| Paul Kappa | |
|---|---|
Paul Kappa at The Amazing Kappa Pacific Road show February 2008 |
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| Background information | |
| Also known as | The Amazing Kappa |
| Origin | Liverpool, Merseyside, England |
| Genres | Rock and Roll Soul Funk Acoustic |
| Years active | 1999–present |
| Labels | Hicksville UK Way Out West Raucous Records Columbia |
| Website | Official Site |
| Members | |
| Paul Kappa Martin Byrne Laura Gilchrist |
|
The Amazing Kappa formed in 2002 by Paul Kappa (born 23 March 1967, Southport, England)[1] a Liverpool based singer , songwriter and guitarist . A three piece band, well known in Liverpool , England as a very hard-working rock 'n' roll act, doing three hour shows six nights a week and honoured with a brick in the wall of fame at the Cavern Club in Mathew Street Liverpool, where the band has been resident for a decade (2002 to 2012).
In 1994, Paul Kappa became the winner of the Liverpool Echo Best Newcomer Award.[2] when with roots and rockabilly trio from Liverpool Cat Scratch Fever [2] with Tony Doyle on contra-bass and Tony Dolman playing drums.
Cat Scratch Fever signed to Independent label Way Out West Records in London, England in 1994, inspired by founder Rick Goldstein, making the album Death Western (1996) and the Big Bang![3] on Raucous Records in 1997. Highlights of C.S.F. live performances were appearances at Glastonbury Festival 1997 and Cropredy 1998.
Following the collapse of Cat Scratch Fever, Kappa spent some months touring with 1980s pop star Pete Wylie in a band featuring drummer and bass player Mike Joyce and Andy Rourke from Manchester band The Smiths whilst signed to Columbia records. By 2002, after experimental lineups, lasting almost three years, The Amazing Kappa was born:
The Amazing Kappa (also known as Kappa) is a Rock and Roll / Soul / Funk band from Liverpool, England. Its members are Paul Kappa (Guitar and vocals), Martin Byrne (Bass Guitar and Vocals) and Laura Gilchrist (drums and percussion). (previously the drum seat was occupied by Tony Smith and Tony O'Keeffe)
The Amazing Kappa made their studio album Living @ the End of the World in 2003, followed by Accelerando; the live album recorded in the Cavern, Liverpool in 2004. A DVD of the show, Guitar Hero written by Paul Kappa, was produced in 2005. A compilation album Kuriosity was also released featuring unheard Kappa material from 1991 onwards as well as unreleased tracks from Cat Scratch Fever.
The Amazing Kappa released the studio albums, Electrical Storm[4] recorded in Chicago U.S.A at Steve Albini's Electrical Audio Studios working with grammy winning producer Jim Tullio [5] in 2006 and the solo acoustic album from Paul Kappa Mountains of the Moon [6], as well as a live album,and DVD entitled Sola Boat, (now deleted) recorded at the event Kappa in Koncert at the Pacific Road Arts Centre, Birkenhead, Liverpool, England in 2007.
Paul Kappa worked in mid 2007 producing tracks which were never used for CBS Early Show [7] working in Atlanta with Rodney Mills producer and engineer for 38 special, Atlanta Rhythm Section, Gregg Allman, James Brown, The Doobie Brothers and Lynyrd Skynyrd amongst others.
2008 saw the release of The Amazing Kappa studio album Bok Rok [8]. In 2010 Paul Kappa released a studio acoustic album Book of Two Ways a collection of orchestrated songs, featuring vocals by Kathleen Wildman on two tracks.
In December 2010 The Amazing Kappa released their fourth studio album Taxi For Voltaire [9], recorded at Whitewood Studios[10] in Liverpool and mixed and mastered at Will Schillinger's Pilot Recording Studios[11] in Massachusetts U.S.A. The band was honoured with a brick in the wall of fame outside the Cavern Club [12] in August 2011, on the eve of Amazing Kappa's American tour, playing at The Spirit Of peace And Music Festival at Freeport Illinois with Everclear , Chevelle and Los Lonely Boys. In November of 2011 Paul Kappa gave an hour long interview to Artie Kornfeld on his radio show as well as playing at Buddy Guy's club Legends in Chicago. Work is ongoing at the moment recording a new album at Cinnamon Sound Studios http://www.cinnamonsoundstudio.com/ in Aurora Illinois.
The Amazing Kappa has appeared on BBC television and radio, ITV, as well as MTV, WGN Chicago and Danish radio, and performed in England, Ireland, Spain, France, Switzerland, Sweden and the United States.[2]