MONDAY MORNING MUSICAL MAYHEM - featuring The Killakee House
New interviews from people in the music scene every Monday, every week, every month!
Welcome to Monday Morning Musical Mayhem: an online series that focuses on musicians, bands, artists, and whoever else in the musical industry that reaches out to us! The goal is help spread the word about people doing rad stuff in the music world! Are you doing rad stuff? Email us at brutalrealitydigest@gmail.com to be featured! xoxoxo
Is it Monday again? Alright then! Let's head to well-known punk rock Mecca - Atlanta, Georgia! Yes, you heard that right! We'd love to introduce you to Courtney Kiker - the lead singer of The Killakee House! We chat about her band, the Braves, and Avril Lavigne? Yeah, we suppose we did! Check it out!
BRUTAL REALITY DIGEST: Introduce yourself, your band, and weapon of choice.
COURTNEY KIKER: My name is Courtney Kiker. I’m the lead vocals in an Atlanta punk band, The Killakee House. My weapon of choice is… a bow and arrow. I like the idea of stabbing someone from far away.
BRD: What's the backstory of your band - from its creation to the name?
CK: I first met Craigan around 3 years ago through an ex-boyfriend. We started dating and formed the band around a year later with Juergie, who was already the guitarist in Craigan’s other band, Heathersett. We officially signed to 59 X Records late last year. I was actually given a choice between doing a solo pop project or forming a punk band. I knew the band would be more work, but I trusted the people around me and I chose what I was more passionate about. The name is from an urban legend about a house in Ireland that was owned by the Hellfire Club.
BRD: If Futurama taught us anything, the only things in Atlanta are Ted Turner, the guy who invented Coca-Cola and an airport. What else should we know about the city?
CK: If you can’t drive like an asshole, you won’t get anywhere. And don’t let anyone talk you into going to The Varsity. It’s disgusting. I will die on that hill.
BRD: What is your opinion on the Tomahawk chop at Braves games?
CK: I think if someone from another culture is telling you that an action is offensive and harmful, you should probably listen. Getting rid of it would be a step in the right direction. Unfortunately it may be a while before everyone is on the same page.
BRD: I can't say I think of punk rock when I hear Georgia. Are there any other cool punk bands there?
CK: A lot of DIY bands here kick ass. Breaux! is one of my favorites. There aren’t a whole lot of big punk bands that come out of Georgia. We’re trying to change that. Peter (the President of 59 X) saw a need for representation and support for Atlanta punk bands and is doing a great job of making things happen. I recommend checking out all the artists on our label. For punk rock specifically, look up The Carolyn and Rough Dreams.
BRD: You said that Red City Radio and the Menzingers are big influences to your sound. I can hear that. Who else are you listening to these days?
CK: Lately I’ve been listening to a lot of Bad Cop/Bad Cop, Coheed and Cambria, and Off With Their Heads. I also fangirl over my own boyfriend’s singing voice so I listen to Heathersett when he isn’t around. I try to listen to new music whenever possible, but Against Me! and Rancid, are definitely common go-tos.
BRD: Now that the world seems to be opening, where are you hoping to travel with the band?
CK: I would love to go to Philly and New York. They have such a huge scene there that I’ve never had the chance to experience. Plus I’d like to see all the places they shot It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
BRD: What did you miss the most during the lockdowns?
CK: Shows, hands down. Whether it was a huge, sold out show or a shitty local punk show. I’m so glad I get to have cheap beer spilled on me and chain-smoke out back with the band again. I also miss making faces at babies in grocery stores. I didn’t realize how much I liked that until I had to wear a mask everywhere.
BRD: What is the first thing that comes to mind when someone mentions Canada?
CK: Avril Lavigne. And moose. Maybe Avril Lavigne riding a moose.
BRD: Tell us about your plans for the rest of 2021 and beyond.
CK: We released our first single, Bridge Too Far, on June 11th. We’re releasing another single in July and the rest of our EP in August. Right now we’re just trying to book whatever shows we can. Booking is crazy at the moment because venues are so high in demand. We’re also really big into community work and plan on setting up some volunteer-based events soon. We would like to use our platform to help others in a way that our government clearly doesn’t care to. Our plan is to get our name out there, play great music, do some good, and stay sane. We’ll probably get drunk a few times along the way.