Jacksonville, FL. (Top40 Charts/ Mindsweep Entertainment & Promotions) - When you hear the term "rock and roll" many diverse ideas and opinions present themselves as parts of a broader definition for a genre of music that has dramatically evolved over the past sixty years while maintaining the elements of electronically amplified instruments with a strong, driving, and "electrifyingly" rhythmic beat that makes people everywhere want to get their groove on. As rock and roll has evolved, many different musicians have "paved the way" for the creation of the many sub-genres of rock music we hear today, artists such as The
Beatles are credited as a key influence in the creation of what is now known as classic rock; Led Zepplin and
Jimi Hendrix played a massive role in the creation of blues rock;
Black Sabbath,
Aerosmith and
Deep Purple created a sound which is now part of the definition of hard rock/heavy metal; and
Alice Cooper and KISS were the first to pilot the glam rock course. As rock and roll has evolved sub-genres have emerged that reflected the best of the sounds and styles of the music that came before them while creating a new sound and style at the same time, and Kill Van Kull has created music that is without a doubt, the next step in the evolution of rock and roll. Kill Van Kull's album "Edge of Sunrise" (released in late 2006), displays unique cutting edge music that reflects the best sounds and styles of classic rock and heavy metal with overtones of the blues and jazz music that originally gave birth to rock and roll.
"Edge of Sunrise" is an album packed with so many great tracks it was near impossible to pick only a few to write about so I will start in the most logical place- the beginning. "Hot Daze" pulls you in with a hard fast drum intro that jumps right into hard rocking guitar riffs that keep your attention through the entire song, and if that's not enough the vocals and lyrics hold true to rock and roll hook up anthems such as AC/DC's "You Shook Me All Night Long," with lines like "�Slide my fingers across your lips/Softly kiss your fingertips�Wrap yourself around me honey/Watch me come alive�" Following "Hot Daze" is the song "Then You Were Gone," a beautifully performed, well written, mainly acoustic song with heartfelt, meaningful lyrics and powerful electric guitar riffs strategically mixed together creating an auditory masterpiece, (expressing a unique musical styling reflective of Led Zepplin's "Stairway to Heaven," which incidentally was voted No 3 on VH1's list of the "100 Greatest Rock Songs" in 2000), that only begins to show the diversity of their musical range.
On any truly great rock and roll album there has to be a song worthy of rock and roll anthem status and "Kick em and Smile" is exactly that. "Kick em and Smile" starts out with blazing guitar riffs, a steady bass beat, and lyrics that let out the anger while bringing a smile to your face at the same time. This is definitely a band and song I would want to see and hear perform at any Van Halen, Motley Crue, or Alice in Chains concert, or perhaps on tour with Ozzfest or Locobazooka.
Further displaying Kill Van Kull's talent and diverse range is the track "Sweet Summertime," drawing you in via a steady beat and blues sound accented perfectly by a rock and roll edge. The vocals fit perfectly and are complimented by the musical interludes featuring a smooth yet sharp and steady jazz/blues saxophone. Similarly the song "Rock It Steady" starts off with a jazz/blues sound using horn arrangements and guitar riffs flawlessly integrated with a hard rock style chorus and vocals equally as amazing as the instrumentals worthy of jamming out to at a Gov't Mule or Of A Revolution (O.A.R. for short) show or a festival like Gathering of the Vibes or Bonaroo, definitely music you can't help but dance to.
Speaking of blazing instrumentals worthy of performance at a Pink Floyd laser light show, the song "Edge of Sunrise" is a solely instrumental piece that truly captures and expresses the essence of a beautiful sunrise. "The Bottom" is a second instrumental piece that is a vast contrast to the "Edge of Sunrise" track with a fast pace and smoking blues riff interludes reminiscent of Stevie Ray Vaughan and Miles Davis, (and coming from a person who usually skips over instrumental pieces or becomes bored with them very quickly I can say that both of these songs I have voluntarily listened to repeatedly and loved more each time I pressed play). There are several other smoking hot songs on Kill Van Kull's album "Edge of Sunrise" that have more than just the potential to earn this band a permanent spot in rock and roll history. But if I gave it all away what wonderfully amazing surprises would you have to look forward to when you pop this disc in the CD player or press play on your I Pod?
Fans, potential fanatics, and interested execs can get a taste of Kill Van Kull's music by visiting their MySpace site at www.myspace.com/killvankull or via the band's official website at www.killvankull.com. Kill Van Kull's music can also be heard in the 2008 independent film "Mother May I," which features the tracks "Summer Rose," "Through the Night," and "Sweet Summertime" from the "Edge of Sunrise" CD. Additionally, one of my favorite tracks on the "Edge of Sunrise" CD, "Rock it Steady" will be featured in an upcoming movie starring Ethan Hawke and Vincent D'Onofrio titled "Staten Island". The fact that four tracks from one album are being used by multiple film makers (before the band has even been signed to a major record label), is proof of Kill Van Kull's boundless marketability and ability to appeal to younger college age rock and rollers everywhere from New York University to University of Southern California and to those rock and rollers who were around to hear The Ramones first live performance at CBGB's on August 16, 1974. Kill Van Kull's CD "Edge of Sunrise" is available for purchase through I Tunes as well as at www.CDBaby.com/killvankull, and of course through the band's official site and MySpace site (listed above).
Kill Van Kull's album "Edge of Sunrise" showcases an immeasurable amount of musical talent and diverse range with everything from songs reminiscent of 1980's heavy metal, (without being repetitive or monotonous) to strong, sharp, steady blues and jazz riffs that truly make you want to get your groove on (and I mean that in every sense of the word). Kill Van Kull (named after the tidal strait separating Staten Island and Bayonne, New Jersey) have been dazzling fans in the New York City area since they originally formed in 1983 with sensational performances at legendary rock music venues such as CBGB's, L'amours, and Warsaw Concert Hall in Brooklyn along with Arlene's Grocery in New York City (to name only a few).
In 1987 Kill Van Kull released a four-song EP titled "Eye of the Storm" and headed to Hollywood, CA ready to make it big, but unfortunately for the band, and their fans, life would get in the way of their rock and roll super-stardom and as it turns out the "Eye of the Storm" for them wasn't until 1995 when they gave the rock and roll lifestyle a second shot but were once again derailed by life's complications. Fortunately for everyone three original members of Kill Van Kull, Rick Cabrera (vocals), Bill Cardinale (bass), and Vinnie Raschella (drums, percussion, 6&12 string acoustic guitars), kept in touch and reunited as a band in 2005. With the help of Chris Cirrone, (lead/rhythm guitars, mandolin), and with the new additions of Alex Mahoney, (saxophone, rhythm guitars), and Curt Giventer, (lead guitars). They recorded "Edge of Sunrise" with the notable credits going to, Al Anzalone, (lead/rhythm guitars), Mark Farley, (lead/rhythm guitar), Mike Pignataro, (keyboards), DeAnna Eliot, (violins), and Henry Falco, (horn arrangements, percussion).
Kill Van Kull's limitless marketability is already beginning to be exhibited by the mainstream, internet, college, and satellite radio stations, not to mention podcasts, playing and making available for request tracks from Kill Van Kull's "Edge of Sunrise" CD all over the world. Kill Van Kull's fan base is growing everywhere from Lewiston, ME to Enid, OK and worldwide with airplay everywhere from Edinburgh, United Kingdom to Heidelberg, Germany.
Kill Van Kull has signed with T&T Management and Booking Agency (www.tntbooking.com), (one of the largest booking agencies in the U.S.A. working with over 300 distinguished artists known both nationally and worldwide), who also work with rock and roll superstars such as Deep Purple, Kansas, Ghost Riders, Kid Rock, and Metallica. With the combination of the music industry expertise and experience of T&T Management and Booking Agency's CEO, Tony Saldano and the immense talent of Kill Van Kull, we at Mindsweep Entertainment & Promotions expect to see this band take off like a rocket ship into outer space with plenty of fame to spare.
Kill Van Kull's marketability is just starting to be recognized on a new level with the endorsement of their drummer/percussionist Vinnie Raschella by Dark Horse Percussion (www.darkhorsepercussion.com) out of Linden, NJ.
Interested venues, talent buyers, and/or festival promoters can book Kill Van Kull for their venue or event by contacting Tony Saldano, or any of the agents of T&T Management and Booking Agency via e-mail at [email protected] or through www.tntbooking.com.
Kill Van Kull has said that their dream show would be at Madison Square Garden and they intend to tour the entire U.S.A. They also hope to perform in Birmingham, England the birthplace of Black Sabbath as well as Liverpool, England the birthplace of the Beatles, (both strong influences in rock and roll history and the musical education of Kill Van Kull members). Beyond that they hope to tour through Japan, Australia, Europe, Central and South America, and Asia.
Kill Van Kull's influences include, but are by no means limited to Led Zepplin, Deep Purple, Aerosmith, Kiss, Dream Theater, Van Halen, Alice in Chains, The Who, The Beatles, Iron Maiden, Pink Floyd, Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne, Dexter Gordon, Sonny Rollins, John Coltrane, Theloneus Monk, Miles Davis, Jimi Hendrix, The Ramones, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Carmine Appice, and Alice Cooper.
Kill Van Kull's CD "Edge of Sunrise" truly is the next step in the evolution of rock and roll and we at Mindsweep Entertainment and Promotions are enthusiastically looking forward to being a part of the chapter in rock and roll history that Kill Van Kull is just beginning to write.
