Kilgore (Smudge)
| Kilgore | |
|---|---|
Kilgore Smudge promo photo for "Blue Collar Solitude" 1995
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| Background information | |
| Also known as | Smudge, Stain, Kilgore Smudge, Kilgore |
| Origin | Providence, Rhode Island, United States |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 1991–2000, 2007, 2016-Present |
| Labels | Unsound Records, Giant Records, Revolution Records, Warner Bros. Records |
| Associated acts | Fear Factory, Slayer, Life of Agony, Staind, Godsmack |
| Website | [1] |
| Past members |
Jay Berndt Brian McKenzie Mike Pelletier Jason Smith Bill Southerland Marty O'Brien Steve Johnson |
Kilgore is an American heavy metal band formed in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1991. The band is named after the character Kilgore Trout in the Kurt Vonnegut classic Breakfast of Champions. Through a number of band name and line-up changes, Kilgore released two albums, Blue Collar Solitude (1995) and A Search for Reason (1998). The band landed a slot on the 1998 Ozzfest. They followed with a 1998 national tour with Slayer and Fear Factory and a 1998 European tour with Fear Factory and Spineshank.
The band started in 1991 at Rhode Island Catholic high school La Salle Academy, Providence. Once or twice a semester, the bands would gather for concerts attended by most of the student body. This allowed many of the musicians their first concert opportunities. Outside of the school, the band began to work on original music influenced by Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Metallica and Faith No More. The band was composed of songwriter Brian McKenzie (guitar), Bill Southerland (drums), Jason Smith (bass), Mike Pelletier (guitar) and Jay Berndt (vocals). The band was first known as "Regicide" during high school and played its first shows at band concerts at La Salle Academy, Providence.
After high school they changed their name to Smudge, and started to develop and fine tune their sound. The music became more aggressive containing a groove element with hints of their early influences as well as elements of the New York hardcore scene. Jay Berndt’s lyrics were influenced by the Beat Generation authors, Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Franz Kafka and Charles Bukowski. His vocal style was sometimes compared to Glen Danzig of the Misfits or Scott Weiland of Stone Temple Pilots. The fast almost hardcore-like songs, along with Jay Berndt's lyrics and vocal melodies, allowed the band to really stand out.
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