"I just finished up my 24th tour with Trans Siberian Orchestra as part of their West Coast band, we just finished up our annual winter tour and I'm glad to be back and prepping to do this show with the Kunes Clark Band," said Angus, the "Clark" of the Kunes Clark Band as he and partner Jimmy Kunes ready for an 8 p.m. "Face-melting" show on January 18 at the Carteret PAC which also includes legendary rockers Cactus, featuring Carmine Appice and Foghat.
Both Jimmy Kunes and Angus Clark come from diverse music backgrounds, Clark has performed with Trans Siberian Orchestra, Cher, on Broadway and more while Kunes has fronted Cactus, Savoy Brown and Humble Pie. So, to get an idea as to how these talents merged and produced their self-titled album; both were more than willing to tell their story.
"Angus and I met years ago and subsequently, we started to do a Deep Purple Mark lll tribute type thing with Greg Smith who has played with everyone but that was probably the catalyst," began Kunes. "That was the first project we ever worked on together," interjected Angus. "We are both huge fans of Richie Blackmore and '70s rock. We've both been working on original projects all of the time but as New Yorkers, there is this great club that's still there; Arlene's Grocery in The Village and they had this cool kind of classic album night thing going on. Arlene's Grocery is one of those places where you can take your original music and showcase it and on the odd night they had this classic album night; it was kind of a cool thing and just a little bit of a cut above just doing a cover band gig. I had wanted to do some Blackmore stuff and so, we got together and did that Mark lll tribute and after we rehearsed it and recorded it, we did it a couple of more times at Arlene's and at B.B. King's, we did it at a couple of different places and that's the first time we worked together. I was working on some songwriting demos and I had a few that I thought Jimmy would be great for and I played them for Jimmy and he really liked them and that's when we first started writing and that was over 15 years ago. We had about four tunes demo-ed in the can somewhere between 15 and 20 years ago and we finally got around to finishing them last year because nothing will happen before it's time; you know what I'm saying (Laughs)?"
"After how many phone calls? "Hey, these demos are really kicking, we can't have them sitting there languishing," laughed Kunes. "They are killer songs and they were fully formed when Angus gave them to me to write the lyrics and the melodies for; "Let It Begin," Angus had a real concept of a lot of the lyrics for that one but they were such great songs. I think someone couldn't make a rehearsal and Angus saved the day and pulled these out and it was either one or two sessions and we put the vocals down that are on the album for those three songs, "Let It Begin," "Release Yourself" and "Cross To Bear" and we kept those vocals because Angus had recorded them so well and it just happened to be one or two of those magic days. I'm a firm believer of when bands record, I like them to record together in the round or something like that but I also like to sing along. I cut to keep vocals, I've always been that way. I go in prepared, maybe just a little unprepared for the happy accidents but those are the vocals that appear on the record now and we're both very proud of those and the whole album; we're just over the moon for the whole thing, the "Kunes Clark Band" album. Back in the analog days, it took a lot to drop stuff in, it's a lot easier these days but I'm still of the analog mind and I'm sure Angus is as well "
With Clark fresh off the TSO tour and Kunes' connections to Cactus and Foghat, it only seems like a natural fit for the band to be on this bill. So; how did it come about?
"Roger and Linda reached out to me as soon as we put the advert out for The Bitter End gig and they said, "Hey, we'll be right down front and center, we'll be the ones making faces at you" and they bought their tickets and came to the show. We were so knocked out and after the show Linda said, "No promises but I would love to try and get you on this bill" so, thank you Roger and Linda Earl," explained Kunes. "Part of the reason that we're doing this show with Foghat and Cactus is because we are so rooted in that classic rock stuff.," continued Angus."This bill is going to be interesting because you've got Roger Earl, original Foghat drummer and Carmine Appice; he's the legend. Richie Blackmore only started Deep Purple because he heard Vanilla Fudge. So, there's Carmine and Jimmy and I are such fans of all of this stuff but we're bringing our own heavyweight drummer; Van Romaine. Van is a New Jersey native born and raised and he was a massively recorded session drummer in the '80s but as a touring drummer, he's best well-known for working with the Steve Morse Band. Steve Morse the legendary guitar player who was in Deep Purple and Kansas; Van has been his drummer for more than 20 years now I believe and Van is also the touring drummer for Enrique Iglesias. That's a little off-brand in terms of stylistically what we're going to be doing at Carteret but he's an amazing drummer and we're super lucky to have him in the band; it's going to be a great night of drumming. We've also got Rob Clores who is a keyboard player and has worked with The Black Crowes and everybody and Winston Roye our bass player was in Soul Asylum and has also worked with a lot of top talent. We're really proud of the band we put together to finish the record and that's the band line-up. Our initial gig, our record launch at The Bitter End; Angus and I realize the logistics of keeping a band together, especially when you have these cats who are so busy. Everyone is booked, so we feel blessed that for a second gig in a row, we have the whole nucleus of the original band and that means everything to us because the band is a real cooking unit; you have to come out and see the show on the 18th in Carteret, it's gonna be terrific," emphasized Kunes.
Given the amount of enthusiasm they are displaying for the project, the music, the other bands on the bill and each other; what can concert-goers look forward to on January 18 in Carteret?
"Face melting rock 'n' roll," laughed Angus. "If we had the middle slot or the top slot we might add some tunes from our other bands but for this show, we are going to concentrate on the Kunes Clark album. We're super proud of the record and we want to keep getting it out there," added Jimmy. "We'll be there selling CDs and shirts, signing stuff and manning the desk in the lobby and saying hi to folks and I think it's just a great interface for those who want to see Cactus and Foghat," opined Clark. "I think the folks who aren't aware of us will be pleasantly surprised and folks who are aware of us will have the opportunity to get up close and personal and it's a great venue. I've played the Carteret PAC with Broadway's "Rock Of Ages Band." I was in the band for the Broadway musical, "Rock Of Ages" where the band was onstage, it was all '80s tunes and the band from the musical does shows in the performing arts circuit. So, I've played this room before and boy, it's a great place to see a band; awesome sound, you couldn't ask for better and if you're a fan of '70s rock, this is a solid bill for sure. Kunes adds, "We hit at 8 p.m., then Cactus and Foghat will be topping off the evening. There are going to be a couple of surprises but I won't ruin it for everyone; it's gonna be a fun night; we can't wait for it."
According to Kunes, the album also holds a certain "Surprise" factor, as in, it's not exactly what people may have been expecting from this pair and that is based on their previous projects but according to both; they're OK with that.
"When I said, "Me and Jimmy Kunes," the level of interest has been multiplied times five," explains Clark. "I come to things with a certain resume; hey he's played guitar for Cher, Trans Siberian Orchestra, Joe Lynn Turner and Guitaro. So, I've got new age, pop, Broadway and hard rock Christmas (Laughs) but I'm here to make a very '70s inspired rock album which is the music that I love and was raised on and that I want to do but it's not going to connect with people unless I'm teamed up with the right partner and the right partner is Jimmy. He is one of the best singers I've ever worked with and it connects with people as to what this is gonna be; it's gonna be awesome singing, '70s inspired but it's hard rock and contemporary in its own way. We had a great team to make the record and we can't wait to get playing it. So, Come on out to Carteret on the 18th and see what it's about."
"A lot of my friends, what they were expecting on the Kunes Clark album was maybe a little bit more heavy," elaborated Kunes. "I don't like the word thrash but a little bit more on the heavy side. We were all pleasantly surprised at the depth of the bluesy based riffs and motifs that Angus constructed for the record and they just pair up beautifully with what I bring to the table, that whole English bluesy, soulful side; it worked out really well."
Continuing down that path; do those varying backgrounds and previous bands affect what they are trying to do as a unit in any manner either during the recording process or on stage?
"With that amount of experience, you earn some confidence and poise and just the fact that we're doing something that's ours and that we are really energized about and that we have all of that experience to pull from in order to make it a memorable show for the folks that are there; I think that's how it works," said Clark confidently. "The camaraderie between me and Jimmy is the foundation and with the band that we've got and their level of experience; what everybody is bringing to the table is just amazing and it's an inspiring group to be with all of the time."
"It totally is and I just want to say; it's all about collaboration," continued Kunes. "Like Angus said, the poise and professionalism that's involved and to be able to collaborate so easily with someone like I have been able to do with Angus; I did another record which was another real wonderful experience for me, "Flood The Engine" with Bill Leverty of Firehouse and that was exactly the same thing. Everyone was listening to everyone else for the good of the project. There were no egos, no BS, no negativity, it was all positivity and construction and it was such a wonderful experience for me to do the Kunes Clark album and it was with much ease that we did the album and I think Angus will agree as well. A big shoutout to our engineer, JZ Barrel. Josh worked right with us on exactly what we wanted and I have to say, all of the members of the band, even Van was saying he doesn't listen to much stuff he records but after the last gig he said, "Dude I play that record every day." We all like it, it's a very listenable experience."
Those of you who wish to obtain a copy of their new release can do so through Deko Entertainment and once again, both men agree that there is a certain amount of "Magic" in this partnership.
"It's available through Deko at dekoentertainment.com. The thing about Deko, they're a great label and that's the key; with Charlie (Calv) being the keyboard player in Angel and Bruce (Pucciarello); it's a home for artists because it's built by artists," said Kunes. "Angus suggested that we should look at Deko and I went home and I found an old email message from Charlie; he's been aware of my own solo and other projects for years that I had completely not seen (The email) saying, "Hey, who puts your solo stuff out?" So, yeah, it's just kismet, like some sort of magic carpet type thing; you know?"
Both men are excited to not only get but to keep the ball rolling after this Carteret PAC gig and both Clark and Kunes say; there will be more music recorded and coming in the near future.
"We have Brian's Backyard BBQ in June. We'd like to do a little more recording, maybe an EP that is more on the blues side of things and put that out quickly to add to our repertoire and then try and book some more shows; We want to focus on some more major markets and get out and spread the word but the record isn't even a year old yet; it came out in April. I'm really excited to do more recording, more live work; so, the way to go is up."
To purchase tickets to the January 18 Carteret PAC show, please visit https://carteretpac.com/
To find out more about Kunes Clark Band, please go to https://www.dekoentertainment.com/kunesclarkband
That's it for this week! Please continue to support live and original music and until next week....ROCK ON!
