|
Members:
- Keith Caputo - Voice
|
|
The Official Roadrunner Records Bio
There's no shortage these days of musicians who'll bend your ear with tales of woe, cranking out angst to a beat. But there's precious few musicians like Keith Caputo. He's known his share of troubles but has chosen to bounce a note of hope against that forceful wall of sound.
On his debut solo album, Died Laughing, Keith explores the pain of searching for inner peace and the joy in finding a spiritual center. Just as the title implies, Keith's approach to music, and to life, is that of 'appreciating it as a great adventure, a trip to true understanding.' As he reveals, "This record represents me going through my tragedies and understanding them to become the person that I'm becoming.'
You might recognize Keith's distinctive voice ' after all, he was the vocalist for Life of Agony over the course of three albums and nearly eight years until he realized he was being "pigeonholed." Inspired by studies in Eastern philosophy, with new sounds in his head and new feelings in his heart, Keith realized that the hard-edge sound of LoA, "wasn't what I was interested in saying musically, poetically or spiritually."
With his new attitude of 'open mind and open faith,' Keith entered the studio last fall with producer Jared Kotler (Marcy Playground), and a group of sterling players which included Gerry Leonard (Duncan Sheik), Jeff Thall (Bryan Ferry, Ultravox), Craig Ross (Lenny Kravitz), Robert Mastrianni and keyboardist Jordan Feinstein.
Keith's new joy in creation reveals itself in tracks like "Just Be," an upbeat pop epiphany which was partially ad-libbed in the studio. "There's preparation, sure," says Keith, "but it's what's there at the moment that really counts." Or try "Razzberry Mockery," in which a stream-of-consciousness lyric line explodes in polished production and explosions of buzzing guitar bombs.
Another stand-out track is the jazz-inflected "Cobain (Rainbow Deadhead)" with its lovely Craig Ross guitar solo and the haunting refrain, "Cobain was murdered by you." Be warned ' it has nothing to do with Courtney Love. "That's gonna be the mindless controversy," Keith admits, "but that's not it at all." It's actually a comment on the adulation that can destroy heroes or, as Keith calls it, "'the Barbie doll syndrome.' Cobain got lost, like Jim Morrison, or Janis Joplin. They couldn't distinguish between themselves and the Barbie doll that was created of them." While many of the tracks are guitar-fueled rockers, Keith explores more exotic musical terrain as well. You'll hear it in the soaring pop chorus and orchestral majesty of "Home," and the impassioned multi-tracked vocals of "Selfish" - both tracks flying sweetly on a quartet of strings.
"Brandy Duval" ends the album on a similarly lush and lovingly arranged high note. "It was the most serious expression on the record to me anyway," Keith explains, "so I wanted to leave off with that." It's also the name of the real-life love ' and tragic loss ' that inspired many of the album's songs. Brandy (nickname) Duval (maiden name) is Keith's mom, who died of an overdose when he was just a child. He still feels the pain of loss ("I never knew the woman who gave birth to me, my closest and dearest friend") but he admits it also made him powerful. "The tragedies that I used to carry around as baggage, I now carry around as a flying carpet. She's always with me."
True to his open, unguarded nature, Keith Caputo's music takes you through a journey of discovery, and then brings you safely back home. "I'll always be a searcher," he says firmly, "And I need to share that truth through my music. When I perform, I get with the gods." And he's always ready to take his listeners along on the quest.
Alternate Bio - as written by Delia Geiger
If one had to choose an artist with a voice for the millennium, it would be difficult to pass up Keith Caputo. His anticipated solo debut album entitled "Died Laughing", was released in Europe February 14, 2000
In 1992 Roadrunner Records signed the band Life Of Agony that, over a short and rapid period of time, made a name for themselves while greatly impacting the Metal/Hardcore scene much due to the band's backbone and Keith Caputo's vocals.
Being vocalist of the angst-driven band Life Of Agony, Keith Caputo mixed melody and emotion with powerful, heavy music. Standing out from the rest, Life Of Agony's unique sound separated rhythm from aggression while developing a new style of rock. Touring with bands such as Ozzy Ozbourne, Korn, and KMFDM, helped pave the road to stardom, gaining faithful LOA fans around the globe. In 1998, after releasing their timeless metal classic "River Runs Red", followed by "Ugly" and "Soul Searching Sun", the band lost vocalist Keith, who refused to go on playing the heavy music that was no longer in his heart. Caputo went his own way he seemed to "vanish almost completely after leaving the outfit that turned misery into virtue"- Music Front mag.
Two years after Caputo's tragic departure, Keith emerged with his solo project, and played 5 shows at NYC's CBGB's Gallery early June. From these performances, word spread while gathering new fans and followers full of anticipation. Two months later in early August, Keith left for Europe with his manager and a small band. Playing live radio shows along with TV appearances, has quickly given Caputo a name for himself, gaining respect and status as a new and growing artist. After 2 years of energy towards a breakthrough album, "Died Laughing" was released on Valentines Day 2000. "Gone is the anger, the hatred, the aggressiveness of LOA, instead we have a newly rejuvenated Keith and he's ready to open up his soul and let the heartache pour out. It's a joyous work of pure genius"- Rock Sound mag.
Keith's personal lyrics and passionate voice are euphoric, motivating, and ready to bring on a rebirth of influential change for music history. "I want to heal people with my music, it's my purpose, It's my love." Caputo's life experiences drive him into writing the most strikingly personal music, accompanied by breathtaking string and instrumental compositions. The music itself is pure elegance with gripping vocals and mind-blowing lyrics. Caputo is the voice of love and pain, and the voice of the new millennium. "Overall, this may not be the album that the label or the fans were expecting, but it certainly is one of the best of the year"-Rock Sound March 2000
|
|
