Members
Steven Gates Guitars / Vocals
Ben Rynderman Keyboards/Loops/Noise/Bass
Simm Drums
Tommy Kende Bass Search newherenowlive.com for Kind Of Pluto Biography
"This is music for the humans- uplifting, intelligent and evocative. Sometimes tongue in cheek, always nakedly honest"
BEAT Magazine.
kind of pluto was formed over three years ago by Melbourne songwriter Steven Gates. Steven, who already enjoys success with the popular comedy group Tripod, has been writing and performing his own original music since the age of sixteen. Before kind of pluto, Steven refined his song writing skills by performing solo acoustic spots all over the country and in 1999 he took his songs as far as New York and Philadelphia. Frustrated by his material, but probably because of its name, Gatesy ended his first band 'Skintime' and after a year of nothing decided to create an acoustic duo with friend and drummer Simm Thom. A lot of material was written over this time and tested before the transient weekly audience at Yarraville's Commercial Hotel. Required to play soft and funky, the two could barely keep their levels down as they slammed their way through early versions of Familiar and STONE.
A bassplayer was needed if the duo wanted play larger gigs and venues. The incredible Christine Carley answered the call and soon after, during a Sunday night bent on tequila, Gatesy and Simm named the band kind of pluto. That night Simm introduced Gatesy to a man with an afro who never stopped laughing. Ben Rynderman was the keyboard player the band had been looking for and joined soon after seeing the band play. Constant gigging, rehearsing and writing followed until KOP's first EP was launched in Sept 2001 at Melbourne's 9th Ward.
2002 was a lost year for kind of pluto. Three line-up changes hindered the bands progress and in many ways forced its members to start again. After the departure of bassist Brett Canning, the band shifted from their indie rock roots to produce a more electronic soundscape, implementing a Novation Basstation amongst Bens other new toys. After some time as a three piece, it was clear that kind of pluto were no longer producing the show they wanted. Clicks and backing tracks are common place in rock's live scene but it bled kind of pluto's set dry. There was no room for error or improvisation- anything spare of the moment had to be played over. The live connection felt lost.
Tommy Kende came to the rescue in January 2003 playing his first gig with kop at the Australian Music Week Showcase in Melbourne. Tommy has reinvigourated the band and kind of pluto are once again a powerful four piece. Live electronic elements are still in place as Ben now juggles more equipment and the new songs are as dynamic and epic as ever. kind of pluto are currently recording their next release due out later this year. Kind Of Pluto Website:
http://www.kindofpluto.com |
