Boom Kinetic

Brain Fuse Records LLC, is announcing on Feb 1st 2013, the signing of 3 CD licensing deal with Boom Kinetic, a United States based indie rock band from Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Label Director, George Walsh, personally sought after the band.... - KFSM 5newsonline.com

The lineage of the click-clack lead guitar phrase in "Love and Reason" can be traced, at least in electric rock, to Harry Nilsson's "One", through David Byrne's early work in lead phrasing, through faster tones of Andy Gill, wrapped up in package right to your door. Great guitar work by design facilitates our increased interest in a singable, strong hook. That's what you listen to pop music for, and the most success here is in the second, and final choruses ... The landscape of our instant culture has never been more accessible to the new paths of opportunity that only vision and insight can find. What vision and insight do Boom Kinetic want us to think they have?? The vocals wrap up shining, anthemic choruses ready for more to sing if they choose. The questions become -- with big hooks and clear vision, how far can they hustle, how far outward do they want to radiate from their center?? - Working Rhythms

Most people wouldn’t expect a strong electronic sounding pop/rock album to come out of Arkansas, but Boom Kinetic has done just that. The band formed in Fayetteville in 2006, and is comprised of Wiley Seeger, Zach Gump, Aaron, Schauer, Greg Guillot, and Miguel Gamboa. Together they have put together 49 minutes of pop/rock-goodness on their debut album, Part Gray/Part Bright Light.

The most obvious comparison for Boom Kinetic is the Hot Fuss era of The Killers. At that time The Killers sounded like some sort of Duran Duran/New Order throwback, and that album was pretty awesome. Then they went into their more rocking Springsteen influenced sound, which did well for them, but didn’t seem anywhere near as fun to me and most people that I know. Hearing more music like that whould be nice. There is also a bit of an X&Y era Coldplay influence there as well.

Boom Kinetic also get a little MGMT and Passion Pit on “Love and Reason” and on some of Part Gray/Part Bright Light’s later tracks. It’s nice to see them change things up a little as the songs would sound all too similar after a while otherwise.

Part Gray/Part Bright Light is a strong release from Boom Kinetic. The band certainly shows that they can write a good pop song, many of which already sound ready to be echoed throughout arenas. Before I get too carried away, the album isn’t perfect, but it certainly shows that Boom Kinetic has the ability to make an album that could be big. I don’t always love the vocals and a few of the songs are just okay, but I can imagine hearing several of these songs on the radio. With some added production and growth, Boom Kinetich has a debut that shows they can make songs that the masses should hear.

- Muzik Reviews

Whatever you thought you knew about local band Boom Kinetic, let it go. While they still cover 80’s songs and play at weddings and other big events, (and stay true to their let’s-not-take-ourselves-too-seriously personality) that aspect of Boom Kinetic is just one aspect of who they are.

Lead singer Wiley Seeger explains, “We want people to get a reality of who we really are instead of what they think we are. We began in 2006 as a cover band and people still have that concept of us, but we want to move forward.”

They are now letting their originality emerge, mainly through a new full-length album called Part Gray/Part Bright Light, which they wrote from start to finish. Keyboardist and vocalist Aaron Schauer says of the new album, “We had two EP’s prior to this. They were a little more gimmicky and less serious. But we feel this one shows a little more of our musical talent.”

No matter how they evolve as a group, their identity as performers will never take a back seat. “When you come to our shows it’s not just a music show,” Schauer says, “It’s a performance. It’s a full production. We want to enjoy it, we want the audience to see us enjoying it, and most importantly we want them to enjoy it. It’s a conversation we like to have with the audience.”

They will also never stray from pouring their heart and soul into what they do. “To be a successful local and regional band, there is a lot of hard work involved. This album took us a year to get together from writing it to recording it to designing the artwork to promoting it. The same amount of work goes behind our live shows. We like to think we take extra special care, too. “

Boom Kinetic takes extra special care indeed. They just created a new light show for live performances that, let’s just say, as a financial investment alone is certainly a testament to their devotion.

But they wouldn’t have it any other way. “Yes it is a lot of hard work but we love it,” Seeger says, “We just want people to listen to it.”

Once you listen to it, which you should, after all, they’ve done their part now you do yours—calling them a cover band simply won’t cut it. - Celebrate Arkansas Magazine

LITTLE ROCK — Perhaps it was time for Fayetteville band Boom Kinetic to decide to be a little more serious. No need to be stoney-faced, but let's give music fans a taste of the significance of Boom Kinetic. At least that's the thinking behind the high-energy pop rock sextet's debut full-length album, Part Gray Part Bright Light. The album is still effortlessly danceable and fun, but reveals a more thoughtful, serious side to the band as well.

Boom Kinetic is well-known as one of the favorite acts in Arkansas, covering '80s synthpop and pop acts and other bands for weddings and at clubs. But with Part Gray Part Bright Light, the band unveils their serious side, delivering an album of 12 originals in 49 minutes with a sound that combines a more synth-y The Killers with the electronica pop of Passion Pit and the cosmic dance rock of MGMT.

Released in early October, and celebrated earlier this month with three CD release parties across the state, Part Gray Part Bright Light is the work of lead vocalist Wiley Seeger, lead vocalist and guitarist Zach Gump, guitarist Robin Vargas, keyboardist Aaron Schauer, bassist Greg Guillot and drummer Miguel Gamboa. The album was recorded earlier this year at Insomniac Studios in Fayetteville with Adam Putman engineering and mastered in Iceland by Axel "Flex" Arneson at Studio Reflex.

Since forming in 2006 as Molten Lava (The band changed its name to avoid confusion with another band named Molten Lava.), Boom Kinetic has steadily built a following in the Mid-South, releasing two EPs along the way — 2008's Txt Me Lol!:) and 2009's Math & Science. But Part Gray Part Bright Light is the formal introduction to the band, according to Schauer.

"[Part Gray Part Bright Light] was the first time we said, "Okay, let's be just a little more serious'," he said. "And we think we accomplished that."

The album's 12 tunes are split roughly into two halves, featuring Seeger on vocals on the album's first five, high-energy tunes, including the majestic "Not How to Start a Fire," a four-and-a-half minute blast of pumping drums, pulsating synths and soaring choruses, with Seeger breathlessly singing "I can see a hundred miles are open/Rising up to meet us tonight, tonight." "Anytime Now" begins with piano, before jumping on the wave that is a wall of synths and rumbling, melodic drumming, and Seeger asking: "Tell me tell me something, something nobody knows." It's a sound impossible not to enjoy.

The hook-y, sparkling pop rock of "Cursive," with its driving beat and reminder "talk is simple," is also a first-half winner along with "Ordinary People," an atmospheric ballad with Queen-like harmony vocals and a Beatles symphony movement at the end.

The album's last seven tunes — a little more somber and orchestral — feature Gump on vocals, including the gorgeous "White Flag," a slowly building, synth-y ballad filled with strumming guitars and marching drums with an introspective Gump confessing that "I'm stilling learning from burning bridges."

The second half also features "Cold Confidence," a tune that relies less on synth and more on a funky guitar and pulsing bass beat, and the album's end note: "Thin Line," an absolutely dazzling ballad that closes the album out like the coming of night.

"There's this dichotomy with the album that’s kind of symbolic of the dichotomy of our band," Schauer said. "For the most part, we're known as a cover/wedding band, but at the same time we want people to know, and hopefully we're getting this point across, that we're actually thoughtful and skilled songwriters and musicians. This album represents our chance to share this other side we have. But we still bring every bit of energy to our original songs that we do to our cover songs."

The new album marks a turning point in the band, as Boom Kinetic — a band that built a following with its danceable shows featuring '80s covers — slowly transitions into a band evolving into a outfit known for their original tunes — albeit still high energy and danceable.

"Being a cover band for a while gave us [an opportunity to grow an audience]," Schauer said. "We'll always play the cover songs that we like, but our hope is our regional audience will want to hear our original music just as much.

"There's still a big influence that comes from those '80s synth songs. Not only in our music, but those bands that we love to listen to." - Sync Weekly

The members of Boom! Kinetic know they’ve got a bit of an uphill battle.

They were first known as that ’80s cover band, in large part because, well, they were that ’80s cover band.

The band, formed first as Molten Lava before changing their name following a copyright dispute, earned a reputation as an act who could cover the ’80s and do it well: from Bobby Brown to Michael Jackson and more.

That was fun, but the band members wanted more. The ambitions of being a serious band that can write its own music are outlined in the group’s new release “Part Gray Part Bright Light,” an album they will officially release with a party tonight (Nov. 12) at Mojo’s Ivory House in Fort Smith and later next weekend (Nov. 20) at George’s Majestic Lounge.

The album is the culmination of a year of recording with Adam Putman of Insomniac Studios. It is split into two parts, with Wiley Seeger taking vocals on about half the tracks and Zach Gump taking vocals on the remaining songs.

I chatted with Boom! Kinetic about the group’s new record, its songwriting process and the how the band hopes their new original material will help convince fans they are a serious band. You can read about the group in print in today’s What’s Up! section or online, if you a subscriber to our paper or its print products.

The group didn’t suddenly forget their affinity for the ’80s, though, and the sounds of that decade are all over the group’s new record.

Before you go out tonight, check out a track from the group. It’s called “Love and Reason.” - TunedIn

Boom Kinetic was voted the best band by students of the University of Arkansas in 2010. - The Arkansas Traveler

Boom Kinetic was voted the best band by students of the University of Arkansas in 2010. - The Arkansas Traveler

If You Missed Last Nights Show… Shame on You! Actually I take that back. Because missing last night show is punishment enough, you don’t need the added humiliation of my shame.

Before last night, I was a Boom Kinetic “virgin”. I’ve heard how great of a party band they were, but never made it to any of their shows. The moment the “Rubix Cube” colored lights cut through the smoke-filled stage and blinded me, I knew I was in for a treat. I always give extra kudos to bands who have good lighting, it shows they really want the audience to have an awesome experience.

And it was an AWESOME experience. They whipped out a vast array of party songs from Justin Timberlake’s “Sexyback” to The Killer’s “Mr. Brightside” that kept the dance-floor in constant motion. Everyone from experienced ¡Latin Night! dancers to people who watched an episode of “Jersey Shore” and knew how to fist-pump were dancing. Boom Kinetic also played from a nice collection of their own songs that can be found on iTunes here.

So… now you’re sad because you missed out on Sticky Fingerz awesome birthday party. Well guess what… This Party Keeps On Goin’!! You didn’t think we would have a one-day thang for our 10 Year Anniversary did you?? Country fans have not been forgotten. Tonight ( Saturday, June 12) RECKLESS KELLY will be “wrecking shop” at Stickyz! And the rumor mill is churning about some surprise special guests that will supposedly be in the house for the occasion. Suzon said something about it being ”her favorite Canadians”, but she wouldn’t say anything more than that.
- Love Live Music

If You Missed Last Nights Show… Shame on You! Actually I take that back. Because missing last night show is punishment enough, you don’t need the added humiliation of my shame.

Before last night, I was a Boom Kinetic “virgin”. I’ve heard how great of a party band they were, but never made it to any of their shows. The moment the “Rubix Cube” colored lights cut through the smoke-filled stage and blinded me, I knew I was in for a treat. I always give extra kudos to bands who have good lighting, it shows they really want the audience to have an awesome experience.

And it was an AWESOME experience. They whipped out a vast array of party songs from Justin Timberlake’s “Sexyback” to The Killer’s “Mr. Brightside” that kept the dance-floor in constant motion. Everyone from experienced ¡Latin Night! dancers to people who watched an episode of “Jersey Shore” and knew how to fist-pump were dancing. Boom Kinetic also played from a nice collection of their own songs that can be found on iTunes here.

So… now you’re sad because you missed out on Sticky Fingerz awesome birthday party. Well guess what… This Party Keeps On Goin’!! You didn’t think we would have a one-day thang for our 10 Year Anniversary did you?? Country fans have not been forgotten. Tonight ( Saturday, June 12) RECKLESS KELLY will be “wrecking shop” at Stickyz! And the rumor mill is churning about some surprise special guests that will supposedly be in the house for the occasion. Suzon said something about it being ”her favorite Canadians”, but she wouldn’t say anything more than that.
- Love Live Music

Selected as Party Band of the Year for second year in a row - Northwest Arkansas Music Awards

Boom Kinetic won Party Band of the Year at the Northwest Arkansas Music Awards - Northwest Arkansas Music Awards

Wiley Seeger runs one hand through his foe-hawk, while the other hand presses his microphone close to his face. He stares at the crowd through aviator glasses, and when the music begins, his whole body is a turning, whirling storm of energy.

Wiley and the band Boom Kinetic belt out their original crowd pleaser “Love and Reason.” Wiley sings, “We are living, living for the moment…” and some of the girls in the crowd sway in their purple satin, and cotton white summer dresses. By the time the band plays “Ninety Nine Red Balloons” (1984 song by Nena) everyone is dancing. The crowd ripples in a wave of movement that builds momentum from the front of the stage, and rolls all the way back to the entrance of Grub’s Bar and Grille in Fayetteville. “We wanted to make money being musicians and doing eighties covers for private parties and weddings only made sense,” Wiley says. And now the retro fever has spread past private parties, into mainstream nightlife in Arkansas.

With two front men, Wiley and Zach Gump, and a stage full of talented musicians, Boom Kinetic rocks a high-energy show. The performance is not only amped up by their always dancing front men, they are literally amped by three electric guitarists: front man Zach, Greg Guillot, and Robin Vargas. Add in the beat from Miguel Gamboa on drums, and essential eighties keyboard music from Aaron Schauer, then turn down the lights, turn up the lasers and fog, and you’re ready to rock out technopop style.

While the eighties retro crave put this band in business, they want to focus more attention on the music they collaboratively write and compose. They hope to play more original music, which varies between technopop and indie ballads.

“We started learning some Duran Duran and Toto, and originals followed and sounded pretty similar,” says Zach.

Original music has listeners asking, “Who is this?” according to Adam Putman, the bands producer of their CD called, “Part Gray/ Part Bright Light.” Adam always plays Boom Kinetic’s music when setting up sound for touring acts in Fayetteville. He says 2010 Oscar winner Ryan Bingham, (Best Original Song “The Weary Kind,” from the movie “Crazy Heart”) and his band were impressed by Boom Kinetic’s sound. Ryan and his band overheard the music in May and were, “humming the tune, and finally someone asked, ‘Hey who is this?’” Adam adds, “It’s just infectious.”

Boom Kinetic is hosting CD release parties for “Part Gray/Part Bright Light” in October in Fayetteville. Find performance dates at www.boomkinetic.com. You can buy the CD at their shows, or on iTunes. Preview their music for free at jango.com by searching “Boom Kinetic.” - @urban Magazine

Boom Kinetic* was selected as Arkansas' favorite band by the readers of Celebrate Arkansas Magazine in 2008**.


*not actual text from magazine
**under former name "Molten Lava" - Celebrate Arkansas Magazine