Various – Hard To Believe - A Kiss Covers Compilation

A fun little compilation record with lots of awesome names from the grunge scene. Nirvana, Skinyard, Melvins, ect. would have loved to seen a Soundgarden track as i think chris’s voice would be perfect for a KISS cover but other than that itsba solid must have for any grunge fan. anything official with nirvana this cheep is also crazy.

Commenting on V/A: HARD TO BELIEVE - A KISS COVERS COMPILATION, The original Waterfront version is on Red vinyl, whereas this compilation from Southern Records is on Black vinyl, C/Z version is on Pink.

Versions:
Waterfront Records DAMP-121 (Australia**, 8/90 - Double LP, Red Vinyl)
Southern Records DAMP-121 (UK, 8/90 - Single LP in Gatefold)
Records (Europe, 8/90 - Single LP)
C/Z Records CZ-024 (USA, 8/90 - Single LP in Gatefold)

Type 1 [1990] with first cover:
A1. Detroit Rock City BULLET LaVOLTA
A2. Parasite SMELLY TONGUES
A3. Snowblind SKIN YARD
A4. Deuce HELLMENN
A5. Christine Sixteen ALL
A6. Calling Dr. Love HULLABALOO
B1. God Of Thunder MELVINS
B2. Beth COFFIN BREAK
B3. Rip It Out CHEMICAL PEOPLE
B4. I Want You KING SNAKE ROOST
B5. Do You Love Me? NIRVANA
B6. Lick It Up THE HARD-ONS
13. War Machine* INSTIGATORS
14. Makin' Love* THRUST
15. Love Gun* SURFIN´ CAESARS

Type 2 [1993] with second cover:
01. Detroit Rock City BULLET LaVOLTA
02. Parasite SMELLY TONGUES
03. Snowblind SKIN YARD
04. Deuce TREEPEOPLE
05. Christine Sixteen ALL
06. Calling Dr Love HULLABALOO
07. God Of Thunder MELVINS
08. Beth COFFIN BREAK
09. Rip It Out CHEMICAL PEOPLE
10. I Want You KING SNAKE ROOST
11. Do You Love Me? NIRVANA
12. Lick It Up THE HARD-ONS

Songs that appear on other versions:
01. Is That You? GIRL MONSTAR
02. Sure Know Something WHIPPER (Featuring ROCK HARD)
03. Charisma PLUNDERERS **
04. Beth THE HARD-ONS

* were first issue CD bonus tracks.

Notable due to Nirvana's inclusion, but other independent bands and those obscure from the mainstream feature, both from the US and elsewhere. The concept started out as an Australian only tribute project organized by Waterfront Records, who distributed records for many of the Australian Punk bands who'd record for the album. Waterfront distributed US indie label C/Z's band's releases in OZ, and vice-versa, so C/Z licensed the concept and added US acts to make the album a more international project.

Interestingly, Nirvana's recording is their only studio recording with Jason Everman, as second guitarist, and Chad Channing on drums. It was recorded at Evergreen State College in the spring of 1989.

In 1993 when KISS were planning "KISS My Ass", Gene threatened a "Cease & Desist" for the copyright violations, notably on the cover, of the original version. C/Z hastily reissued the album with the second cover, and a note on the inside that pleaded, "love ya Gene, baby, please don't sue us"!
The album was originally offered to Seattle label Sub Pop to distribute, but they passed on it. Has been reissued on a couple of occasions, so the album sleeves can vary (Single sleeve versus Gatefold).

(source:http://www.kissfaq.com/discography/tributes/tributes.html & http://cgi.cafr.ebay.ca/Nirvana-Hard-Believe-Kiss-Covers-Compilation-PINK-/150414125223#ht_5628wt_1026)

(by Dale Sherman - Black Diamond 2) :
This album was originally released overseas and arrived in America in 1993. Included on this never-licensed by KISS or PolyGram album was a group that was to do very well within the next few years, Nirvana.

KISS has threatened to sue the label due this album, then decided to release their own cover album instead, which is where the initial idea for "Kiss My Ass" came from. C/Z Records would reissue "Hard To Believe" in 1994 to sponge off of possible sales for the other album, and included in their revised version of the cover artwork (which had become a black cover with gray lettering and lipstick representing the "I" in Kiss - see next tribute album) a message to Gene which read: "Love ya Gene, baby... please do not sue us." This album, its reissue and the "Kiss My Ass" album has lead to other cover album as well, including the Norwegian album "Flaming Youth" and then an Ace Frehley tribute album in 1996, among others.

The original cover of the album featured artwork of the four original members in their make-up with their images warped just enough to avoid possible legal prosecution. The original pressing of the album also included a gatefold which opened to display a variety of KISS merchandise, including a Vinnie "WIZ" Vincent doll.

The American version of the album (and reissue) contains some different tracks than the Waterfront version: "Hellmen", "Whipper Snappers", "Surfin Caesars" and "Plunderers" are gone, with "Hullabaloo" ("Calling Dr. Love"), "Threepeople" ("Deuce") and "Melvins" ("God Of Thunder") taking their places.
(source: http://www.kiss-related-recordings.nl/tribute_hardtobelieve.html)