Former KISS guitarist BRUCE KULICK (GRAND FUNK RAILROAD, ESP) has issued a following update:

“I want to share with you all my latest international trip, my long journey to Australia for four guitar clinics. After two exciting 3-day weekends in Vegas performing with MONSTER CIRCUS, it was a stressful Sunday before my long flight. I had a late Saturday night performance at the Hilton, and said my good-byes to the band and staff from Monster Circus. With only an hour of sleep, it was off to Vegas airport to catch the first plane back to LA.

Once I came home I grabbed three hours of sleep, and then it was time for final packing before heading to LAX for that 16-hour journey to Melbourne. Knowing how many smiling faces I would see down under made the trip easier of course in combination with the sleeping pill that worked wonders on my tired body! When I arrived in Melbourne on Tuesday morning, (since you travel over the international date line it takes almost two days to get there) I was greeted by Vince Sanna, my tour manager from the Allans music chain that booked me at four stores in different cities. Vince was happy to tell me that the clinics in both Melbourne and Brisbane were sold out with many people still calling for tickets and that the last two were already close to being sold out. That was quite a good welcoming for a tired Bruce Kulick.

After settling into my hotel in downtown Melbourne, I was taken to a famous Italian place Billy Joel likes to call home when he is in town. Pellegrinis on Bourke Street is totally old school classic Italian food, and I stuffed myself well. Took a photo with the owner and then it was time to take a quick nap! After that rest, I met up with my friend Paul Drennan, who is my guitarist and tour manager that I work with when I do my band shows in Australia. We had a great time catching up on everything since my last trip with ESP back in 2006.

The next day would be my first clinic, but Vince had plans for a trip to a famous Australian radio show called Jono and Dano. The interview was very funny and I even played some guitar on the show, with them singing along some songs. (You would have to hear that one!) ‘I Was Made For Loving You’ and ‘God Gave Rock ‘n’ Roll To You’ never sounded so crazy with them singing along the lyrics to the songs incorrectly.

The first clinic was close to the hotel, and after sound check the crowd came in, and I was very pleased to see their reaction to the music and all the info I shared with them. After my six songs, there were questions about my guitar technique, song writing, and of course my work with KISS were some topics of discussion. I debuted a track from the forthcoming CD BK3, an instrumental called ‘Between The Lines’ featuring Steve Lukather from TOTO.

It was a relief for me to get the first clinic done and it was a huge success for the store. I brought my new Limited Edition Australian EP that I prepared from my upcoming BK3 CD available for these clinics, and the crowd was happy to grab copies. For more info on the EP click here.

After another great meal (again at Pellegrinis), it was off to bed for a tired BK. The next day it was time for a flight to Brisbane. Upon arrival Vince and I were sad to see all the rain. On and off the weather was extreme and wild. My pants were soaked and I learned a new trick with the hotel hair dryer. Place dryer on chair, lay wet pants over dryer = dry pants... in about 20 minutes! Vince knew a famous pancake restaurant and we made a point to eat there twice!

The music store was in a busy mall, but sadly as the shopping centre was closed during my clinic time we had no A/C! But the crowd was very cool with me, and once again I had a great time playing my Gibson Les Paul and explaining all my tricks to the fans. I felt a bit more relaxed for this one and I loved the questions and support the fans in Brisbane showed me.

Next city was Adelaide. It was bright and sunny there and after some rest in the hotel, it was off to the store for sound check. This shop was in an older part of town, and the staff was great in making me feel welcome. Once again it was standing room only for the event. My sound guy was Sam, and I wound up calling him Worf from Star Trek. Use your imagination, as this guy was tough looking, but very helpful with me especially during the meet and greet after the show.

After some late night pizza with friends, it was off to the last clinic early in the morning. Sydney is the largest city in Australia population wise, and you know you are in their New York as soon as you land. My hotel was great, and I remember staying there before. George from the Kiss Army Australia did Vince and I a favour by picking us up from the busy airport and he made us feel very welcome in his city.

Before heading to the store, I did an interview with Paul Southwell for Australian Guitarist, so that was fun talking about my career for the press. There were many questions about my last few years of work, and an overview regarding me as a guitarist in so many bands.

The Sydney store was a bit larger as they have an upstairs area that can accommodate a large crowd. I filled the place, and it was fun but sad for me to finish my last of the four clinics. Each one had its highlights, but they were equally enjoyable for me. My friends from Riot Distributors took Vince and I out to some amazing Japanese food. Thank you John and Mike! I got a chance to play them some of the other songs for BK3 that are finished on my iPod, and the smile on their faces made all hard recording work worthwhile.

By the way, all of the meet and greets after the clinics had some funny moments. Along with the guitars to sign, people with their girlfriends and ex-wives on line for autographs, and future tattoos to sign, I get the most fun from the families with kids as they are so excited to meet me. Also, my friend Marina V, a very talented singer-songwriter who I have seen many times in LA, happened to be in Sydney visiting her mom and doing some solo shows and she came by my clinic. Thank you Marina!

So no time to sightsee, so don't ask. I did do what I wanted to accomplish; meet my fans, play my guitar, get them up to speed with my new music and, in conclusion, know that I have their support. As long as my guitar and my music make a difference for my fans, it makes the long trip, and little sleep from the road all worthwhile.

I want to thank Allans music for bringing me over, and special thanks to Vince for making a tough tour easy. The staff at all the stores were totally supportive of my requests, so thank you all. Thanks again to George for helping getting the word out and thank you Paul Drennan for all your help with this trip.”