KOPEK – Through the years (or is that decades?) I’ve always been a believer in the small club setting for seeing a live night of Rock, Hard Rock or Heavy Metal. Most of my greatest experiences of seeing live concerts have been at small clubs. Seeing KOPEK live, on March 19th, 2011, at The Crocodile Rock Cafe in Allentown, Pennsylvania, was no exception to my long list of memorable, small club, Rock experiences. If anything, as I stood there bopping my head up and down to Kopek’s live set, I understood I was watching an electrifying band that I’ve felt all along will be HUGE one day.
As Kopek played through their set of several songs, taken from their insanely addicting debut album White Collar Lies, I had to redirect my view on this band becoming huge one day. Kopek is already HUGE. What was I thinking? Finally seeing Kopek play live was a validation in my believing in this band from day one. Kopek is as blue collar and unique as any of the “greatest” in Rock Music history. If the world of Rock needed a rejuvenation of itself in 2011, then the world of Rock should thank Dublin, Ireland’s very own… Kopek.
I am not bashful in stating that Kopek is a band that only comes around every fifteen years. The “vibe” I love most about Kopek is the “Rock and Roll mystique” they give off through their music and overall style, a mystique legends such as R.E.M., Pearl Jam, Motörhead, Metallica and Nirvana (to name a few) are historically and famously known for. Kopek took this mystique I hear from their Hard Rock sound and style to an entirely different level for me, on this Saturday evening in mid-March of 2011. Seeing and hearing is believing. Kopek’s live set proved to me, that Rock Music history isn’t an open and shut book after all. Kopek is now. Kopek is HUGE.
KOPEK – White Collar Lies (Religion Music/SIN)
Kopek is currently on a massive tour throughout the U.S. and eventually Europe, which runs throughout the course of 2011. If you have never listened to Kopek’s Alt/Modern/Hard Rock debut album White Collar Lies, I strongly suggest you do. Being left out of the Rock Music history loop is not a cool thing to experience.
* On this night of Rock at The Crocodile Rock Cafe, Kopek played alongside Oceans Divide, Egypt Central, Maddam Ink. and the legendary… COLD.
* All the live photos you see here are taken from the talented lens of Metal Odyssey’s staff photographer Tom Coderre. I’d like to say: A Metal job well done Tom!
Daniel Jordan, the lead singer and guitarist for Kopek, gave a tremendous performance live. His almost stationary presence on stage had me realizing to myself, that you don’t need to carry on like a Rock Star to be a real Rock Star. No theatrics. No selfish or plastic image to be seen, while my eyes were affixed on Daniel Jordan on this night. As Daniel broke into the vocals for Fever, it gave me the chills… his vocals are that uniquely amazing for me. As soon as Kopek broke out Love Is Dead, I was in Hard Rock la-la land. Hearing Kopek play this song live was an instant Rockin’ high!
I especially appreciated the moment when Daniel dedicated the song White Collar Lies to the United States Troops that are scattered around the globe, protecting our free societies each and every day. Thank you Daniel for acknowledging and remembering our U.S. service men and women. I told Daniel it was difficult in restraining my urge to jump around and go crazy during their set. Daniel understood the dilemma I went through and he added: keeping it cool is the better rule. Sometimes I just feel like a kid. Metal be thy name.
Brad Kinsella on bass was always aware of the crowd! This is a musician that shows he feels the music he is playing, with his fun and cool on-stage mannerisms. Never pretentious, just legit personified. This is a guy who loves what he does for a living. Brad had the fans up front instantly initiated into his Kopek world… and they were all loving every second of it. I had fun just watching Brad perform… plus he plays a thumping bad-ass bass.
Shane Cooney is not easy to ignore, especially when he was laying down the hard hittin’ beats that made it difficult for me to not move. Shane is another non-egotistical member of this amazing band. As a bonus, there was never a “look-at-me” drum solo to be heard from Shane. This is a drummer who does it the old-fashioned way, keeping it simple, keeping it real.
Daniel and Stone finally meet! After a year of knowing who each other was, Daniel and I were able to exchange conversation about the band, touring, the fans and the night’s show. Daniel is a Rock musician who is proud by all the success and attention that Kopek has received thus far. Kopek deserves every bit of success that comes their way. They are earning it. To say Daniel is happy about Kopek is an understatement. When I asked him if he’s had a good time touring America, Daniel never hesitated to give an emphatic – yes! Daniel eagerly signed for the fans all night long. There was nary a moment, the entire night, when Daniel wasn’t accessible to speak to or hang out with.
Stone finally meets Brad and Shane! As with Daniel, Brad and Shane knew my name, only getting “a face with the name” makes it all the better… and my face is not that pretty either. Brad had nothing but kind words to say about America, the fans, the bands they’ve toured with and the people behind the scenes. Brad is especially pumped up to play at this years Rocklahoma. Shane was the ever polite Rock and Roll drummer. Brad and Shane thanked me for the past promotion of their album on Metal Odyssey. (!) I in turn, thanked Brad and Shane for the music they are making.
Luc Nyhus is a touring guitarist with Kopek. Luc’s presence and guitar playing was strong and confident, while he trekked about the stage. In my Metal opinion, Luc fit right in with Kopek. Off the stage, Daniel, Brad, Shane and Luc got along like a brotherhood. Luc is one big dude, so I’m speculating Kopek has a body guard to watch their backs while on tour too! Luc was a cool and friendly guy to meet as well.
It’s always a thrill, to meet musicians like Kopek that I hold in high regard. Hearing Kopek thank me (!) for writing cool stuff about them this past year will forever be remembered by me. Their understanding of how it “gets done” in todays record industry, along with their friendliness, work ethic, grueling tour schedule and of course, musicianship is above admirable. It’s even a more immense thrill to realize that Kopek are fantastically good guys, they know where they came from and where they are going… which is straight to the top.
* For more info on KOPEK, click the links below:
KOPEK TV Official Channel – YouTube
Visit The Crocodile Rock Cafe here: Crocodile Rock Cafe
THANK YOU KOPEK.
LONG LIVE KOPEK.
Stone.
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