Gene Simmons, Eric Carr, Paul Stanley, Bruce Kulick

Gatefold picture LP version of "Smashes".

 

Release date: November 14, 1988.

"Let's Put The X In Sex" was one of the last songs Paul Stanley would write with Desmond Child. Paul completed the vocal track for the song in London while the band was in Europe for the continuation of their "Crazy Nights" tour and "Monsters Of Rock" summer market appearances. The band generally doesn't look back with fondness on this track.

"(You Make Me) Rock Hard" was Paul's teaming with Diane Warren and Desmond Child. This song would be released as the second single from the album and a video would be produced and directed by Rebecca Blake.

The UK version of "Smashes Thrashes and Hits" included "Crazy Crazy Nights". In the UK the song reached #4 on the charts in the summer of '87. The UK version also includes "Reason To Live" as the song was a minor hit reaching #33 on the UK charts. Both songs are the same as was released on the "Crazy Nights" album.

A special gatefold, picture disc vinyl version of "Smashes, Thrashes & Hits" was released with the sub-title of "15 Years of Kisstory". (pictured at left and below)

Gene Simmons:

"I don't like the new songs, "Let's Put the X in Sex" and "Rock Hard". But it's interesting when you do stuff your perspective isn't always clear. When we were doing it we said, "Gee, this rocks!" -Kiss-Behind the Mask, p. 376

Paul Stanley:

"We spent a lot of time remixing, remastering, making sure that all the songs were everything they could be. Having Eric sing was natural. Eric's a great singer. The two new songs were written three days before we went into the studio. I think the new songs written for that blow. I think they really suck. But I think besides that, it's a really great album. Five stars." -Kiss-Behind the Mask, p. 376

"The songs were horrible. "Rock Hard" was written by me, Desmond Child, and Diane Warren–a case of these great minds gone terribly wrong. "X in Sex" wasn't much better." -Paul Stanley, Face the Music-A Life Exposed, p. 320

Bruce Kulick:

"Having Eric Carr sing "Beth" was torture for him. A knife at Peter was thrown for sure!" -Kiss-Behind the Mask, p. 376