Footage from the end of the night of our Final Kiss or Kill...
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Thank you...
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO MADE IT OUT TO THE FINAL KISS OR KILL SHOW!!!!
photo by Jessy Plume 12/12/07 @ approx. 2:00am
What a great way to pay tribute to something that became and will remain a part of us for the rest of our lives!
Thank you everyone for the last five years.
We have uploaded some of the pictures from Wednesday to our myspace page at www.myspace.com/kissorkillclub We will also add them to our blog when time allows. Thank you to Jessy Plume for being the nights official “photographist” and to Kerri Bruce for sharing her personal pix as well. If anyone else would like to share pix from the evening (and we hope you will) please feel free to send them to kissorkillnews@yahoo.com along with how you’d like to be credited.
Thank you to 405East for capturing the night’s ending which is a great example of the past five years enjoy the video they put together
I think Mike TV’s posting yesterday sums up all of our feelings from the Wednesday night show!!!
Now, I know that there are a bunch of you that are at least familiar with Kiss or Kill. It's not so much a club as it is a scene of bands, a family of sorts, that have congregated at various nightclubs over the past five years making music, hanging out, and supporting each other. Kiss or Kill had their final show last night. And it was magic. There's no other word. Every now and again, something happens in your life that you know is elevated beyond normal human experience. Which I think of as magic. And this night was exactly that. There was so much love in the room that I had to step outside and breath cigarette smoke for a while, just to catch my breath.
So, to all my fellow Kissers and Killers, thank you so much for allowing me to share the stage, floor, bars, bathrooms, and beds with you. I know it's not goodbye. I know we'll all be playing with each other in other venues and at other shows. But the fact that Kiss or Kill, the club itself, has taken it's final bow reminds me that all beautiful things live on forever, if only in our hearts. And when it is time for my heart to stop beating and the final chapter on my life comes to an end, and that final page is turned, I will perhaps rest a little easier knowing that I was part of something unique and singular in all of human history. That I got to witness and be a part of something extraordinary. So, thank you, thank you, thank you, you magnificent bastards!
With great, steaming piles of love and affection,
Mike TV
Thursday, December 13, 2007
How I Came Across Kiss or Kill:Robert Dean
How I Came Across Kiss or Kill
by Robert Dean
One word: Midway
It was towards the end of 2003 and Corey, Cortney and myself were stalking this band Midway all summer and they were booked at some place called Kiss or Kill at the Garage. The line up: She, Midway, Ballentine, Bang Sugar Bang and the Dollyrots - I'd checked online and listened to some mp3s and liked what I heard.
The door chick asked for the two bucks and which band we were here to see. Midway...oh and Bang Sugar Bang. Oh I kind of want to see the Dollyrots too.
Over the years my answer was usually "Um, all of them."
In this way Kiss or Kill co-existed with the much hipsterized Silver Lake-centric music scene but without regard to what was hip, to what might be Pitchforked so you could say you were there first.
We didn't give too much of a shit about that. It was about a great set. It was about great conversations and if you didn't know the band being discussed no one looked down at you for that. That first night people smiled at you, the bartender was nice, there was great music of course and completely zero bullshit attitude that Los Angeles has a reputation for.
For me trying to put myself together after a long disintegration of a marriage Kiss or Kill allowed me to be that weird guy in the back, that new face thrown around to Bang Sugar Bang sets only to be picked up by a stranger and only after they made sure I was alright. I was learning to be social again after being isolated from creative stimulation. I've been on the far, far edge of scenes before (the Op Ivy, Green Day, Mr T Exp. Skankin' Pickle, Berkeley Square, Gilman of the late 80s Bay Area - knowing people, seeing a few shows here and there) so when I walked into the Zen week after week seeing bands that supported each other, the fans and the always quality sets, I now understood the old adage You Know it When You See It. There was something special going on week after week and there was no way I was not going to be part of it.
It was worth to show up early. It was worth to staying late. Amazing bands, cheap beer, tequila gun shots, drunken conversations, and crazy crushes made it interesting. Favorite moments: pogo jumping to Midway, looking over to see Zen packed with every head in motion to King Cheetah, sobering up late at The Echo with The Letter Openers blowing my mind, starting the Holy Shit chant for Automatic Music Explosion the first time I saw them at Safari Sam's. The Dollyrots. The Randies. DG. ha.
I want to thank Cooper, Matt, Johnny, Andre, and Siria for their must see you play first booking policy. A couple points which should be noted: The Atomic Missiles and the NYC Street Wave crowd really upped the ante during the Echo period. More importantly, Cooper's letter in the first half of the Zen Sushi period had to be the turning point for Kiss Or Kill. It was heartfelt call to arms that solidified Kiss or Kill the community. It made a difference to many of us by realizing this special thing should be supported and not taken for granted.
It wasn't perfect - it was a scene after all with all the gossip and drama worthy of Melrose Place - but it was special for many of us. We all had busy lives and with what little money I had I commuted a hour each way to work, took a nap showered and drove in 35 miles almost every week for two years. This is how special Kiss Or Kill was to me. And sometimes it was the little things that reminded me why: If someone stepped on your foot or elbowed you they always apologized. Strangers bought me free drinks. I'd bought drinks for people I didn't even like but in the crowd we were all part of this fucked up, creative family - And hell, we all needed a drink in hand for the Beer Song, right?
God I'm sappy.
-Robert Dean De Jesus
(aka Pissy Smurf to Matt Southwell)
(hey my last name isn't Dean)
by Robert Dean
One word: Midway
It was towards the end of 2003 and Corey, Cortney and myself were stalking this band Midway all summer and they were booked at some place called Kiss or Kill at the Garage. The line up: She, Midway, Ballentine, Bang Sugar Bang and the Dollyrots - I'd checked online and listened to some mp3s and liked what I heard.
The door chick asked for the two bucks and which band we were here to see. Midway...oh and Bang Sugar Bang. Oh I kind of want to see the Dollyrots too.
Over the years my answer was usually "Um, all of them."In this way Kiss or Kill co-existed with the much hipsterized Silver Lake-centric music scene but without regard to what was hip, to what might be Pitchforked so you could say you were there first.
We didn't give too much of a shit about that. It was about a great set. It was about great conversations and if you didn't know the band being discussed no one looked down at you for that. That first night people smiled at you, the bartender was nice, there was great music of course and completely zero bullshit attitude that Los Angeles has a reputation for.
For me trying to put myself together after a long disintegration of a marriage Kiss or Kill allowed me to be that weird guy in the back, that new face thrown around to Bang Sugar Bang sets only to be picked up by a stranger and only after they made sure I was alright. I was learning to be social again after being isolated from creative stimulation. I've been on the far, far edge of scenes before (the Op Ivy, Green Day, Mr T Exp. Skankin' Pickle, Berkeley Square, Gilman of the late 80s Bay Area - knowing people, seeing a few shows here and there) so when I walked into the Zen week after week seeing bands that supported each other, the fans and the always quality sets, I now understood the old adage You Know it When You See It. There was something special going on week after week and there was no way I was not going to be part of it.It was worth to show up early. It was worth to staying late. Amazing bands, cheap beer, tequila gun shots, drunken conversations, and crazy crushes made it interesting. Favorite moments: pogo jumping to Midway, looking over to see Zen packed with every head in motion to King Cheetah, sobering up late at The Echo with The Letter Openers blowing my mind, starting the Holy Shit chant for Automatic Music Explosion the first time I saw them at Safari Sam's. The Dollyrots. The Randies. DG. ha.
I want to thank Cooper, Matt, Johnny, Andre, and Siria for their must see you play first booking policy. A couple points which should be noted: The Atomic Missiles and the NYC Street Wave crowd really upped the ante during the Echo period. More importantly, Cooper's letter in the first half of the Zen Sushi period had to be the turning point for Kiss Or Kill. It was heartfelt call to arms that solidified Kiss or Kill the community. It made a difference to many of us by realizing this special thing should be supported and not taken for granted.
It wasn't perfect - it was a scene after all with all the gossip and drama worthy of Melrose Place - but it was special for many of us. We all had busy lives and with what little money I had I commuted a hour each way to work, took a nap showered and drove in 35 miles almost every week for two years. This is how special Kiss Or Kill was to me. And sometimes it was the little things that reminded me why: If someone stepped on your foot or elbowed you they always apologized. Strangers bought me free drinks. I'd bought drinks for people I didn't even like but in the crowd we were all part of this fucked up, creative family - And hell, we all needed a drink in hand for the Beer Song, right?
God I'm sappy.
-Robert Dean De Jesus
(aka Pissy Smurf to Matt Southwell)
(hey my last name isn't Dean)
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Tonight the Final Kiss or Kill!!!!
The time has come.
As it was announced in October (see the original announcement here ) and in the LA Weekly here (thank you Falling James for the support)...
TONIGHT Wednesday December 12th, 2007 marks the date of the Final Kiss or Kill.
The last five years have been amazing. The people we’ve met and friendships found have been some of the most genuine this town has to offer. The same can be said of the bands and talent that have graced the stage under the Kiss or Kill banner the last five years.
We hope that all of you will join us in one final celebration of the community that you all helped to build.
We want to be surrounded by all of our friends on this final evening that we congregate as Kiss or Kill and don’t want any of you excluded, however due to capacity issues and added security measures that will be taken on this final evening we urge you to arrive early (and stay late of course) and please if you are not in a band that is playing this final evening enter through the front entrance of El Cid. There will be a Security Guard monitoring the back throughout the evening. None of us (John, Cooper, Matt, Siria, Rob, Andre, Amanda) will be able to help anyone get in if the venue reaches capacity.
There will be performances from the founders of Kiss or Kill Silver Needle and Bang Sugar Bang as well as Underwater City People, The Randies, and Midway. They’ve all been working on surprises for you so it’s guaranteed this bittersweet evening may be filled with some once in a lifetime special surprises.
It will go down at El Cid (4212 Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, CA) doors will open at 9:00 pm and the cover will be $5 All Night.
As always our Favorite HOST Rob Z will act as our Masterbator of Ceremonies one final time.
Dave Palamaro is also obliging us with a sneak peek at the Kiss or Kill Documentary that he has been working on. Having watched this special trailer he put together for the occasion we can guarantee that if you’ve been around at any point in the last five years you won’t want to miss it…the memories…
We want to be surrounded by all of our friends on this final evening that we congregate as Kiss or Kill and don’t want any of you excluded, however due to capacity issues and added security measures that will be taken on this final evening we urge you to arrive early (and stay late of course) and please if you are not in a band that is playing this final evening enter through the front entrance of El Cid. There will be a Security Guard monitoring the back throughout the evening. None of us (John, Cooper, Matt, Siria, Rob, Andre, Amanda) will be able to help anyone get in if the venue reaches capacity.
There will be performances from the founders of Kiss or Kill Silver Needle and Bang Sugar Bang as well as Underwater City People, The Randies, and Midway. They’ve all been working on surprises for you so it’s guaranteed this bittersweet evening may be filled with some once in a lifetime special surprises.
It will go down at El Cid (4212 Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, CA) doors will open at 9:00 pm and the cover will be $5 All Night.
As always our Favorite HOST Rob Z will act as our Masterbator of Ceremonies one final time.
Dave Palamaro is also obliging us with a sneak peek at the Kiss or Kill Documentary that he has been working on. Having watched this special trailer he put together for the occasion we can guarantee that if you’ve been around at any point in the last five years you won’t want to miss it…the memories…
We will have also have a free photobooth for all of you to get pictures taken with each other all night.
Urban Construction Designs and friends www.myspace.com/urbanconstructiondesigns will also be on hand displaying their accessories which will be available for you to purchase.
Also, a reminder that we do still have a limited amount of T-Shirts, Stickers, and Comps I and II are still available and if you would like to purchase anything you should do so before we are completely out as we will NOT be ordering any more merch after these are gone.
Thank you to Monica for designing our Final Poster.
See you all Tonight!
Urban Construction Designs and friends www.myspace.com/urbanconstructiondesigns will also be on hand displaying their accessories which will be available for you to purchase.
Also, a reminder that we do still have a limited amount of T-Shirts, Stickers, and Comps I and II are still available and if you would like to purchase anything you should do so before we are completely out as we will NOT be ordering any more merch after these are gone.
Thank you to Monica for designing our Final Poster.
See you all Tonight!
GO! Pick of the Week LA Weekly
GO! Pick of the Week
from LA Weekly
original article at:
http://www.laweekly.com/index.php?option=com_lsd&task=default&id=140694&tab=calendar&Itemid=571
Kiss or Kill
When Bang Sugar Bang and Silver Needle first put on their own shows under the "Kiss or Kill" tag five years ago, they made a collective decision to avoid ruthless pay-to-pay promoters and nightclubs with high door prices and unfriendly bouncers. They kept their covers low (usually $5), even as their miniscene of friends quickly expanded, ultimately encompassing more than 100 bands, necessitating a move from small bars to bigger venues. They even saved enough money to release two vital compilation CDs that introduced the world to such inventive punk and power-pop combos as the Letter Openers, The Randies, Zeitgeist Auto Parts, Midway, Bobot Adrenaline and the King Cheetah. The musicians named their weekly shows Kiss or Kill after a lyric in the X classic “We’re Desperate,” as Bang Sugar Bang guitarist Matt Southwell explains, “because we were all completely desperate for a music scene in Hollywood where our style and attitude about music fit in.” Apparently the little DIY scene’s success was enough to threaten the complacency of corporate-rock dinosaurs KissT, who have threatened bank-busting legal action under the dubious premise that the “Kiss or Kill” moniker somehow infringes on their mighty empire. Tonight’s the final kiss-off: Roll over, Goliath, and tell Gene Simmons the news. Kiss or Kill presents its final night of rising local pop-punk bands, including Bang Sugar Bang, Underwater City People, Silver Needle, Midway, the Randies and surprise guests. (Falling James)
from LA Weekly
original article at:
http://www.laweekly.com/index.php?option=com_lsd&task=default&id=140694&tab=calendar&Itemid=571
Kiss or Kill
When Bang Sugar Bang and Silver Needle first put on their own shows under the "Kiss or Kill" tag five years ago, they made a collective decision to avoid ruthless pay-to-pay promoters and nightclubs with high door prices and unfriendly bouncers. They kept their covers low (usually $5), even as their miniscene of friends quickly expanded, ultimately encompassing more than 100 bands, necessitating a move from small bars to bigger venues. They even saved enough money to release two vital compilation CDs that introduced the world to such inventive punk and power-pop combos as the Letter Openers, The Randies, Zeitgeist Auto Parts, Midway, Bobot Adrenaline and the King Cheetah. The musicians named their weekly shows Kiss or Kill after a lyric in the X classic “We’re Desperate,” as Bang Sugar Bang guitarist Matt Southwell explains, “because we were all completely desperate for a music scene in Hollywood where our style and attitude about music fit in.” Apparently the little DIY scene’s success was enough to threaten the complacency of corporate-rock dinosaurs KissT, who have threatened bank-busting legal action under the dubious premise that the “Kiss or Kill” moniker somehow infringes on their mighty empire. Tonight’s the final kiss-off: Roll over, Goliath, and tell Gene Simmons the news. Kiss or Kill presents its final night of rising local pop-punk bands, including Bang Sugar Bang, Underwater City People, Silver Needle, Midway, the Randies and surprise guests. (Falling James)
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
How I Came Across Kiss or Kill: Joe Dana
How I came across Kiss or Kill.
by Joe Dana
"the most photographed person in Kiss or Kill history"
A long time ago I was floating from stupid job to stupid job to no job at all to stupid job again. I filled the down time drinking at a bar called Max’s. It is gone now. My friend, Glen, and I would go there quite often but we especially enjoyed Sunday nights.
Sunday was the slowest night for the bar so they tried to get more people to show up by making the beer extra cheap. They also brought in a DJ named Lori who would play all our favorite songs. She would mostly play punk rock and all the “alternative” rock that KROQ had long forgotten about.
Once in a while, Lori would play a few tracks from this local band. Glen and I would always forget what the band was called since we were drinking heavily at the time. On one particular night we asked Lori who the band was again.
She replied, “They are called Bang Sugar Bang and they are sitting right there”
Glen ended up buying their EP which included the song, “Posh Kids” and a few others. I talked to Cooper most the night about local bands. She passed me a flier for a kiss or kill show that I wouldn’t be able to attend. I thought she was a way cool though. She was one of the first people I ever met who knew who Sex with Lurch were. We discussed the recent Sex Pistols reunion show and we discussed just shows in general.
I remember saying, “Yeah. I’d love to be the type of guy who sees a show like once a week.”
I finally saw Bang Sugar Bang at a crap bar on the west side called Joxer Dailies. It was a Halloween show so I dressed like a priest with a hard on. Also playing that night were the Shapes. I think the only other people there were Nancy Jean and her brother. The venue only had one mike so Cooper and Matt had to share. They didn’t even turn down the sports on the TV.
Despite all of this, Bang Sugar Bang blew me away. They were pop punk in the best sense of the word. They made me think of X and the Pixies and so many others. They ended covering suspicious minds.
After the show, we all went to Nancy Jean’s place in Venice . Everyone went to bed and Matt and I stayed up until sunrise drinking corona, eating cold pizza and discussing World War II and punk rock.
After that, Bang Sugar Bang, their friend and Glen and I became sort of a Sunday night drinking club. I told everyone I knew about Bang Sugar Bang. I knew we’d all be going to their next show at Goldfingers.
My first Kiss or Kill show was here. The line up was The Shapes, Silver Needle, Deadbeat Sinatra, Bang Sugar Bang. I was blown away by all the bands that played. The Shapes had the quintessential “Fuck you” front man, Silver Needle had this raw energy that couldn’t be touched, Deadbeat Sinatra made you think of knife fights in classic movies, and Bang Sugar Bang just plain owned the stage.
Before Bang went on, someone with Goldfingers pushed their slot later and some crap country band played before them. Matt was pissed. Cooper cried and Chris (Poulos aka DJ CPod) tried to comfort her. Then they took the stage and played a blistering set. I banged by head on Matt’s guitar which became my signature move until my head couldn’t take it anymore. Chris used to have the poster from this show on his wall.
The next Kiss or Kill was at the Garage. I don’t remember who played that. What I do remember is how the Sunday night drinking club started re convening at the Garage on Tuesday nights. The booze was cheap and you didn’t have to pay a cover if you were planning to stay in the bar and drink. DJ Annathena played great music too. The bartender Tony made sure we’d be drunk and happy. Tobin, the owner of the garage was always fantastic to us. Suddenly our Tuesday night drinking nights became Kiss or Kill nights.
Then a bunch of other shit happened.
I was there for most of it. Some parts I remember and some parts I don’t. A lot of great bands, venues, people, some drama, and wonderfulness.
Thanks to Johnny 99, Cooper, Matt, Siria, Rob Z, Andre and Amanda.
“Front Row” Joe
“Gorby Bang”
Final Kiss or Kill Show: Preview
Below find some videos from the bands performing at the Final Kiss or Kill this Wednesday December 12th @ El Cid
Underwater City People's Hynotized Video
The Thriller Performance from Halloween 2007
UCP Thriller Video at Kiss or Kill Halloween Show!!
..
Add to My Profile More Videos
Silver Needle
Zen Sushi 2004
Savior Skin Video featuring 04/05 Footage
@ Key Club Kiss or Kill First Fridays 2006
@ Safari Sams
Midway
Zen Sushi 2004
Music Video to Space Station
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The Randies
@ Zen Sushi 2004
@ Safari Sam's 2006
I Thought I Could Change Music Video
Bang Sugar Bang
@ Zen Sushi 2004
Posh Kids Video
Kis or Kill 2006 @ Safari Sams
2007 @ Safari Sams
That's Okay Video
Underwater City People's Hynotized Video
The Thriller Performance from Halloween 2007
UCP Thriller Video at Kiss or Kill Halloween Show!!
..
Add to My Profile More Videos
Silver Needle
Zen Sushi 2004
Savior Skin Video featuring 04/05 Footage
@ Key Club Kiss or Kill First Fridays 2006
@ Safari Sams
Midway
Zen Sushi 2004
Music Video to Space Station
<msprm name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/c7r0eLE-sVs&rel=1&border=0"><msprm name="wmode" value="transparent">..</mspobj
The Randies
@ Zen Sushi 2004
@ Safari Sam's 2006
I Thought I Could Change Music Video
Bang Sugar Bang
@ Zen Sushi 2004
Posh Kids Video
Kis or Kill 2006 @ Safari Sams
2007 @ Safari Sams
That's Okay Video
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