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kinetix
As their name suggests, Kinetix is the quintessence of energy. The band exudes it; a commanding force of musical motion that they exert on stage and spreads to their audience. I have been an avid fan since I saw them at Summer Camp 2012 (check out their set here.)
Kinetix put everything into their show and I knew that they had the soul that distinguishes greatness in artists.
Their live performances have always demonstrated their versatility, range and captivating vigor, now we finally get to feel it anywhere on their new EP “Never Too Late.” Included are three singles, all different in their style but equally awesome and powerful. Kinetix is changing it up – evolving their sound and expanding their talent. Upbeat rhythms, strong beats and funky melodies make their new releases a reflection of their spirit. Hailing from Denver, the band has an exceptional relationship with Josh Fairman on bass, George Horn on drums, Chris Beck on keyboard, Jordan Linit on guitar and Adam Lufkin on guitar and vocals. Adam’s words resonate with significance and combined with the band’s instrumental capacity they are transcending genres and challenging the current music scene. In April Kinetix is traveling throughout the northern Midwest on their EP release tour so you will have the opportunity to experience their energy and feel it move you. In the meantime you can listen to and download their music for free on soundcloud and you will find yourself needing mo’ Kinetix love.
I have good news for all you Scampers in the southern Illinois and southern IN area that usually have to travel quite a bit in order to catch some of your favorite bands of Summer Camp. For myself, living in rural southern IL, I almost always have to travel nearly 4 hours
to Chicago if I want to catch my favorite bands. But now, we’re in luck!
I recently had the pleasure of attending an extremely energetic Kinetix show at Lamasco Bar & Grill in Evansville, IN. Located near the river boat casino (if you’re into that sort of thing), Lamasco has had several of our Summer Camp favorites, including Ultraviolet Hippopotamus, Kinetix, & Strange Arrangement just in the last month. They also have hula hoop clinics during the week!!
Jordan on right; Adam on left – both just wailing
It’s a small venue, not a bad seat in the house, and the music goes late into the night, just like I like it. The whole experience is extremely laid back with the band interacting with the crowd the whole show and chatting with anyone and everyone during the set breaks. We spoke to George (drums) for a while while he cooled off from their first set. I asked him how he he came to play drums and he begins by telling us he began his music career playing the violin. However as luck would have it, he chose to play percussion in his music session at camp and there sparked his passion. George then dedicated time throughout his entire life to it, and here he is today, a great addition to this talented band.
Amy Word (Manager) and Me all smiles
The bar gets its great vibe from it’s general manager Amy Word who looks like she’s having a better time than anyone. She was actually putting Kinetix up for the night before they were off early to play Martyr’s in Chicago (which I heard was an awesome show as well – making the JamBase main page). Amy was super nice and made sure to talk the patrons – and dance with them too! We’ll definitely be hitting up Lamasco in the future.
As for Kinetix, they had great energy as usual, and didn’t miss a beat even though they’ve been touring without Eric Blumfeld’s voice after he had surgery a bit ago (however, he was still rockin on the keyboard). We all look forward for a speedy recovery, you rock Eric and we wish you the best! They played mostly covers with a few originals tossed in for good measure. It was an amazing show overall. Here’s the set list they gave me after the show, but I know there is no way it’s complete. They look like they have a great time on stage and flow from cover to cover, teasing different songs all the way through. The showed kicked off strong and never slowed down.
1. I shot the Sheriff > Own Mind > Sun is Shinging
2. It’s never too late > Cramp Your Style > Grassy Knoll
3. Duck Sauce
4. Mo Luv > Another Day
5. Cocaine Blues
6. What’s on Your Mind? > Afraid to Fall
7. Crazy Train
8. People (start hoppin’)
Check out a little glimpse of the show:
Times have changed. We live in a world where we are constantly bombarded by information. Technology advances with leaps and bounds. Movies come out by the dozens. Music is growing and evolving at the same pace and there are so many bands and so many sounds and so many ways to listen. It can almost be too much – so much music that I find myself sifting and sorting through thousands of songs and bands to find only a handful that have the right combination of ability, style, and uniqueness to make me want to listen to more.
Kinetix is one of those bands. In preparing for Summer Camp and trying to make a schedule of the bands I absolutely had to see, I looked them up online and started watching some of the live shows they posted on their myspace page. Within seconds I could tell Kinetix needed to fit into my SC schedule. They had a funky rock rhythm and Eric Bloomfield’s vocal skill was apparent right away. I listened to all the live music they had posted and then immediately bought their album Let Me In.
The album had a different feel than their live performances. It was not as rustic or funky and had more of a pop/rock type of sound, however this only adds to their talent by demonstrating their versatility. “Big Screen” became my favorite off the album, with “Wishing Well” and “Let Me In” also standing out as great tracks. Each member is a great musician who adds their own flavor to the music. Adam Lufkin rocks out on guitar and then is also a great singer with unique rapper style vocals. George Horn is awesome on the drums – playing sweet beats to the wide range of Kinetix’s musical reach. Josh Fairman’s fun personality is apparent through the way he wails on bass (and flails that crazy hair of his). Jordan Linit is an awesome guitar player who brings so much energy to their performances. Finally, Eric not only sings but jams on the keyboard as well.
By the time Summer Camp finally arrived I was so excited to catch them live. It was one of the best sets at the festival. They’re energy was wonderful – it was great to see the band getting so into their music, having so much fun – especially considering the overwhelming heat that day. They mixed it up with some covers and some originals, but it was all converted to that funky Kinetix rock sound that made impossible not to start hoppin’. After their set I made my way up to them to see if they were up for an interview, which is posted in a previous blog and you should all check out. All five members were really nice, down to earth guys and it was a pleasure getting to meet them.
They have a myspace page and a facebook page and they post a ton of their music; make sure to listen to “Spinning Out” and “People Start Hoppin’” and definitely watch some of their live performances. I very much hope that they come play at Summer Camp next year. This is a band I truly love and recommend to all you music lovers. If you can make it happen – go to one of their shows, trust me, you don’t want to miss out.
Hola Scampers!
So yesterday was amazing! I was running around all day trying to catch all the awesome music but there is just too much and I had to miss out on some great sets. However, I did manage to see quite a few; and get some interviews!
Kinetix JAMMED hard; they were so energetic and pulled out some great covers, such as “With a Little Help from My Friends” by the Beatles, and “Crazy Train” by Ozzy. Marcus Rezak from Digital Tape Machine made an appearance and added some killer riffs to the performance. After the show the band was up for an interview and we asked them a few questions - watch the video. They were all really cool people and if you still haven’t checked out their music what are you waiting for?
After that interview I was able to catch the end of Cornmeal and they put on such a great show (as always). The way they play is so alive; it didn’t matter that the sun was mean, every single person was dancing their feet sore. Especially the CornStalkers; a wonderful group of dedicated fans. Afterwards I had a chance to sit down with Wavy Dave and ask him a few questions; check out that video too!
Primus brought they’re usual madness to the stage and had a great light show. Lotus followed suit and put on a great performance, also with some killer lights. They are serioulsy the masters of transitions…they flawlessly flow from one rythm to another and one song to another.and then bring it all together for one final groove down.
As I had mentioned before, Summer Camp isn’t just about the music but also about having fun with your friends and just enjoying the experience of being at camp. This weekend is our yearly reunion with all my friends from college and catching up and story telling at our campsite took us past the late nights, so unfortunately I wasn’t able to see Les Claypool and the Dead Kenny G’s or Haha the Moose, but based on the reviews I heard around - both put on great sets.
Can’t wait for tomorrow. As always, this weekend is going by way too fast.
I started off my day with some yoga in the Soulshine tent at 10am with yoga instructor Tammy. She’s a fantastic lady! It was really packed, but luckily everyone was able to fit under the tent.
Once I was rejuvenated, I went back to camp and got ready for the day. I ended up back at the Soulshine tent to peek at the Umphrey’s McGee Golden Ticket event and picked up my Umphrey’s Street Team flyers and goodies. Then I hit up some Keller Williams at the Moonshine stage in the heat of the day. It’s always fantastic to see his smiling face and I was ecstatic to hear him play one of my favorite tunes Freaker by the Speaker.
After catching a break in the shade from the brutal sun, the clouds thankfully rolled in giving everyone a much needed break from the sun. Then I caught some Kinetix at the Campfire stage. Everyone in the crowd was dancin’ their booties off. They even played a cover of Crazy Train by Ozzy Osbourne. Then I headed over to the Moonshine stage early to get a good spot for one of my favorite bands, Gogol Bordello. I’ve seen this band several times, and I’ve never seen a crowd for one of their shows with as much energy as my fellow Scampers had. It was simply amazing, every single person wasn shakin’ their hips or stompin’ their feet. Some of the songs that they played were Immigrant Punk, Pala Tute, Immigraniada, Wonders Lust King, Not a Crime, and When Universes Collide.
Once Gogol was done, I hung around and got a front row spot for Primus. I’ve seen Primus and Les Claypool over 6 times, so it’s refreshing to see Les, especially when he comes out with his infamous pig mask on. About halfway through the set, I was in total shock when Eugene Hutz, Sergey Ryabtsev, and Yuri Lemeshev from Gogol Bordello came on stage and played a song with Primus! It was simply amazing and a dream come true. A few songs later, Primus even had Bob Weir come out! Things like this would of course only happen at Summer Camp!
Then I stopped back at camp to put on my Attack of the Killer Tomatoes costume and checked out Les Claypool and the Dead Kenny G’s at late night. They were fantastic! I think I filled my Les Claypool void for the weekend.
Love, hugs, and thugs,
-Mo
What a way to start the New Years Run…Normally I see 1 band for 3 nights for New Years, but this one was gonna be different. Instead I’d be seeing 4 bands over 3 nights. One of those bands and one of those nights was one of the best New Year’s Eve that has ever taken place anywhere in the world, but more about that in a later post 
What I am here to talk to you about to day is a certain Mr. Troy Andrews, or as you may know him, Trombone Shorty. I am not super familiar with the brass band jam scene, but all I know is Trombone Shorty is the BEST trombone player I have ever seen in my life. On Wednesday and Thursday December 28th and 29th Trombone Shorty and his band, Orleans Avenue absolutely obliterated the Bluebird Theater in Denver.
I was lucky enough to know each of the 2 opening bands. The first night, Kinetix. The second night, the Fox Street Allstars. Wednesday night Kinetix was amazing, and to be honest, I was shocked. These guys were working with a new drummer and we all know that if the drums aren’t working, nothing is going to be working…to my surprise though, George, the new guy, not only learned the music perfectly (minus one hitch in the night…but hey, no one is perfect) but he CRUSHED IT!!! They sounded so good, they looked so good, one of the best Kinetix shows I can remember, and I’ve seen these guys about 150 times. Check out this sweet picture compliments of Kit Chalberg and Listen Up Denver, a great local music blog, check them out at www.listenupdenver.com
The second night was the Fox Street All Stars turn. Just another installation of a local band wreaking sonic havoc upon the souls of the unknowing…I know, that was little out there, but basically they played a heck of a show. Things are starting to come together for those guys…they are regular touring partners with the New Mastersounds, they continue to play great supporting slots at local venues, and they are about to get back in the studio to put another album together. Their new songs are awesome. Take it or Leave it is probably my favorite. It’s a super funky upbeat tune and the first lyrics are “I know you like to think your shit ain’t stinky, but it’s smellin’ pretty bad,” so you get the gist of what the tune is about. This show was phenomenal and their sound was a great fit for the Trombone Shorty crowd, so if you like him, check these dudes out. Here’s a couple more pictures, this time from Tim Dwenger at Listen Up…
Moving onto the star of both shows, Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue. Man, they were amazing. I would love to see these guys get a set a Summer Camp this year. So much energy so many influences. Sure it’s a brass band but they are influenced by jazz, hip hop, and they even do some light yamming. Even if you aren’t into this genre, you need to see these guys perform. I promise you won’t be disappointed. Thanks again to Tim Dwenger at Listen Up for some great shots!
