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Biography
Franke Nardiello and Marston Daley first met in Boston while Nardiello was on tour working with the legendary industrial band Ministry. Daley relocated to Chicago later that year and the two became friends, conspiring together to make a trashy B movie called My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult. The title was taken from a tabloid headline that had caught Nardiello's eye when he lived in London. While the film itself never came to fruition, the pair created an EP's worth of music to be the soundtrack. Both worked at Wax Trax Records in Chicago, and when the label caught wind of their obscure project, they were intrigued and eager to release it.
The duo took the title of their film as the name of their band, and after the EP sold surprisingly well, they decided to focus on the group full time, releasing their first album “I See Good Spirits And I See Bad Spirits” in 1988. The boys took the stage names Groovie Mann (Nardiello) and Buzz McCoy (Daley) and worked on creating an occult-biker meets disco-rock influence look for the project, which attracted the attention of local indie fans and the ire of local religious groups in practically equal measure. Both of these were absolutely courted by the band, most notably with their second 12” single, 1989's “Kooler Than Jesus”, and by the time they released their second album “Confessions Of A Knife” in 1990, they were far and away one of the biggest selling acts on their label.
In 1991, the group embarked on the “Sexplosion!” tour, their first national headlining tour named for their third album of the same name. Insanely enough, the record sold so well that the band signed a record deal with Interscope Records shortly afterwards, and their single “Sex On Wheelz” became a sizeable radio hit as a result. Ever since then, TKK (as often abbreviated) has remained one of the most seedily fantastic musical groups of their time. They revel in providing the kind of fun you can't wash out and to this day, they're still as shocking and campy as they ever were. Which isn't to say they're a gimmick, they're releasing some of the best material of their career and playing the best live shows they've ever done, and for that, My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult come highly recommended.
Live reviews
My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult or TKK, as they are known to fans, has a sound that is truly unique. Their songs are a mash up of house-like music samples, electro dance beats and insane heavy metal stylings, that continue to shock and impress today as much as they did in the early 90s.
TKK is a smart band and this comes across time and time again in their music; Not only do they simultaneously straddle various musical styles, but their lyrics are all gilded with a sense of irony which strikes as being ten steps ahead of popular culture.
A TKK concert is not a real TKK concert unless the band are riotously drunk, of course. So much of the fun of a TKK concert is in seeing the band perform songs such as ‘Sex on Wheelz’, ‘After the Flesh’ and ‘Cooler than Jesus’ while sloshed. It’s rock and roll absurdity at it’s best, and is so worth seeing live. Grab a drink, a pair of shades and a group of friends and prepare yourself for an awesome night with TKK.
lauratunbridge
My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult has established both a reputation and a following based upon their campy blend of industrial, electronica and house music. They are one of the best dance music bands in the industry. TKK played crowd favorites such as Sex on Wheels (mixed with Devil Bunnies), Cuz its Hot, Daisy Chain for Satan, Days of Wine and Roses (remix), and my fav - Cooler than Jesus. They had the crowd whipped in a frenzy with there pulsating drum beats, samples from grade b movies, and a specular late show. Groovy Mann was in top form and so was his back up band. Unfortunately, Buzz McCoy was in LA nursing an injury; however, I don't think anyone noticed. They played for 1 hour and 45 minutes including a 5 song encore. The crowd loved the set. They been touring for almost 30 years and their experience shows by giving the crowd an excellent show. For $15, you couldn't ask for a better time.
moxie623
Amazing show as always! The energy, the sound, and the amazing songs... It does not get better Buzz McCoy joined this leg of the tour after being sidelined with an energy and he picked up right where he left off.
This was my first time seeing the band in Scottsdale and the crowd fed off of the band's energy, and vice versa.
I love how the band takes time after the show to hang with the fans, chatting, signing autographs, and just being cool as hell!
muphasta
Although they took the stage later than I expected, it was more than worth the wait. I was hoping that they would also play some of their later stuff, but left content with the flashbacks to high school and college, and the memories I made listening to them back then. The venue was Perfect. Here's to 30 More Years of TKK!!
michael-elder-3
Great show, as usual. The group went slightly deeper into their catalogue of songs and didn’t just play the greatest hits. Kooler than Jesus was about the only one I really missed. Would have loved more from Sexplosion and Hit and Run Holiday.
bret_trimmer
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