BIOGRAPHIES

Paul Kappa

Guitarist. He combines virtuosity with a unique vocal, original songs and specially arranged covers, with electrifying showmanship, which has to be seen.

In 1994, he won the Liverpool Echo Arts Award for best newcomer, when he was front man with Cat Scratch Fever, playing more than 1800 shows in six years, touring on the continent and the U.K. and playing Festivals like Glastonbury, and Cropreddy, promoting two albums, also clocking up appearances on M.T.V and just about every other major T.V. and radio shows, Europe-wide.

His new band , is called KAPPA, with bass player Martin Byrne, a cool, groove making electric/stand-up bass player, with a  great voice, and Vinnie Smith, a rock-solid drummer with a great feeling for his music, provides a fantastic backing for Paul’s songs, exploring dark moods and bright sunshine, post punk, rock and roll, country music and extreme Jimi Hendrix-style late sixties hard rock freak out, and all other points between. A unique and potent mix.

Martin Byrne 

A cello player from the age of  seven,  he discovered rock music at thirteen

To quote Martins mother; “His education went out of the window”.

After his cherished Van Halen soundalike band Fair Warning fell apart in 1986, Martin spent the next two years kicking about in little known local bands, he moved to London in 1988, music taking a backseat for the next four years until circumstances heralded a return to Merseyside in late 1992.

Itching to play again, Martin spent the next year playing in local blues bands, however before long he needed a fresh challenge and he formed the Police tribute band Synchronicity with long time drum partner Nick Lauro. Synchronicity enjoyed a modicum of success, touring the university circuit around the country for four years and headlining the prestigious new years Bath ball in 1995 before calling it a day in 1997.

Treating the breakup as an opportunity, Martin headed in a new direction, forging a long standing partnership with Liverpool singer songwriter  Martin Malone of Innocents abroad and Eskimo chains fame. (Which reunited him with Nick Lauro on drums).

In 1999, he returned to his classical  roots, this time on double bass.

Once again, the change in direction afforded new opportunities, one of which was the chance to play bass on a couple of demo sessions for one of Martins biggest influences, the singer songwriter John Martyn. Mid 2002 brought a phone call from Paul Kappa, a musician Martin had long admired from his time in Cat scratch fever and Candy store rock and the rest as they say is history.

Vinnie Smith

Drums and percussion. The newest member of Kappa, Vinnie is a well rounded musician having enjoyed success both on the road and in the studio in a drumming career that stretches back over 20 years. In addition to his percussive skills, Vinnie is an accomplished artist and teacher. The coolest man in the band, his infectious enthusiasm and "Can do" attitude make him a welcome addition to the Kappa ranks.