The Kickback (band)

History

The group was formed as singer/guitarist Billy Yost's "first attempt to get a 'college band thing' going" at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, South Dakota. The band name was chosen after Yost's readings on the Enron scandal while attending the university.

Early Years

The story begins in 2009 when Yost, a recent college graduate, decided to leave his rural South Dakota home and move to Chicago. "I was terrified about making the move ... I loved where I grew up. I spent a lot of time there writing songs for this record, and figuring out what I had to offer. But I needed a bigger pool of musicians who I had things in common with musically", he has stated. Upon arriving in Chicago, Yost assembled the band through Craigslist ads, weathering a series of changes until the band solidified with the current lineup. Despite Yost's status as the founding member and primary songwriter, The Kickback is a truly collaborative effort built around each member’s artistic vision.

A Handful Of EPs

After releasing "Great Self Love" in 2010 and "Mea Culpa Mea Culpa" in 2011, they received attention from Rolling Stone's Hype Monitor blog as well as Chicago music critic and Sound Opinions contributor Jim DeRogatis.

After a few years of writing and recording demos, the band was ready to record their debut LP. A milestone moment came when the band, with humor and bravado, sent their demos to Jim Eno from Spoon (one of Billy’s primary modern artistic inspirations). Jim responded favorably and got in touch with the band.

Sorry All Over The Place

The Kickback's debut LP was released September 18, 2015, on Jullian Records. It was recorded and produced by Jim Eno at his studio Public Hi-Fi in Austin, Texas. Consequence of Sound announced the album and premiered the track "White Lodge" on June 15, 2015. Grantland called the track "a witty, nervy, and melodic dagger that exudes dread without completely giving up on the possibility of transcendence." The Nerdist premiered the full album and said "[The Kickback's] extremely competent, catchy debut effort Sorry All Over the Place belies how nimbly the group is able to transition from ballad to Smashing Pumpkins-esque rock outbursts, to extended instrumental jams."

Touring

The band has developed a reputation for their live performance. The Kickback have toured nationally on multiple occasions and are known for their energy and Yost's aggressive interaction with audiences. Bands they have supported previously include White Rabbits, Smith Westerns, Manic Street Preachers, Here We Go Magic, Tapes n Tapes, Telekinesis, Ringo Deathstarr, Miracle Legion, and The Districts. The band has performed at South by Southwest, North by Northeast, Canadian Music Week, 80/35, and CMJ music festivals.

Podcast

Starting in December 2010, The Kickback began hosting their own podcast, Disas-tour, which features discussions and segments centered around the band and its current activities. The episodes originate from on-the-road locations as well as at the band's rehearsal space in Chicago. Yost cites the podcast as an effort to convey "what it's really like to be a band that can't afford to be making music 24-hours of the day" as well as "things that sort of influence the band's direction (Michael Keaton movies, the Muppets, manic-depression, etc.). Since 2010, the group has aired over 100 episodes of the popular series.

Discography

LPs

EPs

Singles