ABBA, Louis Armstrong, Burt Bacharach, The Beatles, Chuck Berry, David Bowie, James Brown, Hoagie Carmichael, CCR, Simon Chardiet, Leonard Cohen, Elvis Costello, The Cure, Devo, Bob Dylan, Roky Erickson, Everly Brothers, Jad Fair, The Frogs, The Germs, Woody Guthrie, The Howlin' Wolf, Daniel Johnston, Louis Jordan, Andy Kaufman, The Kinks, Led Zeppelin, Jeffrey Lewis, Billie Holiday, Leadbelly, Little Richard, Marx Brothers, The Misfits, Monty Python, Motorhead, New York Dolls/Heartbreakers/Johnny Thunders, Roy Orbison, Gram Parsons, Charley Patton, Pavement, Prince, John Prine, Pixies/Frank Black, Iggy Pop/ Stooges, Cole Porter, Portishead, Elvis Presley, Queen, The Ramones, Jonathan Richman, Shangri-Las, The Smiths, The Sonics, Rolling Stones, Sex Pistols/PiL, Nina Simone, Bessie Smith, Sparks, Phil Spector, Richard Thompson, VU/ Lou Reed, Tom Waits, Ween, The Who, Hank Williams, Brian Wilson, Neil Young, Frank Zappa/Mothers of Invention, The Zombies
Sounds Like
You have 60 seconds left to live. Now, do everything you’ve ever dreamed of...
Singer, songwriter, and guitarist John Kessel has churned out music in his hometown of New York City since the 80's. Over the years, JK has been a support musician (or collaborated) with Jello Biafra, Kimya Dawson, Simi Elliot, Corey Glover, Adam Green, Daniel Johnston, Mark Kramer, Jeffrey and Jack Lewis, Jesse Malin, Of Montreal, and Andy Shernoff.
A self-taught natural, Kessel plays over a dozen instruments and often records as a one-man-band. In 1995 he self-released the "Existentialism" single, followed by the album, "Born Late" in 1997. In 2002, JK was included on the compilation "Call It What You Want...", released and distributed by Olive Juice Music. JK has scored 2 independent films to date, and occasionally takes the odd gig as an actor. The follow-up album, the all-acoustic 'Hurry Up and Wait' is in limbo. In February of 2007, JK debuted a new band, THE CIGARETTES, with songwriter Ben Sadock. The CIGS have performed consistently throughout the year, and have recorded sessions for another yet-to-be-released album.
Steeped in all the offshoots of the American blues idiom, John Kessel uses simple rock n' roll and arranges it to very dramatic extremes. His narratives are unconventional but emotionally on-point. JK's songwriting has a character of it's own; a highly identifiable style. Get acquainted with a few and see for yourself.
From Anti-Matters:
Thu. Aug. 17 2000
I offered John Kessel a Mickey Mouse ornament for his guitar. He declined.
Said,
"Disney doesnt pay me for that."
But they will. OH, YES. They WILL!
Kessel never ceases to amaze. I think hes on a first name basis with Gods music publishing agent. His songs are like the bastard children of Dylan and Lennon, struggling and fighting to find a place in this world. Does anyone else think he looks like a younger, cleaner, consummately New York John Belushi?
What Kessel does may not be for everyone, but only because not everyone is privy to what Kessel does. Every John Kessel show is different, spontaneous. His performance teeters on the tightrope - one wrong step will land him death and disaster. But, every time, he naturally avoids the train wrecks of a clumsy Evel Knievel, with all the stealth and grace of an Anne Rice character.
If you havent seen a John Kessel show yet, you owe it to yourself - and the Artist. Sometimes, I think Artists like John Kessel are responsible for making the world more beautiful.
(Eric Adams)
JOHN KESSEL DISCOGRAPHY:
1995-EXISTENTIALISM/ADULTHOOD - 7" single (Clavicle)
1997-BORN LATE-CD (Clavicle)
2001-CALL IT WHAT YOU WANT...- Compilation CD (Olive Juice Music)
JOHN KESSEL also appears on:
1992- Huge- Really Huge
2000- Grey Revell -Crazy Like an Ambush
2001- Peter Dizozza - Pro-Choice on Mental Health
2002- Peter Dizozza - Prepare To Meet Your Maker (Original Cast Album)
2002- Testosterone Kills- War All the Time
2003- Kenny Davidsen - Goodnight, Baby
2005- Jeffrey and Jack Lewis - City and Eastern Songs (Rough Trade)
2007- Jack Lewis & The Cutoffs - L'vov Goes to Emandee w/My Unicef Box (Smoking Gun Records)
2008- Jeffrey Lewis - 12 Crass Songs (Rough Trade)
Hey John, you probably got an update message for my page, but the new photos of "cassidy house in philly" aren't interesting to anyone who hasn't lived there. I'll post The Cigarettes photos.
Hey John, Thanks, I like your songs, your approach seems familiar to me, really nice lo-fi I guess we both started in the 80's thanks again, greetings from Holland,
I like the clip of Innocent. The drummer's brush style gives it a Blonde on Blonde kind of feel. Carlsberg lager should pay you. Or give you free beer.. Or give me free beer. (curses - my spell check wants me to spell it 'blond')
tanks Mr. Kessel i'll be bac in ny for a show on the 20th need a place to hang out you know of any hostels that would be cool to crash. something near the moma and you should come to phoenix
Hi John, how's it going? I was reading the artwork on the new Jeffrey Lewis album and lo and behold I saw your name listed as playing some stuff on it! Would this be you sir? Nice work!!!
hello john
the cigarettes are kicking ass
loved playing with you guys
love the harmonies there is one song of yours that is still in my head
love
tobi joi
