| BAND: Future X 1987 Original Grunge Punk, Kenny Gross Tribute Release |
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Bio:
Future X was a pure punk band that formed and ended in 1987 by four young lads who came together by fate in the basement of drummer Dan McClellans basement in Lancaster, Pennsylvania for magical jam session. It was formed around the music of the late Kenny Gross, who passed away of a heroin over dose in New York City after spending much time in Key West, Florida. As we are all much older now, this is our tribute to him and what could have been.
All who knew Kenny had a story as Kenny was the great story teller as one never knew if his stories were truth or fable though one could never deny his ability to write great lyrics.
Kenny wrote over 700 hundred songs to print. Most are lost today but many are still with us. The most memorable recordings have been preserved by Future X bassist Dave Crossley, who remixed the original Lancaster basement tapes into a CD suitably named King of Clubs, a timeless collection of 19 songs.
Kenny wrote with pure emotion. Future X played from pure emotion. Songs such as Anti-Anti spoke of Kennys anti-establishment views. Give Me Head is one we all can relate to. Kenny, being in broken relationships most of his life, understood depression in Kicking Me but then knew how to make the ladies hearts melt in Valentine Song or The Hurting.
Finally, Head to Big was Kennys signature song.
Kenny lived his life his way, with an ego and attitude, and with that quality, he gave us great music. We will miss Kenny and dedicate this CD and the following web sites to him. Please go to:
http://www.moonl it mile.net/kproject/kp rojectmain.html
http://www.moonlit mile.net/kproject/ko c_notes.html
http://tippytoe.mu lticasttech.com/some whereoutwest/gross.h tml
http://tippytoe.mu lticasttech.com/some whereoutwest
http://www.geociti es.com/psychokennygr oss7
I have four of the nineteen songs on the MYSpace link below. The quality is raw but one must remember, it was 1987, in a basement, recorded on a freaking boombox but the lyrics are undeniably excellent.
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Members:
Kenny Gross Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
JC Fetlock Lead Guitar, Mandolin, Flute, Back-Up Vocals
Dave Croslsey Bass Guitar, Back-Up Vocals
Dan McClellan Drums, Percussion
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Influences:
Kenny was a big Frank Zappa fan but his biggest influence was himself. He did record others music but it was usually in his own style and with lyrical changes probably because he could not relate to the original lyrics, could not remember the original lyrics, or just plain hated the original lyrics. In any case, in the time I played with him, I can never recall playing a cover tune exactly or even close to how it was originally performed.
When it came to the music, Kenny heard the song in his head and wanted that exact sound. I guess we came close to the sound in his head because as you listen on some songs, especially Anti Anti, you can hear Kenny exclaiming his appreciation.
I think close friend Marshal Jones sums Kenny up best. He wrote this soon after Kenny died.
Back in 82 when I had first moved to Lancaster, I met several musicians that told me You have to check out this dude Kenny Gross, he's a wild and crazy dude! That turned out to be pretty much true but he also seemed to be very intelligent and I was impressed when I went over to his house and he showed me his notebook with 500 songs he had written. Kenny was an endless source of amusement, inspiration and seemed to have cast on some various broken bone at all times. In many ways I've always considered Kenny to be the Keith Richards of Lancaster if you know what I mean. He was fearless and really didn't care what anyone thought of him, always lived in the moment and was very much a cool guy. I will miss him! Rock on Kenny!!!!!
Kenny could be difficult personally and with his songs. I believe that lead to Future X s short tenure as well as Kenny's failure to find real success. Kenny had a gift and he was fearless, no doubt, but I think he did care. Probably more than most! His final song may well have been Please Dont Tell Anyone How Much I Cared
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Gear:
Does it really matter. A freaking Boom Box!!!
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| | | | http://punkrock.org/futurex | | | |
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