D.I.Y. or die

>> Kiss Me Deadly’s road rules

by JOHNSON CUMMINS

As you’re reading this, there are a plethora of bands criss-crossing God’s green acre in Ford Econoline vans, playing shows without the comfort of booking agents or the financial support of major record labels. These bands are living quite well under the radar, gaining ground in states like Florida and Texas, as well as in varous Canadian provinces. Don’t believe me? Ask the Frenetics or Fugazi, or flip through magazines like Punk Planet and the D.I.Y. booking bible, Book Your Own Fucking Life, or the wealth of contact info on the Web.

One of those bands is Montreal’s own Kiss Me Deadly, who are launching their new album Travel Light next week and were just tying up a five-week tour of the U.S. and Canada when I spoke to them.

“The thing about staying in one city and one scene is that things just start reflecting in on each other,” says guitarist Adam Poulin from a payphone in Mississauga, Ont. “When you go out to play other cities, meet new people and play with other bands, you really get a new perspective.”

Kiss Me Deadly didn’t wait around for somebody to start booking their shows. Guitarist Emily Frazier spent five hours a night making contacts through the Internet, with a little help from their label Blue Skies Turn Black. In the end, this bit of dirty work has solidified them as a band.

“It’s kind of a daunting thing, but the best part of it is meeting people you connect with. That ends up expanding your view of music and, as a band, you realize you’re able to do it on your own terms. It really gives us a sense of accomplishment.”

Seeing your typical MuchMusic rock star complaining about the rigours of the road from a spacious tour bus can get downright stomach-turning. Perhaps these bands could learn something from sleeping on people’s floors and getting their hands dirty sometimes.

“I think we slept in hotels three times on this tour and that was mainly because one of the bands we played with worked for the hotel and got us a reduced rate. We slept either in the van or on floors, but we didn’t lose money and it’s been a great experience. We got to see alligators and swim naked with drunk people in Florida, and watch a guy wrestle a coffee table to splinters at the house we stayed at in Albany.”

If any bands reading this need a hand making contacts and getting out on the road on their own terms, Kiss Me Deadly suggest e-mailing them for help (kissmedeadlyplease@hotmail.com).

“We played with D.I.Y. metal bands, garage rock bands and punks, bands that are ultimately doing it for its intrinsic value, that is, the music itself, and you notice something different about those people. We can only speak for ourselves, but there is definitely a viable and valid scene for D.I.Y. everywhere we’ve gone.” :

CD launch with Spengler at Casa Del Popolo on Friday, Sept. 6, 9pm, $5

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