September 2, 2007

More Kickstand Please
by Jeremy Richardson – freelance journalist


Let me start by saying that I usually review bands playing at Smirnoff or American Airlines.  On a tip from a friend I went to see a local group called Kickstand at a little joint called the Liquid Lounge in Deep Ellum.  I showed up planning to be underwhelmed and go home.  I left feeling quite different.

From the opening riff of “Bag of Shame” I could tell these guys meant business.  Their stage presence and interaction with the crowd was very entertaining.  Lead singer and guitarist Kelly Vaughn used crafty lyrics to tell his tales throughout the night.  Two of my favorites were “Fat Chic Magnet” and “Nightmare Camping Trip” about some sort of outdoor affair gone awry.

Bassist Mark Edwards did a rendition of the Charlie Brown theme in which he employed the two handed tapping method.  That was totally cool and unexpected.  Drummer Dan Voehse smashed and bashed his way through the night and made it look easy.  This is a tight group!  I later found out that they have been together for over 10 years.

I could tell these boys grew up on some 80’s metal but their songs had a certain pop sensibility to them as well.  I could also feel some singer/songwriter vibe happening but in a rock format if that makes sense.  The vocals were clearly audible over the music, which was surprising for a club gig.  Oh…and there was no screaming which I rather enjoyed. (except from the crowd)

Most of the songs were from their new cd “Horseshoes and Handgrenades” but they also played lots of material from their previous works.  The night ended with a crazy song called “Scary Clown” which was sort of a metal mockery I assume.  The crowd sure liked it.  In fact I didn’t mind being surrounded by squealing women all night.

Oddly enough I couldn’t really think of any complaints or negative things to say.  Usually I look forward to tearing bands up for fun.  These guys were great so I’ll just give them their props.  I do wish there were more people into this group and I’d like to see them at some bigger venues.

I caught up with Kelly after the show and asked him why he thought he wasn’t rich and famous yet.  He replied, “There are so many talented people everywhere you turn.  A million things have to line up just right for things to get rolling”.  I like his attitude. He gave me a free cd after the gig too…what a swell guy.  I predict bigger things for these guys so check them out when you get a chance.  You won’t be disappointed…unless you’re scared of clowns.  Then be afraid…be very afraid!

 

From dallasmusic.com
by Hyacinth

dallasmusic pop rock showcase | Main Street Internet Cafe | 03.30.01

Kickstand, a three piece pop band with two pretty boy singers sharing the vocal responsibilities, took stage. Both guitarist Kelly Vaughn and bassist Mark Edward sang well throughout their set of red beaconed lighting in the corner of the cafe. The stainless steel tama kit played by Dan Andreas, however was the coolest kit I had ever seen. Sometimes, looks do count!

Kickstand started their set off with their pop inspired rock that hinted of the glam era only in delivery. This fun band, surrounded only by two very small amps that fully did the job, left open a large stage for three musicians. Most of the time they filled it well. Happy, catchy tunes that tunneled in through your ears into your head, made you bounce along with them.

Kickstand has produced three albums and is working on a new project now. During the set, it seems that all of their old material was developed through a formula. One song sounded the same - fun- but neverless the same during the set. The newer material, however did sound different, yet still adhering to the principles of their older work. I hope to hear more new material in Kickstand's sets like their song, Even; it will improve their popularity.

Kickstand's strength is their drummer Dan as well as the almost angelic harmonies sung throughout the set. Mark on bass even seemed to play the harmony at times; moving his fingers just as fast as a guitar player usually does. This band is tight, every song starts and finishes perfectly. Yet they seem so relaxed. Bass popping, guitar solos and constant, dynamic drumming make Kickstand a joy to hear.

Kickstand, like all other bands this showcase, is a good alternative to the "alternative", heavy scene infecting the guts of the music today. Perfecting on what they have shouldn't be difficult, then you will hear more of these guys.

 

From dallasmusic.com
by David Gasten 

December 7th-"The Day That Will Live In Infamy".  Fortunately it was not because of the band I was called out to see that evening, Plano-based pop-rock trio Kickstand.  I was not expecting much, but came away pleasantly surprised at this group's ability to entertain in what is now an atypical way-being musically excellent and comical at the same time.

Researching the band after the show I was surprised to learn that the guitarist was playing in a relatively successful butt-rock band in the late 80's and early 90's.  Back then he was a muscle-bound blonde with a hairdo that would make Elvira jealous.  Now he looks like a typical 90's kid.  I was also surprised to learn that the band corporately enjoys a lot of late 80's music that is currently unhip and uncool to be into.  Maybe this is part of the reason they sound so fresh compared to too much of what I hear today.  Atop this supposedly they have four albums to their name, although these albums must be as elusive and unknown as The Count Five's Carbeurator Dung.

The show could be split into two sections, the first being the pop show and the second being the Dr. Demento show.  The pop show consisted of some nicely done power pop tunes that recall power pop's late 70's/early 80's heyday with Chris Stamey, Artful Dodger and those other cute-boy groups that made the sorority girls squeal and sigh, even if they did all sound the same.  Memorable riffs would start and then carry the song, iced with two-part harmonies aspiring to be three.  The bassist was a ladykiller that jumped about his portion of the stage in a way that must have been awfully alluring to the girls.  He never missed a note on his five-string bass nonetheless.  At times I was wishing they had a second guitarist to help them fill out the sound, but yet they handled the music well without the extra player.  They also added some grooving funk songs to the mix that worked surprisingly well.

The drummer was covered with beads of sweat after the show and for good reason.  When he hit the drums, it sounded like a .357 magnum.  POP! POP! POP! the drums would fire without relent.  You can imagine the intensity he undergirded the music with.

The guitarist and bassist would banter with each other like Dave and Jack in the morning, one blaming the other for stealing his lines and other assorted silliness.  They warned us beforehand that things were going to go awry on the second half of the set, and they weren't joking.  Enter the Dr. Demento section.

The band started the madness with a "scary clown" song complete with the famous "dat-dat da-da-da-da dat-dat da-da" calliope melody for the chorus, then went to a song that parodied all drop-D "hardcore" and "rapcore" bands while simultaneously outdoing them.  Next up they did their salute to butt-rock, covering Poison's "Talk Dirty to Me" New York Dolls style; in fact I thought they were playing "Personality Crisis" for a second.  And then they finished it all off with an off-color (waaaay off-color) song called "69 Me".  "Wine me, dine me..." and that was only the beginning.  If you want to hear the rest of the lyrics, go see them live.  They play fairly often at the Studio Movie Grill on Preston and Park in Plano and their web address is www.kickstand.net.