METAL SLUDGE / September 4th 2026 – In a brand-new episode of Artist’s on Record with host Stefan Adika the guest is long-time Ace Frehley drummer Scot Coogan.
Coogan recently guested on Adika’s popular YouTube show and of course the topic of Kiss and Frehley were part of the 4-hour chat.
Coogan fired a few choice lines off when it comes to another former Ace Frehley drummer in Matt Starr.
It appears that Coogan doesn’t look fondly at Starr for selling Frehley related items and voiced his displeasure in the interview with Adika.
Adika’s podcast’s description of the Ace Frehley debate: “The truth about the unauthorized Ace Frehley drumhead sales is finally out.
A strange situation occurred when the guitarist discovered merchandise being sold without his knowledge during a 2023 performance. This story highlights the unexpected drama that happens behind the scenes of a KISS band tour.”
Coogan was asked by Adika about Starr selling related Ace items and whether or not the late Kiss icon was okay with it (as seen in the video above): “When I rejoined in ’23 umm, Matt (Starr) was really going hard, with the heads and the sticks, ‘I just found this… I just found this (drum) head, do you want it? Message me’, and umm, so I brought it to Ace’s attention and on Christmas Day ’23, Ace called Matt and said, ‘Merry Christmas’, and, ‘I’m gonna send my lawyer after you… a cease and desist, if you sell 1 more… 1 more item with my name on it’, and all of a sudden everything went dark. Everything went away. Nobody knows this stuff… (laughing)… but it’s all the truth.”
Coogan continues: “I’m speaking the truth… it all stopped. And then after he (Ace) passed away, it started to come out again. So, umm, and that’s when the Ace Frehley (tribute) band continued.”
Adika chimes in: “Hold on, that’s interesting… so Ace put a block, he blocked it?”
Coogan answers with: “Yes! A couple of the guys… we were all hanging out and somebody was making fun of it going, ‘Oh my God, that guy (Starr) is still selling these (Ace) things (drum gear)’, and I go, ‘Ace, that guy (Starr) is still, he’s still selling your stuff with your name, and I am the drummer now.”
The above content is also shared in a reel on Facebook.
Metal Sludge did a quick search of social media and found several Facebook posts from Matt Starr sharing images of related Ace Frehley drum heads and sticks and noted to fans if they were interested to contact him.
The items and posts shared below are as recent as 2026 and going back to the early 2020’s.
Editor’s Note: It should be stated that many musicians sell their instruments and other related items from past tours, rehearsals and studio sessions.
Coogan has done multiple stints recording (drums and lead vocals) in addition to touring with Frehley over the years… his first tenure ran a dozen years (2006-2018) and his second from 2023 until the guitarist’s death in October 2025.
Frehley was also the Best Man at Coogan’s wedding in early 2025.
Starr has also recorded and toured with Frehley over the years and a Google search states the following: “Matt Starr provided drums for Frehley‘s 2014 album [Space Invader] and contributed to subsequent releases including Origins, Vol. 1, Spaceman, and Origins Vol. 2.”
As of 2026 there is an Ace Frehley tribute band titled ‘The Ace Fehley Band‘ who are playing shows and the group features various former members of Frehley’s touring lineups from over recent years including; Ryan Cook (vocals, bass), Jeremy Asbrock (guitars) and Phil Shouse (guitars)… however it appears there are a few different drums filling the throne with some promotional materials noting Matt Starr and others noting its Christopher Williams.
Read more posts on Metal Sludge related to Ace Frehley, Matt Starr and Scot Coogan.
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