7k
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7k

Anaheim, California, United States | INDIE

Anaheim, California, United States | INDIE
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"Knick Knacks & Apparel Review"

Last year when we stumbled upon 7K and had a chance to talk with Jeff Garvin front man for the band, we knew they were a band that had longevity. Only a year’s gone by and they’re back for more with their sophomore release, which includes a bonus DVD. “Knick Knacks and Apparel” conjures up perfection and class of a great Indie act named REM.

Melodic power chords, riveting hypnotic vocals with precision by Garvin gives birth to the next generation in the history of 7K. I am a headbanger by heart but also get mellow at times and I latched onto the likes of Cat Stevens so there is nothing I would not give a chance. 7K falls in the genre of high profile alternative without the screams of most alternative bands. The guitar by David Neil Black is Santana-like but also has the drive to take it home. “Make It Up” will be in regular radio rotation if it’s not already, the song pulls no punches as it delivers highs and lows, but the charisma in Garvin’s voice draws your attention and makes you an instant fan.

Disc II: The DVD was recorded at Hogue Barmichael’s Orange County Newport Beach, California 2006
Songs include
Master of Fate
Who Dies First
The Wrong Girl
Remember me
Make It Up
Dispense with the Pleasantries
Ministry of Pretense

Watching the DVD I can’t but help seeing that Garvin has the crowd in his hold. The musicianship is excellent yet Garvin still holds the key for success of 7K. The stage is quite small so there’s not a lot of mobility but 7K make the best of it and Rivera starts feeling it during “Make It Up” as he rocks the stage with his body motions and pounding bass lines. The band leaves the stage after a thirty-minute set, coming back for one encore “Ministry of Pretense” which seemed to be the most powerful song of the night. - Rockeyez


"Through The Windshield Review"

7K excites fans every time they step on stage. The L.A. based band was formed by Jeff Garvin in 2001 along with high school musical partner and bassist Carlos Rivera Jr. Their music is clear cut electrifying with amazing songwriting skills and vocals reminiscent of Ed Kowalczyk of Live. 7K plays a style of alternative hard rock at a level of LIVE that is unique with Garvin setting high standards as a pronounced vocalist.

The aura that surrounds the band is shocking which is hard to find in music these days. Each and every song has a glow of sensation that is riveting. The way Garvin sings holds your attention as the guitar playing of David Neil Black sets the mood. Black’s playing is in the mold of Mike Campbell from TOM PETTY AND THE HEARTBREAKERS as he plays melodic guitar holding that perfect note with precision. The band has released two prior EP’s before releasing this full-length debut CD “Through The Windshield.”

The opening track “The Wrong Mistake” rips apart the simplest of alternative tunes and shows what the band has achieved in only a short time. The arrangement throughout the CD is superb; it’s a miracle that no other band has stolen material from 7K. The production is top of the line being produced by Dean Dinning of TOAD THE WET SPROCKET. “Who Dies First” will give you memories of past John Fogerty tunes. Rockeyez has never received a CD of this quality from an independent band like 7K. We do receive some amazing releases but nothing in the mold of 7K. These guys are a freak of nature, they are sensational. - Brian Rademacher


"ORANGE COUNTY-BRED ROCKERS 7k RESCUE LOST SUBURBANITES"

When was the last time we heard of an unsigned rock band ballsy enough to record an entire album, or in the case of Orange County modern rockers 7k, a feisty six song EP/Live DVD package that didn't have one friggin' whiny, self-pitying or angry love song? Who have the guts to unabashedly declare their new collection a call to action for several generations of spiritually and emotionally unfulfilled people?

Corey Manske, the band's new drummer (who the three other members credit for driving 7k's vibe to a new, higher level), says the whole point of Knick Knacks And Apparel is to inspire people to get up off their asses and do something with their lives. Not only are we trying to inspire you to do something, he explains, but we're warning you that if you just sit around, you're wasting your life.

Over the past few years, the band has been off their duffs quite a bit, doing hundreds of shows while building a loyal following that extends from famed OC clubs like Hogue Barmichael's in Newport (where the DVD was shot) to L.A. hotspots like Key Club, The Red Devil Lounge in San Francisco and the Monte Vista Hotel in Flagstaff, Arizona.

They've also been championed by Dean Dinning, bassist for Toad The Wet Sprocket, who produced their early Eps The Glovebox EP (2003) and Ferocious Pop (2004). With Knick Knacks And Apparel, they're becoming nationally known thanks to an aggressive college radio promotional campaign and a growing myspace fan base.

Don't let lead singer and rhythm guitarist Jeff Garvin's Flock of Seagulls-spiced blond and black mop of hair, eyeliner, leather pants and skeleton key and dragon tattoos on his arms fool you: his literate lyrics are just possibly this generation's answer to Elvis Costello and his voice has always impressed guitarist David Neil Black (a Jimmy Page fanatic) as Robert Plantish in passion and intensity.

The charismatic co-founder of 7k quips, "My function is to drive home the core message of the band, which is to electrify people to live the unlived life within them. There's an epidemic of forfeited dreams in our generation, people who sell out their true self for more apparently pressing obligations; jobs, family, drugs, you name it. There's always this tension between the person you're supposed to be and the person you are being. Our songs address the reality that the more you can get those circles to overlap, the more positive impact you can have."

That theme is driven home on two key 7k tracks that perfectly define the band's riveting songwriting acumen. "Who Dies First?" from 2005's Through The Windshield, their first full length album (which was produced by Black, enjoying his true Jimmy Page moment), was inspired by Garvin's dark high school fantasy of an unnamed character who goes on a Columbine style shooting spree. The sequel to that song, "Suburban Desperado" from Knick Knacks and Apparel is a cautionary tale starring a man named Jim Vickers, who survives the attack but lives his whole life in fear, only to wake up one day to realize he wasted his life by not pursuing his dreams.

"The lyrics during the bridge depict Vickers standing over his wife with a gun, contemplating a horrible, desperate move," says Manske. "It's about subtle satisfaction and terrifying tension wrapped together. The song has a great arena anthem chorus and a definite Police vibe in the middle. "?Suburban Desperado" really clues the listener in on who we are."

Knick Knacks And Apparel also includes the blistering "Stark Raving Calm," which was written about personal traumas in Garvin's own life but, he says, "really applies to anyone who has experienced the mounting tension that can turn the mild mannered guy-next-door into a monster. It's urging people to stop it before it gets that far, to express that frustration through creativity rather than violence or self-destructive behavior. Brilliantly twisted story songs aside, 7k's philosophy of life can be summed up in the chorus of "Make It Up":Make it up / put it out / that is what / this is about. The singer adds, "Essentially, we're saying, don't be afraid of failure and don't worry about success, just do what you were born to do."

A lot of this heavy philosophizing came to Garvin when he read The War Of Art by Steven Pressfield (well known author of The Legend of Bagger Vance), who expounded upon the creative struggle and what stops people from doing the work they were born to do and achieving their dream. "His ideas resonated almost like a religious experience," Garvin says, "and I wanted to share that message with everyone. Regardless of whether you're a movie or rock star or a waitress, you have a duty to use your talent to create."

But that doesn't mean that 7k can't take a breather from all that responsibility once in a while. When they're on the bus heading for another gig, the foursome just want to have fun, sharing their geeky mutual appreciation for pop sci-fi stuff like Star Wars, Robotech and The Matrix. If you catch them talking in code phrases, just watch the first Star Wars movie. "We use lines by Han Solo like our own cultural shorthand," Black laughs.

When you ask members of most indie bands about their day jobs, they tend to change the subject and pretend they're too "almost famous" to still have them. But the 7k guys are all engaged in fascinating outside creative endeavors that not only speak of their versatility as creative artists but also help spur their intensity as a unit. Jeff Garvin grew up acting on TV shows and still does the occasional indie film (like the upcoming Young, Single & Angry) when he's not working for Daisy Rock Guitars (a cool company devoted to making girl-friendly axes, in addition to masculine models like he plays) as their Director of Sales.

David Neil Black is a professional voice actor who is currently featured in the Cartoon Network series "Prince of Tennis" and is the voice of Marine #8 in the popular Call Of Duty 4 video game. He originally met Garvin in an acting class taught by acting guru Cameron Thor, and "hated him because he was funny, handsome and intelligent, like I wanted to be. But later we became friends and asked if I could audition for the band. I got the job!" Corey Manske, who joined the band in 2005 after encountering their want ad for a new drummer by mistake, used to work for OC Drums and Percussion, where he custom built drumsets for local and famous bands like No Doubt.

"We made great music before he came along, but Corey was the missing piece who turned everything on for us, like a generator" says Black. "He plugged in and we started to become more focused both musically and emotionally. One of the greatest things we have is the way we communicate. It's really an incredible experience playing with these guys."

Garvin adds, "Starting a band after being an actor for so many years was so creatively liberating; it's like playing the role of my life every day. I completely enjoy it for the simple fact that I can write and perform original material without anyone's permission, but I'm most excited because these guys are the brothers I never had. They constantly challenge me to become better at my craft, and I have a blast with them every moment we're together."
- New Music Weekly


Discography

7k (2009)
Featuring "My High Life, " "Little Bit More," and "Turnin' It Up."

Knick Knacks and Apparel [EP and live DVD] (2006)
Featuring "Make It Up" and "Remember Me."

Through the Windshield (2005)
Featuring "Who Dies First," "The Wrong Girl," and "Bombsong."

Photos

Bio

Anyone who has experienced a 7k show knows the answer immediately when asked: When was the last time you had the time of your life at an interactive rock show? Hailing from Orange County, California 7k is an energized, spring-loaded, power-packed, fun factory waiting to erupt. This nationally touring melodic pop/rock trio has electrified audiences for nearly a decade with their signature brand of full-throttle interactive rock show. Each show begins with dazzling original songs, described as Maroon 5 meets Third Eye Blind, which display 7k’s aim-to-please attitude as well as their collective musical prowess. After a handful of their songs, the trio seamlessly shifts into volcanic overdrive and unleashes a seemingly endless string of sing-along inducing super favorites. In venues ranging from college campus events to dive bars and everything in between, 7k has perfected their specialty of performances bursting with fun. Regularly cramming four hour shows with songs by Lady Ga Ga, Garth Brooks, The Beatles, Bon Jovi, Black Eyed Peas, AC/DC and dozens more, the boys are committed to getting people involved onstage and having an absolute blast. The band’s three members Jeff Garvin (vocals & bass), David Neil Black (guitar & backing vocals) and Corey Manske (drums) are the best of friends with a universal focus: FUN. Jeff’s leading man good looks and boyish charm blended with his thunder nugget bass-playing style and full-tilt vocals magnetize audiences everywhere. David’s enchanting persona flickers like a tesla coil as he effortlessly hurls heroic, anthemic, melodic guitar riffs to riveted crowds anywhere. Corey’s cartoonishly engaging facial expressions hover above a sweat-slicked blur of machine-like precision and monster-like pounding as he cranks out the band’s heartbeat. Combining all the ingredients of 7k’s recipe for fun is an unparalleled experience that always ends the same way- everyone wishing it wasn’t over.

Testimonials

"7k has a humorous and delightful approach to holding events. With great covers and some great originals 7k brings a powerful performance that gets the crowd involved and excited. 7k held an awesome event and Adrian College would love to bring them again!"
-Conley (Adrian College, Adrian, MI)

"At a campus where students typically avoid the front row at any event, 7k managed to get half the audience ON STAGE with them... a few even singing along in the microphones!"
-Robyn Schultz (Alvernia University, Reading, PA)

"7k started a new tradition here at Penn State Berks! Because the concert was so great, the students demand that we do it every year! Thank you guys for an awesome first-ever Spring Concert on our campus!"
-Andrea Pfaff (Penn State University, Berks, Berks County, PA)

"7k was the best band that has ever come to Adrian College. They were wonderful to work with as well as staying in touch. The concert couldn't have run more smoothly. "
-Krista McNichol (Adrian College, Adrian, MI)

"7K is a concert like nothing I've ever experienced! The guys are incredibly fun and interactive with the students and I look forward to bringing them back in the future!"
-Amber Nicole (Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, CT)

"7k was awesome, I'd book them again in a second! Everyone loved the high energy and the ability to meet and hang out with the band! "
-Shelby Pushies (Adrian College, Adrian, MI)

"7k are the most amazing guys to work with and they are the best band for Doo Dah Day!"
-Kim Davidson (Marietta College, Marietta, OH)