The first time I saw Steve Kimock play was during the summer of 1998. He was one of twin guitarists (the other being Mark Karan) filling the big gap left by Jerry Garcia in the Grateful Dead reincarnation The Other Ones.
Kimock's stage presense was slight. Sitting on a stool, guitar in his lap, head bent down he looked more like some Buddhist monk contemplating the mysteries of the universe on a lonely mountain than a rock star.
In fact many Deadheads were complaining about his lack of presence during this tour. This always seemed ironic to me considering that Garcia had spent the last decade of his life, standing motionless on stage, with his chin resting on his chest.
While others complained about how Kimock looked on stage, I was awed by his chops as a guitarist. His playing was both fluid and tight. Technical and yet full of emotion. Much like Garcia himself, in his better days.
Soon after the Other Ones show, I did some tape trading for a live KVHW show. This was a short lived band Kimock formed with Bobby Vega, Alen Hertz and Ray White. Again I was knocked out by Kimock's virtuosity on guitar.
For whatever reason, though Kimock's name was often batted about in musical conversations amongst online groups, I never gained another piece of his music. Various albums, live tapes, and concerts landed on my list of things to get, but never managed to materialize into reality.
So, it was with great anticipation that I found myself with the Steve Kimock Band's newest release, Eudemonic. The dictionary says the title means "producing happiness and well being." That's a lot to ask for in 66 minutes of music. I definitely had a few moments of happiness brought to me by the music on this album, but I'll leave my well being to a higher authority.
I have to admit right upfront here, that I'm not a fan of instrumental music, especially instrumental rock music. Sure, I've got some classical music, your Beethoven some Mozart and what not. But I generally regulate this to back ground music; something to play when I'm a little sad, or to back me up during a romantic dinner. But with the music coming out of my car stereo, or pulsating through my home, my music life consists of some lyrics, some singing.
Article comments
1 - TR
Its Bobby Vega, not Babby.
2 - Gilson in Bend
I think what this author is suggesting is that it is a musically complex album and if you are a Dave Matthews fan, don't bother. You simply won't understand. Which is why an SKB show is so fun to attend. They are not many of us, and it has the sense of intamacy every time.
3 - Mike Babyak
Very nice, thoughtful review. Only thing I'd quibble with is the notion that Ice Cream was "moe. inspired." I'm pretty certain that this tune was written long before Kimock ever heard moe.
4 - Mat Brewster
Thanks Mike. You're probably right on the whole moe. thing. Maybe the boys in .moe found some inspiration from Kimock.