Kelly's Heels
London, England, United Kingdom | INDIE
Music
Press
"Bob Kelly's basic mission is to squeeze as much as possible into the two-and-a half minute audio-space ..... and he does it wonderfully ...non-stop-hooks that makes you hit the repeat button again and again ... gorgeous melodies and super-catchy choruses"
- POPISM
"An artist at once incurably romantic and incurably neurotic ... Musically, Kelly strikes me in many ways as a British version of the Rooks' Michael Mazzarella, but with a voice and songwriting sensibility more reminiscent of Glenn Tilbrook. Boasts some first-rate influences - Beatles, early Costello and Lowe ... but what is especially impressive is his attention to songcraft." - Dawn Eden, fufkin
"Oodles of hooks, harmonies and repeated choruses that won't leave your head no matter how hard you try ... Kelly's vibrato-flecked lead-vocals make the album wholly unique. "
- Toast magazine
"Majestically moving melodies and ludicrously strong vocals "
- Melody Maker
A compilation from this British band that takes pieces of their first couple of full lengths, some additional unreleased songs and a couple of other tracks. The band does some of the best 60's inspired jangle power pop that I've heard in awhile. There are plenty Beatles listening points, but the songs are more revved up with the guitars way out front and gutsy vocals (with a little bit of George Harrison flair by lead singer Bob Kelly) with more energy and oomph than you often hear in the genre. They remind me a lot of the Blow Pops, a great lost power pop band from the early 90's that put out a couple of terrific releases on Get Hip, or a punchier Squeeze. I can never get enough of handclaps, jangly lead guitar work, and great melodic pop hooks that stick in your brain for days on end. OK, enough writing...time to run out and find more of their stuff! - Shredding Radio
"Kelly`s Heels is doing some of the finest, most consistently listenable, Fab Four-inspired, power pop on the planet. " - Not Lame
"Urgent guitars, sticky-sharp hooks and harmonies to die (or kill) for ... Kelly's quite the tunesmith, penning and singing memorable numbers like "Someone, Somewhere" (a bloody classic, this one), "Tell Me When It's Over" and "Should've Seen Her." No ballads to be found here, kids, just high-energy, killer pop toons. Remember: it's not retro, it's timeless. " - Goldmine Magazine
Discography
Albums:
Gone Off Pop!?! (1997)
Blunt Cut (1999)
Bent Over Backwards (2002)
Three Chord Brag (2003)
Dig In! (2004)
Neither Use Nor Ornament (2007)
Playing Into Your Hands (2011)
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.
Photos
Bio
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, Playing Into Your Hands, just out, so check out the website www.kellysheels.co.uk or CD Baby, iTunes etc for more 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
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