KillSwitch
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Creative, Unusual Power Trio Oozes Intensity
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From Kalamazoo, Michigan comes a three-piece trio with a highly unusual sound and even higher aspirations. The band: KillSwitch. The album: Bastard Story, a four-song EP/CD featuring band members Jeff Clements on guitar and vocals, Bill Clements on bass and Mike Yount on drums. The bands unusual sound is a cross between a dissonant Rush and a melodic Smashing Pumpkins, while simultaneously managing to sound like neither of the above. The bass sound on the record, in particular, sounds highly processed and synth-like due in part to bassist Bill Clements' hammer-on playing style. Jeff Clements, for his part, has a toned-down playing style that contrasts with his grunged-up sonic textures.
KillSwitch's roots began in the late '80s as a progressive power trio called Catharsis, who were known for their incredible live shows, outstanding musicianship and cleverly written lyrics. However an accident in 1988 claimed half of bassist Bill Clements' right arm. Determined to continue playing bass, Bill taught himself to finger/hammer each note with the fingers of his left hand. He then left Catharsis to start the band Selling Heaven with his brother, Yount and vocalist Chris Breyers. When Breyers left the band, KillSwitch was born, as Jeff Clements took over on vocals and they pushed on as a trio.
KillSwitch regards the four tracks on Bastard Story as more "listener friendly" than past releases. The band plans to use this project to begin shopping for record labels which will position them for a full length, national release.
Contact Information
Miracle Productions
6083 San Gabriel Dr., Apt. C
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
United States
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Mike Gallagher
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Instrumental Guitarist Challenges The Musical Trends Of Today
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Mike Gallagher is a 24-year-old guitarist from Philadelphia whose demo cassette contains three tracks of highly technical rock guitar similar to Paul Gilbert's and Joey Tafolla's work with the Shrapnel Records label in the late '80s. All three tracks are up-tempo, high-powered originals and feature swift, precisely-picked passages and an smorgasbord of modern techniques. Clearly, Gallagher has mastered the technical aspects of his instrument and is poised to take his songwriting to the next level with a drummer and bassist who can match his guitar playing note for note.
Mike was originally influenced, as many other young guitarists, by the fiery electric guitar work of Edward Van Halen. He later became interested in the music of instrumental guitarists such as Joe Satriani, Greg Howe and George Lynch, among others. Gallagher attended the Berklee College of Music from 1991 to 1992 while also playing in various original and cover bands in the Philadelphia, Boston, New York, Los Angeles and New Jersey area. He currently teaches guitar at the Napoli Guitar School in Havertown, Pennsylvania, where he has been an instructor for 4 years.
In the future, Gallagher intends to continue to play and write music in the instrumental hard rock vein with the hope of generating record label interest. Another option Gallagher has is to find a hard rock band of musicians who, like himself, are not afraid to challenge the musical trends of today.
Contact Information
Mike Gallagher
3434 Valley Green Drive
Drexel Hill, PA 19026
Untied States
E-mail:
Mike Gallagher
Web site:
www.mikegallagheronline.com
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