Artist description The band's signature thick distortion and riffy rock is complimented by heavy hitting percussion and a solid rhythm section. Kingpin Hayes is headed by frontman Matt Kramer, Travis Thorpe on lead axe, drums and percussion by Eric Chapman, and Matthew Weiss on bass guitar.

Music Style Rock and Roll action to the max

Musical Influences Dashboard Confessional, Radiohead, Weezer, Jimmy Eat World, Alkaline Trio, Matthew Sweet, Sweetwater, U2, Face To Face

Similar Artists Weezer, Jimmy Eat World, The Get Up Kids, Alkaline Trio,Everclear, Matthew Sweet, Sweetwater, U2, Face To Face, Eve 6

Artist History Kingpin Hayes' roots trace back to University Place, WA, where the alliance of vocalist Matt Kramer and guitarist Travis Thorpe was formed during high school. The duo played in various bands around their hometown in the early 90's and ended up forming the nucleus of KPH. The full potential of KPH's sound was realized with the addition of bassist Matthew Weiss and percussionist Eric Chapman while they attended college at Washington State University in Pullman, WA. Kingpin Hayes worked the college scene around Pullman by performing anywhere and everywhere including fraternity parties, local clubs, private parties, and collegiate functions. Their heavy gigging schedule afforded KPH the opportunity to perfect their distinctive sound and energetic stage performance. Once ready for the studio, the band traveled to Whitehorse Studios in Portland, OR in the summer of 1998. With the help of engineer/producer Sean Flora, Kingpin Hayes recorded and independently released their first EP entitled "Spank". The response to "Spank" was overwhelming, with the first 500 copies sold by the end of the year. In 1999 the fate of Kingpin Hayes was vague as Matt Kramer graduated and relocated to Seattle, much to the dismay of their loyal Pullman following. However, the band regrouped in Seattle in the winter of 2000 and began rehearsing new material for their second release. 2001 was the most explosive year for KPH thus far, with the band recording and releasing their second EP, building a solid Seattle fan base, and signing with Humble Records. "Quit Your Day Job" was recorded with Donn DeVore at Ironwood Studios in January, and first released in May. The EP has sold almost 1000 copies to date, far exceeding the band's expectations. KPH spent most of the year gigging heavily at Seattle's major clubs to support the release of "Quit Your Day Job". The end of 2001 found KPH signing with Humble Records (www.humblerocks.com) who immediately re-released both "Spank" and "Quit Your Day Job" to an international audience. 2002 looks to be a banner year for Kingpin Hayes. With the support of Humble Records, KPH plans to record a full length album and launch a U.S. tour in support of the release, along with their usual local performances and appearances. With a resume that speaks volumes, Kingpin Hayes is a band that is just around the corner from world-wide success. They are accomplished musicians, performers, and songwriters with an unrivaled camaraderie, much like a family. Most importantly, Kingpin Hayes strives to reach every member of their audience and win each fan, one by one, until the whole world is mesmerized by their patented Rock 'N Roll Action to the Max!

Group Members Matthew Kramer - Rhythm Guitar and Vocals, Travis Thorpe - Lead Guitar, Matthew Weiss - Bass Guitar, Eric Chapman - Drums

Instruments Guitars, Bass, Drums

Albums Spank, Quit Your Day Job

Press Reviews http://www.altarnative.com/2002/january/localnative/thelocals/portland.htm By Travis Luther Altar Native Portland, OR correspondent. A lot of people are complaining that contemporary rock music just isn't what it used to be. Yet arguable, today's rock music is hurling faster and faster towards exactly what it was, if you consider what it "used to be" the late 80's. To explain, I was born in 1978--- which left my young impressionable mind 10 years old and ready to strike out on my own to find a music alternative to my parents' tastes. I was becoming my own man. Soon my palate found itself sucking up Glam like whitey to the man. Poison, Whitesnake, Warrant, and the Crue --- I was ready to rock and had the hair to prove it. And if I wasn't sporting the full-on mop head I at least had a braided tail and high tops with the tongue sticking out, but enough reminiscing. To bring this full circle today's music is closest to that of old for many reasons and in a battle royal for first place are reason A.) It has a lot of costumes & reason B.) It lacks any creativity. Not even the costumes are very creative, just a lot of face paint and tight black vinyl. Come on. They look more like tag team wrestlers than rockers. And for the music well --- rock ripped on rap for just sampling everyone else's shit then rock started doing rap and now rock is ripping off everyone else's shit and thanking rap. What the hell is going on? I blame Ice T and Body Count. Good idea for him to blend these two and make it work, bad idea for the OG to hang up his gats and not blast these imposters. Remember just like bad touches from Grandpa, when you don't say anything you're really saying its OK. This is why on Saturday (Dec. 8th, 01) I was finding myself grateful to be at a show again and truly happy I had accepted the invitation. For the first time in a long time I was listening to something creative as I was treated to a Humble Records (www.humblerocks.com) showcase at The Medicine Hat Gallery in Portland. The night featured two bands, Kingpin Hayes and Aporia. Kingpin Hayes (www.kingpinhayes.com) hit the stage and hit it hard. Like water and oil hitting a hot wok, this band was a rock explosion flying like shrapnel all over the stage. From the words "please welcome Kingpin Hayes" to the last chord strummed by the floor rather than the singer's hand (it's hard to strum when you're standing on your guitar) this band gave a rock show filled with jumps higher than David Lee Roth's and music that made you want to learn the Scissor Kick. But this was no butt rock. It just had some attitude. Kingpin Hayes' music is a blend of the Foo Fighters, Weezer, and The Get up Kids broken down at times like a sad Son Volt ballad. Just an awesome blend of some really great sounds that kept the listener attentive and involved throughout the entire set.

Additional Info Visit our label @ http://www.humblerocks.com

Location Seattle, WA - USA

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