Kurt Baker is the very definition of “cult hero”. He’s played in various bands since the 90s and been a very active member of both the punk and power pop scenes. He knows most of your punk heroes personally…and yet, chances are, many of you will still be unfamiliar with his work. In July 2017, Kurt completed his first UK tour in several years, promoting the Kurt Baker Combo’s first studio release ‘In Orbit’. Real Gone met him at his Brighton stop for various drinks and a lengthy chat. Nothing was taken down formally. It was decided that upon Kurt’s return to Spain, we ought to get something on record for posterity, since the visit was an important one in his ongoing musical journey.
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Rhythmically Admired: Elvis Costello’s ‘My Aim Is True’ turns 40
In the autumn of 1977, a most unlikely star made his big breakthrough on the UK music scene. A jerky and energetic man sporting Buddy Holly spectacles, Elvis Costello was to make regular appearances on Top of The Pops over the next couple of years. The power in most of his musical arrangements was immediate, but lyrically, this was a man who was a cut above. Spewing more sneering puns than anyone would likely hear on hit singles until Carter The Unstoppable Sex Machine would make their breakthrough in 1989, Elvis cut a very distinctive presence.
Listen to a new track by Kris Rodgers
Kris “Fingers” Rodgers has been called “rock ‘n’ roll’s secret weapon”. The pianist has recorded as sideman with a truckload of underground bands in the US over the past decade and been a regular fixture with Kurt Baker, Mono In Stereo and the excellent Bullet Proof Lovers. In 2011, he started his own band, The Dirty Gems, as a throwback to old-school piano rock and by 2014, the Gems had become a fully fledged recording outfit.
At the end of July 2017, Rodgers releases ‘Losing The Frequency’, a high octane homage to the old days of AM radio. Expect huge hooky choruses and summer vibes with the piano out there, front and centre.
If you can’t wait until then, you can stream the excellent ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Radio’ below.
BULLET PROOF LOVERS – Shot Through The Heart
In 2015, singer songwriter and power pop champion Kurt Baker capitalised on his escalating popularity in Europe by teaming up with a bunch of Spanish garage rock and bar band heroes…and Bullet Proof Lovers was born. Not so much out of necessity, but from fun, and the resulting mini-album (which had a belated US release in 2016) saw Baker tackling some of his punkiest tendencies since his days with The Leftovers.
Stream new track from Bullet Proof Lovers before US release!
At the end of March, the second release from Bullet Proof Lovers hits US shores. We got to hear it early at Real Gone and can confidently say it’s an absolute belter of a long-player. Everything the previous mini-album promised comes through big style: punky workouts, big chorus hooks and even more of the new wave aspects usually associated with frontman Kurt Baker’s solo career. It’s got a little of everything needed for achieving that feel good factor.