The Kills
The Kills are Jamie and Alison. But, within the band, they prefer to answer to the names Hotel and VV, respectively. Both are enigmatic characters with rich musical-pasts behind them - and represent a pair that have generated a considerable stir in both the US and UK in the past few months.
They formed a union after meeting one another at a party in London. VV, an American girl, and Hotel, a Londoner, immediately formed a solid connection, and began recording together. However, when it came to VV returning home, they still created music - sending tapes back and fore between Britain and America. But, it couldn\'t last - they needed to work alongside each other more closely, and VV moved over to the UK where they continued their work.
Kicking off 2002 with a couple of low-key London dates under their own branded moniker of VV & Hotel, they soon formed The Kills, and went on to play rapturously-received performances in regular music-industry haunts. Recording-sessions from earlier in the year formed the \'Black Rooster EP\', released in the summer via Domino to an ecstatic media-response. By the time their praises had been sung over in this side of the Atlantic, however, they soon flew over to the States for a two and a half month tour. Driving themselves around in a car they bought on their arrival into the country, the pair had pre-booked all of their shows, and drove to every date on their tour. \'Rolling Stone\', \'Spin Magazine\' and \'The Village Voice\' were soon compelled by their performances.
And in case you\'re wondering why this has all happened so soon... It\'s because The Kills are raw soul at its gleaming, sexy and lo-fi finest. They play guitars with groove. Intertwine drum-loops with venom. And feature vocals that immediately hark to the towering peaks once achieved by Royal Trux. Coupled with the fact that they want to avoid the music-industry mediocrity and insincerities that lurk out there, the duo want to maintain a grip on everything they release and produce. Their potential to re-ignite the underground and inspire thousands has, thus far, proven quite considerable. And that\'s an understatement.
OFFICIAL SITE: Still being constructed, the site currently has the option of emailing the band direct, plus the chance to join the mailing-list, as well as view the band\'s video for \'Wait\'.
RECORD-LABEL WEBSITE: Read all about the band\'s label-mates, and view The Kills\' own pages on the site; ahh, why not order records, too?