Kanak is Pissed

Kanak

There’s rage in Kanak singer/songwriter Tom Kanach’s every facial tic in the Asbury Park band’s new “Without A Clue” song. Whoever he’s singing it to must’ve really done a job on him. As he explains, “it’s a contrast…a sing-song sweet melody over snotty but poppy guitar rock with angry lyrics. I thought it would be a nice juxtaposition to sing bitter lyrics to a lullaby-ish melody. I imagined singing it through clenched teeth, trying desperately to keep it together.

“When it came time to make the video,” he continues, “I wanted to demonstrate how seriously the victim had been wounded by that betrayal. I imagined what it would feel like screaming and ranting in pain hoping the message would be seen by the betrayer…letting them know that while the hurt was inflicted, they didn’t win. It’s an anthem of resilience, embodying the rollercoaster of emotions from heartbreak to self-discovery to eventual empowerment.”

The tour of Kanak—Tom Kanach (vocals, guitar), Johnny Rao (guitar, formerly with David Johansen), Peter Wood (guitar, formerly with Dramarama), Joe Rowley (bass), Steve Brown (drums)—starts May 3 in Baltimore with four New Jersey dates:  June 21 in Asbury Park’s Wonder Bar, July 25 at the Summer Concert Series of Tenafly, September 28 at Tierney’s in Montclair and October 25 at Crossroads in Garfield. Their On The Outside EP was released in March by Pop Clique/The Orchard.


(Advertisement)


Mike Greenblatt

MIKE GREENBLATT has been writing for Goldmine magazine and New Jersey's Aquarian Weekly for more than 35 years. His writing subjects fill the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

He's interviewed Joe Cocker, Graham Nash, David Crosby, Carlos Santana, Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, Johnny Cash, and members of The Rolling Stones and The Beatles. He was 18 when he attended Woodstock in 1969.

In addition to writing about music, Greenblatt has worked on publicity campaigns for The Animals, Pat Benatar, Johnny Winter, Tommy James and Richard Branson, among others. He is currently the editor of The Jersey Sound.

Previous
Previous

Rolling Stones Ask Bettye LaVette To Open In Chicago

Next
Next

Lightheaded Takes Major Step Forward