Debuting to critical acclaim back in 2009 as a five-piece by British institutions such as NME, Metal Hammer and Kerrang (with the latter two reviewing KIK’s debut album as an eight and nine out of ten respectively), Chris Turpin and Stephanie Ward take centre stage as the two prominent figures of the now downsized four-piece.
Kill It Kid have had their fair share of criticism that they rely too much on their influences, but it’s a magnanimous task to conjure a total sense of originality when the homages to the ubiquitous sphere of the blues genre is worn proudly on the bands’ sleeves.
However, originality and a sense of one’s own identity as a unit are completely different entities in their own right – and the material on show tonight from KIK’s fourth album, You Owe It Nothing, is mere testament that the band have comfortably found their niche from and evidently abundant pool of influences.
The crowd warm to the band’s sensibilities and personable approach to the live scene and it’s not long before drinks are being purchased by fans and handed up to the band, and in particular, Ward, as she claimed she didn’t have enough time to buy one before their slot (frugality wins!).
It’s evident when KIK play the back catalogue that some songs just don’t particularly work well now the band have ditched the bluegrass, banjo, nu-folk element that was much more prominent on earlier albums.
The material from 2014s You Owe It Nothing is a different beast altogether, with heavy, grunge-tinged riffs, solid percussion, bluesy guitar licks and a bass that knows no limits without becoming pretentiously proggy.
When the guitar and drums aren’t taking a beating, Ward’s vocal and keyboard arrangements juxtapose with Turpin’s garishly rough vocal range to create a nice oxymoronic blend of pop-tastic streamlined rock.
To compare KIK to any other band is a near impossible due to the myriad influences the band have forged to attain their own identity.
However, microcosmically they sound like a contemporary take on the poignantly late 80s/early 90s rock movement, retaining some vestiges of late 80s balladry by proxy of the zeitgeist at the time.
This is clearly evident with the amazing ‘Caroline’, which showcases Turpin and Ward’s mixed vocals working so well together.
Highlights in the set tonight include ‘Cheap Revival’, ‘Hurts To Be Loved By You’, and ‘Black It Out.
KIK hold the crowd in the palm of their hands and the new material proves they are not just a pastiche of their favourite bands; a great live performance.
Words/Photos: Derek Robertson
