(Independent) legends never die and Brooklyn, NY's The Lordz is living proof. Mr. Kaves and his brother/partner-in-crime ADM have been on the scene, not only in NY, but worldwide for awhile now. Whether it is Kaves presence as a graffiti legend, ADM's stellar production work, and especially when teamed up as a musical entity, you've definitely seen and heard their work. They've toured the world numerous times while members of a previous group and collaborated with the likes of: Ozzy Osbourne, Busta Rhymes, Sublime, Freddie Foxx, Everlast and countless others, proudly bringing the unique flavor of Kings County with them everywhere they've gone and plan to venture. "We are Brooklyn and Brooklyn is us. There is truly no other place like it in the world not even within the 5 boroughs", says Kaves. "The music, the different cultures and especially the attitude. There's a lot of fuckin attitude where we're from and I think it's part of what's made us creative people. You want to be better than your friends, and even more so, (better than) the people that aren't your friends. You want to stick it to the kids that gave you shit while growing up for being different and wearing it on your sleeve".
The Lordz, Kaves and ADM's latest musical incarnation, conjures up images and sounds from late 70s/early 80s New York City with a current-day twist, representing the 2 vital musical and cultural revolutions that were making noise at that time: punk rock and hip-hop. With neither movement being embraced by the mainstream (yet), it wasn't unusual to find b-boys AND punks side-by-side in underground clubs, skating rinks, parks etc., because that was where they were free to fly their respective anti-flags. "My brother and I used to do our b-boy thing over at United Skates of America back in like 1983 break dancing, popping etc.", says ADM. "It was an exciting time. Most kids were there to skate, but there was a pocket of kids from all over Brooklyn who were embracing early hip-hop culture. At all the parties, most of the music the DJ would spin was rap and dance music, but at some point in the night, they would throw on a Clash record or a Blondie record and kids were feeling it".
True revolution or not, some incredible music came out during that period as a direct result of the culture mixing and The Lordz musical mission is to bring back the essence of that magical period. Kaves adds, "If you were rocking a Le Tigre warm-up suit or if you had a blue mohawk, most people looked at you like you were a freak, so even though we were battling at the club, if one of the normal kids fucked with you, this whole crew had your back. We knew we were part of something special. We just never thought years later everything we were a part of would become so popular. It's fine, but the feeling has been lost and the rebellion is gone".
The Lordz debut album, "The Brooklyn Way", is deep, tune-heavy and represents not only The Lordz love for the B.K., but also the good, the bad and the ugly of having grown up there. From the garage/punk-hop workout of albums opener "Back Up", to the Ramones-esque "Outlaw", featuring their good pal Tim Armstrong, of Rancid fame, over to their beat-driven ode to their hometown "The Brooklyn Way" alongside Everlast, to their blazing cover of Jim Carrolls "People Who Died", Mr. Kaves and ADM do the era proud. "This album represents our view of Brooklyn, as well as our view of the world from Brooklyn", announces Kaves. "Whether it be Tokyo, Amsterdam, Rio or Bay Ridge, people go through good and bad in their lives ADM and I definitely have. Babies are born, people succeed, they fail, they get into trouble, they pick up bad habits, they party and sadly, a lot of people die before they're supposed to".
This topic is dramatically documented on "The Brooklyn Way's" final chapter "Mama's Boy"; Kaves and ADM's tribute to their mother and sister who were killed in a still unsolved hit-and-run incident. "It was the worst thing you could ever imagine happening. One day, the person who gave you life, who busted her ass just to provide the basics for her kids is no longer there. Plus, our little sister 4 years old along with her. Devastating is an understatement", somberly offers ADM. "I still feel it everyday".
Interestingly enough, one of the brothers most fond memories of their Brooklyn neighborhood surfaced as a direct result of this tragedy. Kaves explains, "When this went down, we didn't have the money for a proper funeral. You can't imagine what that felt like. However, unbeknownst to us, people from our neighborhood took up a collection and put up the money OUR NEIGHBORHOOD!", exclaims Kaves. "It blew us away! Most of these people we didn't even know and they did something like THAT for US?! I'll never forget what our neighborhood did for my family at the darkest time of our lives".
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