Contact: due to the volume of messages I receive here, I can no longer reply to them all. I read as many as I can. But please don't be offended if I don't get back to you, even if you know me personally (oddly, I don't get near as much email thru my website; so if you have something to say that you think warrants a reply, try me there).
Ken Stringfellow has been an alternative music icon for over two decades now, since his first band, the Posies, in 1988 self-released a home-studio recording, modestly entitled Failure, that went on to gain them commercial radio airplay and glowing reviews in the national music press. This led to the band’s signing with Geffen Records and commercial success with classic albums like 1993’s Frosting on the Beater and its hit single “Dream All Day”. The band continues to tour to this day, and has played to sold-out houses throughout North American, Europe, Asia and Australia/New Zealand.
The high level of craft that KS employed in his songwriting with the Posies drew the attention of such luminaries as R.E.M.—with whom KS played various instruments both onstage for numerous world tours (headlining Glastonbury, Rock in Rio, and participating in Live 8 to name a few) and countless TV appearances and on various albums—2001’s Reveal, 2004’s Around the Sun included. KS was also asked to join the power pop legends Big Star (the 1970s Memphis cult favorites fronted by Alex Chilton), to play their first live performances in 20 years, and later, he co-wrote and performed on the band’s first album in 30 years, 2005’s In Space. In addition to these highly prestigious positions, KS has appeared onstage or on album with artists such as Snow Patrol (he contributed keyboards to the mega-hit album Eyes Open), Neil Young, the Afghan Whigs, California punks Lagwagon (KS played guitar and co-produced their 1997 indie smash Double Plaidinum), Patti Smith, Death Cab For Cutie and many more. KS has been a sought after co-writer, collaborating with such diverse artists as former Beatle Ringo Starr and 80s glam rocker Billy Idol!
As a producer, KS has engineered, produced and mixed highly acclaimed albums for indie rockers such as Damien Jurado, the Long Winters, Jill Sobule etc.
KS’ three solo albums—1997’s This Sounds Like Goodbye, 2001’s Touched, and 2004’s Soft Commands have all received 4 star reviews in Mojo, and KS has toured North America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia/New Zealand, building a solid following for his intense live shows. The solo music of Ken Stringfellow is delicate, ornate, and highly emotional.
Depsite these accomplishments, KS is not resting—in fact, at this moment KS is launching a new project, by many estimations his most vibrant, powerful, and accessible music to date, with his band The Disciplines. Formed with three Norwegian musicians from the band Briskeby (with whom KS scored a top 5 hit in Norway with “Joe Dallesandro”, a duet with their singer Lise Karlsnes), The Disciplines have already enjoyed in Norway hit singles, a TV feature, and full page features in the biggest daily newspapers—with their album “SMOKiNG KiLLS”, a devastating collection of short, sharp, garagepop anthems—in KS’ own words, “ABBA playing thru AC/DC’s backline, fronted by Iggy Pop dressed like Brian Ferry”. The band has appeared on numerous festival mainstages in Norway, Holland, and Spain--leaving audiences broken in their wake—and begging for more. The band also supported R.E.M. for five shows in Scandinavia.
In short, Ken is a man constantly moving forward, applying his unique skills and sense of craft to many diverse audiences—popping up for solo shows in Malta; headlining festivals in Scandinvia; fronting a punk band one night, arranging strings for a French chanson artist the next day—his versatility might make him a bit hard to pin down, but he also goes out of his way to make himself very approachable to each audience—many shows you’ll find him *in * the audience—Ken seems to enjoy being with the people more than being on a big stage—but, in the end: he’s at home everywhere.
That was a great set at The Velvet Underground. A breakneck performance of rock and roll energy and swagger, proving that it's power remains undimmed. Keep to your musical vision.
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