"What have you done, Mr. Jones"?
Calvin Badness is the name of a new band whose first project was recently completed at MilkBoy Recording in Ardmore, PA. The eponymous record is a full-length disc, 12 cuts of whimsical indie rock.
The band is fronted by Kara j., formerly of the eclectic DC Indie-rockers, ExactlyWatt, on lead vocals, guitar, xylophone and keys. Sean McPhillips, on loan from the definitive East Coast roots reggae band, Wareika Hill, covers drums, percussion and organ. Rob Gibbs, late of the Philadelphia area funk/fusion scene, plays bass and guitar. Lastly, Calvin B. cuts the guitar riffs, and backs on vocals.
Calvin has his musical roots in the late 70's/early 80's Chicago punk rock scene, but is also an avid listener and fan of all kinds of music. After putting down his guitar for two decades, he has returned to music.
The approach that this four takes is a unique one; this is a project born out of a love for music without the restrictions that some other bands face. They were free to be as creative as they wanted when working on their music. They have a diverse range of influences, from Charles Mingus and Bob Marley to Yo La Tengo and Spoon, but they manage to bring it all together and create something that sounds fresh, with hooks akimbo, and a lust and fear for all things cyber-televisic.
They approach their music with no expectations as to what it may bring them. The joy is in the process itself, and it is as much about the collaboration of songwriting as it is about a final product.
Says Calvin about the band: "We are serious about a great many things, just not ourselves".
This translates well to the genre (and world) in which they play. Freedom of expression and creation is of central importance to them. You can get a copy of their newest release at CD Baby or iTunes.
WWW.MYSPACE.COM/CALVINBADNESSBAND
WWW.CALVINBADNESS.COM
WWW.CDBABY.COM/CALVINBADNESS
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