Kiss Kiss (band)
Encyclopedia
Kiss Kiss is an indie rock
band formed by Joshua Benash (guitar, synth, vocals) and Jared Karns (drums). Although their music is primarily indie in style, it also includes an electric violin
that adds an orchestral sound to many songs.
, where Joshua Benash and Jared Karns had previously played in other bands. The band took their name from a series of short stories
by Roald Dahl
.
Their debut full-length album, Reality vs. The Optimist
, was released on February 6, 2007 under the New Jersey
-based Eyeball Records
. However, it was recorded and prepared for release many months earlier, and several tracks had leaked onto the internet by November 2006. A "tour edition" of the CD, limited to 1,000 copies, was sold at shows between the November leak of the album and the February release date.
A blog post on the band's Myspace
page on August 7, 2008 stated that the band's second full-length album, "The Meek Shall Inherit What's Left", was almost complete and expected to be released in early 2009. A special edition re-release of Reality vs. The Optimist was planned for late-2008, but information regarding its release has since been removed from the Eyeball Records website.
The Meek Shall Inherit What's Left
was officially released on July 7, 2009.
On January 7, 2011, Josh Benash announced a side project called "Vuvuzela
" with some of the members of Kiss Kiss.
The Beach Boys
, Eric Satie, Björk
, Blonde Redhead
, Godspeed You! Black Emperor
, Stravinsky, Mogwai
, Neutral Milk Hotel
, Tiny Tim
, Tripping Daisy
, The Kingston Trio
, early Motown, The Olivia Tremor Control
, Ramona Cordova, Hollywood Bukkake, Circulatory System
, Radiohead
, Mr. Bungle
, Nirvana
, Muse
, Murder By Death
, Cursive
, and The Turtles
.
Indie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
band formed by Joshua Benash (guitar, synth, vocals) and Jared Karns (drums). Although their music is primarily indie in style, it also includes an electric violin
Electric violin
An electric violin is a violin equipped with an electronic output of its sound. The term most properly refers to an instrument purposely made to be electrified with built-in pickups, usually with a solid body...
that adds an orchestral sound to many songs.
History
The band first formed at the State University of New York at PurchaseState University of New York at Purchase
Purchase College, State University of New York, is a public four-year college located in Purchase, New York, United States. It is one of 13 comprehensive colleges in the State University of New York system...
, where Joshua Benash and Jared Karns had previously played in other bands. The band took their name from a series of short stories
Kiss Kiss (book)
Kiss Kiss is a collection of short stories by Roald Dahl, first published in 1960 by Alfred Knopf. Most of the constituent stories had been previously published elsewhere.It contains the following short stories:*"The Landlady"*"William and Mary"...
by Roald Dahl
Roald Dahl
Roald Dahl was a British novelist, short story writer, fighter pilot and screenwriter.Born in Wales to Norwegian parents, he served in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War, in which he became a flying ace and intelligence agent, rising to the rank of Wing Commander...
.
Their debut full-length album, Reality vs. The Optimist
Reality vs. The Optimist
Reality vs. The Optimist is the debut album by Kiss Kiss, released on February 6, 2007 on Eyeball Records. They created a music video for the song "Machines." The band also recorded a live music video for the song "The Cats In Your House".-Track listing:...
, was released on February 6, 2007 under the New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
-based Eyeball Records
Eyeball Records
Eyeball Records is an independent record label based in Northern New Jersey, formed in 1995 by Alex Saavedra. They have released albums by artists such as Thursday, My Chemical Romance and Murder by Death....
. However, it was recorded and prepared for release many months earlier, and several tracks had leaked onto the internet by November 2006. A "tour edition" of the CD, limited to 1,000 copies, was sold at shows between the November leak of the album and the February release date.
A blog post on the band's Myspace
Myspace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
page on August 7, 2008 stated that the band's second full-length album, "The Meek Shall Inherit What's Left", was almost complete and expected to be released in early 2009. A special edition re-release of Reality vs. The Optimist was planned for late-2008, but information regarding its release has since been removed from the Eyeball Records website.
The Meek Shall Inherit What's Left
The Meek Shall Inherit What's Left
The Meek Shall Inherit What's Left is the second album by Kiss Kiss, released on July 7, 2009 on Eyeball Records.-Track listing:# The Best Mistake # Plague #11 # Haunted By The Beauty Of An Imperfection # All They Draw...
was officially released on July 7, 2009.
On January 7, 2011, Josh Benash announced a side project called "Vuvuzela
Vuvuzela
The vuvuzela , also known as lepatata Mambu , colloquially known in South Africa as "Moerstripper", is a plastic horn, about long, which produces a loud monotone note, typically around B3 . Some models are made in two parts to facilitate storage, and this design also allows pitch variation...
" with some of the members of Kiss Kiss.
Musical influences
Kiss Kiss has a range of various musical influences, which include:The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys are an American rock band, formed in 1961 in Hawthorne, California. The group was initially composed of brothers Brian, Dennis and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine. Managed by the Wilsons' father Murry, The Beach Boys signed to Capitol Records in 1962...
, Eric Satie, Björk
Björk
Björk Guðmundsdóttir , known as Björk , is an Icelandic singer-songwriter. Her eclectic musical style has achieved popular acknowledgement and popularity within many musical genres, such as rock, jazz, electronic dance music, classical and folk...
, Blonde Redhead
Blonde Redhead
Blonde Redhead is an American alternative rock band composed of vocalist/rhythm guitarist Kazu Makino and twin brothers Simone and Amedeo Pace , which formed in New York City in 1993....
, Godspeed You! Black Emperor
Godspeed You! Black Emperor
Godspeed You! Black Emperor is a Canadian post-rock band which originated from Montreal, Quebec in 1994...
, Stravinsky, Mogwai
Mogwai
The word mogwai is the transliteration of the Cantonese word 魔怪 meaning "monster", "evil spirit", "devil" or "demon".-Mogwai/Mogui in Chinese culture:...
, Neutral Milk Hotel
Neutral Milk Hotel
Neutral Milk Hotel was an American indie rock band formed by singer, guitarist and songwriter Jeff Mangum in the early 1990s. The band was noted for its experimental sound, obscure lyrics and eclectic instrumentation....
, Tiny Tim
Tiny Tim (musician)
Tiny Tim , , born in Manhattan, was an American singer and ukulele player. He was most famous for his rendition of "Tiptoe Through the Tulips" sung in a distinctive high falsetto/vibrato voice.-Rise to fame:Born to Lebanese parents in 1932, Khaury displayed musical talent at a very young age...
, Tripping Daisy
Tripping Daisy
Tripping Daisy was a neo psychedelic pop rock band that was formed in Dallas, Texas, USA by lead singer/guitarist Tim DeLaughter in 1990 along with Jeff Bouck , Wes Berggren and Mark Pirro .-History:...
, The Kingston Trio
The Kingston Trio
The Kingston Trio is an American folk and pop music group that helped launch the folk revival of the late 1950s to late 1960s. The group started as a San Francisco Bay Area nightclub act with an original lineup of Dave Guard, Bob Shane, and Nick Reynolds...
, early Motown, The Olivia Tremor Control
The Olivia Tremor Control
The Olivia Tremor Control is an indie rock band prominent in the mid to late 1990s which, along with The Apples in Stereo and Neutral Milk Hotel, was one of the three original Elephant 6 projects...
, Ramona Cordova, Hollywood Bukkake, Circulatory System
Circulatory System
Circulatory System is a psychedelic rock musical ensemble formed by musician/painter Will Cullen Hart, and featuring Derek Almstead, Suzanne Allison, Peter Erchick, John Fernandes, Charlie Johnston, and Heather McIntosh....
, Radiohead
Radiohead
Radiohead are an English rock band from Abingdon, Oxfordshire, formed in 1985. The band consists of Thom Yorke , Jonny Greenwood , Ed O'Brien , Colin Greenwood and Phil Selway .Radiohead released their debut single "Creep" in 1992...
, Mr. Bungle
Mr. Bungle
Mr. Bungle was an experimental band from Northern California. The band was formed in 1985 while the members were still in high school and was named after a children's educational film. Mr. Bungle released four demo tapes in the mid to late 1980s before being signed to Warner Bros. Records and...
, Nirvana
Nirvana (band)
Nirvana was an American rock band that was formed by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987...
, Muse
Muse (band)
Muse are an English alternative rock band from Teignmouth, Devon, formed in 1994. The band consists of school friends Matthew Bellamy , Christopher Wolstenholme and Dominic Howard...
, Murder By Death
Murder by Death
Murder by Death is a 1976 comedy film with a cast featuring Eileen Brennan, Truman Capote, James Coco, Peter Falk, Alec Guinness, Elsa Lanchester, David Niven, Peter Sellers, Maggie Smith, Nancy Walker, and Estelle Winwood, written by Neil Simon and directed by Robert Moore.The plot is a spoof of...
, Cursive
Cursive
Cursive, also known as joined-up writing, joint writing, or running writing, is any style of handwriting in which the symbols of the language are written in a simplified and/or flowing manner, generally for the purpose of making writing easier or faster...
, and The Turtles
The Turtles
The Turtles are an American rock group led by vocalists Howard Kaylan and Mark Volman. The band became notable for several Top 40 hits beginning with its cover version of Bob Dylan's "It Ain't Me Babe" in 1965...
.
Current lineup
- Josh Benash - guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
, synthesizerSynthesizerA synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones... - Mike Abiuso - guitar, synthesizer, vocals
- Jared Karns - drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
- Rebecca "Beckster" Schlappich - electric violinElectric violinAn electric violin is a violin equipped with an electronic output of its sound. The term most properly refers to an instrument purposely made to be electrified with built-in pickups, usually with a solid body...
- James O'Keeffe - bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
Former members
- Sam Oatts - bass
- Bob Pycior - violinViolinThe violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
- Evan Crow - guitar, synthesizer
- James Wolff - electric violin, guitar
- Lacy Rostyak - electric violin, vocals
- Jonathan Jetter - guitar
- Pat Lamothe - bass
- Patrick Southern - bass
Discography
| Date of Release | Title | Label |
| October 11, 2005 | Kiss Kiss EP | Eyeball Records Eyeball Records Eyeball Records is an independent record label based in Northern New Jersey, formed in 1995 by Alex Saavedra. They have released albums by artists such as Thursday, My Chemical Romance and Murder by Death.... |
| February 6, 2007 | Reality vs. The Optimist Reality vs. The Optimist Reality vs. The Optimist is the debut album by Kiss Kiss, released on February 6, 2007 on Eyeball Records. They created a music video for the song "Machines." The band also recorded a live music video for the song "The Cats In Your House".-Track listing:... |
Eyeball Records Eyeball Records Eyeball Records is an independent record label based in Northern New Jersey, formed in 1995 by Alex Saavedra. They have released albums by artists such as Thursday, My Chemical Romance and Murder by Death.... |
| July 7, 2009 | The Meek Shall Inherit What's Left The Meek Shall Inherit What's Left The Meek Shall Inherit What's Left is the second album by Kiss Kiss, released on July 7, 2009 on Eyeball Records.-Track listing:# The Best Mistake # Plague #11 # Haunted By The Beauty Of An Imperfection # All They Draw... |
Eyeball Records Eyeball Records Eyeball Records is an independent record label based in Northern New Jersey, formed in 1995 by Alex Saavedra. They have released albums by artists such as Thursday, My Chemical Romance and Murder by Death.... |
Singles
| Year | Title | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Machines | Reality vs. The Optimist Reality vs. The Optimist Reality vs. The Optimist is the debut album by Kiss Kiss, released on February 6, 2007 on Eyeball Records. They created a music video for the song "Machines." The band also recorded a live music video for the song "The Cats In Your House".-Track listing:... |
| 2007 | Satellite | Reality vs. The Optimist Reality vs. The Optimist Reality vs. The Optimist is the debut album by Kiss Kiss, released on February 6, 2007 on Eyeball Records. They created a music video for the song "Machines." The band also recorded a live music video for the song "The Cats In Your House".-Track listing:... |
| 2009 | All They Draw | The Meek Shall Inherit What's Left The Meek Shall Inherit What's Left The Meek Shall Inherit What's Left is the second album by Kiss Kiss, released on July 7, 2009 on Eyeball Records.-Track listing:# The Best Mistake # Plague #11 # Haunted By The Beauty Of An Imperfection # All They Draw... |
| 2009 | Innocent I | The Meek Shall Inherit What's Left The Meek Shall Inherit What's Left The Meek Shall Inherit What's Left is the second album by Kiss Kiss, released on July 7, 2009 on Eyeball Records.-Track listing:# The Best Mistake # Plague #11 # Haunted By The Beauty Of An Imperfection # All They Draw... |
Music videos
| Year | Title | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Machines | Reality vs. The Optimist Reality vs. The Optimist Reality vs. The Optimist is the debut album by Kiss Kiss, released on February 6, 2007 on Eyeball Records. They created a music video for the song "Machines." The band also recorded a live music video for the song "The Cats In Your House".-Track listing:... |
| 2007 | The Cats in Your House | Reality vs. The Optimist Reality vs. The Optimist Reality vs. The Optimist is the debut album by Kiss Kiss, released on February 6, 2007 on Eyeball Records. They created a music video for the song "Machines." The band also recorded a live music video for the song "The Cats In Your House".-Track listing:... |
| 2009 | Innocent I | The Meek Shall Inherit What's Left The Meek Shall Inherit What's Left The Meek Shall Inherit What's Left is the second album by Kiss Kiss, released on July 7, 2009 on Eyeball Records.-Track listing:# The Best Mistake # Plague #11 # Haunted By The Beauty Of An Imperfection # All They Draw... |
| 2009 | Plague #11 | The Meek Shall Inherit What's Left The Meek Shall Inherit What's Left The Meek Shall Inherit What's Left is the second album by Kiss Kiss, released on July 7, 2009 on Eyeball Records.-Track listing:# The Best Mistake # Plague #11 # Haunted By The Beauty Of An Imperfection # All They Draw... |
| 2010 | All They Draw | The Meek Shall Inherit What's Left The Meek Shall Inherit What's Left The Meek Shall Inherit What's Left is the second album by Kiss Kiss, released on July 7, 2009 on Eyeball Records.-Track listing:# The Best Mistake # Plague #11 # Haunted By The Beauty Of An Imperfection # All They Draw... |