REVIEWS

 “…..and the guitarist, [Paul Kappa], applies a topping of terse rocka-billy and spidery riffage of the most breath-taking speed and virtuosity via a gleaming Gretsch White Falcon, occasionally spinning into a spring- heeled dance routine as he does so. It may well be unique, this music…..[his] songs are spiced with images of the lazy Texan sun warming the lemon grass, haunting affairs in rented rooms and trembling overtures to women called Claudia, and [ his] dark western swing takes sudden detours through cowpoke, hop and full-tilt acid rock dementia.”

“…. There’s a great adaptation of Motorhead’s heavy metal masterpiece Ace of Spades, with the added bonus of charismatic singer [Paul Kappa] (according to several besotted women) [KAPPA] are definitely a band to watch – both literally, and figuratively.”

“….and his own material, when he gets that guitar going, is stamped with the word original – and boy do they rock! It’s a great band, he’s an inventive guitarist, he’s got the looks and the style to make an impression…To be honest, I don’t think he knows how good the band are! Never mind, Paul Kappa has all that it takes, and that includes the “need” to perform…. As for a first gig, I haven’t seen many better, an original rock band with great songs, a front man  who really can sing and has probably found what he’s looking for with that cross-over country/ powerhouse rock that makes this band stand out from the crowd, watch this space….”

C.J. Holley, - Get Rhythm.

Mersey Ferries - 22 November
Three piece rock entertainment at its best. The Merseyside based Kappa Band rocked the boat on this Friday evening Guitar Festival cruise with Mersey Ferries. Energy and passion in a fabulous blend of rock, rock n roll, rockabilly, melodic ballads and lots more - many classics and some of Kappa's own fine songs thrown in. There is something for everyone here and no one leaves a Kappa gig disappointed. Check out the press, the local Buz magazine or the Kappa web site (www.communigate.co.uk/chesh/kappaband) for a gig list and grab the first opportunity to see this band. Great showmanship and superb musicianship throughout from Paul Kappa, Martin Byrne on bass and Tony O'Keefe on drums. I have seen the band several times and it is not unusual for them to play a two-hour gig with only a single break between songs - songs linked together in a seamless progression leading the audience through a fascinating ménage of musical styles. Unfortunately there are no photos from the cruise itself so the shots here are recent ones from the Iron Door club in Birkenhead - the scene of the Kappa bands regular Wednesday jam night. A great opportunity for local musicians to rock along with one of the very best bands in the North West.

Reviewed by Tragic Sally Nov 2002

Quite a hot night for the three piece Kappa, as their gig followed England’s - and local boy Wayne Rooney - great performance in beating Turkey a football. On a cramped stage, Kappa played to a near full audience in this long, thin venue close to the legendary Penny Lane. With a mixed set of breakneck fast rock songs to slow comfortable ballads, Kappa got the audience right behind them. From Stairway To Heaven to a Elvis medley - which featured American Trilogy - to an old favourite of Ace of Spades, the band played exactly what the people wanted to hear. Musically, probably not going down in the band’s history as the best gig they’ve ever played, but a tight set - with Paul offering his teeth to the guitar strings - and a good, sweaty work out on a Wednesday. At the end of the night a crowd pleasing gig all the same.

Fogherty’s, Liverpool Wednesday 3rd April

Living @ The End of the World (Test Mix Review)
From the opening bars of the first song Flaming Veronica, you just know that the album is definitely Kappa. Living @ The End of the World kicks off in what is now the trademark Americana style of Kappa, a song brim full of cowboy legend, failed romances with pretty senoritas and duels under the watchful but deadly gaze of a smoking colt 45. It powers along, telling a story rivaling the classic ‘south of the border’ songs of Marty Robbins, and all in all a good way in which to set the scene. Recorded in Liverpool, the fourteen track Living @ The End of the World takes you on a tour of the world through the eyes - and instruments - of Kappa, from cowboy folklore to modern warfare, happiness matched by musical stories of sadness and heartbreak, and then again.... just some good old foot-tapping rockers. Although this particular album mix is still being thought about by Kappa - Paul, Martin and Tony - it provides an insight into the bands many styles and influences. For me The Byrds, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Led Zeppelin were some, though I’m sure when you listen to it you’ll hear your own. Having said that it doesn’t take away from the originality of the material and the overall freshness of the Kappa sound. Kappa come into their own on this album which comes highly recommended, as it sounds unlike any other CD released locally and deserves a much wider listening audience. I Never Knew What Hit Me, is a riff orientated piece giving Paul the chance to open up for a short time on guitar, whilst Dallas is a slow paced song, driven carefully by Tony’s beats on his toms and Paul’s ‘in yer face’ up front breathy spoken vocal. This really is a good song with its roots firmly set in American rock, lovely guitar (sparingly played) with tremelo reminds me of the late, great John Cippolina (you really should check him out!!!). It’s All Too Much blows the roof off everything in sight, a sure fire crowd pleaser, hits the speakers with its fast paced confidence and almost rock commerciality -it’s a belter. Lovely tight control of the back beat between Martin and Tony, lets Paul dominate with a superb riff (with acoustic backing) guaranteed to have your feet tapping and head bobbing straight away. My Life, The Movie contrasts everything gone before, acoustic guitars and a shuffling drum beat, good story in the ilk of Dylan. Five songs gone and five different styles, clearly showcasing the bands ability to capture and hold your attention. The next two tracks are very definitely catchy ‘pop’ songs. Infidelity, with its twelve string guitars to the front and a 'singalong' chorus featuring harmony (I presume?) backing vocals from Martin, swings along and the next track, Why Won’t You Call Me?, races along in a similar vein, though more electric - both of these songs show the depth of Paul Kappa’s vocal talents. I Wanna Be Elvis Presley is perhaps the one track which doesn’t quite register with me (though it will probably be a favourite with lots of folk), being too Zeppelinesque - think Kashmir, and you’ll get the picture - however, it does throw up the chance for some fine discordant guitar paying. Two fast rockers follow, Tsunami and Too Pretty again providing ample opportunity for the band to open up with some fast playing. The title track, Living @ The End of the World is smack, bang up-to-date with its sampled introductory radio reference to Iraq, from which it races along based around a rolling guitar riff. God Bless Amerika has the ring of the old Kappa stage favourite, Ace of Spades and is an out and out rocker. I Find I’m Lost is track 13, so you are really getting your money’s worth on a packed CD, this is a contrast to the other tracks being a mournful, acoustic number with minimal backing. Finishing off Living @ The End of the World is A Thousand Miles, and as you might expect Kappa are ending the album on a high and at breakneck speed - once again a fast rocker. So what can we make of Living @ The End of the World? An excellent debut CD from one of the best live acts around, its sound deliberately sparse, no fancy overlaying of sound, therefore its captures the live feel which I know the band wanted to achieve. If you see the CD at a show, my advice is get it because it will grow and grow on you - not that it needs it. Well done Kappa, look forward to hearing the tracks live at the gigs and hope that the album will lead to a wider audience and more success.

Graham Maddrell. April 2003

Living @ The End of the World - Most people who have seen Kappa live will recognise most of the excellent songs on this album. Not only that but the album captures the energy and dynamics of a Kappa performance. When you get the opportunity check it out – you wont be disappointed with this one from one of the very best bands around.

Tragic Sally – April 2003