Koufax (band)

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Koufax is the name of an indie - pop - rock band from the Midwest of America . Koufax originally emerged from the indie punk rock scene. Musically, however, Koufax developed an entirely independent and multi-layered musical style, which is mainly characterized by piano-driven rock songs with powerful guitar accompaniment. Synthesizers were often integrated as well. Later the use of wind instruments was also increased. In addition to their musical uniqueness, Koufax also took a political stance that was, by American standards, remarkably open and communicative. Which is rather unusual for bands from America. What is also noticeable about Koufax is that it is not uncommon for the active band members to include several multi-instrumentalists.

Band history

The band's name comes to the baseball legend Sandy Koufax back, a US Baseball - Pitcher , who in the sixties with the Los Angeles Dodgers was successful.

Koufax was founded in 1998 (some sources also give 1999 from the year it was founded). The members were primarily from Toledo , Ohio .

Singer Robert Suchan played previously at a 90 Emo - band called Joshua .

Koufax initially consisted of Robert Suchan (guitar / vocals), Sean Grogan (keyboard), Andrew Cameron (bass) and Dave Shettler (drums). The self-titled debut EP was released in 1999 on the independent label Doghouse Records. It is the only release where Koufax sounds nearly what you would expect from an indie rock band of the time. With that, however, they made u. a. the band friends of theirs, The Get Up Kids , attracted the attention of them, who then brokered a contract with their label, the Vagrant Records subsidiary Heroes & Villains.

It Had to Do with Love (2000)

The band now focused heavily on the use of piano and synthesizer . On the occasion of the recordings for the debut album It Had to Do with Love and the subsequent tour, Jared Rosenberg joined as a second keyboardist. With Rosenberg, the sound of Koufax changed forever. Due to his rhythmic and melodic play, the pieces appear noticeably more dynamic and lively, which should continue in the next two subsequent works.

Social Life (2002)

There was a line-up change for the second album. Instead of Sean Grogan and Andrew Cameron, Benjamin Force joined the band as bassist, but he also knew how to handle the guitar. From May to June 2002, the album Social Life was recorded in just four weeks , which deals with leading a social life with drugs in the environment. Social Life turned out to be much more rocky than its predecessor and can probably also be considered Koufax's most popular work. The album was released again in October 2002 by Vagrant and Koufax toured it together with the Get Up Kids.

In August 2003 Koufax performed at the Haldern Pop Festival . Since Koufax struggled with their level of awareness despite high-quality recorded albums and numerous concerts, from then on they called themselves self-deprecatingly on their Myspace page: "The best band you have never heard"

Hard Times Are in Fashion (2005)

In the fall of 2004, Suchan moved from Ohio to Lawrence , Kansas and found a new line-up for the bass and drums section in brothers Ryan and Rob Pope of the Get Up Kids.

In 2005 Koufax released their third album Hard Times Are in Fashion on the German label Motor Music .

On this album, Robert Suchan addresses the contagious apathy that is spreading across the country. Suchan experienced this lack of interest first-hand when he taught young people in American schools as a substitute teacher. With his record he does not want to impose any political announcements, but he describes the current zeitgeist of the politically divided camps and the fear of Americans to express themselves politically. The half-Czech recorded Hard Times Are In Fashion mostly in Prague . Viewed from a distance, it struck him once more how strange it was to live in America and how much closer Europe was to him.

In 2005 Koufax performed at the Rocco del Schlacko Festival in Püttingen in Saarland. In the same year Koufax performed in the Rockpalast in the Fritz-Club of the Postbahnhof in Berlin. The program was broadcast on September 14, 2005 by WDR .

Strugglers (2008)

For the next album, Suchan put together a completely new ensemble from Lawrence, KS: John Anderson (drums), Nathan Harold (bass), Dustin Kinsey (synthesizer, guitars, mandolins) and Ryan Lallier (guitar).

The fourth album Strugglers was released on September 23, 2008 again via Doghouse. In contrast to its predecessors, it contains significantly more jazz elements and is considerably more bulky than its playful predecessors. After Koufax had withdrawn from their musical activity, Nate Harold (2010) and Dustin Kinsey (2011) again switched to the Get Up Kids as tour members.

Koufax ask many questions in their songs, but they don't expect answers. Every listener should develop this for himself.

Robert Suchan emphasized several times in interviews that he did not want to make music all his life or get rich with it.

“I'm not stupid enough to believe that I'll get rich with it.” “It's a hobby for me, and if you devote yourself to music to make money, then you are a fool.” Robert Suchan

Influences

In addition to the merging of musical elements from 70s rock, 80s new wave and 90s emo-pop, Koufax are repeatedly compared with artists such as Joe Jackson , Elvis Costello or The Cure , which the band did not reject.  

In fact, Koufax played Joe Jackson's Steppin 'Out at several concerts . Which can also be found as a cover version on the Japanese version of It Had to Do with Love . On the 2005 published Why Bother At All -EP the Jackson track Look Sharp is included as B-side. By The Cure , for example, which was Love Song gecovert live. In addition, artists such as Ric Ocasek , Eddie Money , Bruce Springsteen , Morrissey , Supertramp , the Cars or The Smiths are named as possible influences.

Koufax, however, apparently influenced some bands that were also under contract with Vagrant at the time. When asked whether you are worried that other bands will steal your stuff, Suchan replied in an interview "In my opinion, it is the best compliment"

Band members

Last occupation

  • Robert Suchan (vocals, guitar, Wurlitzer , organ) since 1998
  • John Anderson (drums, percussion, drum computer, background vocals) from 2008
  • Nathan Harold (bass, synth bass) from 2008
  • Dustin Kinsey (synthesizer, guitars, mandolins) from 2008
  • Ryan Lallier (guitar) from 2008

Former band members

  • Andrew Cameron (bass, piano, keyboard) 1999–2000
  • Sean Grogan (synthesizer, keyboard, organ) 1999–2002
  • Dave Shettler (drums, percussion, theremin, synthesizer, bass [piano], background vocals) 1999–2002
  • Benjamin Force (bass, guitar, backing vocals) 2002–2005
  • Jared Rosenberg (piano, keyboard, synthesizer, organ) 2000–2005
  • Rob Pope (bass, guitar, backing vocals) 2004–2005
  • Ryan Pope (drums, percussion) 2004–2005

timeline


Discography

Albums

Singles and EPs

  • 1999: Koufax EP (October 26, Doghouse)
  • 2003: Let Us Know (promo only)
  • 2003: Break It Up (only as a promo)
  • 2005: Why Bother At All? (May 2, Motor Music / Rubyworks / Little Teddy Recordings )
  • 2006: Isabelle (Rubyworks)
  • 2008: Any Moment Now

Other publications

  • 2000: Reggie and rhe Full Effect / Koufax: Everyone Is Crazy / Minor Chords (Heroes & Villains / Vagrant Records) [Vinyl, 7 "single]
  • 2007: Daytrotter Studio Sessions (Rock Island, IL) [EP, Download]
  • 2009: Daytrotter Studio Sessions (Rock Island, IL) [EP, Download]
  • 2012: Love Will Find You (Live at Fearless Music, NYC) (Contribution to a sampler on Fearless Music, Vol. 13 & 14)

Video clips

  • 2005: Why Bother At All? (Director: Uwe Flade)
  • 2005: Isabelle (Direction: Travis Kopach)

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Koufax. December 7, 2015, accessed September 12, 2019 .
  2. ↑ a b Koufax | Lawrence.com. Retrieved July 1, 2019 .
  3. ↑ Koufax - Strugglers. In: popwreckoning. September 25, 2008, accessed September 12, 2019 .
  4. ^ Lineup, biography of Koufax. Retrieved September 14, 2019 .
  5. ↑ Koufax. December 11, 2013, accessed September 12, 2019 .
  6. ^ A b Jon Niccum: An American in Prague. August 29, 2008, accessed July 4, 2019 .
  7. ↑ Koufax - Strugglers. Retrieved July 1, 2019 .
  8. ↑ cynicinthistown: Koufax. In: last.fm. Accessed June 30, 2019 (German).
  9. ^ Rod Lockwood: Band member Suchan enjoying an active 'retirement'. In: The Blade. The Blade, August 25, 2005, accessed September 12, 2019 .
  10. ↑ OneTake. Retrieved September 12, 2019 .
  11. ↑ Koufax • Ink 19. In: Ink September 19 , 2003, accessed on September 12, 2019 (American English).
  12. ^ Koufax discography. Retrieved July 4, 2019 .
  13. ↑ Koufax - Koufax. Retrieved July 4, 2019 .
  14. ↑ a b c d Koufax - It Had To Do With Love. Retrieved July 4, 2019 .
  15. ↑ a b c Koufax - Social Life. Retrieved July 4, 2019 .
  16. ↑ a b Koufax - Hard Times Are In Fashion. Retrieved July 4, 2019 .
  17. ↑ Discogs - Music Database and Marketplace. Retrieved June 30, 2019 .
  18. ↑ Discogs - Music Database and Marketplace. Retrieved June 30, 2019 .
  19. ^ Reggie And The Full Effect / Koufax - Reggie And The Full Effect / Koufax. Retrieved July 4, 2019 .
  20. ↑ Koufax Daytrotter Session Feb 15, 2007. Accessed June 30, 2019 .
  21. ↑ Koufax Daytrotter Session Jan 27, 2009. Accessed June 30, 2019 (English).
  22. ↑ Fearless Music, Vol. 13 & 14 by Various Artists. Retrieved June 30, 2019 (Canadian English).