Getting To Know Kopek One Show At A TIme
by Rebecca Clark
Static Noise
http://www.staticnoise.net
Through out my life certain bands come into my world and make my life genuinely better just by hearing their music and seeing them perform live. Their music touches my heart and soul on a level that only crazy music lovers like myself can understand. I can count on one hand the amount of bands that have made such an impact on me, and right now one more band is added to that list, Kopek.
I truly believe that Kopek will become a legendary name in the rock world because they offer something different and real to the industry. Kopek’s energy is raw and back to the basics. They prove that you don’t need to over do it and rely on their pure talent with their instruments. Their music has been like a gasp of fresh air after holding it for what has felt like years of mediocre bands hitting the scene.
Since February I have been privileged to see Kopek 5 times and I wished I could have went to more shows, yes they are THAT GOOD. Kopek’s album has been on repeat since I have had it in my hands, and seeing them live over and over again is no different. Once you have seen Kopek’s live show, their music will become even more of an addiction and their song “Cocaine Chest Pains” will be referencing your obsession with KOPEK!
Kopek’s live performance is simply INCREDIBLE. If you are a true rock and roll lover, Kopek will blow your mind and set the bar high for any band you see after them. Each band member brings their energy to the set in their own way and they mesh together perfectly.
Lead vocalist Daniel Jordan’s voice is so powerful live that I constantly gaze at him in awe while he sings, but yet the guitar riffs Jordan rips into make me want to jump up and down like a madwoman! Not a lot of bands make me wish I were in the people pit instead of the photo pit!
Bassist Brad Kinsella’s energy is just as intense. Kinsella climbs up on speakers and monitors and lets himself get consumed by the music. Kinsella has a force over the crowd and enjoys getting them just as amped about the music as he is.
And let’s not forget to praise drummer Shane Cooney’s mad drumming skills. Cooney’s energy is definitely evident in his drumbeats and unique techniques. At first glance you may not notice Cooney, but when you take a deeper look you will see that Cooney is the glue that keeps the band tied together, no matter what disasters happen during their set.
Unfortunately at a few of their shows, I saw Cooney’s hidden talent in action because they had some major technical difficulties. It’s hard on a band to overcome issues like that while performing, but they pushed through it and held their own. I was really impressed with how they handled it.
Kopek’s live show is so amazing that I wasn’t sure anything else could beat it, and then I saw them perform acoustic in Buffalo, NY at The Edge Sessions at Good Charamel Records. It was a whole other Kopek experience every fan should see. I felt like I got to see a different side of Kopek and hearing Kopek’s songs stripped down in an intimate setting was such a treat. Cooney was able to show his guitar playing skills as well!
The highlight of the set for me was hearing “Sub Human” acoustic. I have heard it acoustic before on their youtube videos, but seeing it performed right in front of me gave me goose bumps! I also have to mention that their acoustic version of “Bring It On Home” that day caught me off guard in a good way. Kopek did some serious rock ass kicking on it acoustic. Jordan put a lot of intense passion into the last verse and left me again, looking at him in AWE!
Kopek is an all around American band from Ireland. They know how to bring it on stage and off stage. I see how they interact with fans after their shows and they show nothing but gratitude to everyone that comes up to them. They are charming lads that are very humble for being so amazing. They make everyone of their new fans feel special and that is another key ingredient that makes Kopek so good.
If you have felt like you have been drowning in the mainstream of rock music, Kopek is here and have tossed you a life preserver called “White Collar Lies.” Grasp onto this album and never let it go!
Check out our photo galleries:
Kopek February 10, 2011 @ The Sherman Theater, Stroudsburg, PA
Kopek March 18, 2011 @ Northern Lights, Clifton Park, NY
Kopek March 19, 2011 @ Croc Rock, Allentown, PA
Kopek March 27, 2011 @ The Exibition Hall, Watertown, NY
Kopek March 30, 2011 @ Good Charamel Records, Buffalo, NY
