submitted for use on the ‘Dynasty’ album. Up first is “Rumble” which was never been released officially any where and for good reason. This has Peter harking back to his street fighting days. It isn’t bad, there is nothing really that jumps out as memorable. “There’s Nothing Better” would wind up on Peter’s solo album ‘Out of Control’. It has a better beat and groove then the previous song. I little more catchy for sure.

“Dirty Livin'” is the only one of the four to make it on to ‘Dynasty’ and when you hear it you know why. This is a bass heavy song in this version and a little dirtier sounding than the final version. Lastly, “Out of Control” became the title song to his first solo album outside of Kiss. Some good guitar work and as far as Peter songs go, it is pretty good. A rocking track and his gritty style works well with it. For me, a toss up between this one and “Dirty Livin'” on which is better.

“Just a Boy” is a demo from “The Music of The Elder” and has Paul on vocals. And the falsettos go nuts on this one. This is pretty good version. Missing the extra harmonies and the final full flushed out music, but it is all pretty much here. Paul brings us a demo with “Deadly Weapons” and this demo is from 1980 and you know it as “Love’s a Deadly Weapon” which it became on the 1985 album ‘Asylum’. It has more balls and bite on the final album version, but this isn’t bad. A longer demo wound up on The Creatures Box Set.

Then you get three demos for songs that wound up on ‘Hot in the Shade’. First is “Betrayed” which was passed around in the bootleg circles for a long time.  This one was written by Gene with Tommy Thayer and the final version wound up on ‘Hot in the Shade’. It is not a bad track and it fits Gene’s personae well. A darker tone and subject matter. The only thing I don’t really like too much is the drum sound on this one. The constant heavy pounding is a little too loud much. “The Street Giveth and the Street Taketh Away” is a pure Gene song and it too was written with Tommy Thayer who also plays guitar on it as well. Gene brings a lot of street cred to this one as he sounds so tough.

“Something Wicked This Way Comes” is the last ‘Hot in the Shade’ song and was written by Gene. He did numerous recordings of it in many different styles. This one has Bruce Kulick on guitar and was recorded in 1988 and considered for ‘Hot in the Shade’. It didn’t work for that album but would have worked more from the Revenge album or even Carnival of Souls as this has a very darker tone to it. It is not a ballad, but it doesn’t rock out either. It is more on the slower side of things and doesn’t really go anywhere for me. It meanders a long a little, but hearing Bruce makes it all worth it. The singer Doro covered the song on one of her albums.

“Street Legal” might be from 1998, however, I believe this was floating around back in 1989 for ‘Hot in the Shade”. Someone will have to let me know which version this one really is. It sounds very 80’s and for Gene it is pretty tame and doesn’t rock out too much, but it is still a rocker. It has very cheesy lyrics so that is why I’m thinking it is 1989. Why wasn’t this on the Vault…maybe it will for Vault.

Last is the famous bootleg “Feels Like Heaven”. This is called the Steamy Pissflap Mix and it is pretty piss poor for sure. It is mostly “Feels Like Heaven” over and over with Gene talking over it at times. I love this song when you can find the full version, this is not it. It is called Steamy Pissflap because at the very end, Gene says, “Let me wrap your pissflap around my nose”…Yes, only Gene could get away with saying that.

CD Two:

Now it is time for the Wicked Lester album. It kicks off with “Keep Me Waiting” which is full of horns, congos and a cool bass groove from Gene. Paul is on vocals and he sounds so young on this one.  The guitar is really loud especially compared to the vocals which are a little soft. And overall, the musicianship on this one is great all around. The song is pretty cool even with a whole dated 60’s vibe to it. I can dig it man…its groovy!!

Then comes some Beatle style song called “Molly (Some Other Guy)” with Paul on vocals singing too softly.  You can hear Gene’s bass prominently.  Another 60’s vibe song and not that sensational.

Sweet Ophelia” is a cover of Barry Mann’s song from his 1971 album “Lay It All Out” and was written by Barry Mann and Gerry Goffin. The song holds true to the original with a big exception in that an entire verse is missing. The song is so dated with that late 60’s, early 70’s vibe. It is psychedelic and has some massive hippie vibes and scary to think this Paul on vocals as he feels right at home.

“Simple Type” is an interesting track with Gene and Paul sharing vocals.  Paul sounds normal, but Gene sounds like a totally different person.  This is not the menacing demon we know and love. He is so soft and gentle. There is a flamenco type sounding moment in the middle which is a little weird.  The song is a little all over the place, but I am enjoying all of the song so far. 

Up next is “Too Many Mondays”. It is such a 60’s hippie song is the only thing I can think of positive to say about it  Paul sounds like…well more like Peter, Paul & Mary than Kiss.  It is bloody awful, well not really, but it isn’t Kiss that is for sure.

“Love Her All I Can”.  Paul admits that the opening guitar work was strongly influenced by The Who song “Can’t Explain” and the guitar & bass parts were taken from “Open My Eyes” by Nazz.  A complete Frankenstein song that works.  Another great track in its original form.  Definitely not Kiss, but you could see a band that had potential.  Paul sounds like he’s a bad ass which is not the same hippie Paul we’ve heard throughout the album. There is some great guitar work and I like the harmonies on the chorus. 

“When the Bell Rings” was written by Austin Roberts and Christopher Welch in 1970, the song was obtained by Ron Johnsen for the band to record.   It is a more straightforward rocker with a little shuffle it. It has both Gene and Paul singing with Paul kicking things off and he handles the verses. Gene handles the chorus and sounds more like you’d expect.  It has a decent guitar solo, but overall, it is an okay track, nothing to write home about though. 

Up next is the Kiss fan favorite, “She”, which is so different than what the band recorded for the album ‘Dressed to Kill’ years later.  It has a slowed down tempo with a jazzy, funky vibe to it and includes the most metal of all instruments, the flute. Jethro Tull did it, so why not Wicked Lester. The guitar riff they use on the Kiss version is present here, but not as gritty and powerful. The hard rock version is definitely better, but I don’t mind this one too much.

“What Happens In The Darkness” comes straight at you and blows your mind as it feels like a 60’s psychedelic craziness or something. Paul sings and sounds so groovy and on the chorus there are a ton of backing vocals and I think I can hear Gene.  Wicked Lester definitely aren’t Kiss, but it is still pretty cool nonetheless.

Now we get a another cover and this one is from the Hollies with “(We Want To) Shout It Out Loud” which would be the inspiration for a song with a similar song later.  Gene sings this one and he is not really recognizable as he isn’t ferocious at all. The song is a slower tempo than what you’d expect. It has some airy, atmospheric sounding guitars on it and makes you feel like you are floating in space all drugged out and happy. 

“Long, Long Road” is a bonus track and is very different then the rest of the album as it is basically a bad country song and not a hippie, psychedelic song like the rest. Paul is on vocals and I have to say that it is not a good song at all…I mean not in the very least. Thank goodness they didn’t bring this one to Kiss…geez!! But the collector in mean is so excited on having a copy of it

And there you have it. This is one of the cooler pieces in the collection I picked up from John Humphrey. I love the demos releases. I enjoy listening to the beginnings of a song even if it is rough around the edges. And throw in the best possible version of Wicked Lester without it being an official release is icing on the cake. That disc alone is worth it, but throw in 21 demos of Kiss songs, takes it over the top. My Overall Score is a 5.0 out of 5.0 Stars. As far as bootlegs go, it doesn’t usually sound better than this. Top notch. A must find for Kiss collectors.

The Kiss Bootleg Series:

1. Kiss – ‘Accept No Imitations’ (Bootleg Series) – Album Review (ASYLUM TOUR)
2. Kiss – Look Wot You Dun to Me (Bootleg Series) – Album Review (CRAZY NIGHTS TOUR)
3. Kiss – The Summer of Satan: The Devils Ride Out! (Bootleg Series) – Album Review (DESTROYER TOUR)
4. Kiss – Return to Capital Center (Bootleg Series) – Album Review (DYNASTY TOUR)
5. Kiss – With Fire & Thunder (Bootleg Series) – Album Review (HOTTER THAN HELL TOUR)
6. Kiss – Northhampton PA March 19th, 1975 (Bootleg Series) – Album Review (DRESSED TO KILL TOUR)
7. Kiss – The Hottest Show On Earth (Bootleg Series) – Album Review (THE HOTTEST SHOW ON EARTH TOUR 2010)
8. Kiss – All the Way to the Ball Room (Bootleg Series) – Album Review (Australian Tour 1995)
9. Kiss – Kiss of Thunder (Bootleg Series) – Album Review (The Rising Sun Tour 2006)
10. Kiss – Agora Ballroom 1974: The Cleveland Broadcast plus Bonus Cuts (Bootleg Series) – Album Review (THE KISS TOUR)
11. Kiss – Hotter Than Hell: Radio Broadcast 1976 (Bootleg Series) – Album Review (ROCK & ROLL OVER TOUR)
12. Kiss – The Tickler (Bootleg Series) – Album Review (LICK IT UP TOUR 1983)
13. Kiss – Barbarize (Bootleg Series) – Album Review (ANIMALIZE WORLD TOUR 1984 – North American Tour)
14. Kiss – They Only Come Out At Night (Bootleg Series) – Album Review (ANIMALIZE WORLD TOUR 1984 – EUROPEAN TOUR)
15. Wicked Lester and the Progeny Demo Sessions (Bootleg)
16. Kiss – Black Diamond: Lafayette Music Room, Memphis, TN April 18th, 1974 – FM Broadcast
17. Kiss – End of the Road: In Allentown 2020 (PPL Center, Allentown, PA, 4th February 2020) (End of the Road Tour) – Blu-Ray
18. Kiss – ‘Monster Tour: Simpsonville 2013’ (Charter Amphitheatre at Heritage Park, Simpsonville, C – 13th August 2013) – Blu-Ray
19. Wicked Lester – The Original Wicked Lester Sessions (Bootleg)
20. Kiss – The Ritz on Fire (August 12, 1988, The Ritz, New York City. A radio broadcast – Crazy Nights Tour)
21. Kiss – Kiss My Axe 1978: Live from the Los Angeles Forum in California, August 25, 1977 (Love Gun Tour)
22. Kiss – Gods of Thunder: The Legendary Concert Broadcast – Sao Paulo, August 27, 1994′
23. Kiss – Black Diamond: Lafayette Music Room, Memphis, TN April 18th, 1974 – FM Broadcast (Alternate Cover)
24. Kiss -Alive! in Amityville: June 1973 – (2021)
25. Kiss – Set the World On Fire: Live (10 CD Box Set – Radio Broadcasts 1974-1994)
26. Kiss – Diamonds in the Dust (2022)
27. Kiss – Wicked Lester (John Humphrey Collection)
28. Kiss – Unplugged (John Humphrey Collection)
29. Kiss – Kabuki Beasts: Kyoto 1977 (John Humphrey Collection)
30. Kiss – Live in Australia 1980 (John Humphrey Collection)
31. Kiss – Electric Magic: Live East Lansing, MI October 21, 1974 (John Humphrey Collection)
32. Kiss – Detroit 1984: Cobo Hall, Dec. 12, 1984 (John Humphrey Collection)
33. Kiss – Snake Attack Budokan: Last Show Japan Tour 1977 (John Humphrey Collection)
34. Kiss – Live in Maryland 1977 (John Humphrey Collection)
35. Kiss – Feel Like Heaven (John Humphrey Collection)
36. Kiss – Madison Square Garden 1977 (John Humphrey Collection)
37. Kiss – The Lost Alive II Album (John Humphrey Collection)
38. Kiss – Live Vol. 1 : Detroit, Michigan April 7, 1974 (John Humphrey Collection)
39. Kiss – Boxx (Vol. 1): Live in USA 1975/’85 (John Humphrey Collection)
40. Kiss – Boxx (Vol. 2): Live in Europe 1984 (John Humphrey Collection)
41. Kiss – Kiss and Ace Demos (John Humphrey Collection)
42. Kiss – The Rock ‘N Roots of Kiss (2025)
43. Kiss – Choppers ‘N Chicks (Camp Curtis Guild Armory 11/15/1976 RARO Tour Rehearsal)
44. Kiss – Watching Us (John Humphrey Collection)
45. Kiss – Return to Thunder: Winter Tour 1976/1977 (John Humphrey Collection)
46. Kiss – Houston: The Summit Sept 2, 1977 (John Humphrey Collection)
47. Kiss – What Goes On Behind Closed Doors (2012) (John Humphrey Collection)