Amc-admin: /* 2010–present: Gorilla Rose */

2018-08-13T18:24:49Z

2010–present: Gorilla Rose

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	The Pink Monkey Birds, whose name Kid credits to inspiration from David Bowie,<ref>{{cite web\|author= \|url=http://kidcongopowers.blogspot.com/2016/01/the-pink-monkey-birds-would-not-be-so.html \|title=Kid Stuff: The Pink Monkey Birds would not be so named without you David Bowie! R.I.P \|website=Kidcongopowers.blogspot.com \|date=2016-01-19 \|accessdate=2016-05-26}}</ref> has been an evolving unit since their earliest albums, and as of 2016 the touring members are bassist Kiki Solis, drummer Ron Miller, and guitarist Mark Cisneros.		The Pink Monkey Birds, whose name Kid credits to inspiration from David Bowie,<ref>{{cite web\|author= \|url=http://kidcongopowers.blogspot.com/2016/01/the-pink-monkey-birds-would-not-be-so.html \|title=Kid Stuff: The Pink Monkey Birds would not be so named without you David Bowie! R.I.P \|website=Kidcongopowers.blogspot.com \|date=2016-01-19 \|accessdate=2016-05-26}}</ref> has been an evolving unit since their earliest albums, and as of 2016 the touring members are bassist Kiki Solis, drummer Ron Miller, and guitarist Mark Cisneros.

	Kid Congo Powers was profiled by Vogue ~~(magazine)\|Vogue~~ in late April 2016 while promoting their fourth album,<ref>{{cite web\|author=Kristin Anderson \|url=http://www.vogue.com/13429213/kid-congo-powers-interview-style-la-arana-es-la-vida-record-release/ \|title=Punk Legend Kid Congo Powers on His Style Throughout the Years \|publisher=Vogue \|date=2016-04-25 \|accessdate=2016-05-26}}</ref> where he was noted for his iconic sense of punk style. In his Vogue interview, he mentions the aesthetic importance of tying the look of the band to match the music.		Kid Congo Powers was profiled by ''Vogue'' in late April 2016 while promoting their fourth album,<ref>{{cite web\|author=Kristin Anderson \|url=http://www.vogue.com/13429213/kid-congo-powers-interview-style-la-arana-es-la-vida-record-release/ \|title=Punk Legend Kid Congo Powers on His Style Throughout the Years \|publisher=Vogue \|date=2016-04-25 \|accessdate=2016-05-26}}</ref> where he was noted for his iconic sense of punk style. In his Vogue interview, he mentions the aesthetic importance of tying the look of the band to match the music.

	<blockquote> “For me, the whole art of being a band—and I do think it’s an art—is to create a whole world, a whole language, that is every aspect. The Gun Club, we kind of made it up as we went along, but what I learned from The Cramps and Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds is that they created a whole uncompromising world, and it’s all kind of sprung out of that. You want to communicate with people, and I think through all aesthetics—artwork, the look, and music—you get to keep your world, and you get to let people enter your world and live in your world with you.”</blockquote>		<blockquote> “For me, the whole art of being a band—and I do think it’s an art—is to create a whole world, a whole language, that is every aspect. The Gun Club, we kind of made it up as we went along, but what I learned from The Cramps and Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds is that they created a whole uncompromising world, and it’s all kind of sprung out of that. You want to communicate with people, and I think through all aesthetics—artwork, the look, and music—you get to keep your world, and you get to let people enter your world and live in your world with you.”</blockquote>

Amc-admin at 18:24, 13 August 2018

2018-08-13T18:24:04Z

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	{{Infobox musical artist		{{Infobox musical artist
	\| name = Kid Congo Powers		\| name = Kid Congo Powers
	\| image =		\| image = Kid-Congo.jpg
	\| caption =		\| caption =
	\| image_size =		\| image_size =

Amc-admin at 18:23, 13 August 2018

2018-08-13T18:23:10Z

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{{Infobox musical artist 
| name = Kid Congo Powers
| image =
| caption =
| image_size =
| background = solo_singer
| birth_name = Brian Tristan
| alias =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1959|3|27}}
| birth_place = [[La Puente, California]], United States
| death_date =
| instrument = Guitar, piano, keyboards, vocals
| genre = [[Post-punk]], [[alternative rock]], [[garage rock]]
| occupation = Singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist,
| years_active = 1979–present
| label = [[Mute Records|Mute]]
| associated_acts = [[The Gun Club (band)|The Gun Club]], [[Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds]], [[the Cramps]], the [[Divine Horsemen]], [[Congo Norvell]], Kid Congo Powers and the Pink Monkey Birds
| website = [http://kidcongopowers.blogspot.com Official website]
| notable_instruments = [[Squier]] guitar<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newyorknighttrain.com/zine/issues/2/kidgear.html |title=Kid Congo Powers: GEAR |publisher=Newyorknighttrain.com |date=2006-01-15 |accessdate=2014-07-12}}</ref>
}}

'''Kid Congo Powers''' is the [[stage name]] of '''Brian Tristan''' (born March 27, 1959),<ref name="Strong">Strong, Martin C. (2003) ''The Great Indie Discography'', Canongate, ISBN 1-84195-335-0, p. 25, 41, 359</ref> an American [[rock guitarist]] and singer, best known as a member of [[The Gun Club]], [[the Cramps]] and [[Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds]]. He has also played with the [[Divine Horsemen]], the [[Angels of Light]] and [[Die Haut]].<ref>{{cite web|title="Music to Remember Him By" Solo, Die Haut, and Congo Norvell and the emergence of Kid Congo Powers as a singer and songwriter (1988 - 1998)|url=http://www.newyorknighttrain.com/zine/issues/2/kidhautnorvell.html|work=KID CONGO POWERS PT 2 ORAL HISTORY|publisher=New York Night Train|accessdate=13 May 2012}}</ref>

As of January 2015, Powers' primary musical project is the band The Pink Monkey Birds.<ref name="Marszalek">Marszalek, Julian (2009) "[http://www.spinner.com/2009/11/30/kid-congo-powers-pays-tribute-to-mentors/ Kid Congo Powers Pays Tribute to Mentors]", ''Spinner'', 30 November 2009, retrieved 2010-01-30</ref>

==Early life==
Born in [[La Puente, California|La Puente]], [[California]], Powers is a second generation [[Mexican American]]. His earliest childhood influences were the Southern California Chicano rock band [[Thee Midniters]]. In 1976, he was president of [[The Ramones]] fan club, then ran a [[fanzine]] for [[The Screamers]].<ref name="Remezcla">[http://remezcla.com/features/music/kid-congo-powers-interview/ Remezcla.] ''Punk Was Always Gay: Kid Congo Powers on the Genre’s Queer Beginnings.'' June 30, 2016. Retrieved July 2, 2016.</ref>

==Music==

===1979–1987: The Gun Club and The Cramps===
After traveling to London and New York City he returned to L.A. and in 1979 met [[Jeffrey Lee Pierce]].<ref>{{cite web|title="Rock And Roll High School": Kid Grows Up (1960 – 1979)|url=http://www.newyorknighttrain.com/zine/issues/1/kidpregun.html|work=KID CONGO POWERS ORAL HISTORY Pt 1|publisher=New York Night Train|accessdate=13 May 2012}}</ref> Pierce taught him to play guitar using [[open tuning]], and they formed The Creeping Ritual, which became The Gun Club.<ref name="Strong" /> Powers left that group before their recording debut, instead joining New York-based band The Cramps in December 1980.<ref name="Strong" /><ref>{{cite web|title=The Gun Club, Pt 1: "Preachin' the Blues" Creeping Ritual and the Genesis of The Gun Club (1979 – 1980)|url=http://www.newyorknighttrain.com/zine/issues/1/kidgun1.html|work=KID CONGO POWERS ORAL HISTORY PT. 1|publisher=New York Night Train|accessdate=13 May 2012}}</ref>

Powers rejoined the Gun Club briefly in 1983,<ref>{{cite web|title=The Gun Club Pt 2 "Walkin’ With the Beast The Las Vegas Story (1984)|url=http://www.newyorknighttrain.com/zine/issues/1/kidgun2.html|work=KID CONGO POWERS ORAL HISTORY PT. 5|publisher=New York Night Train|accessdate=13 May 2012}}</ref> touring with Pierce's band in Australia the following year,<ref name="Pat" /> and then again between 1985 and 1988.<ref>{{cite web|title="City of Refuge" Berlin and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds (1986 – 1990)|url=http://www.newyorknighttrain.com/zine/issues/2/kidbadseeds.html|work=KID CONGO POWERS PT 2 ORAL HISTORY|publisher=New York Night Train|accessdate=13 May 2012}}</ref>

===1988–1996: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds===
Powers joined Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds in [[Berlin]], Germany, around 1988 for several albums and corresponding tours.<ref name="Strong" /> Powers recorded the ''Tender Prey'' and ''The Good Son'' albums with Cave and his band, and he said in early 2015 that he "loved" the "primaeval element of rock'n'roll" that they had a firm grasp of.<ref name="Pat">{{cite news|author1=Patrick Emery|title=Kid Congo Powers and the Pink Monkey Birds perform in Australia in late January|url=http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/kid-congo-powers-and-the-pink-monkey-birds-perform-in-australia-in-late-january-20141229-12evkz.html|accessdate=6 February 2015|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=1 January 2015}}</ref>

===1997–2009: JLP tribute albums, The Pink Monkey Birds and ''Dracula Boots''===
For his next project, The Pink Monkey Birds, Powers initially collaborated with New York City guitarist Jack Martin,<ref name="Marszalek"/> who he has also collaborated with for the [[Congo Norvell]] and [[Knoxville Girls]] projects.<ref>{{cite web|title="Black Bag" Kid Congo and the Pink Monkey Birds (2001 - Present)|url=http://www.newyorknighttrain.com/zine/issues/2/kidpmb.html|work=KID CONGO POWERS PT 2 ORAL HISTORY|publisher=New York Night Train|accessdate=13 May 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title="NYC Briefcase Blues" Knoxville Girls (1998 - 2001)|url=http://www.newyorknighttrain.com/zine/issues/2/kidknox.html|work=KID CONGO POWERS PT 2 ORAL HISTORY|publisher=New York Night Train|accessdate=13 May 2012}}</ref> Then, in 2009, Powers recruited Kiki Solis on bass, Ron Miller on drums, and Jesse Roberts on guitar and keyboards. The band moved to In The Red Records and released the much acclaimed debut studio album, ''Dracula Boots'',<ref>{{cite web|title=Dracula Boots|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/dracula-boots-r1490636/review|work=All music|publisher=Rovi Corporation|accessdate=13 May 2012|author=Thom Jurek}}</ref> which was called a "return to form."<ref>{{cite web|title=BREAKING SOUNDS: Kid Congo Dracula Boots LP|url=http://www.victimoftime.com/articles/breaking-sounds-kid-congo-pink-monkey-birds-lp/|work=Victim of Time|publisher=Victim of Time|accessdate=13 May 2012|author=Todd Killings|format=Article|date=5 June 2009}}</ref>

''Dracula Boots'' was coproduced by Jason Ward and recorded in a former high school gymnasium in Harveyville, Kansas, which is now an artists' retreat called "The Harveyville Project." ''Dracula Boots'' consists of numerous genres, including southern soul, 60s Chicano rock, and psychedelic imagery. British magazine ''N.M.E.'' wrote: "In short, on ''Dracula Boots'' Kid Congo Powers has once again found the juicy jugular of soul-fired, funked-up rock’n’roll. You’d be foolish not to take a bite."{{citation needed|date=February 2015}}

===2010–present: ''Gorilla Rose''===
In 2011, Kid Congo and The Pink Monkey Birds released their sophomore album, ''Gorilla Rose'', which was also on the In The Red Records label. Eamon Carr of ''The Dublin Evening Herald'' said of ''Gorilla Rose'', "Having a working band is paying off. ''Gorilla Rose'' elevates seedy go-go weirdness to the level of high art."{{citation needed|date=February 2015}}

Powers returned to Australia for the first time in 25 years—when he toured with Cave's Bad Seeds project—at the end of January 2015. The band played at [[Melbourne]]'s "Summersalt Festival" and the [[Sydney Festival]].<ref name="Pat" /> In a promotional interview for the Australian shows, Powers spoke in regard to his new band:

<blockquote>
I think the Pink Monkey Birds conjures up all the best aspects of primal rock'n'roll ... Lyrically, I'm speaking in images, and from a very skewed viewpoint, whatever the subject may be. I still have the passion and the incentive to make music that's different, but still within the confines of a punk rock language people will know and understand.<ref name="Pat" /></blockquote>

The Pink Monkey Birds, whose name Kid credits to inspiration from [[David Bowie]],<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://kidcongopowers.blogspot.com/2016/01/the-pink-monkey-birds-would-not-be-so.html |title=Kid Stuff: The Pink Monkey Birds would not be so named without you David Bowie! R.I.P |website=Kidcongopowers.blogspot.com |date=2016-01-19 |accessdate=2016-05-26}}</ref> has been an evolving unit since their earliest albums, and as of 2016 the touring members are bassist Kiki Solis, drummer Ron Miller, and guitarist Mark Cisneros.

Kid Congo Powers was profiled by [[Vogue (magazine)|Vogue]] in late April 2016 while promoting their fourth album,<ref>{{cite web|author=Kristin Anderson |url=http://www.vogue.com/13429213/kid-congo-powers-interview-style-la-arana-es-la-vida-record-release/ |title=Punk Legend Kid Congo Powers on His Style Throughout the Years |publisher=Vogue |date=2016-04-25 |accessdate=2016-05-26}}</ref> where he was noted for his iconic sense of punk style. In his Vogue interview he mentions the aesthetic importance of tying the look of the band to match the music.

<blockquote> “For me, the whole art of being a band—and I do think it’s an art—is to create a whole world, a whole language, that is every aspect. [[The Gun Club]], we kind of made it up as we went along, but what I learned from [[The Cramps]] and [[Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds]] is that they created a whole uncompromising world, and it’s all kind of sprung out of that. You want to communicate with people, and I think through all aesthetics—artwork, the look, and music—you get to keep your world, and you get to let people enter your world and live in your world with you.”</blockquote>

==Personal life==
Kid Congo Powers is openly gay and is married.<ref name="Remezcla"/> During the 1980s, he was involved with the [[ACT UP]] advocacy group.<ref name="Remezcla"/>

==Selected discography==
*1981 [[The Cramps]] - ''[[Psychedelic Jungle]]''
*1984 The Cramps - ''[[Smell of Female]]''
*1984 [[The Gun Club]] - ''[[The Las Vegas Story (album)|The Las Vegas Story]]''
*1987 The Gun Club - ''[[Mother Juno]]''
*1990 The Gun Club - ''Pastoral Hide and Seek''
*1991 The Gun Club - ''Divinity'' EP
*1985 The Fur Bible EP
*1988 [[Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds]] - ''[[Tender Prey]]''
*1990 Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - ''[[The Good Son (album)|The Good Son]]''
*1988 [[Barry Adamson]] - ''[[Moss Side Story]]''
*1998 [[Mark Eitzel]] - ''[[Caught in a Trap and I Can't Back Out 'Cause I Love You Too Much, Baby]]''
*2005 Kid Congo Powers - ''Solo Cholo''
*2006 Kid Congo and the Pink Monkey Birds - ''Philosophy and Underwear''
*2006 Madrugada - ''Live at Oslo Spektrum'' [DVD]
*2009 Kid Congo and The Pink Monkey Birds - ''Dracula Boots''
*2011 Kid Congo and The Pink Monkey Birds - ''Gorilla Rose''
*2013 Kid Congo and The Pink Monkey Birds - ''Haunted Head''
*2016 Kid Congo and The Pink Monkey Birds - ''La Araña Es La Vida''

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*[http://kidcongopowers.blogspot.com Official website]
*[http://www.newyorknighttrain.com/recordings/kcpbio.html New York Night Train profile page]
*[http://www.rockerzine.com/index.php/2013/03/kid-congo-powers/ 2013 ''Rocker Magazine'' interview - video and print]

{{Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds}}
{{The Gun Club}}
{{The Cramps}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Powers, Kid Congo}}
[[Category:American indie rock musicians]]
[[Category:American blues guitarists]]
[[Category:American male guitarists]]
[[Category:American rock guitarists]]
[[Category:Punk blues musicians]]
[[Category:The Cramps members]]
[[Category:1961 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American musicians of Mexican descent]]
[[Category:LGBT musicians from the United States]]
[[Category:Musicians from Los Angeles County, California]]
[[Category:People from La Puente, California]]
[[Category:20th-century American musicians]]
[[Category:21st-century American musicians]]
[[Category:Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds members]]

Kid Congo Powers - Revision history

Amc-admin: /* 2010–present: Gorilla Rose */

Amc-admin at 18:24, 13 August 2018

Amc-admin at 18:23, 13 August 2018

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