Kalvin Koolidge

KALVIN KOOLIDGE
3 Song Demo
3 songs

Wow! It is truly a shame that this band included no actual information or even a track listing with this hand marked CD-R. Kalvin Koolidge is a totally gay name for a band, bad spelling and all, but the music here is fucking brilliant. Included are three really tight, well produced, poppy tunes, with nice harmonies, a raspy, yet melodic lead vocal, some great ambience, and a driving rhythm section. I am impressed with this band beyond words. I guess you’ll have to go seek them out for yourself. I welcome the opportunity to learn more about this band. If these three songs are any indication, Kalvin Koolidge could be a very popular band around these parts and, with a name change, popular everywhere else. (Joel Simches)
- The Noise (Boston, MA)

The next act is Kalvin Koolidge. These guys have won me over already with their first song, “Thirsty,” where spirited lead singer Tommy Vendetta accidentally pulls out a sack of coke and a bag of weed while lining up a drug deal on his cell phone during the middle of his solo. I haven’t seen such outlandish stage antics since Robbie Roadsteamer at Hempfest. Luckily no cops were around and Kalvin Koolidge dives right into their next few songs, ranging in topics from Spanish bull fighters to Fox TV’s King of the Hill. The crowd is totally into it and hanging on the bands every move. Some people went as far as removing their shirts and bowing in front of the stage. Unfortunately they were all dudes; the girls were with me cutting it up on the dance floor. Viva la rock baby! Kalvin Koolidge has got it! (Kier Byrnes) - The Noise

I was bored off my ass for a while with the Boston music scene. I was about to stop dragging my but all the way out there from western, MA. Then one night Upstairs at The Middle East in Cambridge I came across a band who for whatever reason had named themselves after some lame-ass president. That night, Kalvin Koolidge redeemed the Boston music scene in this writers mind. I’m not here to tell you about that night however. I’m here to tell you about evolution people.

Two months later, on Jan. 5th, in the coveted basement of The Middle East Club I witnessed a transformation I never would have predicted. That night the air was electric. The audience had at least doubled. It was as if everyone that was there the first time had come back with their entire family, and they were in frenzy to hear this band.

The band opened up with their hit song “Thirsty,” and the sound was un-freakin-believeable. The drums were rock solid; the bass just about knocked me over, but lead singer Tommy Vendettas sly falsetto vocal in the beginning of the tune pulled me right back in. “I’m always thinkin’ baby how my gonna get you…” he sang as the crowd chants back, “First thing in the morning, thirsty in the morning.”

From there the show exploded on as the band ripped into “747” a punk anthem about joining the mile high club. The song quickly shifts into an extremely melodic verse before it dives head first back into this captivating speedy pop riff that I’m almost embarrassed to enjoy. It’s cool though.

By now the band is all over the place. I mean, the bassist is dancing with girls in the crowd; Tommy is leaping off everything in sight, and all without skipping a beat. This is what rock n’ roll is all about.

These guys rifled through a couple more fast pace numbers that had me going, then all of the sudden, they broke into this funky ass tune that had the whole room bouncing. It was so tight, and such a big transition, that again I almost fell to the ground. I found out after the show from drummer Kevin Mcdevitt that the song is called “Switches” and as he said, “yeah…we’re probably going to release that as one of our first singles off our album late this summer. So keep your ears open for that.”

Folks, what else can I tell you about Kalvin Koolidge? Talent, originality, energy, athleticism, confidence, chicks, these guys have it all, and they keep it rolling. This is the kind of band I used to dream about being in as a kid. Check these guys out asap. I can’t wait to hear this album. (Victor Chen)
- In the Mix (North Adams, MA)

It’s easier to review the bad CDs than the good ones, especially the really good ones, so I’m having a problem writing this. Kill the Precedent is not pop. It’s not punk, funk, garage, or grunge. But there are elements of all of these styles in the music. This three-piece (guitar, bass, drums) creates songs with Blue Oyster Cult-like twists and turns and gripping changes in dynamics. These guys have the chops to pull this off beautifully—and it’s hard to believe there are only three musicians creating this sonic nirvana. So much is happening in each of the five songs that it’s impossible to break them down in this short review. I found myself listening to Kalvin Koolidge like I would listen to a symphony: by sitting back and letting the music come to me. This is an absolutely riveting, simply amazing rock ’n’ roll CD. [There’s an 11-song release with the same title out now… Ed.] (Robin Umbley)
- The Noise

A George Bush Sr. mask who walks onto the stage underneath the lights of a packed room at Bill’s Bar on Landesdowne St. He takes a bow before sitting behind the fire engine red drumset and cranking out a hard hitting rock beat. A thunderous crash of bass and guitar ring out over the beat and Ronald Reagan emerges on the bass. Finally Richard Nixon walks pompously onto the stage toting a guitar and tossing money into the air before assuming Nixon’s famous send off pose as the bills trickle down on the crowd. It is rock and roll decadence taking the face of the most powerful influential man in the world.

It really is a spectacle and the crowd screams in appreciation as the band segue ways in “One More Roll of the Dice”. The crowd claps their hands as singer/guitarist Tom Koolidge sings the opening line “One more roll of the dice and I’ll be playing blackjack at that grand ole’ casino in the sky.” From this point the band has the crowd in the palm of their hands. As they rip through material from the brand new album “Kill the Precedent” they mix in a bunch of new tunes, which somehow the crowd is already singing along to. I found myself singing along as well, the hooks are huge and easy to follow. They blend well with the band’s sophisticated brand of bluesy punk rock.

The show ends climactically with a song about crashing cars that builds momentum ferociously before stopping on a dime and leaving the crowd in a frenzy. The band and the crowd are soaked in sweat from the 40 minute renegade set. I walked into the club questioning the hype surrounding this band and walked out believing in it. (Tim Skagel)
- Boston Inquirer

Kalvin Koolidge, cleverly introduced by WFNX DJ Dave Duncan. They are off to a rocky start, breaking a string on the first note of the first song, but a drum and bass groove over some clever stage banter keep the momentum going and save the moment, drawing the crowd right up against the edge of the stage. With the guitar back in operation, Kalvin Koolidge explodes into sound. Their debut CD isn’t even two weeks away from being released and yet the crowd is singing along like they know every word. It’s the kind of show that makes you glad you pulled your ass out of bed that day, full of catchy hooks and beats that will knock you around harder than all the characters of Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out combined. The band announces that they will be touring the U.K. this fall. If their European shows live up to half as much as the one they do tonight, this band will make a big splash on the other side of the pond. (Kier Byrnes)
- The Noise

Looking for crunchy guitars and wall-of-sound vocal choruses? Your search is over. Boston's Kalvin Koolige (cool name - although I know nothing about the guy) deliver the goods.

The four tracks on the band's MySpace page all offer up high-energy American rock and roll that is infused with a just a touch of punk. The three-piece outfit cranks out a guitar/drum/vocal style that is completely without subtlety. "Matador" begins with a clever bass and drum riff and sneering vocals. A dump-truck full of guitars empties on your head as the chorus kicks in with a catchy backing "who-oh oh-oh."

Slightly delayed electric guitars and a throbbing bass kick off "Countdown." More guitar melodies and straight-forward singing provide the meat in this track. The lyrics aren't meant for much more than a good time, and the song does provide plenty of fun, especially after the quiet instrumental break near the end of the tune.

"One More Roll" is a hot number, sorta like salsa that heats you up just enough to make your forehead break out in sweat. The tempo cooks as the boys load you up with heaps of guitar and vocal melodies.

The band's most popular MySpace track is "Streets of Tikrit," which is a bit of a departure from the other available tracks. A stuttering beat drives this loud track that is sure to be a favorite in the mosh pit. Kudos to the boys for hammering out the amazing guitar bit at the song's conclusion.

Fans of Urge Overkill or modern era Bad Religion will want to check out Kalvin Koolige. (Doug Cornell)
- Hitsession.com

Kalvin Koolidge
The Middle East Upstairs, Cambridge, MA 6/1/06

Kalvin Koolidge comes out with guns-a-blazin’. This style of hard rocking, danceable tunes is addictive. The crowd huddles up to the stage, singing along with every word guitar/ vocalist Tommy Vendetta belts out. This is balls-to-the-wall rock ’n’ roll! Tommy’s eyes dart around like an escaped mental patient, meanwhile bassist Jonny C leaps off of everything in sight. Suddenly the mood turns as Koolidge pulls out this funky groove they call “Switches.” Drummer Kevin “Ace” McDevitt drives the beat through the floor, the bass grabs hold, and everyone is moving. I’m dancing with this beautiful woman, an original member of the “First Ladies Club,” which is a group of very friendly girls who are at every show. Kalvin Koolidge has it all—the music, the acrobatics, and the girls—I love it, and I’m hooked! (Kim Sato)

- The Noise