Biography
Throw the melodies and harmonies of the 60s up in the air, smash them into submission with the full-on attack and energy of punk, add a distinctive vocal style a la Costello or Tilbrook, and you have Kelly's Heels. Led on guitar and vocals by Bob Kelly, supported by the ferocious drumming of Jim Kimberley and the groovy bass lines of Isobel Morris, the band has a live show you can't afford to miss.
Though you can hear the influences of the British greats - The Beatles, The Kinks, The Who - in the music, the band blends those influences into a mix that is both highly contemporary but also timeless, producing a rich variety of stunning songs. Whether it's the energy and punkish swagger of Decide, or the heart-rending poignancy of the ballad Walk Alone, the versatility of Bob Kelly's songwriting is a revelation.
Londoner Bob Kelly formed his first band with classmates at school in England at the age of 9. His first band The Ashes gigged regularly around London playing a fast-and-furious brand of post-punk power pop. Following a band name change to Kelly's Heel's, Bob met Jim Kimberley, whose ability to match and, in some cases, challenge, on drums the relentless pace set by Bob on guitar, has led to a positive creative partnership. The addition of the beautiful Isobel Morris on bass and backing vocals completes the line-up. The band currently have a new album, Neither Use nor Ornament, just out, so check out the websites www.kellysheels.com and www.myspace.com/kellysheels for details.
The versatile Mr Kelly has also recently provided guitar contributions to the BBC3 comedy series Thieves Like Us, and E4 comedy Beehive, can be heard on backing vocals on the new Rinaldi Sings album, as well as playing with Ed Ball as part of The Times at the Purple Weekend mod festival in Spain, and with Chris Wilson from the Flamin' Groovies at the Marquee.
Influences: Beatles, Kinks, The Who, Lovin’ Spoonful, Elvis, Eddie Cochran, The Clash, The Jam, Elvis Costello, Paul Revere & The Raiders, Buddy Holly, Little Richard, Little Willie John, Raspberries, Badfinger, CCR, Jellyfish
Instrumentation
Bob Kelly - lead vocals, guitar
Jim Kimberley - drums, vocals
Isobel Kimberley - bass guitar, vocals
Discography
Gone Off Pop!?! (1997)
Blunt Cut (1999)
Bent Over Backwards (2002)
Three Chord Brag (2003)
Dig In! (2004)
Neither Use Nor Ornament (2007)
Compilations:
International Pop Overthrow
Sparklefest
Planet of the Pop Boomerang
Planet of the Pop Boomerang Vol 2
CDs available from CD Baby, Not Lame, amazon and other online retailers, and digital downloads from iTunes, emusic, and more!
Airplay on: WLUW (US), WZRD (US), BBC local radio (UK), Yellow Beat (Japan), POPISM (Serbia), and many more.
Links
| http://www.kellysheels.com |
| Official website |
| Kelly's Heels myspace page |
| Facebook page |
| Kelly's Heels You Tube video |
| Reverbnation |