Kimono Draggin’ are a power-trio from New Haven, CT whose quirky, avant-garde sound is delivered with a sense of hugeness and urgency. Formed in 2003, the group began as a stage performance which included costumes and characters based on a chop-socky martial artform, coined Dik Chin. Bringing their jangly rock music and stage show all over NYC, Boston and Connecticut, it was clear that audiences were more than interested in the group’s unique sound. In 2004, the trio released their first EP The Essence of Dik Chin while simultaneously filming a television pilot teaser to help sell their script to an A&E Network producer (who later shifted his interest to a wife-swapping reality show). The group decided their music was too powerful for it to be over-shadowed by an ancillary comedy act. Kimono made the decision to break away from the mold as a “novelty“ band and began to focus entirely on their music. Thats when the sparks began to fly. Drawing from a broad spectrum of the group’s individual influences (Zappa, The Stooges, Queen, ACDC, Led Zepplin,Talking Heads) the band pushed forward by releasing their first full-length album, My Summer in Paris. Kimono conitnued dropping jaws all around the east coast, performing with groups such as The Mr. T Experience, Richard Lloyd (ex-Television) and Philo Cramer (ex-FEAR). And as soon as they could get back into the studio to work on their follow-up album, they received word that they had been selected to play the 18th Annual Zappanale festival in Germany. The trio hastily layed down 11 new tracks, packed their bags and flew to Europe for their first international tour starting in England where they played live on BBC radio’s Alan Raw show. The trio commanded the stage at various venues in England and France before ending their trip in Bad Doberan Germany where they were honored to take the stage in memory of the late Frank Zappa. Playing a 98% original set to 3,000+ Zappa fans and getting the rubber chicken thrown at them ear-marks one of the shining highlights of the band’s career. All the while humbly sharing a huge stage with the likes of Don Preston, Ike Willis and Chad Wackerman. Currently, Kimono Draggin’ has 2 full-length records in production, both slated for a November release.
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