Darren Gaines & The Key Party

Last updated

Darren Gaines & The Key Party is an American seven piece subversive lounge act from New York City. The band was started by Darren Gaines in 2006. [1]

The self-released debut, Hit or Miss, came out in late 2006. It was named Album of the Day by CMJ, [2] Download of the Week in the San Francisco Chronicle , [3] and dubbed "15 songs of rock and roll poetry celebrating the debauched, the broken, the drunken and the misfitting", by PopMatters . [4] They have been compared to Nick Cave, Tom Waits and Lou Reed.[ by whom? ]

In an interview on Polskie Radio 910AM New York (July 11, 2007), Gaines said The Key Party name came from the scene in The Ice Storm where Sigorney Weaver reaches her hand into the fish bowl and pulls out the young man's keys. The scene inspired Gaines to "use a similar lottery-like system... He invited a bunch of musician friends into the studio and had them select from a variety of instruments - everything from traditional music-making devices, such as guitars and drums, to kitchen spoons and children's toys - by randomly pulling a piece of paper with the instrument's name on it from a bowl". [5]

In 2008, Darren Gaines & The Key Party recorded their follow-up CD, My Blacks Don't Match, produced by Ken Rich. My Blacks Don't Match was released in February 2009. [6] [7]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bratmobile</span> American punk band

Bratmobile is an American punk band from Olympia, Washington, formed in 1991. They are known for being one of the first-generation "riot grrrl" bands. The band was influenced by several eclectic musical styles, including elements of pop, surf, and garage rock.

<i>Boléro</i> Orchestral composition by Maurice Ravel

Boléro is a 1928 work for large orchestra by French composer Maurice Ravel. It is one of Ravel's most famous compositions. It was also one of his last completed works before illness diminished his ability to write music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sliver (song)</span> 1990 single by Nirvana

"Sliver" is a song by the American rock band Nirvana, written by vocalist and guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic. It was first released as a non-album single by the band's then record label, Sub Pop, in the United States in September 1990, and by Tupelo in Britain in January 1991. The same recording was re-released on the compilation album Incesticide by DGC in December 1992, and a new music video, directed by Kevin Kerslake, was released in May 1993.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Matches</span> American rock band

The Matches are an American rock band from Oakland, California, active from 1997 to 2009. Formed as the Locals, the group changed their name after five years to avoid conflict with a Chicago band of the same name. As the Matches, they self-released their debut album E. Von Dahl Killed the Locals in 2003, then signed to Epitaph Records who re-released it the following year. Decomposer followed in 2006, seeing the band move from their pop punk roots in a more idiosyncratic direction with contributions from nine different record producers; it reached no. 18 on Billboard's Independent Albums chart. With their third album, A Band in Hope (2008), their sound became even more heavily layered and experimental; it was their only release to chart on the Billboard 200, reaching no. 179.

Lois Maffeo is an American musician and writer who lives in Olympia, Washington. She has been closely involved with and influenced many independent musicians, especially in the 1990s-era Olympia, Seattle and Washington, D.C. music scenes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Phunk with My Heart</span> 2005 single by The Black Eyed Peas

"Don't Phunk with My Heart" censored as "Don't Mess with My Heart" is a song recorded by American group the Black Eyed Peas for their fourth studio album Monkey Business (2005). It was written by band members will.i.am and Fergie with Printz Board, George Pajon, Jr. and Full Force; will.i.am also produced and engineered the song. The song is a hip hop song in which the lyrics, according to will.i.am, tell of a situation between a couple when one tries to end the relationship and the other is in disbelief. It features compositional samples of songs derived from two Bollywood films of the 1970s, Apradh (1972) and Don (1978), as well as interpolations of Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam's 1985 single "I Wonder If I Take You Home" and Gucci Crew II's 1988 single "Sally ", hence earning Kalyanji–Anandji, Indeewar and Full Force songwriting credits. The song was released as the lead single from Monkey Business on April 5, 2005, by A&M Records and Interscope Records.

<i>Monkey Business</i> (Black Eyed Peas album) 2005 studio album by Black Eyed Peas

Monkey Business is the fourth studio album by American group the Black Eyed Peas. It was released on June 7, 2005, by A&M Records, Interscope Records and will.i.am Music Group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">My Prerogative</span> 1988 single by Bobby Brown

"My Prerogative" is a song by American singer Bobby Brown from his second studio album, Don't Be Cruel (1988). It was released on October 11, 1988, as the second single from the album. After recording sessions were completed, Brown and producer Gene Griffin traveled to New York City, since he felt something was "missing" from the record. "My Prerogative" was written by Brown as a response to the criticism he received for his firing from New Edition. He explained the song was about making decisions in one's life and not caring about other people's judgment. "My Prerogative" is often considered as new jack swing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pump It</span> 2006 single by The Black Eyed Peas

"Pump It" is a song recorded by American group the Black Eyed Peas for their fourth studio album Monkey Business (2005). It was written by group members will.i.am, apl.de.ap and Fergie, along with frequent songwriting collaborator Thomas van Musser, and produced by will.i.am. The song heavily incorporates music from Dick Dale's 1962 surf version of "Misirlou", known for being featured in the 1994 Quentin Tarantino film Pulp Fiction, hence crediting Nicholas Roubanis as a co-writer. It was released as the fourth and final single from Monkey Business on January 16, 2006, by A&M Records and Interscope Records.

Velocity Girl is an American indie rock band formed in 1989 in College Park, Maryland, and active in the Washington, D.C., area. The band released three albums before splitting up in 1996. The band reunited for a one-off concert in 2002 and for a few concerts in 2023 and 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Lie</span> 2005 single by the Black Eyed Peas

"Don't Lie" is a song performed by American recording group the Black Eyed Peas, taken from their fourth studio album, Monkey Business (2005). It was released as the second single from the album on July 26, 2005, after the successful "Don't Phunk with My Heart".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Melodic hardcore</span> Music genre

Melodic hardcore is a broadly defined subgenre of hardcore punk with a strong emphasis on melody in its guitar work. It generally incorporates fast rhythms, melodic and often distorted guitar riffs, and vocal styles tending towards shouting and screaming. Nevertheless, the genre has been very diverse, with different bands showcasing very different styles. Many pioneering melodic hardcore bands, have proven influential across the spectrum of punk rock, as well as rock music more generally.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Phenomenauts</span> Science band from Oakland, California, US

The Phenomenauts are a musical band from Oakland, California, that combine several styles of music with a futuristic science fiction theme. Their sound uses elements from rock and roll, punk, glam, garage rock and new wave styles of music. They call their style "rocket roll".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You Don't Know My Name</span> 2003 single by Alicia Keys

"You Don't Know My Name" is a song by American singer-songwriter Alicia Keys, issued by J Records as the lead single from her second studio album, The Diary of Alicia Keys (2003). Written by Keys, Kanye West and Harold Lilly, its production, handled by the former two, is based on a sample of the 1975 song "Let Me Prove My Love to You", written by J. R. Bailey, Mel Kent and Ken Williams, and performed by The Main Ingredient.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lunachicks</span> American punk rock band

Lunachicks are an American punk rock band from New York City. The band formed in 1987 and had been on hiatus since 2001, with the band reuniting in 2019. The band cited influences including the Ramones, Kiss, and the MC5.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dance Floor Anthem (I Don't Want to Be in Love)</span> 2007 single by Good Charlotte

"Dance Floor Anthem (I Don't Wanna Be in Love)", known as "Dance Floor Anthem" on the album, is a song by American pop punk band Good Charlotte on their fourth studio album, Good Morning Revival (2007). The song became the band's best-selling single in Australia, reaching number two for three nonconsecutive weeks and earning a platinum certification. In the US, the song peaked at number 25 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was also certified platinum.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kissing You (Des'ree song)</span> 1997 single by Desree

"Kissing You" is a song by British singer Des'ree. It was written by the singer with Timothy Atack for Baz Luhrmann's 1996 film Romeo + Juliet. The song was included on the film's soundtrack album and Des'ree's third studio album, Supernatural (1998). A pop ballad set in the key of A minor, the record uses a simple instrumentation consisting only of piano and string instruments. "Kissing You" featured in Romeo + Juliet when the title characters meet at a ball. The song was well received by critics for its emotional melody and toned-down production. First released as a single in Australia on 24 February 1997, it appeared on the ARIA Singles Chart and the UK Singles Chart. A music video accompanied the single, which included scenes from Romeo + Juliet. This song is also used in Season 2, Episode 2 of ‘’The Summer I Turned Pretty’’.

Ken Rich is an American producer, engineer, composer and musician. He began playing violin at age five, tuba at age nine and moved on to the electric bass at age 15. After majoring in philosophy at Oberlin College while pursuing intensive jazz studies with Wendell Logan and Donald Byrd, he moved to New York City in 1991. He quickly ensconced himself in the session and live music scene of New York playing bass on David Byrne's "It Goes Back", "Offbeat - a Red Hot Soundtrip", Shabba Ranks' 1993 Grammy Award-winning album X-tra Naked, and Laurie Anderson's "In Our Sleep" with Lou Reed. Rich was a member of Babatunde Olatunji's New York-based band from 1994 until Olatunji's death in 2004.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Band (rock and pop)</span> Musical ensemble which performs rock music, pop music, or a related genre

A rock band or pop band is a small musical ensemble that performs rock music, pop music, or a related genre. A four-piece band is the most common configuration in rock and pop music. In the early years, the configuration was typically two guitarists, a bassist, and a drummer. Another common formation is a vocalist who does not play an instrument, electric guitarist, bass guitarist, and a drummer. Sometimes, in addition to electric guitars, electric bass, and drums, also a keyboardist plays.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Size 14 (album)</span> 1997 studio album by Size 14

Size 14 is the first and only studio album by the American rock band of the same name. It was released in 1997 by Volcano Entertainment, with all songs being produced by Mike Clink.

References

  1. "Darren Gaines & The Key Party". Myspace.com. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  2. "CMJ Review". Archive.ph. June 24, 2007. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  3. "POP BEAT". Sfgate.com. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  4. [ dead link ]
  5. "POP BEAT". Sfgate.com. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  6. "CD Review: Darren Gaines and the Key Party – My Blacks Don't Match". Lucidculture.wordpress.com. 19 February 2009.
  7. "My Blacks Don't Match - Darren Gaines, The Key..." AllMusic . Retrieved September 11, 2024.