KIROS
Saturday, November 22
MacEwan Hall Ballroom
The Kiros revolution will indeed be televised. Veterans of last summer’s Vans Warped tour, Kiros may be known for taking their punk rock on the road, but in the words of bassist Barry MacKichan they have been "lovin’ up the local scene, as well." This local band is ready to take it to the next level by shooting their first music video.
May of 2002 saw Kiros release their first full-length album, Counter Productive, an independent effort that has since sold over 1,300 copies. Furthermore, the energetic three-piece has won four out of the six Battle of the Bands they have competed in. Longtime friends, Justen Gordon (drums) and Ryan Guerra (guitar), provide backing vocals and plenty of power to MacKichan’s own reinterpretation of a now legendary genre.
"I’d have to say our sound is new school punk. I hesitate to say pop-punk, because there are so few bands that give it a good name. I guess that puts us in the same boat as groups like Rufio, Taking Back Sunday and Yellowcard. We love the whole indie thing. It gives us full freedom, and we do a lot of promotion on our own. One day we’ll find that right label, one that does things the way we would do them."
Friendly to listeners of all ages, Kiros is eager to let their local fans in on their impending fame. Banking on the enthusiasm of the masses, and the authentic punk rock ambience of the University of Calgary’s MacEwan Hall Ballroom, the guys are planning a video shoot for the song "Counter Productive," which will take place during their concert. According to MacKichan, it’s just one more way Kiros can give back to the community that spawned and nurtured them.
"Right now we play one Calgary show for every 10 out-of-town shows. We’ve only played once in Calgary since we were here with the Warped Tour, and we wanted to put on a really big show. It’s going to be good," says MacKichan eagerly. "It’s going to be an all-ages event, and we want lots of people to come out. Five bands for five bucks – so any kid on the scene can afford it. I’ve found that we’ve had a very strong positive reaction from every audience we’ve played in front of. We have kids coming up to buy a second copy of our CD because their parents have stolen the first. So you know we’re pretty darn accessible"
Being accessible is all well and good, but judging by Kiros’s agenda, making the Top 10 is the farthest thing from their minds. Dispelling the dark clouds that often hover around bands that try to infuse their music with meaning and (God forbid) a socio-political conscience, Kiros continues to strike that elusive balance between good intentions and good vibrations.
"This is the first band/first big venture for all of us. I love spending time on the road with my best friends. The last thing any of us care about is making money or becoming famous.
We do want to make a difference, though. That’s why we try to make our songs positive and uplifting – to try to help kids get through things. They are important. They have worth. Even if the people around them don’t recognize their potential.
"I have been incredibly lucky, in that respect. At any given moment there are so many people I could thank for the support they’ve given me. I only hope I can pass that on to others."
Kiros will be performing and recording a video for their song "Counter Productive" live at the MacEwan Hall Ballroom on November 22 with Honeyrocket, Nikola Tesla, The Inevitable and Threadline. Details are available at www.calgarypunk.com/nov22/. |
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