[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHkKfbEDXks&w=560&h=315]
Alarm Magazine describes their song “Shoulder Gorilla” as, “Heavy-ass hip hop with a side of Patton?” and then goes on to say, “As music lovers, we await those rare projects that combine familiar and new elements in unique, indescribable ways. Comprised of singer/guitarist Ryan Hunter (Envy on the Coast), bassist Michael Sadis (The Rivalry), and drummer Billy Rymer (The Dillinger Escape Plan), NK is one of those projects…. a mash of Deftones-style groove riffs, heavy hip hop, shoegaze, post-punk, and soulful down-tempo jams, topped by Hunter’s alternate croons and half-raps. On “Shoulder Gorilla,” he channels his inner Mike Patton — specifically, Patton’s collaboration with The X-Ecutioners — as dirty synths and dirtier guitars bang heads across the land. And this all comes courtesy of one of the least-boring “lyric videos” that we’ve ever seen.”
NK recently hit Pittsburgh’s Stage AE opening for Fall Out Boy and put on a spectacular performance… (All photos ©2013 JasonHann Photo and Pittsburgh Music Magazine)
Nothing To Be Gained Here takes the listener through the multiple personalities of the band, creating a powerful trip for the listener. The album’s peaks and valleys are strung together by the monstrous and soulful rhythm section, comprised of Michael Sadis on bass and Billy Rymer on drums (Dillinger Escape Plan), as well as Ryan Hunter’s (Envy on the Coast) visceral and uninhibited lyrics and vocal style. On “Confessional”, “Shoulder Gorilla”, “Kings” and “Set a Fire”, the band shows their affinity for heavy music, with Rymer giving the listener a bit of his signature drumming style he’s become known for, but also embracing a more open, deeper style of playing we haven’t heard on his prior work. Abrasive guitars and fuzzed out bass tones match Rymer’s style of playing, while Hunter’s vocal style is a fusion of rhythmic aggression and a unique approach to melody. On “Vacation Days” and “Memo”, the band turns down the gain and embraces a warmer, down-tempo, soulful side. With Mike Sapone (Brand New, Taking Back Sunday, O’ Brother) and Hunter taking on production duties, Nothing To Be Gained Here, is an extremely rhythmic, lyrically dense, and dynamic debut full length.
Pre-orders for the album have launched on the Triple Crown website. The LP will also be available in 3 limited edition vinyl color ways (orange, blue and clear) starting in mid-June.
To pre-order: http://www.merchdirect.com/TripleCrownRecords/NK/?artistid=2596.
NK will play a hometown record release show on 6/15 at Revolution Bar & Music Hall in Amityville, NY with Shone, A Great Big Pile Of Leaves & Happy Body Slow Brain. Tickets for the show can be purchased through the band (http://www.merchdirect.com/NK/Tickets/OlliesPointTicketPosterBundle/?productid=16920) or the venue (http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail;jsessionid=qAnD66x2VdUzSpdbUDJqew**.node10?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=3527934).
NK will be announcing additional tour dates shortly.
View the Nothing To Be Gained Here album teaser here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=5D2qCbS1VVo.