Chris Darby- Vocals, Guitar
Rolland Gairroes- Vocals, Guitar
Stefanie Kohn- Vocals, Percussion
Scott Gibson- Drums
Influences
everything
Sounds Like
These are all people we have been told we sound like: Cat Stevens, Jim Croce, Simon and Garfunkel, Elliott Smith, Ben Harper, Phil Ochs, Bright Eyes, Pearls before Swine, Ritchie Havens, Donovan, Kings of Convienence, Dead Kennedys, Jethro Tull, The Pogues, Ronnie Milsap, James Taylor, The Mountain Goats, and that guy who sings the theme song to the hobbit.
Chris Darby and Rolland Gairroes met in January of 2000, while attending theological formation for the Roman Catholic priesthood, at a small college in rural northwestern Missouri. Upon entering their final year in the seminary, they joined musically to form the now disbanded Formation Issue. Formation Issue played one concert before its certain demise.
A year later the paths of this duo again converged in La Grange Park, IL where many songs were resurrected. Upon this foundation, the grid work for Them Damn Kids was built. After a brief six month hiatus, the living quarters were relocated to the city of Chicago, IL in late 2003.
The band traveled as much as their jobs allowed, traversing throughout Illinois and surrounding states. In 2004 they managed to play an impressive 125 shows. The simple desire to play as much as possible and bring joy to as many as possible were the primary motivations which fueled them.
In 2005, three other people were convinced to join the duo and form a rhythm section. They recorded an album, titled '...the day has just begun'. The album, comprised of twelve songs, was released on March 1st, 2006. The five piece band played it's final show at Cal's Bar in downtown Chicago on December 15th, 2006
In April of 2007, Chris took to the woods to hike the Appalachian Trail. He completed this monumental journey in October of that same year. Tdk picked up a record label while he was gone, and will release all new music on this label until further notice.
Chris and Rolland are touring for some time together this summer, 2008. If you would like to donate a gallon of gas to this tour, please hit the 'donate' button below. Thanks!
No Columbia, MO show? I hope that you can schedule something in Columbia, but if not I'll certainly try to make it to one of the Missouri dates. Enjoy the road!
Great work on Alaska... love the vibe... and the signature tones of the instrumentation. Phil your voice sounds beautiful. Facing Winter hungers for a new TDK album... so keep it up!
hey guys! thanks for the birthday wishes! i'm still working on trying to figure out a show for you all here. it's a little difficult, but i'm working on it. if i can't figure out anything, maybe you guys can just play at our house.
I'll be there on the night of june 18th. then i'm leaving the next morning. i'll probably be back sometime in the day of the 23rd or 24th. then i'm leaving the next morning after that.
i'm still not sure where your russellville show's gonna' go down, but it will go down, fret not. we'll have it worked out soon.
Hey Chris! Lovely meeting you last night as well. Always a smash @ the quench, that's for sure ;) I'll totally try to come see you famous folksters at Phyllis'! But until then...be well! <3!jen
