"Sexual" and "violent" are two words which fit perfectly with the music of KISS KISS BANG BANG, the aptly named quintet from Myrtle Beach, SC. Originally started under a different name in 2004, J. "Caesar" Navarro [vocals], Josh "Z.RAWK" Zurawski [guitar/vocals], Andy "Savage" Connor [guitar/piano], Chris "Deuce Willis" Willhite [bass], and Mike "Vintage" Schmitt have recharged and regrouped under a new name and with a new attitude towards music.
The inspiration for the name came from the overseas nickname given to the main character of a series of popular spy movies. While overseas he is known as "Mr. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang," most moviegoers in the United States know him as "Bond, James Bond." Both a sexual icon and action hero, the Bond character embodies what might be considered the essence of rock and roll and as such, there may have never been a more suitable name for a group carrying the rock banner than KISS KISS BANG BANG.
Drawing from the indulgent, anything goes attitude of rock and roll’s past icons and infusing those influences with a more modern flavor, KKBB brings an atmosphere of fun and good times back to a sometimes dark and introspective rock scene. Says guitarist Andy Savage, "I think the rock scene has spent enough time wallowing in its post-Seattle misery. It’s about time for the pendulum to swing back the other way. It’s time to put the good times and parties back into rock and roll." Guitarist Z. Rawk echoes this sentiment when he says, "We’re just doing this for fun, after all, isn’t that what music is all about? If we end up getting paid to have fun, well, that’s just the icing on the cake."
Currently, the group is busy writing material and recording demos for what will become their first full length album under the name KISS KISS BANG BANG. About the creative process drummer Mike Vintage says, "The new music is definitely more complex than what we’ve done before but at the same time it also flows better. We’ve had to adjust our approach to writing but we’ve come up with a system that works and produces the most rocking songs we’ve ever written and I promise they won’t disappoint." Deuce Willis, bass player for KKBB, agrees, "The music is kick ass and it’s fun to play."
The members of KISS KISS BANG BANG are letting the music speak for itself this time, they are making no compromises and they are taking no prisoners. "We just got fed up with trying to sound or look a certain way. So, when we started jamming for this new music we put those urges aside and just let the music come out naturally. Funny thing is, we all kind of liked it," says Andy Savage. Z. RAWK notes, "We are are doing this our way and it’s a blast."
In having fun, KISS KISS BANG BANG are hoping to strike a universal nerve with their music. Writing music that rocks and grooves at the same time, these craftsmen of rock have created songs that one would feel just as comfortable banging their head to at a show as dancing, smashing hotel rooms, or making love. The rock scene has always been about sex and violence to some degree but it’s all in the name of having a good time. Vocalist J. Caesar shares, "We’re going to have fun playing some awesome rock songs that we wrote and treat every show like it was a huge party. If some record company wants to help us share that fun with more people, well, I guess we’ll have to start getting more beer for the party."
