Kamchatka (band)

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Kamchatka
2016 Kamchatka - by 2eight - DSC3313.jpg
Kamchatka performing in 2016
Background information
Origin Varberg, Sweden
Genres Hard rock, blues rock, stoner rock
Years active2001–2024 (on hiatus)
LabelsGMR
Members Thomas "Juneor" Andersson
Tobias Strandvik
Per Wiberg
Past members Roger Öjersson
Linus Carlsson
Website kamchatka.se

Kamchatka are a Swedish rock band highly influenced by late 1960s and early 1970s blues rock bands. Their sound combines elements of blues rock, stoner rock and psychedelic rock.

Contents

Kamchatka took their name from the volcanically active Russian Kamchatka Peninsula that divides the Okhotsk and the Bering Sea. [1]

Biography

In 2005 Kamchatka released their self-titled debut Kamchatka , a 14-track album containing 3 covers: "I Love Everybody" originally written by blues-rocker Johnny Winter. The 2 other songs, "Auto Mowdown" and "Spacegirl Blues" were written by Gerald V. Casale of new wave band Devo (from compilation Hardcore Devo: Volume One). The album was recorded at Shrimpmonkey studios by Nicolas Elgstrand.

In 2007, Before Kamchatka's second album Volume II was released, guitarist Thomas Andersson collaborated on a project called King Hobo with Opeth keyboardist Per Wiberg and Clutch drummer Jean-Paul Gaster, amongst others. [2]

Kamchatka's third album Volume III was released in March 2009. An 11-track album containing a cover of The Allman Brothers' song Whipping Post featuring Clutch drummer Jean Paul Gaster. [3]

The fourth album Bury Your Roots , an album of 12 original tracks, was released on GMR 5 September 2011. [4]

The fifth Kamchatka album The Search Goes On, was released on Despotz Records on 21 February 2014. [5]

Musical style and influences

Kamchatka have been influenced by several genres including blues, progressive rock, stoner rock and jazz and by artists such as Devo, Ali Farka Touré, Cactus, King Crimson, Kyuss, Sarah Vaughan and Chet Baker. [6]

Thomas Andersson's guitar playing is mainly riff based and is considered highly inspired by Jimi Hendrix and Robin Trower, therefore Kamchatka are often compared to heavy blues-rock bands active in the late 1960s and early 1970s like The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Led Zeppelin and Cream. [7] [8] The band has been labeled hard rock, [9] stoner rock, jam band, power trio and blues-rock. [10]

Touring

In early 2007, Kamchatka did a tour in Sweden opening for blues influenced band Clutch on three occasions. [11] In April/May 2008 Kamchatka did a US Tour opening for Clutch on 21 occasions. [12] In 2009, they continued this affiliation with Clutch by joining them on a November tour of the EU.

Members

Current Members
Past Members

Discography

Studio albums

Singles

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References

  1. Todd K. Smith. "The Cutting Edge Kamchatka review" . Retrieved 26 July 2007. Kamchatka take their name from the volcanically active Russian peninsula that divides the Okhotsk and the Bering Sea, and on first listen you'd swear you'd unearthed an early '70's Robin Trower classic.
  2. "Opeth Keyboardist, Clutch Drummer Collaborate On New Project". Archived from the original on 24 June 2007. Retrieved 27 July 2007. Opeth keyboardist Per Wiberg recently collaborated on a new project with Clutch drummer Jean-Paul Gaster and Kamchatka guitarist Thomas "Juneor" Andersson, among others
  3. "Biography". Archived from the original on 1 October 2011. Retrieved 9 September 2011. released on Swedish label Superpuma Records at the beginning of March, 2009.
  4. "Biography". Archived from the original on 1 October 2011. Retrieved 9 September 2011. The album is released September 5th on GMR.
  5. Metal Traveller. "The Search Goes On CD Review" . Retrieved 16 March 2014. Kamchatka The Search Hoes On CD review
  6. Kamchatka. "MySpace – Kamchatka: General Info" . Retrieved 26 July 2007. Influences: Devo, Chris Whitley, Ali Farka Toure, Elmore James, King Crimson, Kyuss, Cactus, Ray Charles, Sarah Vaughn, Chet Baker, Jan Johansson
  7. Jimmy Ryan. "Kamchatka MySpace" . Retrieved 26 July 2007. Unlike other players who end up beholden to their effects, Andersson uses them like weapons, creating a totally stylized Hendrixian bluesy, trippy, greasy and freaky psychofunkedelicized sonic assault with tons of feel and chops to spare. Fans of late 60s – early 70s heavy guitar riffage...
  8. Peacedogman. "Kamchatka review at Rock n Roll Universe" . Retrieved 26 July 2007. The sound of the band falls squarely between Hendrix's 'Band of Gypsys' and Trower's 'Bridge of Sighs'
  9. "v.43 Kamchatka" (in Swedish). Retrieved 27 July 2007. 70-talsrock, hårdrock med inslag av blues
  10. "Volume II review" . Retrieved 26 July 2007. We like to call it progressive stoner rock/jam band madness... ...tribute to their Blues roots that winds down with pure blues/rock fury... ...True pioneers and visionaries of serious power trio guitar rock
  11. Kamchatka. "MySpace blog – "Clutch/Kamchatka"" . Retrieved 26 July 2007. 22/4 KB Malmö, 23/4 Debaser Stockholm, 28/4 stickyfingers Gothenburg
  12. Kamchatka. "kamchatkas anteckningar – Clutch Kamchatka US Tour" . Retrieved 23 February 2008. 4/09/2008 – Peabody's Down Under – Cleveland, OH,4/10-11/2008 – Machine Shop – Flint, MI, 4/12/2008 – Orbit Room – Grand Rapids, MI, 14/14/2008 – Majestic – Madison, WI, 15 April 2008 – Vogue – Indianapolis, IN, 17 April 2008 – The Village – Little Rock, AR, 18 April 2008 – Antone's – Beaumont, TX, 19 April 2008 – Meridian – Houston, TX, 20 April 2008 – House of Blues – Dallas, TX, 22 April 2008 – House of Blues – New Orleans, LA, 23 April 2008 – Center Stage – Atlanta, GA, 24 April 2008 – State Theatre – St. Petersburg, FL, 25 April 2008 – Culture Room – Ft. Lauderdale, FL4/26/2008 – House of Blues – Lake Buena Vista, FL, 28 April 2008 – Sound Factory – Charleston, WV, 29 April 2008 – City Hall – Nashville, TN, 30 April 2008 – Valarium – Knoxville, TN, 5 January 2008 – Orange Peel – Asheville, NC, 5 February 2008 – Hooligan's – Jacksonville, NC, 5 March 2008 – Jester's – Fayetteville, NC