Legendary singer GARY FLOYD is back in the
saddle with his new rock band, BLACK KALI MA. This
San Francisco based outfit mixes punk, blues, and Southern-tinged
arena rock into one no-nonsense package. On their debut LP/CD,
You Ride The Pony (I'll Be The Bunny), BLACK KALI MA capture
the power of dual guitars, bass, drums, and Gary's freight-train
vocals, releasing a rabid masterpiece. The band hurls their songs
at you in a simple, raw fashion. With Gary belting out an evocative
commentary on the state of American society, backed by the
hard-driving music, there is no need for adornment. It's a
startling and refreshing release from a group of rock veterans that
actually have something to say.
GARY FLOYD first made his
presence felt in the seminal Texas punk band, the
DICKS. Formed in 1980, DICKS relocated to San
Francisco in 1983. The band broke up several years later,
and SISTER DOUBLE HAPPINESS arose from the ashes,
bridging rock and punk. Gary went on to form THE GARY FLOYD
BAND, which took a more classic blues direction. In 1998,
Gary teamed up with other established SF Bay Area musicians, many of
whom played with him in prior bands, to start BLACK KALI MA.
Drummer Bruce Ducheneaux (BOMB, WAYCROSS, THE GARY FLOYD BAND),
bassist Ed Ivey (RHYTHM PIGS), and guitarists Matt Margolin (SMOKIN'
RHYTHM PRAWNS), and Danny Roman (SISTER DOUBLE HAPPINESS, THE GARY
FLOYD BAND) round out the all-star line-up. They have created a new
flavor of rock, incorporating the rootsy sound that characterizes
all of Floyd's work.
BLACK KALI MA borrow their name from the
Hindu goddess Kali. This wrathful warrior queen often appears with
a winsome smile, wearing agarland of heads, and standing on the dead
body of her husband. To those who do not know her well, Kali is a
paradox. She can be simultaneously beautiful and seductive, while
terrifyingly brutal. Kali's power to both create through illusion
and destroy through love seems incomprehensible; yet to her
devotees, she is always faithful. The title and artwork for You
Ride The Pony (I'll Be The Bunny), when juxtaposed with the
music, offer an enigma similar to that embodied in Kali. The cover
of the album (by Gary Floyd), with its cartoonesque, childish
qualities, presents a sharp contrast to the rough, rock power
contained within. The duality serves as a reminder of the many
opposing forces contained within the human mind.
Word of
BLACK KALI MA is out. An international fan base,
familiar with the previous accomplishments of the individuals in the
band, has enthusiaticaly embraced their debut full-length on
Alternative Tentacles (Jan. 24th 2000), and eagerly awaits the
opportunity to catch them smoking the stage. Judging from audiences
thus far- BLACK KALI MA will indeed blow you away!
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