Kevin K is one of the last true punk rockin’ roll (as he says…), originals! In his long career, made 15 solo albums not to mention his great band of the past, the Road Vultures! He keeps up in the street rock n’ roll tradition of his an’ our heroes New York Dolls – Johnny Thunders, with no take a rest spirit and he has a brand new record out in the streets! Read what he told us and go find everythin’ related to him!
GB: What was actually your first try in a rock n roll band and when? What made you start or join in a group?
Kevin K: At 16 years old we had a band called “Aunt Helen”. In 1980 we started The New Toys…We figured it was an easy way to get drugs and girls!! We were right.....
GB: Before the Road Vultures, did you have any recording experience? I know you’ve been in bands like the Toys, but I don’t know nothing ‘bout your previous studio work.
Kevin K: Aunt Helen we had one single. The New Toys we had one single and a LP called "Say It"...But "Rave up Records" from Italy just released a New Toys LP…It has 12 songs never released. It’s GREAT! They have a web site and are on myspace...
GB: I also read in your site that you opened when you were in the Toys, for legendary bands like the Ramones, Dead Boys and The Romantics. Did you meet them or get to know them and if yes, tell me some story from those days?
Kevin K: We opened many shows. The Romantics were very nice to us. We did 5 shows with them. Pat Benatar was cool! Squeeze were assholes! Would only let us use red lights, no sound check...Ramones were fantastic, Johnny Thunders was nice, a little stoned, but cool! .Dead boys were wild! Stiv (Bators) was really a quite guy off stage....
GB: As a New Yorker, I’m sure you spent in the past lots of hours in the CBGB’s. How do you feel now for the outcome of the place? Isn’t very sad that the birthplace of the second wave of American rock n roll is now gone for sure?
Kevin K: In looking at my old calendars I have played at CBGB, 42 times… The first was in 1981 and the last was 2004...Well to me, you can’t have a New York City without CBGB’s...CBGB to me was like the moon, it was always there! VERY SAD…
GB: I always thought that your music has lotsa glam touches save for the New York Dolls. Am I right about this and what do you think about acts like T-Rex and Marc Bolan, Mott the Hoople, Hollywood Brats, the Runaways or Suzy Quattro?
Kevin K: Oh I like all those bands...But the Stones, Ramones, Johnny Thunders, Dead Boys, Iggy Pop, Frank Sinatra, Chicago and Delta blues music were my true inspirations...
GB: For how long the Road Vultures lasted and how many releases they got? I think they were a wonderful band with great power pop melodies. Why they disbanded so quickly?
Kevin K: We started the band in Los Angeles in 1991, and then moved back to N.Y.C. in 1992. We did 2 cds on Circumstantial Records .We had Cheetah Chrome from the Dead Boys play on the first cd. He was AMAZING!! A third Road Vultures cd came out with demos and unreleased songs. You can get that at 13th-Street.com...Well, when my brother Alan died in 1996… Road Vultures died with him....
GB: Is it true that the first ever show for the Road Vultures, being placed supporting the former New York Dolls members, Sylvain Sylvain and Jerry Nolan? What was like backing up ex Dolls or The Waldos?
Kevin K: Those shows with Jerry Nolan and Sylvain were great! We did 15 weekends with them. Jerry was just so nice to talk to about music and clothes. My hero... Dee Dee Ramone was also cool. He was just like a little kid. Great song writer, perfect in his lyrics, a TRUE legend...
GB: Which album from your solo career are you the most proud of?
Kevin K: Well I think all my cds (15), have been important because it represents that I made it thru another year of touring and recording in this modern bullshit filled world...
GB: Full Breach Records, is a new company in the underground? How the contact made between you and them?
Kevin K: Josh at Full Breach, we both have many things in common, we like girls with big breasts and rock ‘n’ roll!! So that's how the partnership started....Actually he knew about me from all my tours in Europe. And we talked and it’s been down hill ever since!!!... (That’s a joke)...
GB: It’s widely known that you’re a big Johnny Thunders fan. What do you think of the reform of the New York Dolls? Did you hear their new album and if yes, what’s your opinion about this?
Kevin K: At first I hated it! How can you have a N.Y. Dolls without the sleazy guitar of Johnny and the sloppy drums of Jerry?But my friend Johnny Stitches we were driving back to Hollywood in his truck after I played in Long Beach, so he puts the Dolls cd on. First song, really good! Next song really-really good! Next song great! I couldn't believe what I was hearing! They had GREAT songs. Sure it’s not the New York Dolls of old, but it is a new improved Dolls. Like a Las Vegas Dolls. I had the chance to see them in Hollywood and I talked with Sylvain. Now I haven't seen Syl in 10 years and he was cool...The Dolls cd is very important, because it’s ROCKIN’ ROLL! And there have been no new rockin’ roll bands in 15 years! I love it. Thanks to Johnny Stitches...
GB: What do you know about Greek Rock n Roll? Is there any band from my country that you dig?
Kevin K: Oh I know nothing about Greece rockin roll, (but) Nikki Sudden used to tell me, Greece was always fun to play....
GB: Tell me your thoughts for the underground press and the fanzines. Are you read them? What’s your favourite?
Kevin K: Third Generation Nation, I94 Bar and Now Wave are my favourites.....
GB: I know it’s hard, but give me a top 5 of your record collection that you can’t live without…
Kevin K: “Sticky Fingers” The Stones, Heartbreakers “L.A.M.F.”, (The first) Lords of the New Church, The Ramones “Rocket To Russia.”, Dead Boys “Young, Loud and Snotty”…
GB: So, what’s next for you?
Kevin K: Oh nothing changes for me! Record, tour and write. The last 10 years that's all I do… I like to keep busy as possible. I have voices in my head that bother me when I’m not busy…It sure doesn't get any easier getting older....So lets be friends at www.myspace.com/kevinkrock. Please anyone can help me with shows in Greece get in touch. Contact me at kevinkband@aol.com. Info on tours and
Merchandise also www.Fullbreach77.com....Thanks, hope to see you on tour...Kevin K.
Thank you very much Kevin!
Mihaleez – Music For Your Legs, January 2007
GB: What was actually your first try in a rock n roll band and when? What made you start or join in a group?
Kevin K: At 16 years old we had a band called “Aunt Helen”. In 1980 we started The New Toys…We figured it was an easy way to get drugs and girls!! We were right.....
GB: Before the Road Vultures, did you have any recording experience? I know you’ve been in bands like the Toys, but I don’t know nothing ‘bout your previous studio work.
Kevin K: Aunt Helen we had one single. The New Toys we had one single and a LP called "Say It"...But "Rave up Records" from Italy just released a New Toys LP…It has 12 songs never released. It’s GREAT! They have a web site and are on myspace...
GB: I also read in your site that you opened when you were in the Toys, for legendary bands like the Ramones, Dead Boys and The Romantics. Did you meet them or get to know them and if yes, tell me some story from those days?Kevin K: We opened many shows. The Romantics were very nice to us. We did 5 shows with them. Pat Benatar was cool! Squeeze were assholes! Would only let us use red lights, no sound check...Ramones were fantastic, Johnny Thunders was nice, a little stoned, but cool! .Dead boys were wild! Stiv (Bators) was really a quite guy off stage....
GB: As a New Yorker, I’m sure you spent in the past lots of hours in the CBGB’s. How do you feel now for the outcome of the place? Isn’t very sad that the birthplace of the second wave of American rock n roll is now gone for sure?
Kevin K: In looking at my old calendars I have played at CBGB, 42 times… The first was in 1981 and the last was 2004...Well to me, you can’t have a New York City without CBGB’s...CBGB to me was like the moon, it was always there! VERY SAD…
GB: I always thought that your music has lotsa glam touches save for the New York Dolls. Am I right about this and what do you think about acts like T-Rex and Marc Bolan, Mott the Hoople, Hollywood Brats, the Runaways or Suzy Quattro?
Kevin K: Oh I like all those bands...But the Stones, Ramones, Johnny Thunders, Dead Boys, Iggy Pop, Frank Sinatra, Chicago and Delta blues music were my true inspirations...
GB: For how long the Road Vultures lasted and how many releases they got? I think they were a wonderful band with great power pop melodies. Why they disbanded so quickly?Kevin K: We started the band in Los Angeles in 1991, and then moved back to N.Y.C. in 1992. We did 2 cds on Circumstantial Records .We had Cheetah Chrome from the Dead Boys play on the first cd. He was AMAZING!! A third Road Vultures cd came out with demos and unreleased songs. You can get that at 13th-Street.com...Well, when my brother Alan died in 1996… Road Vultures died with him....
GB: Is it true that the first ever show for the Road Vultures, being placed supporting the former New York Dolls members, Sylvain Sylvain and Jerry Nolan? What was like backing up ex Dolls or The Waldos?
Kevin K: Those shows with Jerry Nolan and Sylvain were great! We did 15 weekends with them. Jerry was just so nice to talk to about music and clothes. My hero... Dee Dee Ramone was also cool. He was just like a little kid. Great song writer, perfect in his lyrics, a TRUE legend...
GB: Which album from your solo career are you the most proud of?
Kevin K: Well I think all my cds (15), have been important because it represents that I made it thru another year of touring and recording in this modern bullshit filled world...
GB: Full Breach Records, is a new company in the underground? How the contact made between you and them?
Kevin K: Josh at Full Breach, we both have many things in common, we like girls with big breasts and rock ‘n’ roll!! So that's how the partnership started....Actually he knew about me from all my tours in Europe. And we talked and it’s been down hill ever since!!!... (That’s a joke)...
GB: It’s widely known that you’re a big Johnny Thunders fan. What do you think of the reform of the New York Dolls? Did you hear their new album and if yes, what’s your opinion about this?
Kevin K: At first I hated it! How can you have a N.Y. Dolls without the sleazy guitar of Johnny and the sloppy drums of Jerry?But my friend Johnny Stitches we were driving back to Hollywood in his truck after I played in Long Beach, so he puts the Dolls cd on. First song, really good! Next song really-really good! Next song great! I couldn't believe what I was hearing! They had GREAT songs. Sure it’s not the New York Dolls of old, but it is a new improved Dolls. Like a Las Vegas Dolls. I had the chance to see them in Hollywood and I talked with Sylvain. Now I haven't seen Syl in 10 years and he was cool...The Dolls cd is very important, because it’s ROCKIN’ ROLL! And there have been no new rockin’ roll bands in 15 years! I love it. Thanks to Johnny Stitches...
GB: What do you know about Greek Rock n Roll? Is there any band from my country that you dig?
Kevin K: Oh I know nothing about Greece rockin roll, (but) Nikki Sudden used to tell me, Greece was always fun to play....
GB: Tell me your thoughts for the underground press and the fanzines. Are you read them? What’s your favourite?
Kevin K: Third Generation Nation, I94 Bar and Now Wave are my favourites.....
GB: I know it’s hard, but give me a top 5 of your record collection that you can’t live without…
Kevin K: “Sticky Fingers” The Stones, Heartbreakers “L.A.M.F.”, (The first) Lords of the New Church, The Ramones “Rocket To Russia.”, Dead Boys “Young, Loud and Snotty”…
GB: So, what’s next for you?
Kevin K: Oh nothing changes for me! Record, tour and write. The last 10 years that's all I do… I like to keep busy as possible. I have voices in my head that bother me when I’m not busy…It sure doesn't get any easier getting older....So lets be friends at www.myspace.com/kevinkrock. Please anyone can help me with shows in Greece get in touch. Contact me at kevinkband@aol.com. Info on tours and
Merchandise also www.Fullbreach77.com....Thanks, hope to see you on tour...Kevin K.
Thank you very much Kevin!
Mihaleez – Music For Your Legs, January 2007
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