The Killer Meters are back!
After 3 years without any releases the band drop a "Killer"
double 7" on Breakin Bread. The original Meters hailed from
New Orleans and virtually defined funk in the late 60's.
The Killer Meters first emerged in 2005 with a stunning album
of Meters covers. The Killer Meters tribute album gave more
than a nod to the sound of the original band with incredibly
dope rhythms and an authentic "swamp" sound and they even
arguably improved on some of the classics with some bombastic
singing from Karime Kendra. The Karime Kendra tracks from
the album received more attention than their instrumentals
and she's now a permanent member of the band adding that lead
vocalist magic.
The band was originally the brainchild of Virgil Howe aka
Sparo who has released his own album on Scenario records and
is also known as one of the original DJ's on the legendary
London pirate station Itch FM. Virgil and other members of
the band also garnered attention for their dope musicianship
and most of them have been honing their skills further doing
sessions with acts such as Little Barrie, Shawn Lee and The
Future Sound Of London to name but a few.
After 3 years of heavy gigging the band
are back with their own sound. The covers album led to a lot
of bookings for the band and they've been playing gigs most
weeks up and down the country and all over Europe. Inevitably
they've tightened up as a band and developed their own sound
over that time and they now have a rockier feel as well as
that classic funk sound.
Check their new video "Freak" here!
Check The Headspin by BBOY Cartoon! Tune by The Killer Meters,
Dance Move Shake!!!!!
Meet
The Killer Meters...
Daughter
of Northern Soul legend Ty Karim and writer producer Kent Harris,
Karime Kendra has been compared to Tina Turner, Mille
Jackson and Chaka Khan because of her sassy, progressive and
wild style. She has soul in her blood, funk in her heart and
her live performances are packed with the energy of a nuclear
explosion. When she joined The Killer Meters, Karime found her
love of funk and hasn't looked back since. Musical heritage
runs throughout the group with main man Virgil Howe being son
of Steve Howe of prog rock legends Yes. Their 2005 covers album
'A Tribute To The Meters' received critical acclaim and the
group has been championed by the likes of the BBC's Mark Lamarr
and Gilles Peterson. Their brand new studio album 'Breakin'
Out' features the singles 'Dance Move Shake!' and 'Freak'. Karime's
story doesn't end here. She's dated Robert Deniro, has written
a book called 'Horny Bitch' in which she helps women get back
on the sexual playing field and has been reading excerpts throughout
2009. If that's not enough she's also a mother and fits her
hectic schedule around her daughter. The sexy, strong and confident
woman aims to be an inspiration to women of all ages and does
it with style and panache. Karime wants everything from life
and is determined to get it!
Virgil Howe has been writing and performing music since
the age of four. Brought up around the crazy world of Progressive
Rock, his father being guitar legend Steve Howe of Yes.Virgil
was always encouraged to follow in the footsteps of his dad.
Rather than shy away after having witnessed the capes,stage
sets and private jets,Virgil got the bug. His first instrument
was the Moog synthesizer,drawn to the insane bleeps and swirls
he could create at the turn of a dial.
Virgil continued to produce his own brand of psychedelic hip
hop,remixing and working with The Nextmen,Shawn Lee,Terry Lynn,Dadahack(James
Banbury), Echaskech, Brave and Bold, Lord Basis, Declaime, Georgia
Muldrow and Foreign Beggars. Since taking up the drums Virgil
has made his name as a hard-hitting,exuberant performer,playing
with the likes of Bryan Ferry, The Pet Shop Boys, Shawn Lee,
Demis Roussos, Mareva Galenter, The Future Sound Of Londons
super-group Amourphous Androgynous, The Dirty Feel and Little
Barrie. Recently endorsed by leading stick brand Vic Firth and
Protection Racket drum cases,Virgil is forging his own path
in music. With The Killer Meters,Virgil Howe is one piece of
the puzzle that sets the band apart from the rest.
Kerim
'Kez' Gunes was born to classical musician parents so his
earliest years were spent running wild around the Albert Hall
and other classical institutions across London. Bought a cello
by his father aged 6, this became the musical release until
when aged 13 his best friend gave him a Fender bass guitar.
Unfortunately the cello fell to the wayside but rock and funk
took over under the stewardship of Led Zeppelin records and
a Louis Johnson video. As a regular on the North London funk
scene Kerim honed his skills and developed a healthy taste for
the Funk whilst two pivotal moments shaped him. Seeing Larry
Graham live at the Jazz Café and then playing with James Browns
“Funky Drummer” Clyde Stubblefield on his UK tour. Aside from
co-founding The Killer Meters and rock 3-piece The Dirty Feel
Kerim has spent the last 8 years touring the world with Victor
Davies and has more recently joined The Future Sound Of London’s
psychedelic supergroup the Amorphous Androgynous.
Henry
Broadbent began his career as a drummer, playing the london
jazz circuit. Life had other plans however and after mysterious
happenings on a tour of the Baltics he returned as a keyboard
player. Early outings with the killermeters saw Henry specializing
in the Hammond organ. This led primarily to long running back
problems, but also to a meeting with English psychedelic rock
band Kula Shaker, who he subsequently joined making the album
'Strangefolk' and touring extensively across the world.
In addition to the Killermeters Henry also MDs for pop singer
Gabriella Cilmi and plays piano for rising star Julian Perretta.
Most recently he has returned to his drumming roots with hypnotic
shoegaze act 'Swallowing The Seas' and begun some production
work with Gabriella Cilmi. His back continues to cause him discomfort.
Stephen
Wilcock
After starting out in music with a brief dalliance on the recorder
at primary school; Stephen quickly moved on to the saxophone
in a desperate attempt to look cool and impress girls... stumbling
across jazz and funk along the way. Having met Henry, Kez and
Nick touring and recording with singer-songwriter Victor Davies;
Stephen brought his horn playing skills to The Killer Meters
in 2005. As well as his tenor sax and backing vocal talents;
Stephen contributes to the renowned Killer Meter live experience
with his infectious stage presence and unique dance stylings...
When not funkin' out with the KMs; Stephen works as a freelance
saxophonist performing regularly with numerous function bands
and jazz outfits; as well as leading his own jazz quartet.
Is
it a bird?..is it a plane?...oh no its just a hairy dude on
guitar... Nick Hirsch won a camera in a magazine competition at
the age of 11, sold it to a mountain climber in Loot, and bought
his first guitar, since that day he never looked back.Having
attended art college, then music college unsuccessfully Nick
started playing in various house bands for funk jams mainly
in and around Camden Town in which he could hone his skills
playing the music he loves Funk,Rock blues and Soul. Writing
music is central to Nick's world, trying to cut through a world
hell bent on mediocrity is his life time pursuit, being able
to play a variety of instruments allowed him to produce demos
that have gone on to be the foundation for his 2 musical loves,
The Dirty Feel and The Killer Meters. Nick has played for Victor
Davies, Mareva Galanter, Demis Roussos is a founder member of
The Dirty Feel and The Killer Meters, and runs Pipedream Studios
in North London.
