Formed in late '02 by two unemployed mill workers and a local street musican, Killing John Mayer brought a tepid mix of distorted guitars and 4/4 rock beats back to the tired idiom of rock & roll. Stale though the music was, the trio managed a consistent output of recorded material over the next few years, building a diminutive following through tireless touring and promotion.
Killing John Mayer began as a soical club between two blue collar colleiges, Bruce Tettemer and Don Oliphant. Over a case of beer and sevneties rock record, often by Sweathog or Pacific Gas & Electric, the two would discuss simply actions with which to better mankind. When a busily busking Borris Carbo overheard the two outside a local coffee shop, he insisted that a band be formed. Oliphant pulled his trapset out of storage and Tettemer purchased a Fender bass with money frome the dole. Within weeks the trio were playing keggers and clubs usually reserved for the younger set. The band had struck a chord with a smattering of the California powerless elite. The self-produced, self-released debut album "Surgical Telepathy" was a hit in the underground rock scene, affording KJM greater visiblity in the cluttered musical landscape. The self-released EP "Merge Visible" followed in early 2004, to mixed critical response. By the summer of that year, the band had disappeared into the studio to record a second full length release, destined to reshape their sound.
The band is more likely to show up at the local bingo hall than a standard convert venue. Herein, the tried and true antics of rebellion seem to find shock and outrage even in an increasingly desensitized society. Some bands live and die by the live gig, others are seemingly unable to recreate their success on the stage. KJM falls somewhere between these two ideologies, viewing the recording and live performance sperate, equal entities.
Argent, Wet Willie, Ram Jam, Frank Marino & Mahagony Rush. Perhaps not immediately evident influences, but without them, there would be no Killing John Mayer. Mayer himself is an influence, to a degree, his work with Buddy Guy provides an excellent sonic foil for all to enjoy.
Cheap equipment. Usually Radio Shack calliber or below. Duct tape. Pabst Blue Ribbon beer. Tube amps.
