Jeremy Asbrock of The Ace Frehley Band: 10 Albums That Changed My Life

Feature Photo Coutesy of Jeremy Asbrock

As far as solid rock players who are criminally underrated, you won’t find someone much better than Jeremy Asbrock. He’s long had a reputation for slinging his Les Paul with the best of them—just as any number of the well-respected session musicians around Nashville, Tennessee. But it wasn’t until Asbrock hooked up with Gene Simmons as a member of his solo band back in 2018 that he began to build up a significant head of steam.

Jeremy Asbrock and his fellow Simmons bandmate, Ryan Cook, were so reliably awesome that the Demon recommended them to old pal Ace Frehley, who was in search of a hot new band to tour with while supporting his solo records, such as his latest, 10,000 Volts (2024).

It’s been a match made in heaven, and Asbrock has capably filled the slot of second guitarist—though he often plays leads and carriers the guitar shebang—once filled by Tod Howarth and Richie Scarlet. Not too shabby. But that’s not all, as Asbrock and Cook, ever creative, formed their own band outside their activities with Frehley, Rock City Machine Co.

For Asbrock, Rock City Machine Co. is the next step in a journey steeped in rock ‘n’ roll. Their debut record, Rock City Machine Co., is an eight-track stunner, brimming with energy-infused, infectious tracks that any fan of hard rock, heavy metal, and even blues rock will love.

While preparing to hit the road with Ace Frehley supporting 10,000 Volts, Jeremy Asbrock beamed in with ClassicRockHistory.com to recount the ten albums that changed his life. Are any of these your favorite, too?

# 10 – Framed – The Sensational Alex Harvey Band (1972)

The first time I heard “Midnight Moses,” it almost knocked me down. I bought their whole catalog immediately and dove in hard. Zal Cleminson is one of the most underrated guitar players maybe ever. I was in a rut until Zal came into my life. There are licks that I lean on hard that I took from him.

# 9 – The Dirty Boogie – The Brian Setzer Orchestra (1998)

I had been getting into styles of music other than rock, and this album brought me back to high-energy guitar playing. It also had stuff like Merle Travis/Chet Atkins-style fingerpicking, which I was into then, and jazz chords I needed to learn. I still don’t. The high energy in the playing weirdly reconnected me with Eddie Van Halen. Brian Setzer is hugely overlooked as a guitar player.

# 8 – Led Zeppelin III – Led Zeppelin (1970)

As I was discovering all the greats and their catalogs, there was something about this record and the acoustic vibes that really sucked me in. It’s my favorite Zeppelin record for this reason.

# 7 – Through the Past, Darkly (Big Hits Vol 2.) – The Rolling Stones (1969)

This was the record that got me into the Stones. I’ve probably listened to the Mick Taylor years more, and it probably has more to offer guitar-wise, but these songs got me into the Stones. I kinda prefer stuff like “2000 Light Years from Home” and “She’s A Rainbow” over the jam-based stuff that followed.

# 6 – Split Milk – Jellyfish (1993)

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This album taught me how to listen to ’60s and ’70s rock. It also fueled my love for complex vocal harmonies, just as much a part of me as guitar playing. It was my entry to the catalogs of Queen and The Beach Boys and groups like Supertramp and 10cc. It’s perfect and still sounds amazing, lyrically, musically, and production-wise.

# 5 – Magical Mystery Tour – The Beatles (1967)

I had been listening to The Beatles Red Album [The Beatles 1962-1966] and was getting into them. Then I got Magical Mystery Tour. It tipped the scale. I did my high school term paper on The Beatles, and there was literally no turning back after that. There’s no band I’ve obsessed about harder. I have dug deep into every note, read every book, and searched for every bootleg. They are my end-all and be-all of music. They made me a better musician, opened my taste in music, and taught me about song craft, arranging, and being a great singer in a unit.

# 4 – Enuff Z’Nuff – Enuff Z’Nuff (1989)

This album was like a wolf in sheep’s clothing. And the reason I got into The Beatles. It’s like they put on that look to get my attention just to say, “No man… check this out!” The Beatles and Cheap Trick. The melodies and harmonies stole my heart and completely changed my musical path. It is truly one of the best albums and bands of the late ’80s.

# 3 – 1984 – Van Halen (1984)

It’s hard to pick one Van Halen album, so I went with the first one I bought, 1984. Edward is my absolute favorite guitar player. Groundbreaking lead work aside, he was one of the greatest rhythm players ever. His choice of chords, chord inversions, and how he plays them are so beautifully different. He could write amazing songs, sing great harmonies, and look amazing—the G.O.A.T. If Ace Frehley made me want to play guitar, Ed made me want to be my best and stay on the path.

# 2 – Who’s Greatest Hits – The Who (1983)

The only band I knew was Kiss when I was eight years old. The Who’s “final concert” was an HBO special. My brother told me, “They are in the Guinness Book of World Records as loudest band!” So, I had to check that out. Their reckless abandon resonated with me big time. The Who helped me realize at an early age that songs and rhythm guitar playing are just as, if not more important than lead guitar playing.

# 1 – Alive II – Kiss (1977)

The album and band that started it all. When I was four years old, a kid who lived behind me, who was a bit older, came outside with just the Alive II [double] records, with no cover. He told me he’d sell them for fifty cents apiece. My mom gave me enough for one. My brother told me to get the disc with sides three and four because it had “Shout It Out Loud.”

I dropped the needle, and the volume of the crowd, the band kicking in, and the bombs going off immediately set me on my path. I didn’t even know what playing in a band or a concert was, but I wanted to do it! An obsession was born right then—Kiss and rock ‘n’ roll. Gene [Simmons] and Ace [Frehley] were my guys. My path was set. It’s crazy how life can turn out.

Jeremy Asbrock of The Ace Frehley Band: 10 Albums That Changed My Life article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2024

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