Marko Syrjala from Metal-Rules conducted an interview with Ace Frehley bassist Chris Wyse. Topics include working with Frehley, his recent split with The Cult after 10 years, The Owl, new album and the future, working with Ozzy Osbourne, and more.

An excerpt below:

Metal-Rules: You name Ace as one of your heroes but when did you first get into KISS and Ace?

Chris Wyse: “When I was eight years old, I saw KISS Alive and KISS Alive II. When I was growing up, I’m a ’70s kid. I was just a little kid watching, reading comic books rather and listening to rock ‘n’ roll. When I saw KISS, I was like there was nothing better than being a super hero rock star. So Ace is the super hero rock star, and that was my impression as a young boy. But now as a professional I really appreciate the music and how much verocity is in the music, this is not for the casual musicians. This is real music, and we sweat hard every night as you’ve seen and it’s challenging, because of all the energy. So I’m really proud to be with one of my favorite guitar players of all time.”

Metal-Rules: Speaking more about the covers album, I know that you have been working for a while already and it’s maybe coming out in October?

Chris Wyse: “We’re hoping, yeah. We were just talking about it the other day, how we need to get into the studio between the tour and getting back to finish up. So that’s the goal later this year. How exciting! This will be my second Ace release and new Owl album is coming out July 28 as well. I’m just going with the energy and the flow. I need to stay active, so that’s what it’s all about.”

Metal-Rules: Richie Scarlet (guitarist) mentioned that there are also plans for the next Ace Frehley studio album as well, with all original material?

Chris Wyse: “There is talk of that and I have a good feeling, there is going to be a good run with Ace. Ace is back.”

Metal-Rules: That sounds really good when you have two Ace albums in the works already. Because I remember that there was a saying; there is a timeline for all things but then there is Ace Frehley timeline which is sometimes endless *Laughs*

Chris Wyse: “Sure. But I think he sees the moment now and is going for it, The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame etc. Kiss is very active and I think he feels like this is the time to claim his stake in rock and roll.”

Read the rest of the interview at Metal-Rules.com.

The LA/NYC-based rock band Owl - Chris Wyse (vocals/bass), Jason Achilles Mezilis (guitar), Dan Dinsmore (drums) - is set to release its third album, the propulsive and powerful Things You Can’t See on July 28 via Overit Records.

Owl frontman, bassist and producer Chris Wyse started writing Things You Can’t See between his tenure as a band member in seminal rock outfit The Cult and his new position as bass player for former lead guitarist and founding member of KISS, Ace Frehley.  Chris played on Frehley’s 2014 solo album Space Invader, which led to him joining the band full time.

Chris explains, “The Cult will always be my brothers in rock, and it was an honor to play with such brilliant musicians during our decade together.  I now look forward to scorching the earth in The Ace Frehley Band.  We’re currently working on an all-covers album due out on eOne Music, which has been a blast.  Ace has always been a hero of mine and a big influence - playing with him, Scot Coogan and Richie Scarlet is awesome!"  Frehley praises, "Chris is fun to work with and is a great talent.  He is by far the best bassist I have worked with."   

Creatively on fire and armed with song ideas for Owl, Chris and the band holed up at Overit Studios in Upstate New York in early 2014 to record the six-track collection.  For the first time, the band didn’t work off of completed songs - instead they jammed in the studio, honing and cultivating the music in the moment.  This new approach on Things You Can’t See inspired Owl to be bold, experimental, and even more musically ambitious than on their previous two releases. “We’ve evolved to a place where we completely trust each other musically,” shares Chris.  “And it really shows in the character and attitude on this record.”

First single, “Who’s Gonna Save You Now,” blares a wall of distortion as Chris delivers an urgently searing and sharp hook, while the title track poses ponderous questions via raw thunderous rhythms and poetic lyricism.  “Lake Ego” follows with an immersive soundscape stomper, and “Star Up” offers a strong, hyper-charged sonic catharsis.  “Witch’s Familiar” is progressive and heavy through a haze of psychedelia, and “Alive (Acoustic)” closes out the set with lush, soaring melodies amidst a booming bass line.

“We’ve really come into our own as a band with Things You Can’t See,” concludes Dan.  “This record is a great, formidable showcase of everything we do best, and we’re very proud of it,” adds Jason. Chris leaves off, “The style we’ve developed is unbridled and unfiltered, as is our message.  We stand behind every single note front to back.”

Upcoming shows:

July
4 – St. Paul, MN – Taste Of Minnesota
17 – New York, NY – Lucille’s Bar & Grill
18 – Saratoga Springs, NY – Putnam Den
19 – Providence, RI – Aurora Providence
21 – Los Angeles, CA – Whiskey A Go Go
23 – San Jose, CA – Rockbar

“Who’s Gonna Save You Now”:

Album trailer: