Trend-setting and pioneer band, My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult (TKK), will be hitting the stage in Austin, Texas, on May 19th! They will be performing live at The Mohawk-Austin Outdoors with special guests ADULT. and KANGA. The band has sparked controversy throughout their entire careers and have made headways in the music industry on multiple fronts. They have stated that their tour set will focus primarily on their earlier career between 1987 and 1997!
TKK brought the topics of sex, blasphemy, satanism and horror into the music scene from the get-go. TKK formed in Chicago around 1987 by longtime members, Franke Nardiello and Marston Daley. In their youth, they enjoyed exploitation films and horror movies and gained immense inspiration from them. They decided they wanted to make their own film titled “My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult.” They wrote some music for the film’s soundtrack even though the film project never took off. The soundtrack stood out to Jim Nash and Dannie Flesher, members of Wax Trax! Records. They changed the film name to a band name and released a 3-song EP in 1988. Nardiello and Daley soon adopted the stage names Groovie Mann and Buzz McCoy, which they go by today. Shortly after the successful EP release, the duo began recording their first studio album, I See Good Spirits and I See Bad Spirits that was released on November 23rd, 1988. The album has the hit song, “And This Is What the Devil Does,” that sparked conversation in the media and drew in fans that were looking for music outside of mainstream media. Their second album, Confessions of a Knife, was released a year and a half later on July 12th, 2023. The album became one of the best selling albums for Wax Trax! Records and put TKK on the map.
The release of their 3rd album, Sexplosion!, marked a change in the band’s image and sound. Previously, they were known as being satirically “satanic,” but this album release was filled with elements of psychedelic house beats and a grind house lounge sound, but they still kept their satirical style. Instead of a focus on satanic imagery and stimulated horror, the band started using flashing lights, disco beats and horns. The live shows stayed provocative, but instead had elements of mirror balls, police lights, and many dancers. Their music is hard to categorize, but they seemed to have gone from a more death-metal rock formula to more electric rock and disco punk. In 2002, they formed their own music label and named it Sleaze Box Records. The record label released TKK’s most recent albums titled Blood + Dope + Sin + Gold, Death Threat and the Sinister Whisperz saga.
TKK has made the reputation for themselves as one of the most controversial bands of their generation. They are known as being pioneers of the industrial music genre and the use of humor and satire in their lyrics and live performances. They have faced constant targeting from censorship groups, but have prevailed in doing as they please and bringing the topics of Satan, Jesus and sex to the music industry. One of their most distinctive characteristics is how they use spoken-word samples from B-movies and old television shows in their music. Their most recent releases include the album Sleazy Action released on February 22nd, 2021 and Sexplosion! (Extended Edition) [2022 Remaster] released on June 9th, 2022. On their official website, you can preorder Sinister Whisperz IV: The Bedroom Tapes 1987-1988 that contains rare recordings of early songs that TKK write before the release of their first album. It will be released on May 9th, 2023!
Come join current members Groovie Mann, Buzz McCoy, Mimi Star, Arena Rock and Justin Bennett on this journey of nostalgia with their Evil Eye Tour 87-97! With a discography of 12 albums, many EPs and a live album, the set list is bound to be exciting and full of surprises. Tickets are available through Resound and are $25 for GA seating!
When? May 19th, 2023
Where? Mohawk, Outdoors: Austin, Texas (912 Red River, Austin, TX, 78701)
Time? Doors: 7:00 pm CT. Show: 8:00 pm CT
Ages? All Ages
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