White Demons
From: Phoenix, Arizona
Nick K. (guitar & lead vocals) Art Banko (bass, vocals) Tony
Krank (guitar, vocals) Vern (drums)
In a review of the very first White Demons show in 2004, a music
critic, blown away by the explosive energy put out by this maximum
rock and roll gang, referred to their sound as Action Rock. While
the article itself was somewhat unremarkable, the term stuck. Which
for good reason. Action Rock embodied the high-energy sound and
style that guitarist/singer Nick K. had been seeking. The power
of riff rock of AC/DC filtered through the primal force and acerbic
wit of '70's punk likes of Dead Boys & Johnny Thunders. One
year before kick-starting that first show, all Nick had was a vision,
some tunes, and a name; White Demons. It was the nickname of his
beloved white Strat, which he had to pawn to secure cash for a
rehearsal space. So, he broke out his Telly and wasted no time
in recruiting (some would call it stealing), his three favorite
players around town. These were close friends who he knew shared
his vision of bringing excitement and danger back into rock. There
was bass master Art Banko, whose afro alone has more attitude and
swagger than some entire bands. There was amp guru, Tony Krank,
who has gone on to design the popular Krank line of Amplifiers.
Tony brought not only his monster sound to the arsenal, but also
some vicious licks. Finally there was Vern. Last names aren't important
when you have a skull-crushing backbeat mixed with the sheer lunacy
of Keith Moon. White Demons forged a strong identity by touring
and playing local shows, winning over the toughest of crowds in
an aloof, jaded, and splintered Phoenix rock scene. White Demons
shows are events that teeter on the brink of chaos, but are held
in command by a combo of raw power and dynamic musicianship. On
stage, Nick K. transforms into a rock and roll preacher, belting
out songs that are soul shaking sermons, punctuated by twisted
demon howls that sound like Doritos in a blender on frappé.
In end of 2005, the band finally captured this live energy and
giant sound in the studio. Lightning in a bottle of Tequila. The
result is SAY GO, a ten song shot of adrenalin released by Sonic
Swirl Records. When music legend and impresario Kim Fowley heard
the title track for the first time, he dashed off this quote to
the band: "Their masterpiece ?Say? Go indicates they can write
a savagely stupid epic. If they have an album's worth of material
this good, they are destined to be the first bad boy band of the
21st Century to make a difference." For those who have heard
?SAY GO? and seen the White Demons live, they already have made
a difference. A savagely stupid difference.
White
Demons official
website
White
Demons on
MySpace
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