Contributing writer Nick Clemente
What do they have in common with eric carr??????
Sometimes band names don't quite describe the band. This
is not the case when it comes to "Three Men and a Gorilla."
I started hearing a buzz on this band so I decided to look them
up online. Lo and behold the group consists of Three Men
Captain Chaos All American Superhero Rock God on bass and vocals,
Danny Destroyer on guitars, Kevin "Kannons" Myers on
drums, and a gorilla named Paulie S (yes a guy in a gorilla suit)
on lead vocals. If that isn't enough, the Three Men are dressed
as the late motorcycle daredevil Evel Knievel. Weird? Well,
who am I to judge this band when my favorite band of all time
wears makeup and vomits blood?
I learned from the band's MySpace page that they were getting
a lot of votes in a contest to open for KISS this summer.
Since the band was in a contest involving KISS I wondered if they
were influenced by KISS. After a quick email I got my answer.
Kevin Myers' all time favorite drummer is our very own Eric Carr.
I emailed Kevin a few questions and here are his answers for
Eric Carr.com.
What is your band "Three Men and a Gorilla" up
to these days?
Currently we're in a competition to open for KISS at
the PNC Arts Center in Holmdale, NJ. We're in 2nd place as of
tonight and could use all the help we can get to vote for us at
www.gconstage.com. We also auditioned for America's Got Talent
and made it as far as the semi-finals for NYC. We were brought
back from a field of over 70,000 people and got to play the Hammerstien
Ball room in NYC. It was great; we had a lot of fun.
What was the first KISS album you owned with Eric Carr on it?
How old were you?
The first album was The Elder. I was eleven years old and
even then I knew Eric was a great drummer; it was then and still
is my favorite KISS album. I had my doubts that they could replace
Peter, as he was the reason I started drumming to begin with,
but as soon as I heard Eric playing, I thought "Holy S**t,
KISS just stepped it up ten notches. Nothing against Peter,
but Eric was just a monster. He was so solid as a drummer, you
couldn't help but notice his input to the band immediately.
Did you get to see Eric Carr play live with KISS?
If so, how many times? Do you have any favorite memories of
those shows?
I got to see Eric on every tour he did with KISS except the
Creatures Of The night tour, a total of six times! Each
show was just amazing. To hear his influence on the band in the
studio was amazing, but to see him play live almost left me speechless.
The highlights of these shows were always his drum solos, especially
the tour where he started to incorporate electronic pads into
his kit.
How much do you feel Eric Carr influenced your drumming?
Let's see, If Peter was my first influence, or beginning influence
if you will, Eric was definitely my advanced influence. After
I heard Eric play on the Elder, I wanted to learn everything he
did. I wanted to incorporate his style into what I was doing,
or should I say at that time, TRYING to do. Needless to say,
I can definitely and honestly still hear his influence on
my playing today.
If the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducts KISS, do you feel
Eric Carr should be included even though he was not the original
drummer of KISS and if so, why?
First off, I have no faith in the R&R Hall of Fame, they have
time and time again inducted the LEAST deserving people. I mean,
honestly, Madonna gets inducted before KISS? Before RUSH, before
UFO? I could keep going, but won't waste your time. It's embarrassing
that they call it the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. As far as Eric
being inducted, I feel that everyone who's been involved in keeping
KISS alive, should be inducted as part of the KISS legacy.
If you could ask Eric Carr one question today what would
it be?
I would just sit and ask him about his favorite memories of his
time with KISS, well, that and how much for lessons.
What is your favorite KISS song with Eric Carr on drums?
WOW, that's a tough one. With over ten years of great music
to pick from, it's almost impossible, but, if I'm being pinned
down to one, it would have to be Creatures Of The Night. Every
time I saw him play it live, the opening was just ferocious, that's
the only word I can think of to describe it. It was like a rampaging
beast was let loose on the drum kit, it was amazing.
Any closing thoughts?
Eric was an amazing drummer, songwriter and from what I've always
read or heard about him, he was an amazing person who always took
time out to meet the fans and make sure they knew he truly appreciated
their support and love for him. He was another one of many
who was taken from his friends, fans and most importantly, his
family, way too soon
Thanks Kevin and Good Luck.