Squeeze, XTC, Elvis Costello, Beatles, The Who, Flaming Lips, Jellyfish, Nick Lowe, Marshall Crenshaw, Madness, Frank Zappa, Brian Wilson, The Byrds, who knows what else!
With catchy melodies and inventive but utterly accessible songcraft, the Ken Kase Group pleases without pandering, delivering music that lingers in memory, defies categorization and appeals to a wide range of listeners. In short, the KKG is all about great songs. Since 1995, the musicians who have contributed to the band's legacy have worked hard in service to great music that has brought them local and regional success and international critical acclaim.
The Ken Kase Group was formed in 1995 and went on to release two critically lauded CDs; Extended Play--No Waiting (1997) and Stereophonic Nervous Breakdown (2000). Both discs deliver solid songwriting, a wry lyrical edge and formidable musicianship--an elixir that has grown stronger and more refined over the band's thirteen-year history. But most of all, the spirit and energy in the music is consistently underscored by a sense of fun and adventure that makes the Ken Kase Group a breath of fresh air both onstage and on record.
The Ken Kase Group's latest release, the three-song single, Shiner, is yet another strong effort that heralds the band's return to active recording and performance after an eight-year hiatus. This time around, the KKG has joined forces with filmmaker Todd Kennedy Mattson to create their first music video to promote the leadoff track (you can see the video below). The Ken Kase Group is back, and the new single is just the beginning. The band is currently working on a full-length release due in early 2009.
Watch the video for "Shiner" directed by Todd Kennedy Mattson
It's a Hit! A few press droppings to peruse...
Shiner CD Single
Has it been 8 years since the last Ken Kase Group recording? Based on this new 3-track single, the wait was definitely worth it! I have been acquainted with Ken’s sterling work both with KKG and as a part of powerpop masters The Sun Sawed in 1/2, and I must say that the new tracks are up there with Ken’s best music. --Kevin Mathews Power of Pop
Praise for Stereophonic Nervous Breakdown
“The hooks come thick and fast, his lyrics avoid all those awful clichés and they're pretty smart, too. All that and the band are as tight as a gnat's twat! What more can I say?"--Rob Forbes, Leicster Bangs (UK)
“Good is too modest a term here; Stereophonic Nervous Breakdown is a peppy platter of sparkling, melodic pop that benefits immensely from arranging smarts and Kase’s shimmering, classy production...Ken has once again made a strong Kase (pun intended) for himself as one of the finest vocalists/musicians/producers in St. Louis.”--Kevin Renick, Noisy Paper (St. Louis, MO)
"Stereophonic Nervous Breakdown is a strange, ambitious album, precariously balancing a venomous lyrical edge with some stunningly sunny pop melodies, as well as some funky horns and bass lines. You’ll hear echoes of Elvis Costello, the dB’s, and even a bit of Squeeze, but mostly you’ll hear a youthful rock-n-roll optimism, clever and complex song structures, and a seriousness of vision that makes the KKG more than just another pleasant pop band."--2001 Riverfront Times Slammy Awards Guide (St. Louis, MO)
“A splendid collection running the gamut from cool slithery rock and roll (the opening "Theraphosid") to funky workouts ("I Spy") and pure pop (the hugely appealing "Everything Changes When You’re Old"). Great band, great songs.”--Claudio Sossi- Shake It Up (Toronto)
"While their melodic and compositional skills are surefooted, and their playing and vocal harmonies have grace and confidence enough to avoid flash...Special Merit Award: "Lemon Merengue" is one of the best titles for an instrumental I've ever heard..."--Jeff Norman, Architectural Dance Society
"Nervous breakdown? More like an acute case of split personality! On the one hand, the Group sound like the intelligent pub rock of Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello and Squeeze. On the other, the sophisticated heady pop of XTC, Jellyfish and
the Wondermints. In the former category, songs carry themselves with drive and edge. In the latter, tracks display magic chord changes and thoughtful arrangements. Did I mention there is also a horn-laden swing outfit lurking? Don't fret about the mental well being of Ken Kase and his merry band, simply enjoy! (8 out of 10)” --Kevin Mathews, Power of Pop Magazine (Singapore)
“This skillful pop quintet who hail from St. Louis, a town known more for its alt-country scene, crank out some classic power pop — jangly guitars, lush harmonies, and smart, Costello-like lyrics. What it reminds me of most is a less prickly Squeeze, thanks to its go-down-easy hooks and Kase's vocals.”--John F. Butland, Toast Magazine (Minneapolis, MN)
Plaudits for Extended Play--No Waiting
"Consummate musicians with intelligent lyrics. Consistently one of the tightest bands in town, their live set is something to behold for many reasons, one of which is its improvised moments. All the elements come together in a chugging, jangling rattle and rumble unlike anything else in town."--Tom Henkey, Night Times Magazine
"A decidedly pop combo with a beguiling new CD, Extended Play — No Waiting. Few bands in St. Louis have as much jangle per minute, and in such songs as ‘The Coffee House of Doom’, the band adds a dash of ska for flavor. We wish there were 20 more bands just like them!"--Joe Williams, St. Louis Post Dispatch
"Kase’s pop is intricate and blithe, a tribute to his passionate vigilance and the band’s youthful virtuosity."--Roy Kasten, Riverfront Times (St. Louis)
"Kase is the James Brown of St.Louis,the hardest-working man in local show business. Often misperceived as simply a pop band, the Ken Kase Group feels right at home drawing from a variety of sources — 1960’s AM radio,bar-band serendipity, traditional music — and doesn’t let the alt-rock outside world leak in." --Jordan Oakes, The Riverfront Times (St. Louis)
If you're into power pop tunes like Jellyfish, Superdrag, Weezer, etc... you can download the Six Songs EP for FREE by visiting my MySpace page. Thanks!
The new True Margrit CD - The Juggler's Progress - is now available for pre-order, along with t-shirts and artwork, photo and drumheads, as we get ready for our monthlong tour of the Great Northwest! Check it out here: http://bit.ly/7Cu8J
Look for us in Washington, Oregon and California between October 15 and November 15, when our tour wraps up with the big show at San Francisco's best rock club, Bottom of the Hill! For the complete show schedule, check here: http://bit.ly/1UgGqQ
Oct 1 2009 - Milwaukee, WI @ The Borg Ward Oct 2 2009 - Madison, WI @ Wiscos Oct 3 2009 - Chicago, IL @ Cals Oct 4 2009 - Chicago, IL @ Darkroom Oct 11 2009 - Chicago, IL @ Phyllis Musical Inn Oct 16 2009 - Champaigh-Urbana, IL @ The Courtyard Oct 17 2009 - St. Louis, MO @ Off Broadway Oct 24 2009 - Galena, IL @ Miss Kitty’s Grape Escape Nov 6 2009 - Springfield, IL @ Bar None Nov 11 2009 - State College, PA @ Roustabout Nov 12 2009 - Brooklyn, NY @Don Pedros Nov 13 2009 - Philadelphia, PA @ Tritone Nov 14 2009 - Baltimore, MD @ Metro Gallery Nov 15 2009 - Danbury, CT @ Cousin Larrys Nov 16 2009 - Arlington, VA @ Galaxy Hut Nov 17 2009 - New Brunswick, NJ @ Court Tavern Nov 18 2009 - New Haven, CT @ Cafe Nine Nov 19 2009 - Cleveland, OH @ Pats in the Flats Nov 20 2009 - Columbus, OH @ Ravari Room Nov 21 2009 - South Bend,IN @ Anchor Inn Nov 25 2009 - Chicago, IL @ Beat Kitchen Dec 4 2009 - Park Ridge, IL @ Pickwick Theater Dec 5 2009 - Galena, IL @ Miss Kittys Grape Escape Dec 6 2009 - Kansas City, MO @ The Brick Dec 7 2009 - Springfield, MO @ The Outland Dec 8 2009 - Oklahoma City @ Belle Isle Dec 9 2009 - Austin, TX @ Club 1808 Dec 10 2009 - Houston, TX @ TBA Dec 11 2009 - New Orleans @ The Circle Bar Dec 12 2009 - Memphis, TN @ Murphys
The SAFES - on tour, iTunes, EMusic, Rhapsody, Napster...
Oct 1 2009 - Milwaukee, WI @ The Borg Ward Oct 2 2009 - Madison, WI @ Wiscos Oct 3 2009 - Chicago, IL @ Cals Oct 4 2009 - Chicago, IL @ Darkroom Oct 11 2009 - Chicago, IL @ Phyllis Musical Inn Oct 16 2009 - Champaigh-Urbana, IL @ The Courtyard Oct 17 2009 - St. Louis, MO @ Off Broadway Oct 24 2009 - Galena, IL @ Miss Kitty’s Grape Escape Nov 6 2009 - Springfield, IL @ Bar None Nov 11 2009 - State College, PA @ Roustabout Nov 12 2009 - Brooklyn, NY @Don Pedros Nov 13 2009 - Philadelphia, PA @ Tritone Nov 14 2009 - Baltimore, MD @ Metro Gallery Nov 15 2009 - Danbury, CT @ Cousin Larrys Nov 16 2009 - Arlington, VA @ Galaxy Hut Nov 17 2009 - New Brunswick, NJ @ Court Tavern Nov 18 2009 - New Haven, CT @ Cafe Nine Nov 19 2009 - Cleveland, OH @ Pats in the Flats Nov 20 2009 - Columbus, OH @ Ravari Room Nov 21 2009 - South Bend,IN @ Anchor Inn Nov 25 2009 - Chicago, IL @ Beat Kitchen Dec 4 2009 - Park Ridge, IL @ Pickwick Theater Dec 5 2009 - Galena, IL @ Miss Kittys Grape Escape Dec 6 2009 - Kansas City, MO @ The Brick Dec 7 2009 - Springfield, MO @ The Outland Dec 8 2009 - Oklahoma City @ Belle Isle Dec 9 2009 - Austin, TX @ Club 1808 Dec 10 2009 - Houston, TX @ TBA Dec 11 2009 - New Orleans @ The Circle Bar Dec 12 2009 - Memphis, TN @ Murphys
The SAFES - on tour, iTunes, EMusic, Rhapsody, Napster...
Hi Ken! Just wanted to invite you to Maxtone's last blast this Saturday, May 2nd the Wedge (Bates/55). It will be rock of the face-melting variety, just like you like! :)
Just wanted to drop a line and say check out my debut album "Blueprint of Soul" which is now available! It is the funk! You listen to it for free at www.teddypresberg.com
Also, please keep in touch by signing up to my email list... You can do so at my website or just send me your email address.
Thanks for inviting us to play with KKG at Lemmon's. We had a great time and you guys put in a great last St. Louis show. Will the next KKG in 10 years be entirely Ken Kase-bots? I kid.
Hey Ken...Thanks for stopping by the Blackdog show Sat. Sorry I didn't get to talk to you more, but as you probably noticed, we're playing some looooong sets these days. lol, soon we'll be down to one 4 hour set per gig. Anyway, have a good one.
Ken, I've been busy starting a corporate empire. Sorry. I've been hiding from everyone, friends and family included. I almost have the thing on autopilot and can come back out into the world. Can't wait to hear the new CD!
Dude, like totally thanks for the invite, but due to planetary disalignmentism... and a prior booking, I will miss the release party. I'm sure it will be a party, and the CD will be released, but we are doing the "Bums Hollow" concert that night... Hope all goes well.... and congrats' on the new release.
Unless the world blows up or something, I plan to see you at Cicero's on the 19th. It'll be perfect: my birthday is the 17th, so I can probably squeeze a night of babysitting out of a relative who "forgot" to get me a present (& just dropped by for cake). LOL! Looking forward to it... ~S~
Check out the new video of The Redfords playing “Heart Attack” live at Stage 83. Just go to The Redfords myspace page at www.myspace.com/theredfords.
“Heart Attack” was just played on Q101’s Local 101 show Sunday 6/22. Bret Bassi with Chicago MOB Fest was on the show and gave The Redfords a GREAT introduction; you have to hear it to believe it! You can hear the whole thing for yourself on Q101’s My Space page at www.myspace.com/local101. Look under “The Show” section and it is the one called “Local 101 06-22-08 part 1”. The Redfords are the 4th song so you don’t have to listen long.