Josh - Synths, Guitar, Vocals
Rebecca - Violin, Vocals
Mike - Guitar, Synths, Vocals
James - Bass, Vocals
Jared - Drums, Percussion
Influences
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The Meek Shall Inherit What's Left
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Reality vs. The Optimist
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Sounds Like
"The quintet Kiss Kiss spins webs of corruption, anger, and defeat. Their sound is nothing short of epic, featuring theatrical twists and changes, piano interludes, and triumphant reprises. 'The Meek Shall Inherit What's Left' in its entirety is a gasp of fresh air in the punk-inspired sect of indie music. Benash’s voice is at times scornful and biting, at others mournful and billowing. While it may be true that Kiss Kiss isn’t the jolliest band on the market, they are one of the fiercest, most directed ones, destined to make a splash with their newest release." - CMJ
"'The Meek Shall Inherit What's Left' is an iridescent piece of work so patently schizophrenic in its attack, that fashioning a review to fully describe its multi-directional avant-classical-prog-punk majesty is as pointless as a team of consultants conspiring to make Nickelback credible. Shapeshifting hasn't sounded this good in years." - Alternative Press 4/5
"New York City’s Kiss Kiss has made some of the most stretch-of-your-imagination music of the last few years. No two songs sound the same on new album 'The Meek Shall Inherit What’s Left'" - Magnet
"...a nakedly emotional, atypical, punk rock album that is as much a physical experience as a musical one: exhausting, but in a good way. - All Music Guide
"...proves to be eclectic, schizophrenic, and brilliantly structured. Tracks like “The Best Mistake” and “If They Only Knew” are orchestral and enamoring to the listener while “Plague 11” and “Innocent I” are romantically psychotic and go from high extremes to swooning melodies without a comfortable medium. How can you really illustrate what Kiss Kiss sound like, though? Let's say there's an ADHD-inflicted child named Mr. Bungle who is running off of buckets of sugar and swaying to a Dresden Dolls record." - Examiner.com
"'The Meek Shall Inherit What's Left' expands upon what 'Reality Vs. The Optimist' said with the precision of a band with a firm grip on their identity. Without sacrificing melody or common sense, Kiss Kiss fully embrace the eccentricities that made 'Reality' a criminally unnoticed gem two years ago. The middle of the record finds the band tinkling random notes on toy pianos, paralleling unheard of melodies in half tones, and dropping it all at their convenience for a gorgeous, accessible chorus. Kiss Kiss display a remarkable talent for blending experimental noodling with a home base of grandiose pop that affords the group opportunities to do whatever the hell they want, which they take full advantage of." - SputnikMusic.com
"In an eastern-European-flavored whirlwind of circus music gone rock, Kiss Kiss have dished out a very creative album that somehow manages to mold infectious pop out of avant-garde insanity. Go see them live and you'll understand - you won't know whether to laugh, cry, or poop yourself. Trust me, it's a good thing." - Death & Taxes
"Do NOT under any circumstances listen to this album if you’re coming off of any music that is cute, chilled-out, whimsical, relaxing, and/or at all cathartic. The band leaps from muted keys to Eastern European-influenced violin to blankets of reverb within seconds, guided by Josh Benash’s twisted vocals. Listening to Kiss Kiss is the musical equivalent of getting drawn and quartered, and with 'The Meek Shall Inherit What’s Left,' the horses are champing at the bit. Be prepared to be swept up and taken to the strange, asymmetrical world of Kiss Kiss. Be prepared for dissonance. Be prepared to be challenged. And don’t be surprised if you find yourself hugging your knees to your chin, slowly rocking yourself under a warm shower." - AbsolutePunk.net
"'The Meek Shall Inherit What’s Left' is a great step ahead for Kiss Kiss. It’s not the most accessible indie-rock, due to its defining raw and chaotic characteristics, but they do it well. The second record from Kiss Kiss is a large, abstract portrait of the New York quintet’s colorful and vibrant imagination. There is never a dull moment, as the New York rockers take every opportunity to keep the record interesting and constantly evolving." - SunOnTheSand.net
"Kiss Kiss is part of that strange sect of bands who are subverting emo’s core absurdity via gleeful theatrical bombast. We’d recommend the band’s Reality vs. the Optimist to anyone who relishes the surreal zaniness currently being practiced by groups ranging from My Chemical Romance to the Paper Chase—there’s even a bit of System of a Down–style circus punk in the mix." - Time Out New York
"An eclectic blend of psychedelic tendancies, infectious pop melodies, and intense hardcore energy that’s virtually impossible to ignore. There’s a definite macabre edge to this quirky compilation, but instead of transferring that dark energy onto the listener, Kiss Kiss manages to spin it into a positive ear worm of a record." - MiscPause
“The group forms harmonious yet noisey rock music … and integrates an underused instrument – the electric violin – giving their music a dramatic and classical appeal. Because of their cinematic style, sometimes they sound similar to DeVotchKa.” - WonkaVision
"If albums were weather related phenomena, Kiss Kiss’s 'The Meek Shall Inherit What’s Left' would be a hurricane. Every note on the album feels desperate. Each song, clearly refined and calculated to a tee, is saturated with emotion, and Benash’s delivery, reminiscent of early Tim Kasher, is the perfect emotional vehicle; his impassioned and sometimes painful yelp is indispensable to the band’s sound." - ReviewRinseRepeat.com
"Incredibly well-orchestrated... On the same level as Muse but the lyrics are more personal and dark.... The music borders on chaotic, but we are reminded beautifully time and time again that they are in control, and all you need to do is keep your hands inside and enjoy the ride." - The Purchase Independent
"A chaotic barrage of orchestrated noise rock with an electric violin to boot and lead singer Josh Benash coming off like Billy Corgan gone absolutely batshit, creating the image of some insane Russian Bar with their jukebox on the fritz, or a Yugoslavian Circus gone awry, giving you the illusion that you may have fallen down the rabbit hole in some bizarre dream sequence. Definitely an album worthy of taking a journey with." - Shakefire.com
"The soundtrack to a mental hospital stay. More than that though, their music is completely unique, catchy, dark, and most of all, energetic. Just when they make you feel like you're in some carousel from hell with no escape, the skies clear, they put you at ease, and then pull you back down for the rest of the ride!" - Philadelphia Music Scene Initiative
“By far, the most intriguing aspect of Kiss Kiss is the band’s outrageous and entertaining live show. While playing the keyboard, Josh Benash abruptly collapses and hits the keys from the ground. He then pirouettes during the quick instrumental portion of 'Machines.' Guitars are broken, shoulder straps are snapped. A bass gets shoved in the general direction of a fan’s face. Pterodactyl-sounding yelps resonate from nowhere. The whole band has a fantastic, if not slightly deranged, sense of humor. The crowds, even the ones unfamiliar with the band, are engulfed by the electricity in the air and laugh and go crazy with the most dedicated fans.” - DecoyMusic.com
“If you’ve ever been thrown out of a venue for trying to start a mosh pit at an orchestral concert, then Kiss Kiss may be just the band for you.” - Aquarian
hey guys and gal, i just wanted to stop by and wish you the best on tour. i really enjoyed seeing you play on friday and saturday. your set is really indescribable, i love seeing all of the toys turned into instruments, and the way you collaborate pianos, violins, drums and guitars is just brilliant.
I'M SO EXCITED THAT YOU ARE COMING BACK TO MICHIGAN ON FEBRUARY 26TH! :D! BECAUSE THAT LANSING CONCERT LAST SUMMER DOESN'T EVEN COUNT AS COMING TO MICHIGAN! ;D
I had so much fun at the music video shoot last night. I just wanted to say thanks to you guys for the opportunity and for making me so comfortable and have such a good time; even though I ended up having to come alone, I didn't feel awkward or out of place, which is a feat for someone as awkward as I am to begin with hahaha. :p
Anyway, I'm sure the video will turn out great, and I hope you all have a good time shooting the subway scene today.
Take care, and I'll see you all around. c:
(And if any amazing people I met last night see this comment, feel free to add me. You guys were awesome. :D)
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