Kindness
Country of origin:
U.S.
Type of music generally:
Rocktronica
Status:
Most recent album, Welcome to Planet Excellent (2001).
See also:
CD Baby's Kindness pageThe Ectophiles' Guide entries for Katharine Chase and for 4 Non Blondes, Dawn Richardson's former group.
Comparisons:
There are no comparisons for this genre-defining group. (tjshadb@voyuz.net)
Covers/own material:
Kindness plays only original songs
General comments:
What happens when you combine the top female drummer/loop programmer, Dawn Richardson, guitar goddess Shelley Doty (replacing former goddess Carrie Baum), and the soulful voice and driving bass of Katharine Chase? You get the next step in the evolution of driving punk rock and technology—Kindness. This hard-rocking trio composed of three women at the top of their respective fields will rock your world with some of the hardest driving licks and beats melded with intimate and profound lyrics—not a combination you'd expect! The members of Kindness bring such depth and experience to this cooperative that they will make you stop and listen. (tjshadb@voyuz.net)
Comments about live performance:
Make no pretense, this is a hard-driving rock band with a thick dose of sampling and some of the most impressive guitar acrobatics dancing over top of the driving bass and sultry alto voice of Chase. You may even hear a little 4 Non Blondes buried in there, since Richardson was the drummer for that volatile group. Your senses will be stunned by the onslaught, but oh, is it worth it. Chase is a riot trying to keep people lighthearted and Doty is perfect for the role of "mysterious guitar goddess". Richardson hides behind her drum kit, but supplies the beat and "what the?" factor with her samples. (tjshadb@voyuz.net)
Recommended first album:
Welcome to Planet Excellent
Recordings:
Kindness
Release info:
2000—Slot Records
Availability:
See CDBaby
Ecto priority:
Recommended
Group members:
Carrie Baum—guitar
Katharine Chase—vocals, bass guitar
Dawn Richardson—drums, samplers
Produced by:
Kindness
Comments:
This first release from Kindness features seven of the most requested tunes from their early gigs. The loops and effects tied to Richardson's drum lines, along with Chase's bass line provide a driving foundation for the soaring guitar of Carrie Baum and the lush vocals of Chase. The entire package runs the ragged edge of mayhem, but boy is it a fun ride!
Recommended tracks: "I Could Build a Better World (Without You)", "It's No Easy Thing". (tjshadb@voyuz.net)
Welcome to Planet Excellent
Release info:
2001—Slot Records
Availability:
See CDBaby
Ecto priority:
Recommended
Group members:
Carrie Baum—guitar Katharine Chase—vocals, bass guitar Dawn Richardson—drums, samplers
Produced by:
Kindness
Comments:
Comments: This second release features more of the great sound that Kindness is becoming known for: driving bass lines, impressive drums and samples, soaring crunchy lead guitar and the passionate voice of Katharine Chase all teetering on the edge of chaos. You'll hear synth-pop, industrial dance music, and hard driving punk all melded into one package interspersed with a couple of wacky little visit's to Richardson's answering machine! The standout track of this album is easily "All Day", an ode to Chase's feelings about a recent birthday and her, ahem, relationship.
Recommended tracks: "I Could Cry for That", "All Day". (tjshadb@voyuz.net)
Thanks to Troy Shadbolt for work on this entry.
