Karma to Burn

Last updated
Karma to Burn
Karma to Burn desertfest.jpg
Karma to Burn performing at KOKO in 2015; left to right: Eric Clutter, Will Mecum and Evan Devine
Background information
Origin Morgantown, West Virginia, U.S.
Genres
Years active1993–2002, 2009–2021
Labels
Spinoffs
Past members
Website http://www.k2burn.net/

Karma to Burn (commonly abbreviated as K2B) was an American rock band from Morgantown, West Virginia. The band was noted for its heavy, mostly instrumental sound.

Contents

Their name comes from a sleevenote on Bob Dylan's 1976 album Desire which reads "I have a brother or two and a whole lot of karma to burn..."

History

First era (1993–2002)

After years of viral self-promotion (such as phoning record companies pretending to be other bands who had heard an interesting band called Karma to Burn), Karma to Burn was signed to Roadrunner Records in 1996. [2] They were planning to release an entirely instrumental album, but Roadrunner insisted that the contract was only valid under the condition that they hired a vocalist. After a brief trial of then Kyuss frontman John Garcia, they hired a friend of theirs, Jason Jarosz. Their first album Karma to Burn was released in 1997, and despite critical acclaim, sold poorly. The band decided to sack Jarosz and as such were fired from Roadrunner. The band continued, releasing 1999's Wild, Wonderful Purgatory and 2001's Almost Heathen as entirely instrumental albums. [3] [4]

The band unofficially disbanded sometime in mid-2002, when bassist Rich Mullins joined the band Speedealer. As of 2008, Mullins was playing in the Los Angeles based band Year Long Disaster, Oswald was the drummer in Nebula, and Will Mecum was playing guitar for Treasure Cat. [5]

Reunion (2009–2010)

On February 23, 2009, Karma to Burn reformed with the lineup being the same as when they disbanded. They toured extensively, hitting both the US and Europe. [6] Their European tour included a second stage slot at the Download Festival, which has now become infamous for the wasp swarm above the crowd throughout. [7] A year after reuniting, Karma to Burn were in the stages of finishing a fourth album, which was produced by Scott Reeder formerly of the stoner rock band Kyuss. The album, Appalachian Incantation , was released in April 2010, and included two vocal tracks: 'Waiting on the Western World', featuring Year Long Disaster vocalist and guitarist Daniel Davies, and 'Two Times,' featuring former Kyuss vocalist John Garcia. The rest of the album consisted of instrumental selections. [8] The band toured Europe after its release, including a nine date UK run supported by bassist Mullins's other band, Year Long Disaster. [9]

Merger with Year Long Disaster (2010–2011)

Karma to Burn with vocalist Daniel Davies at Sonisphere Knebworth 2010. K2B Soni.jpg
Karma to Burn with vocalist Daniel Davies at Sonisphere Knebworth 2010.
Year Long Disaster play Download Festival 2010 with all members of K2B as the backing band. YLD Download Festival.jpg
Year Long Disaster play Download Festival 2010 with all members of K2B as the backing band.

In a May 2010 interview with Uber Rock, Daniel Davies commented on a planned merger between the bands Year Long Disaster and Karma to Burn:

"The bands are starting to kind of merge together. We wrote that song together and we liked it so we're thinking that maybe we should write some more songs together. I think that is where it's leading to now." [10]

In June 2010, Year Long Disaster toured Europe with all three members of Karma to Burn as part of the band. [11] The favour was returned on Karma to Burn's European summer tour, with Davies stepping in as an occasional guitarist (and, when needed, vocalist) for the band. Karma to Burn then announced it plans to record a swift follow-up to Appalachian Incantation with an album featuring several songs with vocals by Davies, to be released in 2011, further blurring the boundaries between it and Year Long Disaster. The speculation as to whether Davies had joined the band was confirmed by his inclusion in the band picture on K2B's website [12] and, more solidly, by Rich Mullins himself in an interview with Rock Radio. [13]

K2B headlined the Jägermeister stage at the UK leg of Sonisphere Festival 2010., [14] and supported The Sword on their 2010 winter US tour [15] and in Europe the following November.

The follow-up to Appalachian Incantation, V , was recorded in February 2011, at Dave Grohl's Studio 606, and includes Davies' vocals on three songs, although he has since started a project outside Karma to Burn and left the group, returning the band to a trio. V was released in June 2011, followed by more extensive touring of the US and Europe. The band were also set to record a song for John Garcia's solo project, Garcia Vs. Garcia. [16] On September 7, it was said via Twitter that Karma to Burn had finished recording three tracks with John Garcia, though for which projects was left unclear. [17]

New lineup and releases (2012–2020)

Evan Devine of Morgantown metal band Ancient Shores filled in on drums for Karma to Burn during their 2012 European tour and became a full-time member after.

Their album Arch Stanton was released in 2014 on FABA/Deepdive Records. [18] It featured the duo of Mecum and Devine, with Mecum taking up guitar and bass duties after the departure of Mullins.

The Karma to Burn EP, Mountain Czar , was released in 2016. [19] The release introduced Eric Clutter as full-time bassist.

A split compilation album, Karma to Burn / Sons of Alpha Centauri was released in 2017.

Mecum's death and legacy (2021–present)

Guitarist Will Mecum died on April 29, 2021, after sustaining traumatic head injuries due to an accidental fall. As of the time of his death, he was the last remaining founding member in the lineup of the band. [20]

Following the news, former bassist Rich Mullins announced plans to release one last Karma to Burn album, consisting of unreleased material recorded by the band's original lineup. [21] The compilation album, titled Thee Rabbit Hole, was released the same year. [22]

The band has continued to remain active on social media since Mecum's passing. [23] Much of the band's discography has been repressed by Heavy Psych Sounds Records, with each reissue being dedicated to the memory of Mecum. [1]

Band members

Final lineup

Former

Discography

Studio albums

Live albums

EPs

(Incantation's Ingredients was a tour EP, sold on K2B's pre Appalachian Incantation release tours. It featured several tracks off the album.)

Compilation albums

Videos

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Garcia (singer)</span> American singer

John Garcia is an American singer and songwriter. He is best known as the vocalist and founding member of stoner rock bands Kyuss, Slo Burn, Unida and Hermano. Garcia also performed in Vista Chino, formerly Kyuss Lives!, with former Kyuss members Brant Bjork and Nick Oliveri. Garcia has since decided to pursue his solo career, having formed his band, John Garcia and the Band of Gold, in 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Immolation (band)</span> American death metal band

Immolation is an American death metal band from Yonkers, New York. They are considered one of the leaders of the New York death metal scene along with Incantation, Mortician and Suffocation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spiritual Beggars</span> Swedish stoner metal band

Spiritual Beggars is a stoner metal band from Halmstad, Sweden, formed by Michael Amott, who is known from Arch Enemy, Carcass and Carnage. The band is heavily influenced by 1970s hard rock and incorporates elements of psychedelia into its music.

<i>Cocaine Rodeo</i> 2000 studio album by Mondo Generator

Cocaine Rodeo is the debut studio album by American rock band Mondo Generator, released on Southern Lord Records in 2000. It was compiled of material recorded by vocalist/bassist Nick Oliveri with Rob Oswald of Karma to Burn (drums), vocalist and guitarist Brent Malkus, and his ex-Kyuss bandmates. Recorded in 1997, the material was shelved for three years due to Oliveri's full-time commitment to Queens of the Stone Age. Several of the songs were performed live by Queens of the Stone Age, building up hype before the eventual release of the album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nebula (band)</span> American rock band

Nebula is an American rock band formed by guitarist Eddie Glass and drummer Ruben Romano upon departing Fu Manchu in 1997.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rob Oswald</span> American drummer

Robert Oswald is an American drummer. Oswald is best known as the former drummer for Karma to Burn. He has previously been a member of various bands including Year Long Disaster, Mondo Generator, Nebula, Buttsteak, Lee Harvey Keitel Band, Caffeine Driven Stress Magnets and Jade. He currently resides in the Laurel Canyon area of Los Angeles with the rest of his band mates.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Year Long Disaster</span> American rock band

Year Long Disaster was an American rock band from Los Angeles. Formed in 2004, the band was composed of vocalist and guitarist Daniel Davies, bassist Rich Mullins and drummer Brad Hargreaves. Hargreaves was later replaced by Rob Oswald, and guitarist Will Mecum also joined in a later incarnation of the group.

<i>Karma to Burn</i> (Karma to Burn album) 1997 studio album by Karma to Burn

Karma to Burn is the debut studio album by Karma to Burn. It was released on February 25, 1997, on Roadrunner Records. There are several different versions and pressings—vinyl and cassette included— some of which appeared on Sony. The album was reissued on March 11, 2022, by Heavy Psych Sounds Records, highlighting its 25th anniversary.

<i>Wild, Wonderful Purgatory</i> 1999 studio album by Karma to Burn

Wild, Wonderful Purgatory is the second studio album by stoner rock band Karma to Burn. The album was released on May 31, 1999, in Europe by Roadrunner UK, and July 7, 1999, in the U.S. by MIA Records. The album was reissued on March 18, 2022, by Heavy Psych Sounds Records.

<i>Almost Heathen</i> 2001 studio album by Karma to Burn

Almost Heathen is the third studio album by the stoner rock band Karma to Burn. It was released on September 4, 2001, by Spitfire Records. It was the last album released before their seven-year disbandment in 2002. The album was reissued in 2008 by Metal Mind Productions and again in 2022 by Heavy Psych Sounds Records.

<i>Appalachian Incantation</i> 2010 studio album by Karma to Burn

Appalachian Incantation is the fourth studio album by the stoner rock band Karma to Burn. The album was the band's first studio release after a seven-year hiatus that lasted from 2002–2009. It was released on April 30, 2010, on Napalm Records, and later reissued in 2022 by Heavy Psych Sounds Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rich Mullins (bassist)</span> American bassist

Richard Mullins is an American musician best known as the former bassist of the rock bands Karma to Burn, Year Long Disaster, and Speedealer. He also produced and is the co-creator of the animated docuseries, Mike Judge Presents: Tales from the Tour Bus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Will Mecum</span> American musician (1972–2021)

William Charles Mecum was an American musician and lead guitarist for the rock band Karma to Burn (K2B). During K2B's seven-year hiatus from 2002–2009, he played guitar for instrumental bands Treasure Cat and Dragon Ass. He also played drums in the band Admiral prior to forming Karma to Burn. He lived in West Virginia. Mecum died on April 29, 2021, as a result of a traumatic head injury, from an accidental fall. As of the time of his death, he was the last remaining founding member in the lineup of the band.

<i>V</i> (Karma to Burn album) 2011 studio album by Karma to Burn

V is the fifth studio album by the instrumental stoner rock band Karma to Burn. It was released on May 27, 2011, by Napalm Records. The album was later reissued in 2022 by Heavy Psych Sounds Records.

<i>Arch Stanton</i> 2014 studio album by Karma to Burn

Arch Stanton is the sixth studio album by the instrumental stoner rock band Karma to Burn. The album was released on August 18, 2014, by FABA and Deepdive Records, and was reissued in 2023 by Heavy Psych Sounds Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daniel Davies (musician)</span> British-American musician and composer

Daniel Davies is a British-American composer, musician and songwriter. He is best known for his contributions to horror director John Carpenter's Lost Themes and Lost Themes II albums, and for his work with rock bands Year Long Disaster, Karma to Burn, and CKY. Davies is the son of guitarist Dave Davies of The Kinks, and the godson of John Carpenter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sons of Alpha Centauri</span> English rock band

Sons of Alpha Centauri is an English instrumental rock band based in Swale, Kent. Founded in 2001 by Nick Hannon and Marlon King, the band has developed and borrowed from a range of styles from the 1970s through to the 1990s including stoner rock, desert rock, post-metal and the New wave of British heavy metal, as well as British artists as Black Sabbath and Pink Floyd.

<i>Last Day of Summer</i> (Sons of Alpha Centauri and Treasure Cat album) 2009 studio album by Sons of Alpha Centauri and Treasure Cat

Last Day of Summer is a collaborative studio album by British instrumental rock band Sons of Alpha Centauri and American instrumental rock band Treasure Cat. It was released on 7 October 2009 under the imprint of Underdogma Records.

<i>Karma to Burn / Sons of Alpha Centauri</i> (album) 2017 compilation album by Karma to Burn and Sons of Alpha Centauri

Karma to Burn / Sons of Alpha Centauri: The Definitive 7″ Trilogy! is a compilation album featuring a series of split singles released by American rock band Karma to Burn and English rock band Sons of Alpha Centauri (SOAC).

References

  1. 1 2 "Karma to Burn". Heavy Psych Sounds. Retrieved March 30, 2022.
  2. ↑ "Karma To Burn". Roadrunner Records. 1997-02-25. Retrieved 2010-08-18.
  3. ↑ Rivadavia, Eduardo. "( Karma to Burn > Biography )". AllMusic . Retrieved 2010-08-18.
  4. ↑ "Artists :: KARMA TO BURN". MusicMight. Archived from the original on 2010-06-20. Retrieved 2010-08-18.
  5. ↑ "Myspace". Myspace.com. Archived from the original on 2 December 2012. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
  6. ↑ "blabbermouth.net article". Archived from the original on 3 May 2009. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
  7. ↑ "News - Download Festival 2010". Downloadfestival.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2010-09-21. Retrieved 2010-08-18.
  8. ↑ "Appalachian Incantation first details". Archived from the original on 1 March 2012. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
  9. ↑ http://www.terrorizer.com/content/karma-burn-finish-new-album%5B%5D
  10. ↑ "Daniel Davies - Year Long Disaster - Interview Exclusive". Uberrock.co.uk. 2010-05-20. Archived from the original on 2010-07-25. Retrieved 2010-08-18.
  11. ↑ Chris says (2010-06-04). "Year Long Tour (Not Literally) | Karma to Burn - Official WebSHRINE". K2burn.com. Archived from the original on 2010-08-16. Retrieved 2010-08-18.
  12. ↑ "Karma To Burn - Official WebSHRINE". K2burn.com. 2010-05-19. Retrieved 2010-08-18.
  13. ↑ http://www.rockradio.co.uk/player/listen-again/t5bj3cam/listen-1739/%5B%5D
  14. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-07-23. Retrieved 2010-08-08.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  15. ↑ "Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand | Karma to Burn - Official WebSHRINE". K2burn.com. 2010-07-29. Archived from the original on 2010-08-04. Retrieved 2010-08-18.
  16. ↑ "Karma to Burn Interview: Rich Mullins Reveals Tours with The Sword and Monster Magnet, Merger with Year Long Disaster, Future Recording with John Garcia and More". The Obelisk. 2010-05-13. Retrieved 2010-08-18.
  17. ↑ "Twitter / K2burn: KTB just finished 3 new songs". twitter.com. Archived from the original on 25 December 2012. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
  18. ↑ Anderl, Timothy (June 26, 2014). "Karma To Burn ready Arch Stanton, tour (2014)". Ghettoblaster. Retrieved October 11, 2014.
  19. ↑ "Two Guys Metals Reviews: Karma To Burn - Mountain Czar". Archived from the original on September 26, 2020. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
  20. ↑ "Karma to Burn Founding Guitarist Will Mecum Has Died [UPDATED]". MetalSucks. 2021-04-29. Retrieved 2021-04-30.
  21. ↑ "Karma to Burn – Karma to Burn (1997) [w/ Rich Mullins of Karma to Burn & Howie Abrams, A&R]". Apple Podcasts . Event occurs at 1:06:49. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
  22. 1 2 "KARMA TO BURN – THEE RABBIT HOLE – LP". H42 Records. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  23. ↑ @karmatoburnofficial (May 4, 2022). "Happy birthday Will. We miss you man!" . Retrieved November 11, 2022– via Instagram.
  24. 1 2 "Karma to Burn". Spirit of Metal. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  25. ↑ "KARMA TO BURN - EP by HEAVY PSYCH SOUNDS Records". Bandcamp . September 10, 2013. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  26. ↑ "Karma To Burn – Karma To Burn: Slight Reprise". Discogs . Retrieved August 12, 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.