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"...experimental, ambient rock to help you ease into the hard-party weekend." - BostonNOW!
How did you form?
Marc had been writing and performing solo for a time; the rest of us were bouncing around the chic Northeastern University Music Department scene. One thing led to another, and nine months later here we are, much like a baby. A big 4-piece singing baby.
Who are some of your influences?
Hmm...The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Ian Anderson, Dr. Dre, Captain Geech and the Shrimp Shack Shooters.
Finish the sentence, someone would like your band if they like…
Cigarettes?
What has your most memorable moment as a band been?
Well for our first big show at TT's, there was a tiny, postage-stamp sized picture of Tom in the now defunct BostonNOW. We sent a copy to our moms.
Walk us through your songwriting process…
Marc will usually bring us a basic idea with lyrics and melody. The four of us then have to find a way to make it our own, writing new parts, arrangements, and harmonies. We all have different influences and tastes, so the end product is something totally unique.
Who is the best musician in your band?
Chip. Not because he's writing this…and Marc and Tom, not because they're editing this. Not Sean though, because he doesn't have a computer to edit this with.
What is your favorite local venue?
AfterHOURS. Period.
What separates you from other local bands?
I think we're really committed to being the best possible musicians we can be. Not just playing well, but making good musical decisions.
What do you have coming up that people should know about?
We're having our EP Release show on Wednesday, June 25th at Bills Bar. It's been a long process, but the end result is something the four of us are all proud of.
Convince our readers to see your next show…
We pride ourselves on making our shows as dynamic as the record. We're not going to give you some giant farce, like dressing up in full renaissance garb, but there may or may not be a fife involved. - Boston Music Spotlight
The Kin relate: Australian brothers
Julie Balise
Issue date: 9/13/07 Section: The Inside
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Media Credit: Photo Courtesy/Beatrice Bugnosen
"War is over."
This sentiment, originally from John Lennon and Yoko Ono's 1971 Christmas song, "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)," was sung in response to the Vietnam War.
New York City-based trio The Kin recently repeated the same lyrics in "New Day," a song guitarist/vocalist Thorry Koren said was a reaction to "the war within."
"It's a call not to end war, but a call to acknowledge that no more war needs to happen," he said. "And it is keeping the legacy of what John Lennon said."
The Kin is currently touring nationwide with Josh Kelley and Pat McGee and will perform at afterHOURS tonight at 8 p.m.
The band, comprised of brothers, Thorry and Isaac of Australia, and drummer "Shaker Leg," recently performed the song on "Good Day New York," a live morning show on Fox News. After about two and a half minutes, the repetitions of "War Is Over" began and the news channel cut out.
Thorry said it was "more than strange that a very pro-war station like Fox News would do that so blatantly."
"New Day" is among The Kin's catalogue of songs about change. The band, originally comprised of Thorry and former Northeastern student Isaac, formed after the brothers wrote a song for their father's wedding about seven years ago.
The band has since added "Shaker Leg," a drummer who plays percussion with his limbs instead of sticks, to their lineup and matured from their "preaching" indie rock sound, Thorry said.
"We've gone from being young and [preaching] to realizing that we're just here to raise questions and hopefully be a call to a new perspective," he said.
The Kin is also known for their philanthropic work. They have raised money for the Save Darfur Coalition and Madison Square Boys and Girls Club, according to the band's website.
AfterHOURS Manager Tasha Henderson said the band is being brought to Northeastern based on feedback from afterHOURS employees Tom Klodenski and Sean McDermott.
Klodenski and McDermott, both middler music industry majors, will open for The Kin with the band Plastic Reverie. Solo performer Micah will also open the show.
Plastic Reverie was formed by middler music industry major Marc Pellegrino. The band, which also includes senior music major Chip Homer, plays ambient electronic rock songs based around Pellegrino's lyrics.
Pellegrino said the band is named after the French word "rêve," which means to dream, and plastic, which represents the electronic element of their sound. The song topics range from relationships to random moments in Pellegrino's life.
"I've tried to make it a mixture of good music that is fun to listen to and I very much pride myself in my lyrics," he said. "I'll spend months writing one verse making sure that it's perfect."
Pellegrino met The Kin this spring while on co-op at Billboard magazine in New York City.
"We were just hanging out and they were like, come open for us," he said.
The Kin will release its album "Rise And Fall" Oct. 9. In addition to its afterHOURS show, they will play Paradise Rock Club Sept. 29 at 8 p.m.
Thorry said he is excited to play at new venues nationwide.
"There's nothing like playing to an audience," he said. "Maybe some bands are meant to play for themselves. Our music doesn't exist unless there's [an audience]."
- The Northeastern News
Discography
Crooked Spine EP (2008)
Photos
Bio
Melodic, ethereal, and evocative. These are just some of the words used to describe the music of one of Boston's most up-and-coming bands. Plastic Reverie is the brainchild of singer-songwriter Marc Pellegrino who formed the band in the summer of 2007. They've quickly developed a loyal following around Boston thanks to Marc's cereberal songwritng and dynamic live performances. With their first EP "Crooked Spine" (released June 25th), Plastic Reverie is definitely a band that will be raising eyebrows in 2009.
Here's some quick bio material on the heads that make up Plastic Reverie.
Marc Pellegrino: Marc's the brains behind the operation. A classically trained pianist, Marc has been around music since he was four years old, following a long line of musicians in his family. After moving to Europe in middle school, he picked up the guitar and used that as his new outlet throughout high school, playing in several bands on lead guitar and bass. Eventually, he returned full circle back to the piano, creating songs that fused neo-classical elements with rock music. Playing solo shows for a few years in college, Marc soon realized that the songs he wrote called for more instrumentation and sought after the right band mates to enhance his sound and create something bigger altogether. His influences include John Lennon, Ian Anderson, Steve Howe, Nick Drake, Danny Elfman, and Lou Reed. His recent love, a 1995 Taylor 912-ce was stolen from him, and when not working with the band, he tirelessly plots his revenge on the soulless bastard(s) who stole it.
Tom Klodenski: Plastic's Bass player has been an avid multi-instrumentalist since he first discovered music at the piano after the family dinner. Enjoying the hooks of melody, as well as a love for the deep groove, Klodenski helps build the foundation of Plastic's sound. His influences include Paul McCartney, Jack Bruce, Noel Redding, James Jamerson, Bill White, and John Paul Jones. A key element to his bass playing success is the ability to sing while playing complex lines.
Sean "the Worm" McDermott: Sean's roots actually lie in honky tonky boogie woogie piano blues music. But it wasn't long before the guitar stole his affections. There was a brief period of denial, but Sean, like so many before him, was soon overwhelmed by the seductive power of the six string, and his proficiencies on the fortepiano have become but a distant memory... For a long, long time he was reduced to nothing more than a wriggling wreck, tirelessly obeying the insatiable demands of his new master. Until one day three men, who had also once succumbed to the treacherous siren calls of the guitar, came upon Sean and offered him release from his prison. Together they call themselves Plastic Reverie, and Sean has finally found a place where he doesn't have to play the theme to Mario anymore. His influences (alphabetically) include Duane Allman & Dickey Betts, David Gilmore, James Page, Guy Patterson, and Stevie Ray Vaughan.
Chip "The Magician" Homer: Not only a slight-of-hand master with the coin and the card, Homer surprises even other musicians with his mixture of swagger, swing, and groove. His influences include Elvin Jones, Mitch Mitchell and John Bonham. He hopes in the future to use his juicy chops as a "Blue Man." Seriously.
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