Kylesa, a metal band with elements of punk and psychedelic-rock in their sound, started in their native Georgia in 2001. However, Kylesa co-lead vocalist Phillip Cope has a long-standing pre-Kylesa history, playing in hardcore-punk bands in the late 1980,s and then Damad for most of the 1990s. Their self-titled debut album was mostly recorded in May of 2001, but the band – which holds the distinction of including two drummers – interestingly did not play its first gig until June of that year. Almost 15 years later, Kylesa is about to put out its seventh full-length album while considered rulers of the “sludge metal” scene.
In support of a September 1st show at The Gramercy Theatre and the October 2nd release of Exhausting Fire, co-vocalist Laura Pleasants answered some questions for Downtown. Laura’s answers were to-the-point much like the music of Kylesa is known to be – unfortunately, no “last words for the kids” could be extracted from Laura.
One of things that makes Kylesa unique is that the band has two drummers. What is the most challenging part of having two drummers on the road?
Laura Pleasants: The obvious ones. Space, load-in, inputs, and monitors.
Your next studio album comes out in October. How would you compare Exhausting Fire to your most recent album Ultraviolet?
L: I think it’s more cohesive as a whole. It nods to some of our earlier riffing while expanding on the ideas that Ultraviolet started.
For someone who hasn’t seen Kylesa live before, how would you describe your live show? How do your songs compare in concert to their recorded versions?
L: Heavy, loud, intense, psychedelic.
We stay true to the songs for the most part. There are always sections and interludes that we’ll improv or change over time. The physical sound is louder and more drum heavy. More grit.
How does it make you feel when people refer to your band as being “sludge-rockers?” Is there pressure to produce music of a certain style because of that labeling?
L: People like to label everything. We just like to play the rock and do our thing.
What do you wish more people knew about Kylesa? Are there any misconceptions about the band that you’re tired of hearing?
L: That we have superpowers.
When you’re not busy with band activity, how do you like to spend your time?
L: Dominating.
-by Darren Paltrowitz
