Kenjiro
Biography
KENJIRO [ken-jeer-roh] -noun: A fresh sounding power trio with the energy and skills to rock your senses!Sometimes you need to channel a certain kind of energy to give a rocket-boost shot up the arse to that certain kind of inspiration you're manipulating between your fingers. And no matter how much you will it to hit you, you just have to take a deep breath and wait, knowing that when it's meant to come your way, it will. And there's not a damn thing you can do about it.
"I was watching one of my favourite martial arts films 'American Samurai'," explains Kenjiro frontman Rich Browne with a smile. "The villian's name is Kenjiro and he is a total badass - brooding, intense and angst-ridden with the skills to match. It was the perfect foil for our musical vision!"
With the spirit of that martial arts maniac behind them, Kenjiro took on a life of its own. It was more than just a band name - it was a new-found confidence and fight or flight ethos that propelled Browne, bassist/vocalist Dan Banfield and drummer James De Cort to a another level of commitment with the band that they had spent the last couple of years shaping.
"Rich and I are old school friends who used to be in bands together way back when," reveals Banfield. "Our first band was called 'Liquid Flame' and consisted of a pair of 12-year-olds making as much noise as we could! We blasted out covers of Guns n' Roses, Ugly Kid Joe and Faith No More - we thought we fucking rocked!"
"After we left school we went our separate ways, but in 2004 we reunited in London," he adds. "From the start of Kenjiro we wanted to bring back the essence of the music of our youth, and remind people that music is more than just screaming about teenage angst. We searched high and low for a drummer that could deliver the grooves and energy to form the base for our music and after auditioning a lot of drummers, things really clicked when we met James."
Taking inspiration from the likes of Foo Fighters, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Incubus, Faith No More and Pearl Jam, this London trio are determined to bring a touch of US-arena-rock-inspired class to the British rock scene. Dealing in powerful, melodic, straight-up, radio-friendly rock, Kenjiro's finally-honed and unique sound stands out amongst the scene crop of trendy skinny-jeaned indie rock mobs and punk-light emo offerings that bored A&R guys are currently being bombarded with.
"We're not into gimmicks," admits the frontman. "We commit ourselves to the music 100% and there's a lot of energy between us, so it makes for an unforgettable assault on the ears!"
And on the eyes too, as you'll know if you've been quick on the buzz and already witnessed the Kenjiro live experience.
"We're a head-nodding flurry of limbs onstage," laughs De Cort. "We're blistering live experience after blistering live experience! Most of the time, anyway!"
Happy to play anywhere that will have them, Kenjiro have fast been building up a loyal fanbase as a result of their electrifying and energetic live shows.
"Playing all the time is good for us too, as we're still a baby band," admits Banfield. "We're still learning and growing. I started a gig with my volume on zero once. That was fun! Also someone threw a pair of knickers at me too! It was a great shot and landed perfectly on the headstock of my guitar. Plus, it's a great way to break the ice after a show - 'are these yours?'"
If you're smart, you'll go see Kenjiro in action at a venue near you very soon. Catch them, as they say, while you can because one thing's for certain and that's that this lot won't be gracing the stages of tiny, tickets on the door venues for long."With Kenjiro you'll get no bullshit," promises Browne. "We got into music because we were inspired and energised by the bands that we looked up to, not to get women or look cool."
"We plan to stake our claim on 21st century rock music," he says, holding eye contact. "And nothing is going to stand in our way."
Take a deep breath, then, and wait. Because whether you like it or not, Kenjiro are coming.
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