Coming to you by way of Parsipanny, NJ, Cambridge, MA, and Newport, KY, Ska/Reggae duo turned four-member outfit The Kilograms are set to release their debut EP on Friday, February 9!
Featuring New Jersey expat Sammy Kay - who now calls Cincinnati home - on vocals, guitar, piano and organ, Newport Secret Six member J Duckworth on guitar, vocals, and percussion, former Mighty Mighty Bosstones bassist Joe Gittleman on, you guessed it, bass, vocals, and guitar, and Michael McDermott, formerly of The Bouncing Souls and currently with Joan Jett & The Blackhearts on drums, The Kilograms are thrilled to announce the upcoming release of their debut EP, as well as a pre-order for a super limited vinyl pressing coming to you from Asbestos Records.
The limited release will be 200 white vinyl with an etched B-side, and will come in a hand-numbered silkscreen jacket - I expect these to go fast, so hit this link to snag one starting Friday, February 2!
But, you ask, “Is it good?” Hell yes it is. A soulful set of four tracks and a dub remix that move way too quickly, it has great riffs, gruff, understated vocals, danceable basslines, and righteous keys - it’s everything I look for in a Mod-inspired set of Ska & Reggae tracks.
The EP feels immediately like a throwback, but it’s a far cry from cashing in on nostalgia - it’s surprisingly vital, and hits a lot of notes that I think fans of all the musicians involved are going to recognize and appreciate. The EP also features notable cameos from some heavy hitters: Brittany Luna, of Catbite, shows up for some great guest vocals, Esteban “Junior” Flores adds his own flourish on the piano, Todd Farrell Jr. features some pedal steel guitar, and Jeff Rickels provides percussion, bells, and “that weird theriman thing.”
In the meantime, snag a record, and check out the EP when it drops on February 9. Put on your dancing shoes first, though.
The band have announced a slew of shows for 2024 already, including a first-wave announcement for this year’s edition of the Supernova International Ska Festival happening in Virginia this September. I’ve been assured more announcements are on the way, so keep an eye out.
