The Kickback is an American indie rock band currently based in Chicago, Illinois. The quartet consists of lead Billy Yost, guitarist Jonny Ifergan, and bassist Daniel Leu. Their sophomore album "Weddings & Funerals" was released on July 14, 2017. They have also released a clutch of EPs and recently released their debut LP, Sorry All Over the Place, on September 18, 2015 via Jullian Records. The album was recorded by Jim Eno at his studio in Austin, Texas. Rolling Stone says The Kickback "conjures the very best parts of The Veils and The Walkmen and The Killers, writing lean, nervy songs that snarl and snap."
The story begins in 2009 when Billy and Danny Yost and Zach Verdoorn decided to leave their 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 arrived at 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. Jim responded favorably and got in touch with the band.
The Kickback's debut LP was released September 18, 2015, on Jullian Records. It was recorded and produced by Jim Eno at his studio 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 " 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."
Weddings & Funerals
The Kickback's sophomore album, produced by Dennis Herring, was recently announced for release on July 14, 2017 by Billboard and Consequence of Sound, along with a premiere of their new single "Will T".
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. Since 2010, the group has aired over 100 episodes of the popular series.
