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Kimon

Provocative political lyricist with a blues guitar

About Me

According to Paydirt Magazine, "Kimon takes a bitingly forthright analysis of all that’s wrong in the world today, wraps it up in lyrics chock-full of nicely tuned phrases and clever rhymes, and sets it to bluesy rock ’n’ roll, and what do we get? Dissent you can tap your toes to." In the words of the Tri-City News, "he knows exactly what he wants his songs to say... his straight forward, muscular lyrics speak for themselves."

New York City born Kimon Katafigiotis (pronounced "kee-mon"), although an accomplished blues and rock guitarist, distinguishes himself as a dynamic performer through the rebellious energy of dissent in the original spirit of rock and roll. In the studio and on the road, Kimon attempts to shed light on the inequities of our times by delivering the truth to whatever stage will let him, and along the way has built a loyal following by constantly singing and performing what’s on his mind. In an era of ultra-conservativism, when other artists play it safe with syrupy ditties, he snubs the typical "introspective singer / songwriter" genre, projecting his skepticism outward, and without mincing words, fires off a unique sense of socio-political awareness; defining himself as a thought provoking commentator for our times.

A veteran musician who’s long since paid his dues in the NYC club circuit and beyond, he has been a member of numerous bands with national releases. Early on he survived a long stint as guitarist and co-writer with an over-the-top, edgy NYC garage band called The Wilsons, later joining Hoboken NJ favorites Fear of Falling as guitarist. There he gained much experience in making albums and performing via touring in Europe and the U.S. He went on to form and front the electronic rock group Psonica with former Fear of Falling band mate Rob Savoy on drums. Signing with the now defunct Navarre Entertainment, they released their debut effort in February of 2000, but disbanded soon after at which point, along with now long time friend and musical conspirator Savoy, he began work on his debut solo album " Your Lucky Day " (2002). A melodic blend of blues, 70’s rock, and hip-hop, the making of the album was a musical homecoming back to his roots. Lyrically Kimon began maturing, methodically cultivating his own brand of dissent music. Through tracks such as the historical "Renaissance City," set during the Newark insurgence of 1967, recounting two youths of diametrically opposed societal standing separated by only a neighborhood, and "Our War" a narrative on entitlement and youth with no call to arms, Kimon began his transition into the role protest singer.

Furthering his delve into heavy political fare, his second solo effort " Discorporated " (2004), was a themed album, not for the faint of heart, about disenfranchisement, corporate greed, corrupt officials and the military industrial complex. Tracks included the pointed "Percussion Bomb" and "World by the Balls," challenging the Bush Administration’s dubious justifications for the 2003 Iraq War, and rants on corporate criminals and polluters in "Mother Earth" and "Dig Yourself (Deeper in the Hole)," He chides our rampant consumer culture in "Buy, Buy, Buy", and offers an exposé on the world refugee problem in "The Only Home I Know."

With his third album, 2005’s " Twice A Day In Japan ," Kimon continues the protest with "No End In Sight" and "Words We Live By" but also cleans house, including eight songs written between 1996 and 2001, showcasing an earlier straightforward rock style.

With the November 6th, 2007 release, " Songs of the Revolution ," is Kimon’s fourth album, and the next salvo in his continuing fight against hypocrisy. A sequel of sorts to "Discorporated", track titles such as "Declassified Blues", "Holy War" and "World Domination" portend to immediately evoke a sense of the insurrection contained within, yet lyrically this is Kimon’s most evolved collection yet, setting the listener down a slithering path of discovery, taking unexpected twists and turns throughout, and along the way, revealing the known knowns as well as the known unknowns, and at times venturing into the unknown unknowns.

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 4/13/2005
Band Website: kimon.tv
Band Members: Kimon - Vocals, Guitars
Marc Gambino - Bass, Vocals
Rob Savoy - Drums
Influences: The Clash, Bob Marley, Neil Young, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan
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