Listen: DANCEHALL - 96 [Debut Single]

Words: Saam Das

Riotous London trio DANCEHALL (comprising members of Kill Kenada, Spoilers, and more) only popped up earlier this year and they've already put out their first release, dropping '96' on cassette tape - don't worry, you get download codes too. Check out the blistering new track below.

Surfacing: DANCEHALL [New Band]

Words: Saam Das

One of my favourite bands as a young 'un was Kill Kenada, a riotous act perhaps best known for collaborating with Regina Spektor on 'Soviet Kitsch'. I used to post regularly on their forum, as did a nice chap called Craig, who would later appear in Ice, Sea, Dead, People and Spoilers. Bringing things full circle, he's now teamed up with Kill Kenada's Timothy, with David from Kill Kenada follow up The Semper Teens also in the mix. Listen to debut track 'KO' below.

Surfacing: The Semper Teens [New Band]

Words: Saam Das

It was a huge shame that Sussex's Kill Kenada failed to capitalise on the unexpected hype they built up in the mid-noughties, having worked with the likes of Regina Spektor and producer Gordon Raphael. A few years on, and frontman Tim Smithen (aka Kscreams) has launched a side project, The Semper Teens. Listen to three of their demos below.

Pavement Reform So Here's A Cover

Understandably, the initial report on Brooklyn Vegan that seminal indie rock band Pavement were reforming for NYC gigs in 2010 was met with scepticism. Then KABOOM! Pitchfork confirmed the rumours. To an extent. Good enough for most so good enough for me.

Having said all that, I find myself in a similar state of mind as to when Pixies reformed for live performances and another stab at music. As a casual fan, I wasn't really fussed enough to pay 40 quid or whatever to see the band. Likewise, Pavement's return doesn't have me bouncing off the walls. Nonetheless, I appreciate their influence and am taking the opportunity to quickly mention a band that were inspired by Pavement (and Pixies and Sonic Youth, Fugazi etc). That band being Kill Kenada.

Back in 2004, it really seemed like Kill Kenada would establish themselves as one of the major "alternative" bands of the time. Alas, an album didn't appear until late 2005 and the buzz had died down long before. It actually depresses me a bit writing about the band, knowing that they should have been so much more successful and popular. I'm not even sure they're still going.

One day I'll get around to sharing all my thoughts on Kill Kenada. Until that day comes, I leave you with a live radio session version of Pavement's 'Grounded', which Kill Kenada recorded for Zane Lowe on BBC Radio 1 in 2003(?).

KILL KENADA - GROUNDED (PAVEMENT COVER)

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