Original KISS drummer Peter Criss is set to make a long-awaited return with a brand-new solo album, Peter Criss, due out December 19.
Co-produced by Criss alongside Barry Pointer — known for his work with Ozzy Osbourne, Mötley Crüe, John 5, Steve Stevens, and more — the album brings together an impressive roster of guest musicians. Among them are Billy Sheehan and Matthew Montgomery (a.k.a. Piggy D.) on bass, John 5 and Mike McLaughlin on guitar, and the iconic Paul Shaffer on piano. Backing vocals are provided by Dennis and Sharon Collins, along with Cat Manning of CAT 5.
Speaking earlier this year on The Rock Experience With Mike Brunn, Criss described the personnel enthusiastically.
“Yeah, I’m excited,” Peter said. “I got Billy Sheehan, Paul Shaffer, Johnny 5… I got Piggy from Rob Zombie. So it’s like a dream team band.”
Criss described the new record as a passion project he has wanted to make for a long time. “And it’s a real Peter Criss album,” he stated at the time. “It’s an album I always wanted to do. And hopefully the fans will like it.”
He reiterated this sentiment in a comment to Rolling Stone, adding, “I had an absolute blast doing this album, and everyone was so much fun to work with — they were just amazing.”
This project has been in development for over a decade. Criss previously discussed the album’s progress during a 2014 appearance at the All Things That Rock festival. At the time, he promised a different sound, saying: “I want it to be heavier than I’ve usually done my stuff.”
He also explained the long delay, noting his deliberate pace. “I’ve been sitting on a record… I’m still messing with it,” he said in 2014. “I don’t wanna rush it.”
According to a statement on the project’s Bandcamp page, “Peter Criss represents the Catman’s return to form, and his most rock-driven solo album ever.”
All CD and digital versions of the album will include the bonus track “Hard Rock Knockers,” while vinyl editions will come with a download card for the same track.
Peter Criss track listing:
- Rock, Rockin’, Rock & Roll (feat. Billy Sheehan and Paul Shaffer)
- In The Dark (feat. Billy Sheehan and Paul Shaffer)
- For The Money (feat. Billy Sheehan and Paul Shaffer)
- Murder (feat. Billy Sheehan and Paul Shaffer)
- Walking On Water (feat. Billy Sheehan and Paul Shaffer)
- Creepy Crawlers (feat. John 5, Billy Sheehan and Paul Shaffer)
- Justice (feat. John 5, Billy Sheehan and Paul Shaffer)
- Cheaper To Keep Her (feat. Billy Sheehan and Paul Shaffer)
- Sugar (feat. Billy Sheehan and Paul Shaffer)
- Rubberneckin’ (feat. John 5, Billy Sheehan and Paul Shaffer)
- Hard Rock Knockers (feat. Billy Sheehan and Paul Shaffer) (bonus track)
A teaser trailer for the album’s first single, “Creepy Crawlers,” is available below, offering fans a first taste of what’s to come from Criss’s long-awaited return to the rock scene.
