GROOVE KITCHEN
"Poor White Trash" (Gravy Kookie Records/Sub Human
Records)
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
There are bands that you respect because of their history in the rock'n'roll era. Black Sabbath is one of those bands, Deep Purple is another. Hell, even Kiss is one. And then there are other bands that you respect because they keep the spirit of rock'n'roll pure. Bands that you enjoy because they keep the fun in rock'n'roll where it belongs. Bands like Groove Kitchen.
With a raw, simple and hard-driving Southern Fried pure rock sound, Groove Kitchen deliver just what you expect from a rock'n'roll band that plays for the fun of it - because they love to play. There are no virtuosos in this band and the vocalists don't try and emulate Robert Plant. Instead, Groove Kitchen plays from the heart.
"We're getting fed up with today's 'bullshit rock,'" states the band's press release, "It's time to bring back a familiar stranger - rock and roll." And that's just what they do. The band fits the classic rock'n'roll lineup: guitars, bass and drums. In the past, they have been compared to Aerosmith, Black Sabbath, Blackfoot and Motorhead. But what's interesting is that the band most closely resembles Jackyl. Why is this most interesting? Because Jackyl bassist Tom Bettini recorded the "Poor White Trash" EP.
What am I trying to say here? All right, I'll simplify: Groove Kitchen kicks ass. Is that clear enough? And their mascot, a grinning skull wearing a chef's hat and holding a spatula in one hand, is pretty cool, too.
Currently, Groove Kitchen is at work on their second CD, "Steamroller," expected to be released summer of '99 and followed by an extensive tour. A website is forthcoming as well.
If you're a fan of Molly Hatchet, Jackyl or the like, Groove Kitchen is right up your alley.
GROOVE KITCHEN is: Dave Inscore, thumpstick, vocals; Mark Eades, lead guitar, vocals; Tony Young, rhythm guitar, vocals; Chris "Tar Tool" Tarlton, skins, vocals.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright © 1999 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights reserved.
