Kill Van KUll- There are bands—you know a handful of them—that prevail despite obstacles; reforming years after their launch (sometimes more than once) and emerge with a creative spirit and sound that’s as pure as the day they started. Well, add another band to your list: New York City’s Kill Van Kull is back with a vengeance, and their rapidly-growing audience—old fans, new fans, and critics—loves every minute of it.
The experts describe their sound as straight-ahead rock with a jazzy, bluesy feel. The sound is fresh and contemporary And Kill Van Kull artfully weaves in elements that remind you why you love hard rock so much—and then throws themselves into the music. Lead singer Rick Cabrera: “I want the audience to feel like they not only got their money's worth, but that they know we gave them all we had.”
Originally formed in 1983, these rockers took the New York/New Jersey circuits by storm and recorded a four-song EP, “Eye of the Storm.” Buoyed by heavy air play, Kill Van Kull headed west, settling in Hollywood and ready to hit the big time.
It was not to be—a series of family issues and illnesses put the plans on hold, and it wasn’t until 1995 that they tried to re-form. With new demo recordings, press packages and music consultants & promoters working diligently in California and New York, the band was ready for their breakout year—but during the winter of that year, more life situations put the band into a hiatus again.
The future of Kill Van Kull was definitely uncertain, but the original members, Cabrera, Bill Cardinale (bass) and Vinnie Raschella (drums, percussion, acoustic guitar) continued to keep in touch, recording and performing with other original acts and cover bands from the New York area.
Then, in 2005, everything came together with the help of guitarist Chris Cirrone (who appears with the band on lead guitar, rhythm guitar and mandolin) and the new incarnation of Kill Van Kull hit the studio again.
New additions Al Anzalone (lead/rhythm guitars) and Alex Mahoney (saxophones & rhythm guitar) round out the new lineup—and the band gets an assist from Mark Farley (lead/rhythm guitars), Mike Pignataro (keyboards), DeAnna Eliot (violins) and Henry Falco (horn arrangements and percussion).
So, why are these guys so driven? They’re all passionate about music—most started when they were young. From hearing Richie Blackmore play to getting a first drum kit, Kill Van Kull members were on the musical path young. For bassist Cardinale, there was a theatrical element: “I realized I wanted to be a performer when I was listening to a KISS album and I jumped off my living room furniture with a guitar and spit ketchup all over the place,” he recalls. “My mother walked in at that precise time and wanted to kill me.”
Ask the group about their dream gig—that rock Valhalla to which they all aspire—and this diverse group of musicians answers with three words: Madison Square Garden. The legendary venue holds an attraction for these native New Yorkers. “That would pretty much do it,” Mahoney says.
Kill Van Kull knows how to imagine their ultimate performance, but they are firmly grounded in the reality of getting a “new” group noticed in a competitive indie market. Balancing day jobs with rehearsals, performances and recording certainly isn’t unique to the group, but they go at it with the knowledge that the group has experienced darker days. Somehow, it lightens the load a bit. “The biggest challenge for us is getting the product out,” says Anzalone. “It’s lots of long nights with no roadies!”
Rick, Bill, Vinnie, Al and Alex know that there’s a balancing act ahead as their popularity grows and demands on their time increase—but not a single member of Kill Van Kull is the least bit concerned about maintaining the artistic integrity of their music. “You can maintain your artistic integrity playing just one note if you play it right, if it comes from the right place,” says Mahoney. “Not every moment of every song needs to be every thing to everyone. I’ve heard this artistic integrity argument in the past and I think it might be for the artists who can not balance creativity with commercial success. It takes more than just making music to be successful.”
Kill Van Kull, Hard Driving Rock & Roll New York Style
Article by Laura Jenney
Of Mindsweep Entertainment & Promotions
VPofMindsweep@aol.com
2-9-08
Is it just me, or has anyone else noticed that some artists and bands somehow have the innate ability to capture the sound, 'flavour' and vibe of the area in which they originated? Perhaps I had entirely too much 'fun' back in the 70's, and this 'quirk' may be a direct result of that, but I happen to think that it is true. (...About artist's and band's ability to sound like the area of their origin anyway). Take for instance, Bruce Springsteen; there is no denying that his music has always captured the sound of the Jersey shore area. John Mellencamp, who to me, sounds just like Indiana. (I know this because I used to spend my summers there.)
Or take Lynyrd Skynyrd for instance, to me, they sound like the Westside of Jacksonville, Florida. (Where I have lived for a number of years, and where my office is also located).
The Marshall Tucker Band, sounds just like Western Carolina, (where I grew up).
And when I am coming home to the Northeast Florida area from elsewhere, as I am rolling through South Georgia, and right before I hit the Florida state line, I am more than compelled to pop into the stereo, the classic, "Where It All Begins" by The Allman Brothers Band; as this CD, ultimately captures the whole vibe of that area, and is one of my all time favorite CDs because that CD, (to me anyway), ultimately captures the sweet sound of 'home'. Am I a crazy lady, or can you relate to what I am attempting to convey here?
Regardless of the state of my (alleged) sanity, no one can dispute the fact that the New York City area has always had a vibe, flavour, spirit and essence that is distinctly it's own. Out of that great city finally comes a band that has indeed captured the sound, vibe and essence of NYC. That hard driving, immensely talented band is Kill Van Kull. (Named after the tidal strait separating Staten Island and Bayonne, New Jersey).
Though Kill Van Kull has been a New York City area favorite in many popular area venues since the 80's, (CBGB's, Lamours in Brooklyn, Warsaw Concert Hall also in Brooklyn, and Arlene's Grocery amongst others; and after 2 CD releases, "Eye of the Storm" in 1987, and "Edge of Sunrise" released late 2006), Kill Van Kull's popularity is finally starting to catch on, large scale, both nationally and internationally, and are now rising quickly to the music industry success they deserve, and gaining serious recognition by fans and major music industry execs alike.
A translator was nearly needed for the interview for this article, in the phone conversation between Kill Van Kull's bassist, Billy Cardinale, and myself, as the man certainly has the accent to match his New York style of musical prowess.
(And I know you can't believe this, but some people have actually said that I have a bit of a drawl.
Pardon me, should my 'Southern drawls' make a showing. It is purely accidental, I assure you.)
And though there was a bit of a language barrier in our conversation, the quality and tightness of the execution of the band's musicianship spoke volumes. After listening to the band's music just once, it was crystal clear why Kill Van Kull has gained such vast notoriety from both fans and execs alike recently. They are 'the new band' on the rise, (though they have been steadily rockin' fans in The Big Apple for over 2 decades now), with a very distinct and classic hard drivin' rock and roll sound, with an unmistakable New York style; thus generating a vast marketing appeal, bridging the gap between today's young rockers and those who have been around long enough to have experienced classic rock at it's best. (According to bassist Billy Cardinale, Kill Van Kull has been described a number of times as having a sound comparable to, and/or a cross between Deep Purple and Aerosmith, and says the band's lead vocalist, Rick Cabrera, has often been compared to Ronnie James Dio of Black Sabbath, Rainbow, and his own band Dio, or Ian Gillan of Deep Purple in press reviews.)
When asked about the band's influences, Billy listed The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne amongst the band's many.
I was turned on to Kill Van Kull by the very well known and respected CEO, Tony Saldano of T&T Management and Booking Agency, (www.tntbooking.com), which is one of the top booking agencies in the US, with over 300 nationally and world renowned artists and bands on their very impressive roster.
Mr. Saldano was quite pleased at recently signing Kill Van Kull to T&T, and being the very smart and savvy business man that he is, he immediately recognized Kill Van Kull's immense marketing potential. That in itself says much about Kill Van Kull's professional ability and the caliber of their musicianship; as to even be considered for signing to a roster the size of T&T's, which predominantly consists of very well known headlining acts, a band must be nothing less than outstanding to even compete with the other well known artists and bands on that roster for bookings.
Once I heard Kill Van Kull for myself, I was equally as impressed with their talent, marketability and style, and have been hooked on their music ever since. (And I am a pretty hard sell myself.) We at Mindsweep Entertainment & Promotions are proud to stand behind Kill Van Kull all the way, as we think this great band is indeed 'something to write about'. Therefore KVK's ever growing and already sizably large fan base and interested execs can expect to read plenty more articles about Kill Van Kull from our writers, as we follow and report to you on Kill Van Kull's further rise to major success in the music industry.
Kill Van Kull has been gaining steadily regular rotation on a number of mainstream, internet and satellite radio stations, both in their region, nationally and worldwide from their latest independently produced CD release "Edge of Sunrise", which is an absolute smoker. KVK was named Caya Radio's band of the month for January, (www.cayaradio.com), and was named as Renegade Radio's band of the month several months back, as well, and is going to be the "Featured Artist of the Month" on Canadian Music Rocks for the month of March. (www.canadianmusicrocks.com)
Some of KVK's music has been accepted and selected for an upcoming independent movie, which will feature three tracks ("Sweet Summertime", "Summer Rose" and "Through the Night"), from Kill Van Kull's latest CD "Edge of Sunrise". Kill Van Kull is also presently being considered to perform the music for the soundtrack in another upcoming movie, (a western), that will be filmed in North Carolina.
Of course, after recently being signed to the roster of T&T Management & Booking Agency, KVK and T&T have a tour in the works, and fans can expect to see KVK performing with, and/or opening for a number of the great headlining acts on T&T's roster in the very near future. KVK and agents at T&T are currently seeking and accepting dates for Kill Van Kull's tour which will extend all across the US and beyond, as KVK would certainly appreciate and welcome the opportunity to perform for fans all throughout Europe, Asia, Australia, Central and South America, and wherever their fans are craving Kill Van Kull's great brand of rock and roll, served up 'Big Apple' style.
Kill Van Kull IS:
Rick Cabrera (Vocals))
Billy Cardinale (Bass)
Vincent Raschella (Drums & Percussion)
Al Anzalone (Guitars)
Alex Mahoney (Saxophones)
Fans and interested execs can gain more info on Kill Van Kull, and listen to their music by visiting their My Space site at http://www.myspace.com/killvankull; or by visiting their official web site at www.killvankull.com.
Kill Van Kull's latest CD "Edge of Sunrise" can be purchased at: CD Baby.com, the band's My Space site at http://www.myspace.com/killvankull, the band's official web site at www.killvankull.com, and through the band's street team site at http://www.myspace.com/killvankullstreetteam.
Interested venues, talent buyers, and/or festival promoters wishing to book Kill Van Kull for their venue or event, or headlining acts looking for an outstanding, dynamic band to open for them that will be an excellent choice to rev up the crowd and help increase their concert ticket sales, can contact Tony Saldano, or any of the agents of T&T Management and Booking Agency, by e-mail at tony@tntbooking.com, or by visiting www.tntbooking.com.
Good news for those who love all the excitement of New York City's hard rock sound, as now one does not have to travel all the way to New York City to experience it, because Kill Van Kull, the band that ultimately defines the sound of The Big Apple, will soon be bringing that distinct sound and their action packed live performances to concert venue near you!
The End.
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Best regards,
Laura Jenney
Executive Vice President, PR, Press & Media Relations Specialist
Mindsweep Entertainment & Promotions
Manager of Florida office, Booking Agent, PR, Press & Media Relations Rep
T&T Management and Booking Agency
904-777-6057
VPofMindsweep@aol.com
Laura@tntbooking.com
Jcongalady@aol.com
For Complete Radio Listings & Reviews:
www.myspace.com/killvankull
www.myspace.com/killvankullstreetteam
www.killvankull.com
Listen For KVK on the following:
105.5 WDHA New Jersey's Best Rock,
98 KUPD Arizona's Real Rock,
WEND FM Charlotte, North Carolina's New Rock
The Rock & Roll Report 90.3 Montreal, Canada
Pure Grain Audio-Ontario,Canada
K94Rocks Virginia
WITR 89.7 Rochester,New York
CottonRock Radio-Mississippi
WRBC 91.5 Lewiston ,Maine
www.1065.com
www.radiofly1.com
iRadio La !04 from Los angeles
www.Steel93.com
The Rocket 104.7FM of Enid, Oklahoma
www.rocknationradio.com
www.netrock101.com
Germany Welcomes the music of Kill Van Kull on
RADIO MELODIC-The Rock Power WebRadio
www.radiomelodic.de
& Also on The Rock of Ages Radio Show
on Bermuda-Funk Radio
Bermuda-Musik ( Die Gemeinschaftssendung der Musik-Redaktion)
89.6 Mhz Mannheim
105.4 Mhz Heidelberg
TPN ROCK 'The Rock SHow on The Podcast NEtwork" in
Edinburgh, Scotland
Read more...