Kiss – ‘The Rock ‘N Roots of Kiss’ (2025) – Album Review (The Kiss Bootleg Series)

Kiss is one of those bands that there are hundreds upon hundreds of bootlegs. Each year brings us a new batch and 2025 is no different. I was out shopping for Record Store Day Black Friday and discovered three bootlegs at Repo Records. I didn’t have two of them, so I bought the two I didn’t already own. First up is ‘The Rock ‘N Roots of Kiss’. It is obviously, unofficial, and was released by a company called Rockin’ Bear Records. There are only 9 songs on here and they are simply a collection of songs from Radio Broadcasts in 1974 and 1975. Side A is all 1975 and Side B is from 1975.

Some bootlegs come with a lot of extra inserts, stickers and really cool pieces. This is not one of those releases. This is as bare bones as you can get. It does have a nice thick cover, but the vinyl is in a small clear plastic sleeve, no liner notes or anything to tell us what show these songs are from, but I think I figure it out some of it as we go through the album. It shouldn’t be hard as there weren’t a ton of radio broadcasts released, that I am aware. The only cool thing in here is the vinyl is a clear translucent color which is very nice. The artwork gives me AI vibes as someone got lazy and had the computer draw the cover. Still looks kinda cool though.

SIDE A:

Musically, the sound is actually fantastic for a bootleg. The album opens with a heavy bass thumping for the song “Strutter”. I mean it is really loud in the mix. Paul sounds live as the vocals shake a little as he moves to and from the mic a little. You get a great guitar solo from Ace, Peter’s drums sound solid, but as I said that bass is very prominent.

“Got to Choose” is up next and I love the eeriness of that opening guitar riff. A little tape wobble at times and if it wasn’t for sounding a little rough, you wouldn’t know it was truly a live show as crowd noise is basically non-existent. And for that, you get to hear Kiss in their prime. Young and hungry.

Next up is “Firehouse” and it sounds nasty…in a good way. It is a darker, meaner sounding version. Vocals are a little rough on this one as Paul fades at times probably due to where he was in relation to the mic. More heavy bass work and more killer guitar riffs and solo from Ace. Peter is killing it but he is too down in the mix to hear his skill which at this time of their career was awesome. He was the glue that held the groove together. And like the song always does, a siren goes off at the end in classic Kiss form.

“Nothin’ to Lose” is something Kiss believed in. In 1974 they were struggling and they played wherever they could to get noticed. The played as if they had nothing to lose. This one is definitely from Lansing, MI as Paul mentions it as he was talking up the crowd with Peter banging away at a cowbell. That would put this show as the one in East Lansing, MI on October 21, 1974. The band kicks in with full force and Gene attacks the lyrics. They were giving it everything they had. Back on the East Lansing show, there is a great full set bootleg of this called Electric Magic…and yes, I have it.

The last 1974 show is “Black Diamond” which is always a personal favorite for me. I love the lone guitar playing and Paul softly starting that first verse. Then after a pause, Peter counts it down with his sticks and the song explodes as the band all come in. Peter takes over the vocals and screams his way while still nailing the drum fills and beats. They dual guitars on this one are also killer and then Ace rips into the solo and this song gives you pretty much everything you’d want in a rock song.

SIDE B:

When you flip things over, it kicks off with a down and dirty version of “She”. Originally from Wicked Lester, the Kiss version is a more rocking track, with a slow and wicked groove. Gene’s vocals give you a menacing take on the lyrics. It is a raw, rough & ready styled song. More stellar guitar work from Ace with the solo and little fills between lines and then a drum barrage and more Ace solo work. I love the whole jam part between Ace and Peter then more Ace soloing and DAMN!…totally badass and I’m loving it!! This is what made me love Ace the most back in the day! This song alone is worth having this bootleg. It doesn’t get any better than this.

“C’mon And Love Me” is another rocker, way more uplifting than “She” as far as vibe goes. Paul’s vocals are a little rough around the edges, but still a totally fun song as it is catchy as hell. But give me more heavy guitar.

Don’t worry, that happens with the next track as it gives us one of their most memorable riffs with “Cold Gin”. I like how this one has both Paul and Gene singing. I don’t remember that happening very often. They should’ve done more of it. Now, Paul was definitely louder between the two of them which makes me think the recording had Paul mic’d as the focus more than Gene.

And like most Kiss shows, it ends with “Rock And Roll All Nite”. What more can you say about this one that has been said a million times before. The perfect rock anthem to end all rock anthems and to end a show. They always go out with a bang. When we get to Ace’s solo, the sound changes a little as it became way more muffled and so I wonder if the tape was damaged. Doesn’t detract form the enjoyment though.

I will admit when I bought this, I had pretty low expectations as it wasn’t a full show and I didn’t even know it was taken from radio broadcasts. However, I thoroughly enjoyed this. If you only have time for a short show, then throw this on and you will get your fix. As I said earlier, this is a band that was young and still very hungry as they hadn’t fully broke through to the big time. That I think is why these early Kiss shows are the best. The packaging was pretty basic and bleh…but at least the music made up for it. My Overall Score is a 3.5 out of 5.0 Stars.

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)