Kill the Precedent (often abbreviated KTP) is a Sacramento industrial metal band built around thundering live-and-electronic beats, thrashing guitar riffs, and a two-vocalist attack.[1] The band draws heavily on the lineage of industrial acts like Ministry and KMFDM while folding in punk-style melody.[1]
At a glance
- Sacramento band; members are veterans of the local rock scene.[1]
- Began in 2006 as a side project of vocalist The Ugly American and beatmaker/guitarist Hamburger.[1]
- Twin vocalists: Twig the Exfoliator and The Ugly American.[1]
- Released the EP Stories of Science and Fantasy in 2011.[1]
- Their Aug. 6, 2011 EP release show at Harlow's was named Submerge's No. 1 live show of 2011.[2]
- Known for elaborate, costume-and-prop stage productions.[1]
Origin and formation
Kill the Precedent started in 2006 when The Ugly American and Hamburger began experimenting with a drum machine, initially in a "Big Black kind of deal."[1] After they recorded some music, they brought in Twig the Exfoliator to record vocals; Twig, initially asked only to help on the song "Cop Out," decided to join the band outright.[1] As each new member was added, the band's songs were gradually fleshed out from unfinished sketches.[1]
For The Ugly American, the project was a return to the kind of music he made in the late 1980s and early 1990s with bands like Rivithead and Battalion 53, after years spent in punk bands.[1]
Members
The band's documented lineup includes:[1]
- Twig the Exfoliator — vocals
- The Ugly American (Sean) — vocals
- Hamburger — electronic beats and guitar; produces the loops the band writes around
- Killsbury — guitar; also handles the band's video/visual elements
- Sgt. Pepper — drums
- Jon the Jew — bass
Jesse Mitchell is also identified as a member of Kill the Precedent (and of Red Tape).[3][4] An early collaborator, Evan ("Tha Fruitbat"), was involved at the project's start.[1]
Sacramento scene roots
KTP's members are described as "no strangers to the Sacramento rock scene," having previously played in local bands including Red Tape, Diseptikons, and Rivithead.[1] Twig had also toured Europe with the Sacramento band Hoods.[1] These deep ties to the local underground are the basis for classifying the band as local — its members are longtime Sacramento musicians and the band is repeatedly tagged as a "Sacramento band."[1]
Sound and songwriting
KTP's music is described as a "no-holds-barred aural assault" combining live and electronic beats, heavy riffs, and dual vocals.[1] Songs cited include "Questions for Weapons" (metal riffs and big beats) and the more dance-leaning "Free Reign" (built on Jon the Jew's bass line and an electronic groove).[1]
The band's writing process runs "in reverse" of a typical band: Hamburger sends two-minute beat loops, the band picks favorites, vocal structures are added, and the songs are then arranged collectively at practice.[1] Twig founded the project partly on a desire to avoid working with traditional drummers — wanting to "be like a hip-hop band" and plug in programmed beats — though the band ultimately did add a drummer (Sgt. Pepper) while Twig was touring in Europe.[1] Both vocalists emphasized the band's egoless, collective approach to songwriting.[1]
According to the Sacramento News & Review, the band characterized their sound in 2009 as "dance metal" — a fusion of dance beats, hardcore vocals, metal guitars, and punk drums.[5]
Live shows and stage production
KTP is known for theatrical, themed live shows featuring costumed dancers, fake blood, and videos synced to songs.[1] One run at the Blue Lamp, dubbed "Colombian Drug Dealers," had the band in white suits and camo throwing flour-filled baggies into the audience; the resulting mess cost the band a $450 cleanup, which they paid off by mopping the venue the next day.[1]
Their Aug. 6, 2011 EP release show at Harlow's — with a "Flight" theme featuring flight-attendant and pilot costumes — was named the No. 1 live music moment of 2011 by Submerge, which said KTP "made Harlow's feel like a house show."[2]
The Sacramento News & Review documented an early show — the band's second-ever live performance despite having been together for over two years — on August 15, 2009 at the Blue Lamp, during which they performed a 34-minute, nine-song set with synchronized video projections.[5]
Releases
-
Stories of Science and Fantasy (EP, 2011) — six original songs plus two covers: The Smiths' "Death of a Disco Dancer" and Jessica Lea Mayfield's "We've Never Lied" (recorded in an Oakland hotel room). Includes the songs "Cop Out," "Questions for Weapons," and "Free Reign."[1] The EP release show was held at Harlow's on Aug. 6, 2011, with Will Haven, The Snobs, and City of Vain.[1]
-
Some Version of the Truth (EP, 2017) — released February 24, 2017 on Minus Head Records.[6] Recorded at Pus Caverns in Sacramento with producer Joe Johnston in late 2016.[6] The EP contains seven tracks: "Two Way Mirrors," "Lesser of Two Evils," "Down North," "Watch What You Think," "Irrational Anthem," "A Song for Slit Wrists," and "Dictated Not Read."[7]
Notable shows and scene activity
- Aug. 15, 2009 — Second-ever live show at Blue Lamp (1400 Alhambra Boulevard), Sacramento.[5]
- Aug. 6, 2011 — EP release at Harlow's with Will Haven, The Snobs, City of Vain.[1]
- Oct. 7, 2011 — Played the Alicea Peet kidney-transplant benefit at Blue Lamp, alongside Black Mackerel, City of Vain, and Muderlicious. Peet was the partner of Mikey Hood of the band Hoods.[8]
- April 14, 2012 — On the bill for Killdevil's For Survival EP release at Ace of Spades, with City of Vain, Giant Squid, The Secretions, and Black Mackerel.[9]
- Jan. 30, 2016 — Played Peace Killers' self-titled album release show at Harlow's, with Psychosomatic and The Number Thirteen.[4]
The band's continued activity is treated as a marker of dedication in the local scene; Sexrat's Zach Goodin cited "all those guys from Kill the Precedent" among the longtime Sacramento musicians still playing backyard parties.[10] Jesse Mitchell of KTP also helped Peace Killers produce a video for their song "Devil's Daughter."[4]