Amidst the glazing skyline, of New York’s most voluptuous skyscrapers, comes an underbelly of music so ferocious that it is sure to “ROCK” the globe with caustic intensity. “The BIG Apple” has been a breeding ground for SUPER GROUPS like Kiss, The Ramones, Anthrax, Type O Negative…but recent times have seen mainstream pop creep into the mixture, monopolizing a majority of the streets & airwaves. Fortunately, the insatiable appetite to create brazen East Coast hardrock remains unfettered, & within this rabid underground is a band known as “KILLCODE”. Delivering raucous ROCK‘N’ROLL GRIND through distorted, lyrically punched-up tracks…they’ve taken influence from a span of artists as diverse as Alice In Chains, Slayer, Shinedown, even The Allman Brothers…& constructed a melting pot (as large as the booming metropolis they come from) where HEAVY meets MELODIC, DIRTY meets POLISHED, URBAN meets SOUTHERN “outlaw rock”.
The five-man posse united in 2008, branding their sound on the foundations of friendship & belief that Americanized rock‘n’roll had NEVER died. After a few jam sessions, & a nationwide search for a suitable drummer, gut instinct told the members that their unique style of breeding “rocked too hard to ignore”. Various experience with some high profile acts built a significant identity for Killcode rather quickly, so intentions could be aptly focused on writing “just as significant” music. 2009 saw the release of a six-song EP entitled “To Die For”, with a quick follow-up “Taking It All” in 2010. Both discs charted, gaining the group overseas airplay, & rendered their name to a number of TOP TEN artist lists.
The encounters with Killcode’s music have been on the positive front, especially those relating to the LIVE STAGE experience. The self-proclaimed “ROAD HOUNDS” let their loud & boisterous personae prevail, with effervescent rumblings that flow through a variety of radio-inspired styles. The upward journey has not been an easy one, but :::KILLCODE::: combine life’s frustrations with their songs…drawing raw, emotional, sarcastic impact that empowers listeners at every angle. Let’s take a glimpse at the tracks off their latest EP…
HAMMER – Right outta’ the gate, the drums & underlying bass groove pound the METAL HEAD down on this bottom-heavy track! The feisty, anthemic angst “hammer” excitement through your speakers with every delicious riff & scornful word.
DEVIL SONG – Swaggery, southern grit regales the torrid adventures of a self-indulgent rock band. Cocky lines & “Motley Crueish” guitar sweeps give the band a flamboyant edge.
BREAKING AWAY – A fluid mixture of “I’m Sorry”…break-up, heartbreak, & regrets are the storyline here. The lonely farewell of this ballad really speaks to you, as it twists fate’s wings toward a hopeful & renewed journey. “Breaking Away” is going to be featured in an inspirational documentary (DRESSED) coming to select theatres, this February.
MIDNIGHT RIDER (Allman Brothers Cover) – A heavier, vamped-up version of the 1972 classic gives fresh interpretation without losing the traditional blues backbone of the song. The triple-guitar intersections take charge & Tom’s clean vocal strength lends itself to emphasizing their “Band on the Run” character.
ONE AND ONLY – Rugged, anthemic form punches (once again) with slow, mid-stream bridges repeating throughout the track. The precision is evident within the ripping solos, & although the lyrics are not as straightforward & inventive as some of the others on the disc, they still leave their mark with a distinctive “SHOUT OUT” ending.
AWAKE – Bass, acoustic, & electric harmony makes this tripped-out 70’s style folk song shine! Tom Morrissey exhibits “soulful” vocal similarities native to the sensational Jimi Jamison (Survivor) with depth, range, & power solidly uniting the motivating lyrical message.
This disc lashes out rich harmonies & “crippling” guitar action to support listeners’ high expectations from southern, metal-infused rock. With their influences given just enough sonic recognition, & a burst of individuality thrown into the creative brew, these bandits have all the right chemistry for encouraging radio stations to play their songs. “There’s nothing in the world we would rather do,” bassist Eric Bonesmith tells me, “plain & simple. We know that Killcode has a lot to offer, & if we can spark someone’s imagination…make someone feel better or inspired…that’s amazing. Our BEST is yet to come, & that is really exciting!” The band is currently recording their first FULL-LENGTH album with producer Stacy O’Dell, & hope to engage in some rampant touring to support it. This will include playing for troops stationed in Iraq, during April – a relief effort hosted by the AFE (Armed Forces Entertainment) & a mission that the band holds in high regard. If “KILLCODE” is a military term meaning “assessment in probability of kill shots”, then this New York gem have themselves strategically planted for an earth shattering career…& the allies in their “Killcode Krew” will defend them at all costs. ROUGH, GRUFF, & “TAKING IT ALL” at steady pace…the :::CODE::: is quickly spreading.
Music can be purchased @ CD Baby, iTunes, Rhapsody, & other popular digital distributors.
Find the band at www.myspace.com/killcode or www.facebook.com/killcode for more information.
KILLCODE IS: Tom Morrissey (vocals), Chas Banellis (guitar), Erric Bonesmith (bass), Pat Harrington (guitar), & Rob Noxious (drums).
*** All photos courtesy of Killcode.
BPatoine – February, 2011
