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Read on for an insight into the minds of the members of Kill Surrrf. Be warned, it’s a bit of a strange place…
Kill Surrrf was formed when Johnny Lynn started recording and uploading his own weird instrumental songs onto myspace but had no intention of taking it any further. After a year he asked Aaron, the bass player from his other band The Vespas, and long time friend, if he wanted to help write more songs and both decided to form a new band. They went through a few line up changes with Aaron initially playing drums. A few years before Aaron had met Steven in college and asked him if he wanted to play bass. The band played their first gig at Nice n Sleazys in Glasgow supporting American band Times New Viking. The band only played a few more live shows before deciding to have another line up change with Aaron moving to guitar. They then asked Michael to play drums while attending a gig by The Restless Sinners.
The name, particularly the spelling, is unusual and I wanted to know the story behind it. The boys said “Johnny chose the name from a Jesus and Mary Chain cover of the Beach Boys song which they named Kill Surf City. The three R's are in there because Frosties taste Grrreat”.
Kill Surrrf cannot be easily pigeonholed, as their range of influences shows. The band list their main influences as The Beach Boys, The Ramones and Wyld Stallyns. Those familiar with early Keanu Reeves’ films will no doubt be familiar with the latter. I asked what bands they would have on the line up at a fantasy festival and they replied with “The Strokes, The Doors, The Beach Boys, The Ramones, MGMT and The Virgins”.
The band already have a few gigs under their belt and according to their plans will chalk up a few more before the end of the year. Kill Surrrf all concur that their best gig was their first gig as a four piece supporting Restless Sinners in local venue The Mint.
Kill Surrrf are part of a burgeoning Lanarkshire music scene, in particular in the Coatbridge and Bellshill area. Bellshill has long been renowned for producing some great musical talent in the past, particularly during the 1980s and early 1990s. Local bands are doing their damnedest to bring the scene back, and there are definitely signs of success. I asked the boys what bands they are excited about at the moment and they stayed loyal to their local buddies, answering with “Crafty Bison and Restless Sinners”. They’re also fans of Smith Westerns from Chicago and Australia’s Tame Impala
Kill Surrrf are ready and waiting to stamp their mark on the Lanarkshire music scene. They are planning on releasing their debut single next year. They also have a few gigs lined up and are planning on booking some more, recording, making some merchandise and also shooting their first music video. They’ll be going at it full throttle and I look forward to the results!
Kill Surrrf have a gig coming up so get along and see what all the hype is about. They will be playing Barrowlands 2 on 4th November.
