Never far from a notebook or hand-held recorder, Kickbacks' songwriter, Tad Overbaugh
is not one to miss out on capturing a good line or melody when it comes. "I don't count
on getting good ideas, so when I get one, I want to remember it", says Overbaugh laughing.
The Kickbacks debuted in 1998 with the release of Longitude, and soon after, the
Blue Man's Collar EP (2000). The band received favorable reviews from critics for Blindside
View (2002) and Motel Stars (2006) for, as one reviewer put it, "songs that ring with depth,
authenticity, and plenty of hook-infused power”.
The new album, Even The Blues (2008), was produced by guitarist/multi-instrumentalist and
"partner-in-crime" as Overbaugh puts it, Steve Scott. Even The Blues again features the Motel Stars (2006)
lineup of Matt Arnold on bass and Perry James on drums.
"Even The Blues is about trying to enjoy the good moments as they pass, amidst the
struggles that are always there. A lot of the album is about some form of escapism and using it to get back
to a good place", says Overbaugh.
Even The Blues - Song by Song by Tad Overbaugh
1. Figure You Out"
"This song is about the relationship we all have with life. It's about the moments when we feel
like taking on its mystery and trying to make sense of it all."
2. "Going Out To Get Home"
"Although we might be settled and in a good place, life continues to move and tug at things. This is about
how we continually need to keep finding our "sweet spot" or place that feels like home."
3. "Motel Stars"
"I find motels to be very escapist. No bills. You can shut the world out with a twist of the blinds
and nobody knows where you are for the night. Motels always feel very relaxing/recharging to me. Wanting to
'see the Motel Stars' is about having that feeling."
4. "Even The Blues"
"About escaping some of life's harshness through self-medication."
5. "Getaway Car"
"About needing connection and to escape from it all."
6. "Bulletproof"
"Things happen to people that seem to change them to become this way (bulletproof). You know there's more there under the surface,
but it becomes their survival tactic to get by and not be hurt again."
7. "Expect Delays"
"Inspired by any of the many signs that have flashed these words in my face while driving in and around Boston over the years.
It dawned on me one day that this applies to just about everything in life and not just the traffic in front of me."
8. "Isolation Blue"
"About sticking to your guns and not settling for less than you believe in, even at the price of isolation and loneliness."
9. "Enjoy The Ride"
"About trying to do just that, through the good and the bad."
10. "No Guarantees"
"There really aren't any. It's about holding onto what you need to get by despite everything."
Even The Blues - Press
"Another high-quality offering that might be their best yet. A golden mean between Paul Westerberg and Tom Petty." -Absolute Powerpop
"The Kickbacks have delivered!" -Not Lame Recordings
"A satisfying collection of powerpop rockers." -Metronome Magazine
"Stories set to a perfect Stones-y/Replacemats-y backbeat." -The Big Takeover
"A solid collection of tunes." -BabySue.com
"Fantastic rockin’, rootsy pop. 10 well-written songs from a band that deserves way more attention." -Daggerzine.com
Even The Blues and all other Kickbacks's albums are available now at: CDBaby
and iTunes.
Argh! Scott played a solo gig Thursday night & the Celtic game was on. It was a competing factor. Had to be 10 times worse there. Done gigs in Chapel Hill when UNC were playing in the NCAA tournament. Even the crickets were watching the game. ;-)
