Line-up

Headliner
Kinky Last time in Chicago: 3 years ago

Venue

Park West

322 W Armitage Avenue, 60614, Chicago, IL, US

www.jamusa.com/Venues/ParkWest/Concerts.aspx

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Additional details

Doors open: 18:30

Concert in your area for Latin and Indie & Alt.

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Kinky biography

Hailing from Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, Kinky are a five piece electronica outfit, incorporating latin melodies and rhythms, a rock aesthetic and techno beats all tied together with funk grooves into their unique sound.

Kinky first came together in 2000, featuring Gilberto Cerezo (vocals/guitar), Ulises Lozano (keyboardist/programmer), Carlos Chairez (guitar), Omar Gongaro (drums) and Cesar Pliego (bassist). The band then set to work developing their live sound, preparing for the annual battle of the bands at the Latin Alternative Music Conference in New York City, US. Kinky impressed, garnering the attention of British producer Chris Allison, who had previously worked with Coldplay, Fila Brazillia and the Wedding Present amongst many others. Allison offered to produce and release their debut album on his label, Sonic 360.

The end product was their self-titled debut, released in 2002, meeting with critical acclaim. The album’s success was bolstered by their music being featured in a commercial for an advertisement for the Nissan Altima, spreading their sound to new audiences. Kinky then joined an incredible lineup for the ‘Unlimited Sunshine Tour’ in the US, supporting Cake, De La Soul, The Flaming Lips and Modest Mouse, as well as an appearance at Coachella festival.

Their second album, “Atlas,” came out in 2003, moving towards recreating their rockier live sound, limiting their use of electronics. helping to capture their energetic performances which had gained notoriety and positive acclaim. For their third record, they travelled to an isolated cabin in the mountains of Southern California, US, allowing them time to focus on their sound. Guest features included Men at Work’s Colin Hay and Intocable accordionist Ricardo Muñoz. For their fourth record, Kinky teamed up with Money Mark of Beastie Boys fame to co-produce the album, “Barracuda” in 2008. Their fifth album, “Sueño de la Maquina” brought in John King of the Dust Brothers for the production and mixing process, released in 2012.

Live reviews

Kinky doesn't do anything in small doses. The start of their set vibrates the stage, the venue, and every member of the audience including myself. Rough and repetitive Spanish vocals spill from their mouths and Latin flare music seems to encase the entire menu.

Suddenly the vocals get angrier, louder, and rougher. In between verses electric beats fill seemingly empty spaces. Skillful guitar playing makes me forget that I barely speak Spanish and the music is entertaining without even being able to understand. I consider this a hallmark of an amazing band and hope to be able to attend another one of their shows in the future.

Following their first rough song the music becomes almost sultry. The vocals seem themed around rolled R's and lilting end consonants. I feel myself swaying in time to the music and am struck by how many melodies seem to be tied together to make the complex track.

Nothing is ever as simple as it seems with this band and soon more guttural consonants are joining the R's. A rhythm between raspy and Latin flow seems to be establishing itself with two members providing backing vocals while the main singer punctuates their verses with interjections of his own.

Finally the beat begins to rise higher and higher progressing towards techno from what seemed like a Latin dance ballad. A superior grasp of genres and progression makes this show a joy to attend.

Anonymous