Band Profile: The Killer Moon
The Killer Moon plays tonight, May 2, at PS14 (28 NE 14th Street) for REV Miami III.
It's 2am on the final night of the Miami 420 Music Festival. Things are coming to a close and three native Chicagoans sit in the back of PS14, patiently waiting for ArtOfficial to finish playing so they can have their turn on stage.
Three days earlier, on Day 1 of the 420 Festival, Jesse (guitar), Amaris (bass), and Alex (drums) were playing WhiteRoom. It was late but they played their hearts out to a crowd that stayed to watch every single band play the festival.
One guy in particular was going crazy for the music. I figured he must have been one of their friends. But when they finished playing he ran over to me and asked, "Who are these guys? They are amazing!" When they played the following Friday at PS14, he was right up front to watch them.
Not bad for an instrumental band.
This is what impresses me the most about The Killer Moon: these guys want nothing more than to just play music; they have a passion for it. When they first moved to Miami from Chicago about a year ago, the trio lived together and did nothing but jam whenever they had free time. To them, that was the key for developing a completely unique sound to the Miami music scene.
The first time I saw them was on Tuesday of the Winter Music Conference. Initially I had gone out to catch Stone Groove's special WMC Edition at The Vagabond, but was drawn over to PS14.
The three took the stage and as they started their set, I was blown away, instantly reminded of bands like Drive Like Jehu, Dysrhythmia, Fugazi's Instrument, and Godspeed! You Black Emperor.
Their music is dark and heavy, but also soaring. Before they lived together, their songs sounded more like an homage to The Doors. But through those months of non-stop playing, their sound developed into something completely different.
Looking back through different movements in music there always seems to be an incredible instrumental band that influences an entire community of musicians. The lack of a singer allows the band to dive completely into the musical aspects of a sound without concern for vocals.
Each member follows their roles masterfully. Jesse and Alex both play their instruments as leads--guitar riffs loop over guitar riffs looped over guitar riffs looped over guitar riffs and unconventionally erratic but tight drumming. Amaris and her five string Ernie Ball Musicman hold down the rhythm of the songs like John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin - nothing too fancy, but right in the pocket of the groove.
It is absolutely mesmerizing.
I met with Jesse, Alex, and their manager Pablo at Sunset Tavern in South Miami to talk about their music and the band. They really understand that, as an instrumental band, people will put whatever they want onto their music.
"We want to provide a soundtrack," they told me. They want people to put their own thoughts and interpretations to the music. When I hear them play, I envision an industrial setting--license plates being made, the stamper going up and down at a steady pace; the shining steel and repetitive movements.
Beyond their music, The Killer Moon has an unstoppable attitude. In a reversal of typical Miami happenings, The Killer Moon moved from an amazing music town, Chicago, to Miami, breaking away from an established scene. The openness of Miami drew them in.
"There's something really coming together down here."
But they acknowledge it's just the beginning. And unlike the Chicago scene, which has had hundreds of years to establish itself, Miami is still fresh, young, and finding it's own personality.
Pablo exposes the band to new music to expand their musical vocabulary, particularly Stoner Rock and Sludge Metal, including Miami natives Torche. It's that new influence that is pushing their music to the dark side.
But don't think their music speaks to just one type of audience. They recently played a show at Churchill's Pub with Hip-Hop acts ArtOfficial and Bred Crumbs.
They may be fresh in Miami, but they are already pushing things forward. Plans have been made to record, tour, and get all the little things together that can really build an audience. Personally it's exciting to watch a band grow and start from the bottom to move quickly to the top. If they keep their feet under them and their heads out of the clouds, they should be making a huge impact soon.
I will be placing one of their songs in the post soon. Keep an eye on it.
LINKS
The Killer Moon's Myspace Page (www.myspace.com/thekillermoons)
If You Enjoyed This Post, You May Also Like:
- Jahfe is Miami's favorite Reggae band
- Buffalo Brown
- Band Profile: Sirens & Sealions
- 5 Questions With... Xela Zaid
- A Night with Kellar Williams and His Invisible Band (Live at City Limits, Delray Beach 1/28/09)
NOTE FOR COMMENTS: Do not flame or leave obnoxious comments, THEY WILL NOT BE APPROVED. Constructive criticism should always be welcomed by any artist, but don't be a d-bag, show some class. Thanks. - REVMiami Staff
You hit it right on the nose. The Killer Moons sound is Awsome!! Im so excited to watch this band grow! See u at the next show!
Yeaa..... these guys totally came outta left field. Its really nice to hear another instrumental band getting some recognition. It can be a double edged sword at times, people lump you in to categories, or arent inclined to dig just instruments....But when you do it well...theres no limit to what you can accomplish musically.
were very very very excited The Killer Moon jumped on the bill at our Demo Release Party ^_^
great write up ric!
For a three piece band, I am amazed and blown away!!!! They're very unique and fresh. Man.... it's like cosmic poetry.
Love and awesome... are less then how I feel about their Music... I want to listen to them again... started hearing them late during their set at PS14... when will they play again?