Kinetix

In this week's paper, we ran excerpts of Andy Thomas's recent conversation with the members of Kinetix in Rough Mixes. That Q&A barely scratched the surface. After the jump, you'll find not only Thomas's exchange with band in its entirety but the transcript from Dutch Seyfarth's recent chat with the guys, as well. Both interviews are pretty in-depth, and should give you a good sense of who these musicians are and what makes them tick.




Westword (Dutch Seyfarth): The Blasting Room Studios in Fort Collins is more well known for recording hard rock and punk bands: How did your band come to the decision to record there?

Josh Fairman: We had heard other records from bands like Rise Against, Black Flag and the Flobots, who recorded there, and were very impressed. Our Producer Andy G. from the Flobots told us we would really be missing out if we didn't check it out. We did one song there in like a day; it kicked so much ass and sounded so big, we decided to do as much of the record there as we could. Those guys are no joke.

Jack Gargan: I had first heard about Blasting Room through listening to bands like Rise Against and Black Flag, both of whom have recorded there, and were massive influences in my development as an artist. Then, we played NYE 2009 with the Flobots at the Gothic, and that one show ended up uniting our bands pretty closely. Andy Guerrero from Flobots loved our band that night, and he ended up signing on to produce this album.

We started the recording at a few different studios but hadn't found the sound we were looking for when the Flobots asked us to support their entire Fall 2009 tour; we, of course, said "yes," and ended up becoming even closer with Andy during the run. The Flobots had just wrapped Survival Story up there, and Andy couldn't stop gushing about Blasting Room and Jason Livermore, and basically said, "We're taking the Kinetix album there."

WW (DS): Did working with Jason Livermore and the Blasting Room studio experience bring anything new or unexpected to the final album's
sound?

JF: Yes, it brought a bunch of balls. He managed to make a lot of the songs sound huge, and he definitely helped pick a lot of the takes. It was easy to go off of his opinion because of his experience, and the fact that he is a Monster of Rock.

He also helped us change some of the songs to make more sense. Jason is good at cutting through the bullshit and getting what's important out of a song. He also helped keep us from being perfectionists. He would be like, "That's just character," and he was right.

JG: He really is a genius behind the board. Whenever we had an idea about drums sounds or what kind of compression we wanted on the snare or kick, within seconds he would have it dialed in and be able to show us the differences. The drum locker up there was full of snare drums that all had a unique color. He helped me choose snare drums for some songs and made recommendations, like whether to use the small brass snare for the verse or the big maple snare for the chorus. His general confidence and coolness helped bring out the best performance in all of us. He made the sounds on the album just flat awesome and very different than any of our other records. The drum sounds are unlike anything we have done in the past and it was just so kick-ass.

WW (DS): How long did the songwriting and arrangement process take for the new album?

JF: We spent a better part of a year writing and recording. We did a lot of pre-production with our producer Andy, and our good friend and engineer Greg McRae, just working on the songs. The studio is a very different animal than a live show. We know what works live, but sometimes that stuff doesn't work in the studio, so we really took our time to develop these songs and make them completed projects.

JG: Roughly a year or so. It was really cool how these songs evolved. Some of them were written on the road at a soundcheck or in the van as a basic idea. Others were conceived by Adam, Eric, Josh, or Jordan, and then we would work them down and strip them or embellish them as a group during rehearsals.

We had worked hard on the pre-production several different times throughout the year, mostly in the summer and on our tours before we went to the studio. The cool thing about writing a song and taking it on the road before you record it is that sometimes it takes on a totally new life; the live energy gives the song a nitrous boost. In other cases, it makes us realize what works and what doesn't, or it simply mangles the song past the point of no return. The point is, it took a long time!

WW (DS): After five years of being in a band, have you achieved any personal career highlights worth sharing?

JF: I would say we have achieved many things that I've dreamed about since I was a kid. We've repeatedly toured nationally, played over 200 different cities and towns, drove over 200,000 miles, and miraculously have stuck together. We still have all original members, and we aim to keep it that way; we're a weird, dysfunctional, hilarious family, and that doesn't explain the half of it.

But seriously, some of our festival sets, like our late night sets at the Ten Thousand Lakes Festival, were big highlights, and, of course, getting to play the Fillmore Auditorium in Denver was a dream come true. I wasn't born in Denver, but eight years ago, when I came here, I was like, 'Will I ever get to play on that stage?' Now we've gotten to do it twice. That was definitely a big deal for us. Now I dream of Red Rocks, and keep the fingers crossed.

JG: Growing up in Denver, all I did was go see shows at the Fillmore. When we got offered to play the Fillmore on Halloween 2008, that was a milestone of my musical career. I have been in the audience so many times watching bands crush that stage, and then I got my shot ... not just once, but twice. Those times where I got to get on that stage in my hometown in front of my friends and family were two extraordinary gigs for me. It made me want to achieve more and keep working as hard as I can to get to bigger stages, and, hopefully, play Red Rocks! - Denver Westword

By now I was feeling all the Sierra Nevadas I had been mindlessly drinking and the setbreak came & went while I hardly noticed it. When Kinetix arrived to the stage, the venue was nicely packed and the dancefloor carried an army of feet ready to stomp. This was my first time seeing Kinetix so my knowledge of their catalog was nonexistent. I was able to wrangle up the setlist, but my notes weren't detailed enough to be able to pin down any of the songs I liked from the beginning of the set. All I know is that it was awesome. Me and about 200 people couldn't stop dancing if we got paid for it. They came in riding the wave of energy established by Roster McCabe and somehow managed to increase the hype & excitement even more. They had a more funk/groove-based explosive jam sound (as opposed to the dub/reggae influence from The Brew and Roster) with fantastic vocals from Eric Blumenfeld on keys. Also impressive was the rapping from Adam Lufkin. I have never before heard a jamband that so seamlessly integrated rapping into their sound, but these guys pulled it off fantastically. Of course a jamband isn't complete without some tremendous guitar shredding and Jordan Linit and Lufkin brought the fiery licks. Rounding out the sound was Mike Beck on the drumkit and Josh Fairman bringing a groovy, thumping bassline.

The best way I can describe the sound is explosive. I know I already used that exact word... but it's just perfect for the way I felt. I would get all frothed up in some wild guitar slaughter only to slip back into a boogie funk meltdown. The funk only increased in potency when they busted out a crowd mover. A cover of Jamiroquai's "Canned Heat" (the Napoleon Dynamite song) got everyone feeling joyous and kicked up the funky heat. They absolutely killed this song. The range of their funk prowess was in full effect, impressing the masses now completely filling the dancefloor. The fully funky display kept rolling as they invited Alex Steele back out to the stage to kick in some vocals on a cover of Stevie Wonder's "Superstition." Steele and Lufkin had some awesome interplay on stage and looked like they were having way too much fun making the raucous crowd go apeshit with this classic jam. This song ended the set on a fantastic note and had everyone completely jacked up.

Since the crowd just wouldn't quit, Kinetix came back out for one more jam. They brought out an original song called something like "Get The People Hoppin'" that was as hyped as any song they had previously played. It definitely did the job that the title suggested and I was bouncing like a kid on the playground, once again unable to relax in any way. When the song ended I felt like it was setbreak time and I was totally ready for another whole set. These guys were that good. I put Kinetix in the same bracket of 'a sound so great that it's about to move from regional to national' that I place Papadosio and Ultraviolet Hippopotamus. Their sound was solid in every way possible and sounded absolutely fantastic. The fact that Lufkin can throw down some healthy raps only further separates Kinetix from some of the flotsam of the jamband circuit. Not only were the bands all impressive, but the stage/light show that came along with the "Sorry For Partying" tour was top notch and made the photographer in me swell up with joy. The crowd this tour attracted was much larger than I expected, which is a great sign for these bands. And they certainly got their money's worth-- this night of music was stellar.
- Chicagojamscene.com

Over at the Barn Stage was another Colorado group that was bringing it just as hard. In their fourth year at 10KLF, Kinetix played to a packed house and one of the most responsive crowds all weekend. Although I had never seen them play before, I had heard a lot about Kinetix and was interested in checking them out. I'm glad I did, and I would like to see these guys at more festivals. Right from the start it became clear that Kinetix had put a lot of hard work into their set, and it paid off. I would later find out that they had spent a month preparing for the show. To me that is the pinnacle of live music – focus, dedication, effort and a true appreciation for one's fans. The highlights of the show included "People Start Hoppin'," a song that seems to capture the core essence and philosophy of the band's musical approach, as well as a cover of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" that they more than did justice to. Their style is completely rockin', with just a dash of pop so that it's catchy without being cheesy; and their compositions are well crafted with proper build-up and execution, not just a bunch of noisy, repetitive jamming. And their instrumentation is top-notch and tight, with each member finding his niche and working with the rest of the group as a whole to create a very unique and powerful sound. I can't recommend these guys enough. - Jambase.com

Kinetix, the Denver based band specializing in what they call “party rock,” are no strangers to 10,000 Lakes Music Festival. This year, the band played the festival for the fourth time, making their third appearance in a coveted late night time slot at the barn stage. What’s more amazing, they were able to fill the place despite playing at the same time as gangsta-jam heavy hitters Pretty Lights. In fact, when asked which show they planned to attend, often people told me they were most looking forward to the Kinetix set. Such is a testament to the loyalty of their fans. With this much hoopla surrounding one band, it made it impossible for me to skip their set. I was not disappointed, as they absolutely tore down the tent with their funk laden melodies. I was fortunate enough to catch up with Josh, Jordan, Adam and Eric backstage the next day, and had a talk with them about their new album, playing live, and the Denver music scene.
When talking to the group about their influences, it can get a little confusing. That’s because each member has their own unique personal tastes, and it really comes through during their live shows. Josh, the bass player, certainly looks the part as he thrashes his way through a song with his fro swinging back and forth, and so when he tells me that he really likes old Rage Against the Machine and Red Hot Chili Peppers albums, it starts to make sense. Eric Blumenfeld (piano, vocals) tells me that he listens to Bruce Hornsby and Martin Sexton, and then there’s your piano driven melody. At times, there‘s even a hint of electronic influence. The band is able to take their sound almost anywhere, at any time, and they manage to do it very well. The band said a lot of this just comes from being such great friends. If one member hears something that they really enjoy, they’ll just burn a copy of it and hand it out to the rest of the band. Before too long, the rest of the group are fans of the music too.
As for the burgeoning music scene in Denver, it seems that Kinetix are perfectly at home with their peers. Their new album, tentatively scheduled for a release sometime in 2010, is being produced by Andy Guerrero, the guitarist for another Denver based band, The Flobots. When I asked about their connection with Guerreo, the group told me that it came from another college connection to Mackenzie Roberts, the Flobots viola player. The group seemed genuinely excited about the new album, stating that it was definitely a signal that the growth and maturity of the band as they continue to try new ideas. When I asked if there were a lot ideas that don’t work out, the group laughed and said they had more than their fair share of failed attempts at something new. Eric was quick to point out, however, that rarely does an idea get tossed away completely, but rather gets tucked away until the right opportunity presents itself. Jordan Linit (guitar) also pointed out that the group’s last record was released when they were still in college, and that, in a way, this album marks the band’s first effort as full time musicians. That’s not to say they weren’t committed when they were in school, but this time around there are no distractions to get in the way. This is definitely an album to watch for in the coming year.
For now, the group continues to go from strength to strength, building on an already loyal following. When asked the about the impact that playing 10KLF has had on their careers, the group collectively shakes their heads in disbelief. Having come to Denver from all over the country, it can be a little overwhelming they say when they travel to Naberdeen, South Dakota and find the house full. The festival has been good to the band in this respect, as the areas surrounding the Detroit Lakes area tend to show the most love when they are out on the road. Of course, the band continues to stake their territory beyond the region, and with a show like the one they played on Wednesday, the future continues to look bright for Kinetix. - TheExaminer.com

Like many 2010 Summercamp artists, Kinetix travelled directly from the Bella Vida Music Festival in Geneva, MN to perform in Chillicothe, IL. When we sat down to talk on Sunday morning, the five sleep-deprived men were in surprisingly high spirits, anxious to discuss their summer touring schedule and recently released new album.

Denver-based Kinetix credits 10,000 Lakes as their foot in the door to the festival scene. They first played there in 2005 and have returned every year since to rock their steadily building Midwestern fan base. With 10KLF on hiatus in 2010 though, the band was open to new ventures and booked with Summercamp for a change of pace. But it’s not the first time members of the group have ever been to Summercamp; keyboard player and Chicago-native Eric Blumenfeld remembers attending his first music festival ever at the ripe age of 16 on the grounds of Three Sisters Park.

Fast forward several years to Sunday May 30th, 2010. At 3 p.m., the beginning of Kinetix’s set rivaled Umphreys fifth show of the weekend just across the street, but a majority of the loyal UM fans meandered over afterwards to investigate. Halfway through their performance, Kinetix had tripled the original size of their audience.

In the studio, Kinetix reminds me of local band The Postscript. Their songs are well-crafted and give equal amounts of attention to all five members. The music is primarily alternative pop, with a little bit of funk and soul. Conversely, on stage before their Summercamp crowd, Kinetix brought the hardest rock I heard all weekend. Enjoying a set that moved away from spacey, psychedelic jams was a refreshing change of pace as my cohort and I vigorously shook our heads and jumped up and down to the music (which included a wicked cover of Bohemian Rhapsody). Further diversifying the Kinetix sound, guitarist Adam Lufkin stepped to the microphone occasionally to indulge in rock raps. Lufkin’s special touch was milder than hip hop vocals, yet gave the songs an edgy, urban feel.

Kinetix is excited to be on the road this summer in support of their May release Let Me In. The third album in the band’s discography comes just five years after their formation- a testament to continuous evolution from a relatively young band. “This is really a landmark album for us,” says lead guitarist Jordan Linit. “We were able to put all of our time into it, whereas previously we were still studying [at the Lamont School of Music at Denver University].”

Release week for Let Me In put Kinetix in the iTunes Top 200 Rock Charts, peaking at #47. The album’s official release party sold out at The Bluebird Theatre in Denver. As one of the top three selling records at the Twist and Shout Record store (also in Denver), the band caught the attention of a booking agent for Red Rocks Amphitheater who, just 10 minutes before their show at The Bluebird, called Kinetix to present them with the opportunity to play the world-famous venue; a lifelong dream turned reality for the band. - Nuvo.net

After the soothing and relaxed playing of Danielle Ate the Sandwich, Kinetix’s set at City Hall was auditory whiplash. Kinetix may be, musically, the polar opposite of every band we’d seen so far, but the passion and energy they played with easily allowed us to switch gears. While their style makes it temping to call them a jam band, Kinetix is much more than this – interesting and catchy hooks combined well with a powerful beat that got a packed crowd moving. This was the most exciting act we’d seen all day, and kept us going as the day wore on. - Something Like Sound

One of the earliest scheduled shows to kick off Forecastle this Friday, the Denver band Kinetix will start things off with a high-energy attack of rock blended with funk and a hint of hip-hop on the East Stage at 4:30 p.m. I spoke with the group's bass player Josh Fairman, who offered a little insight on what Kinetix will bring to town as they finish up a swing through the northeast on their way to Forecastle and points west.

Fairman said that he and fellow guitarist Jordan Linit have been playing music together since they were about 13 years old in Columbia, Missouri. And when they both went to the University of Denver, they met up with what became the rest of Kinetix – fellow students at the Lamont School of Music -- guitarist Adam Lufkin, keyboardist Eric Blumenfeld, and drummer Jack Gargan. All were jazz performance majors, honing their skills on their preferred instruments.

Fairman said that the band grew out of the friends simply jamming together and then starting to play gigs in bars around Denver. All of the study and varied musical backgrounds and tastes somehow merged into a cohesive sound, which Fairman described simply as “high-energy, rockin', fun music.”

Kinetix' success has been fueled by great word-of-mouth from their live performances and truly grassroots efforts that have had them playing a national circuit almost from the beginning. Band members hail from Columbia, Denver, Chicago, and Boston. “We're from all over the place, so pretty much right in that first year when we started playing, everyone booked a show in their hometown, and a couple in between, so our first tour went all the way from Denver to New York City and back.” They've now played in over 200 cities, still independent, and popular on the festival schedule.

When I asked what their favorite “rock star” moment has been so far in the five years since they put out their first album, the answer was easy. After debuting their latest CD, Let Me In, in May, which hit the iTunes Top 200 Rock Chart at #47, they played a sold out CD-release show and noticed an older guy hanging out back stage. “We were saying who's this guy? ...And he said, 'How would you guys like to play at Red Rocks?' And we were like, oh my God, are you serious?” The legendary open-air amphitheater near Morrison, Colorado was a dream-venue for Kinetix, and they ended up playing in front of 9,000 people to open a film series. For a taste of a Kinetix live performance, check out the video below. - Louisville.com

I will admit that Kinetix was not on my must-see list of Waka 2010 until James Searl of Giant Panda G.D.P. made a pretty good case to check them out. So I headed over a bit late from seeing State Radio, where people literally started running when they heard the sounds of Queen erupting from the Outpost Tent.

Queen wasn't the only cover, Kinetix also played a kick ass "Killin in the Name Of" from Rage that had the entire tent jumping. The energy they put out gets a huge A+ from me, and made them infinitely better. Eric Blumenfeld on the keyboard is a welcome addition that elevates the sound from solid rock to a rock borne from funk. Cafe Con Leche was instantly in love with the bass player, Josh Fairman, who could win a look-a-like contest with Slash if he threw on the hat. Towards the end of the set, Adam Lufkin [guitar/vocals] went into a very respectable rap with dance moves to match. Check out the full review after the jump.


Seeing them live, they are more like a jam band that rocks hard. They were full of an energy that turned the initially small gathering into a frenetic and fully-crowded tent. They felt very technically together, and knew how to spin the minutes into a blur that left you wanting more. When I got back and picked up their album, Let Me In, which just came out this year - the sound was good, but definitely brought out a heavy pop influence, that reminds me a bit of Maroon 5.

Kinetix hails from Denver, where they built a loyal following quickly, and are 5 years into doing this themselves. This was a solid Wakarusa find, and I would suggest grabbing their Summer Sampler 2010 while it's free. Thanks to James of Giant Panda for the heads up, and be sure to catch them live - though it might be a while since they aren't headed south this summer. - Breakfast On Tour