What Was KISS’s First Album? 

KISS (1974): The Album That Launched a Rock ‘n’ Roll Circus

Hard to believe KISS (1974) dropped 51 years ago—my knees are creaking just thinking about it. Back in ‘74, rock bands had mystique, cigarettes weren’t bad for you (or so we thought), and your biggest dilemma was vinyl vs. 8-track. Then came KISS: four leather-clad maniacs who looked like comic book villains and sounded like a bar fight. Their debut album? Pure swagger, stomping riffs, and enough attitude to fuel a thousand pyrotechnics.

A Bar Band Gone Nuclear

Before the fire-breathing, blood-spitting, and lunchbox deals, KISS was just a grease-painted gang grinding it out in seedy clubs. Their debut packed 10 tight, punchy tracks dripping with sweat and sleaze. Gene Simmons’ bass was thick, Paul Stanley’s vocals raw, and Ace Frehley’s solos? Pure lightning. Peter Criss held it all down with a backbeat that made you want to chug a beer and throw a punch (not necessarily in that order).

And let’s talk about the look—these guys weren’t just a band, they were larger-than-life rock gods with alter egos straight out of a fever dream:

• The Demon 😈: Gene Simmons – The fire-breathing, blood-spitting mastermind.
• The Starchild ⭐: Paul Stanley – The glam heartthrob with pipes to match.
• The Spaceman 🚀: Ace Frehley – Guitar licks straight from another planet.
• The Catman 🐱: Peter Criss – The scrappy, jazz-influenced backbone.

So, What’s on Their Tracklist?

Side 1 

1. Strutter
2. Nothin’ to Lose
3. Firehouse
4. Cold Gin
5. Let Me Know

Side 2

1. Kissin’ Time
2. Deuce
3. Love Theme from KISS
4. 100,000 Years
5. Black Diamond

“Strutter” kicked the door down with attitude and a riff that strutted as hard as its name. “Nothin’ to Lose” was a dirty, bluesy singalong about, well… let’s just say, adventurous romance. “Cold Gin” was Ace’s love letter to bad decisions—so legendary that Guitar World ranked it the 7th-best drinking song of all time.

Why It Still Matters

KISS wasn’t perfect—raw production, a band still finding its footing—but that’s what makes it significant. Before the platinum records, the merch empire, and Gene Simmons slapping the KISS logo on everything from condoms to coffins, they were just four guys making loud, sweaty rock ‘n’ roll.

So drop the needle, crank the volume, and relive the first time “Deuce” blew your mind. If that doesn’t take you back, maybe you need some cold gin 🍻—and a reminder of what real rock sounds like.

Deuce, 

Sam ✌️

KISS