interview with Ken from earlier this month before his shows in Israel.
“When I brought up the idea of him coming here, he loved it,” said Nobleman. “The shows will likely be three parts - my band and I doing our material, then Ken will play solo on piano and acoustic guitar doing material from his albums. Then we’ll back him up on some Posies and Big Star songs.”
With two hit singles and an album shooting up the Norwegian charts, and a European release not far behind, the question remains — why should anyone here in the States care?
The answer is simple: Ken Stringfellow is one of the finest songwriters and performers around, and in the Disciplines he’s found a band that pushes him in new directions. For 20 years, Stringfellow has dazzled with his high harmony vocals and his gorgeous pop songs. On Smoking Kills, he shifts gears, kicking out the jams with tough, cock-rockin’ tunes about gurlz, luv, and the like. The drums pound, the vocals growl, and the guitars rip out tough, meaty riffs that are equal parts glam and grunge.
In other words, Smoking Kills is a better way for your ears to spend 31 minutes than just about any homegrown album that’s come down the pike this summer. And it’s sure to sound great the rest of the year, too.
two videos from january 2008 - ‘one morning’ and ‘it’ll be a breeze.’
