killing it not so softly

Last September, I saw the Kills in Austin. It was probably 100 degrees out, 3PM and 95% humidity. This is the kind of heat where you start calculating cloud coverage. How long is it going to take for that cloud to get to me? Even though I was born and spent the majority of my life in the south, nothing really prepares you for standing out in Zilker Park with thousands of other people just to see some live music. Not even the endless tall boy Lone Stars.

That afternoon the Kills were angry. They have this raw, stripped to the bones, gritty sound so I chocked it up to good ol' rock n roll. Days later I heard just before getting on stage they found out their bus driver, tour bus along with all equipment was m.i.a. I don't know about you but that's cause for a little angst.

Just recently I came across the artist Justin Gabbard. His promo piece, seen above, for the Kills, captures their paired down, unedited yet completely thoughtful essence just right.