The Los Angeles based UNION is not to be confused with the early 1980s band of the same name. The more recent UNION involving a liaison forged late 1996 after both main players, vocalist JOHN CORABI and guitarist BRUCE KULICK, were somewhat unceremoniously discarded by MOTLEY CRÜE and KISS respectively. CORABI and KULICK added bassist JAMIE HUNTING (previously with WILD ULTRA WILD, EDDIE MONEY and DAVID LEE ROTH) and drummer BRENT FITZ (veteran of Canadian act SEVENTH HEAVEN, also played with GILBY CLARKE and BULLETBOYS) to the line-up, and the UNION was forged.

KULICK had served as lead guitarist for KISS from 1984-1996, occupying a position previously held by ACE FREHLEY and VINNIE VINCENT, the latter who he replaced. CORABI had replaced vocalist VINCE NEIL within the MOTLEY CRUE ranks, recording the eponymous MOTLEY CRUE album in 1994, before departing in 1996.

The underdogs of rock, seeing both were more or less shafted by their former bands in favor of money reunions, were actually introduced to each other by MOTLEY CRÜE bassist NIKKI SIX, after which the pair began writing songs together in collaboration with tunesmith BUDDY CURT CUOMO. Because of their musical backgrounds UNION was expected to play a type of hedonistic, decadent pop-metal-sleaze-hard-rock that KISS and the CRUE were famous for. Instead, in keeping with the times, UNION'S music leaned more towards alternative heavy rock, with some Seattle-type grunge influences, as demonstrated on their self-titled debut album, released on MAYHEM RECORDS in 1998. While the album was technically well performed, it unfortunately failed to make much of an impression on the record buying public.

So subsequently it seemed somewhat of a strange move for the band to release LIVE AT THE GALAXY as a second album, a live album from a tour supporting a debut album that wasn't that big a hit. But in retrospect it was the right decision, and showcased UNION the way they were meant to be heard at that time: live! UNION definitely kicks more ass here than they did on their studio-recorded debut. Songs like OLD MAN WISE and TANGERINE benefit from road experience and the live setting. Additionally KULICK and CORABI beef up the set-list with some gems from their musical history. KULLICK sings I WALK ALONE, from the CARNIVAL OF SOULS album, which was his vocal debut with KISS. And CORABI turns the nearly forgotten CRÜE number POWER TO THE MUSIC into a killer show-closer. Furthermore there's a rocking and rousing cover of the CHEAP TRICK anthem SURRENDER, and an enjoyable acoustic version of the BEATLES tune, YOU'VE GOT TO HIDE YOUR LOVE AWAY, one of two bonus studio tracks on the record, the other being OCTOBER MORNING WIND, an original song. Aurally the album sounds also sounds terrific, resulting in a slab of pure rock and roll, undiluted by even the slightest contrivance. In all UNION proves they are a great rocking live act, and this live album is a far better introduction to the band than their debut studio effort was. LIVE AT THE GALAXY was originally released in 1999 on CLEOPATRA RECORDS in the USA, and on the SPITFIRE label in Europe. Due to the continued interest in UNION, and especially in BRUCE KULICK and JOHN CORABI, we at MAUSOLEUM jumped at the opportunity to make it available again.

In 2000 album number three, THE BLUE ROOM, appeared, on which UNION'S performance sounded much more experienced than their short lifespan let on. The dual guitarists rock hard, cranking out power chords reminiscent of their classic rock background, producing irrevocable hooks and big waves of sound of multilayered guitars and interwoven vocals. The album reminds you of bands like BOSTON, as well as SMASHING PUMPKINS, with even the odd pinch of a BEATLES reference. One of the strongest songs on this classic UNION album is DEAR FRIEND, a tribute to the late KISS drummer ERIC CARR, who died of cancer in 1991. BRUCE KULICK sings lead vocals on it, and his guitar work is equally marvellous. JOHN CORABI'S outstanding contribution on this album is without doubt the track, DO YOUR OWN THING. There is minimal change, or development compared to their earlier releases, except for the overall sonic texture being a few shades closer to a digitally recorded sound than the warm and fuzzy analogue sound of their debut, and live album. Still UNION manage to retain every ounce of the earlier albums' natural feeling, with THE BLUE ROOM featuring basic straight-ahead rock and roll overlaid with melodies too obvious to be ignored by radio, or anyone with ears for that matter.
So the THE BLUE ROOM was certainly a creative and artistic success, but once more it was not that big in a commercial way. Later in 2000, JOHN CORABI surprisingly joined RATT as singer and guitarist. Meanwhile BRUCE KULICK created AUDIODOG and also joined GRAND FUNK RAILROAD.

UNION, comprising the original line up of KULICK, CORABI, HUNTING and FITZ announced a series of reunion shows in Japan for January 2005. With FITZ unable to attend, KISS drummer ERIC SINGER stepped in as replacement. The success of these concerts in turn encouraged a reformation of ERIC SINGER'S E.S.P. band for European dates in April, with SINGER and KULICK inviting JOHN CORABI along. Bassist CHUCK GARRICK (DIO and ALICE COOPER) completed the line-up.

In the end UNION deserved more commercial success then the dollop they were allocated, for the simple reason that what they do, they do better than most any comparable band out there. We hope to see the original line-up again: on stage, and in the recording studio.