Shadow Work 38 – Kevin K and The Bowery Kats (Vicious Kitten)
Simple songs rendered with heart: Lower East Side punk rock survivor Kevin K has adhered to that formula over four decades and “Shadow Work 38” doesn’t make any case for change.
If you’re not familiar with Kevin K, “Shadow Work 38” is a good place to start. Despite his longevity, he’s still a well-kept secret. The man’s understated YouTube bio sums him up:
Opened for Johnny Thunders , Dead Boys , Ramones . I have seen it all. Was part of the CBGB club from 1980- 2000. I have 30 CDs available and a book, ‘The Successful Loser’.
It’s evident that you can take the boy out of The Bowery but you can’t take The Bowery out of the boy. After post-New York City stints living in L.A., Florida, lots of pre-Covid European touring and, more recently, a spell in Michigan, Kevin K is now a resident of the sunnier climes of South Carolina. There’s no longer a place place in a gentrified Manhattan for low rent dirty rock and roll these days, but his latest record retains a sense of where he came from while sounding like K’s been transplanted to a good place.
“Shadow Work 38” was recorded at The Jam Room in Columbia, a well-regarded local studio by all accounts. It’s a no-frills effort, worked up by a guitar/vocals-bass-drums combo. There’s swing in the bottom end which always helps. There’s also a clear focus on the songs, sans gimmickry. Kevin’s soul shines through.
The vague allusion to “I Got a Right” in the intro to “Why She Cries” hangs in the air before Mr K and his Bowery Kats take the tune into familiar, chugging territory. “Way Out West” taps the distortion pedals for a veneer of grit while the band leader splashes double-tracked guitar over the song.
“Crazy For You” is sketched out an acoustic guitar and piano before kicking into full gear and then lilts along with an injection of harp and a breezy, light touch. The closer “On Your Own So Alone” is its pigeon pairing, with a similar, stripped-back approach. Full marks to drummer Karl Curren and bassist Garrick Turner for residing in the pocket and giving these songs exactly what they need.
Mr K reaches into his large back catalogue for “Melody”, reprised from his “Sealed Works” album that came out on another Aussie label, Laughing Outlaw, 20 years ago. It’s still a great song.
The trio adds dirt wherever necessary and the fuzzy “Way Out West” is a case in point as it works its way up to a muscular guitar outro. ““Shame” is the album’s up-tempo stomper and “Steel Rain” a nagging tug at the coat. “Justify” is an ironic love letter to someone who’s adored and hated at the same time.
Available on CD from Vicious Kitten Records, the outpost of Real Rock and Roll in the austere public sector capital of Canberra, or if you're in the USA or EU you can
