The Kicks - Hello Hong Kong

Ah. The sights and sounds of the south: crazy accents, modern Southern Belles, the tradition, the music. Arkansas is included in this glorious setting, complete with Hot Springs, delicious bottled water, Evanescence, and former president Bill Clinton. Things are known to be bigger and better down here, but the south is no longer only celebrated for the humid weather conditions and funny-bone tickling Civil war re-enactments. Yes, we now introduce something more than hospitality to tickle your fancy. The Kicks from Little Rock, Arkansas, are giving the world a real taste of the south with their very own brand of southern rock: punky power pop and ultra-catchy hooks served up fresh from the Razorback state on their major label debut, “Hello Hong Kong.” Formed back in 2000, The Kicks had been rocking out a good, long while and were finally signed to TVT Records (you know, the label Trent Reznor tangoed with). Hiring producer Doug Olsen (Dwarves, Remy Zero) to help bring their sound alive, they recorded a portion of the record in their hometown at Poynters Palace Studios. The southern gentlemen even graced the north by working at Butch Vig’s Smart Studios in Madison, Wisconsin. Consisting of Scott Cook covering vocals and guitar, Jesse Palmer with the keys and lead guitar, Joshua Faulkner doing some excellent bass work, and Jaren Johnston pounding the skins, The Kicks have been discussed in rock magazines, and will be featured in up-coming issues of Elle Magazine (to reach the ladies…like their good looks and rock band status hasn’t reached them already). Hello Hong Kong is an album that offers the listeners’ ears 12 tracks of The Kicks high-quality, high-power rock-pop to love. Standout tracks include “What Do I Have To Do?,” “Mir,” “Pill,” and “Pretty One.” And as the tune “Pop Star Radio Crown” sings, “The pop star radio sound is gone,” thanks to the sounds (and sights) of five southern gentlemen in the form of a great rock band-The Kicks! [www.thekicks.com]