“The Kenneth’s are a reincarnation of what got me into punk rock in the first place. I had too book them the first time I heard them.”
Kevin Lyman’s words aka Vans warped tour organiser. Why is this relevant? Because The Kenneths spent the whole of last summer stateside rocking the warped tour via personal invitation (honest!). Now back on UK soil and ready for action, get ready for their new EP Double N.
It’s been an eventful first 18 months for Josh Weller (vocals/guitar), Lewis Maynard (bass) and Aicha Djidjelli (drums) with a catalogue of shows (150!) alongside the likes of Anti-Flag and Less Than Jake. But who doesn’t love a bit of hook and harmony laden punk? Check these London punks out!
The first track up on the line up is All Cried Out. Upbeat and fresh sounding with an ace starting guitar melody to match this is my favourite. Djidjelli’s drum beats are tight throughout and certainly worthy of praise. Definitely a mover and a bit like a dance around your bedroom kinda track, I can assure you the lyrics “I’m all cried out…whooooo hoo oooohh” will become lodged in your brain and you’ll be singing them in work/shower/bed/family meal/to the dog till Christmas.
Next please! It’s the track Fucked In Love. Because we’ve all felt the worst side of love at least once and let’s be honest it f*****g sucked. But chuck them tissues and as Billie Joe says dry your whining eyes cause this will get you through. I really love half way through where all the instruments quieten down slightly so you can just enjoy Weller’s vocals. Summed up this is a 2 minute all in power song with red hot bass riffs from Maynard.
Closing this line up is Hollywood, a recent record of the week on Absolute Radio and I Can’t Focus. Hollywood is the sunshine track of the bunch, it’s rhythmic and foot tapping good. Sun, stars and Hollywood all the way! However increasingly repetitive with hardly any variation. Sorry after many rounds of “I’m going too Hollywood” I got a little bored.
I Can’t Focus is one of those does what it says on the tin things. Fast, full of energy and a portrayal of Weller’s ADHD and inability to concentrate for anything longer than 10 minutes. Over and in finished in a flash. Literally. I Can’t Focus. Literally.
Catch The Kenneth’s on tour and expect all of the above. Literally.
LIVE DATES:
OCTOBER – Co-headline w/ WACO
03: LONDON The Black Heart (18+) *
04: MILTON KEYNES Crauford Arms (14+)
05: NORWICH The Owl Sanctuary (18+)
06: MANCHESTER Factory (14+)
09: GLASGOW 13th Note (18+)
10: NEWCASTLE Think Tank (14+)
12: YORK Fibbers (14+)
13: BIRMINGHAM The Asylum (14+)
14: SWANSEA Sin City (16+)
15: SOUTHAMPTON Aftershow @ WTF Fest (18+) *
* The Kenneths only
DECEMBER – w/ Yellowcard
07 – AMSTERDAM Melkweg OZ
08 – COLOGNE Live Music Hall
09 – COLOGNE Live Music Hall
11 – BRISTOL Academy
12 – GLASGOW ABC
14 – MANCHESTER Ritz
15 – LONDON Shepherd’s Bush Empire
17 – NOTTINGHAM Rock City
18 – BIRMINGHAM Institute