Cold Gin

Zoo Freaks, get ready to crank up the volume as the Zoo Crew spins Cold Gin by KISS from their self-titled debut album! This track, penned by lead guitarist Ace Frehley, is a gritty anthem about finding warmth in a bottle of gin during tough times. Frehley revealed in a Songfacts interview that he wrote Cold Gin on a New York subway, jotting down both lyrics and music in a spiral notebook without ever taking a guitar lesson. He called it a “Kiss classic,” a sentiment echoed by fans who’ve made it a staple on compilations and live sets. The song’s raw energy stems from its origins in KISS’s early days, with Gene Simmons noting in the same interview that he suggested a key change to a G riff section, while Paul Stanley tweaked the arrangement to polish it into the track we know today. Its iconic opening riff and unapologetic vibe have landed it at #7 on Guitar World’s greatest drinking songs list, #14 on Liquor.com’s top 15, and #32 on TimeOut.com’s 50 best drinking songs.

Another gem from Frehley’s past adds color to the song’s story. Around 1978, he shared in an interview that he used to deliver for a liquor store and would bring cheap gin to rehearsals in a cold Bleecker Street loft to “warm up” the band, inspiring the song’s title and lyrics. This connection to KISS’s New York roots is celebrated in their Drink It Up by KISS spirits line, which includes a Cold Gin bottle launched in 2021. Andreas Werling, who designed the bottle’s label, told Ultimate Classic Rock in 2022 that he embedded “Easter eggs” for fans, like the address 10 East 23rd Street, a nod to KISS’s early NYC haunts. Paul Stanley quipped in a statement, “If gin is your thing, then this is the one to bring. Like the song, this one’s a classic!” The band’s official X account hyped the gin’s U.S. release in March 2022, offering limited-edition guitar picks with orders, tying the song’s legacy to their larger-than-life branding.

Cold Gin also shines in KISS’s live performances, often extended by two minutes for Frehley’s electrifying guitar solos. Fans on KissAsylum.com, a dedicated fan site, rave about its raw power, with some calling it a foreshadowing of Frehley’s prowess as a songwriter and axeman. The song’s influence extends beyond music—KISS’s Facebook page and fan groups like KISS Army Official Fan Club buzz with stories of fans toasting to Cold Gin at concerts. Its unpolished edge captures the band’s early struggle, a theme that resonates with Zoo Freaks who vibe with the underdog spirit of the Zoo Crew’s eclectic spins.

KISS formed in New York City in 1973, born from the ashes of Wicked Lester, a band fronted by Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley. Craving a bolder sound and image, they recruited drummer Peter Criss and guitarist Ace Frehley, crafting a theatrical hard rock style that blended face paint, pyrotechnics, and larger-than-life personas. According to their Billboard biography, KISS quickly became live favorites, spitting blood and fire while delivering hits like Rock and Roll All Nite. Their self-titled debut, recorded in 1973 at Electric Ladyland Studios with producer Eddie Kramer, included Cold Gin among tracks like Deuce and Strutter, as noted in a March 2023 X post by the band. This raw energy and fan-first ethos—evident in their Instagram posts showcasing live crowds—propelled them to global fame by 1976 with albums like Destroyer.

KISS’s marketing genius, from comics to their Cold Gin spirits, set them apart, as detailed on Cryptic Rock. They’ve generated more merchandise revenue than any other artist, a testament to their bond with fans, who connect on platforms like KissAsylum.com and KISS Army Official Fan Club. Despite lineup changes and periods without makeup, KISS’s commitment to fun, flashy rock endures, making them a perfect fit for the Zoo Crew’s vinyl-spinning, free-spirited vibe. Check out their official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X for the latest updates, and join the KISS Army to keep the party going, Zoo Freaks!