The K.G.B.

Infobox musical artist
Name = The K.G.B.


Img_capt =
Background = group_or_band
Origin = Oakland, California, USA
Genre = Ska, Rock, Funk
Years_active = 1997–2005
Label = Dreamworks Records
URL = [http://thekgbrocks.tripod.com// Fan site]
Current_members = Eric "Toby" Tobias
Ben Kramer
John "Johnny Genius" Murphy
Tom Peyton
Leo "Moses" Kramer
Past_members =

The K.G.B. was a band formed in the 1990s in Oakland, California, which was signed briefly with Dreamworks Records and was a member of the East Bay All Stars (The K.G.B., The Locals, Solemite).

History

Initially called The Vermicious Knids, the band was formed vocalist/guitarist/keyboardist Toby and bassist/vocalist Moses during their sophomore year at The Head-Royce School in Oakland, California. The band recruited drummer Tom from local ska-punk band Alien Spy, and trumpet player Ben whilst on a trip to England.

After changing their name to The K.G.B, the band recruited guitarist Johnny Genius, and later toured Japan.Fact|date=September 2008

The K.G.B. recorded their first demo at San Francisco's Toast Studios, and a second demo at Oakland's Sharkbite Studios. The second demo led to a record deal with DreamWorks Records, with the band's first release, "The Space Cadet" EP, recorded at Oakland's Studio 880.Fact|date=September 2008 The following year the band released their first full length self titled album. The album's single, "Lover Undercover", failed to chart, resulting in the band being dropped by the record label. Tobias claims this was due to the fact that the single was released on September 9, and after 9/11 no one was in the mood for a happy go lucky, pop band.Fact|date=September 2008 The band also had a cameo feature in the film "Road Trip".Fact|date=September 2008

The band have since remained unsigned, and performing less often over the years. On September 18, 2008, The K.G.B. announced a reunion show scheduled for October 25 as a fundraiser for Barack Obama's Presidential campaign.

Members

The band's members are:
*Eric Tobias - Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar, Keys
*Ben Kramer - Keyboard, Backup vocals, Trumpet
*Johnny Genius - Guitar, Fun Machine, Oboe, Nose Flute
*Tom Peyton - Drums, Backup Vocals, Valve Trombone
*Moses Kremer - 1963 Fender Precision 4 string electric bass guitar
*Y-Bot Krzmmnetyollumpe - MPC 3000, Turkey Baster

Discography

Official albums

*"Double Agent" - split album with Alien Spy, 1997
*"The Space Cadet EP" - Dreamworks Records, 2000
*"The K.G.B." - Dreamworks Records, 2001

Unreleased albums

*"Draft" - 2002
*"Oakland A (Acoustic Delights)" - 2002
*"Chalupa Mountain" - 2003
*"Huevos Rancheros" - AKA "Breakfast at Gordos", 2003
*"Rock Round 2" - 2004
*"Resurrection" - 2004

Trivia

*The band makes a cameo appearance in the 2000 feature film, "Road Trip".
*Through a connection made by their lawyer, Toby plays the main character in the video for Green Day's Warning, from the album of the same name.
*Through yet another lucky connection, The K.G.B. got to send their entire collection of songs to the music director at MTV, as such, their songs can often be heard as background music of many of MTV's most popular shows, as well as programs such as America's Next Top Model.
*Johnny Genius works at Skyline Studios in Oakland and helped record the album Decomposer by The Matches as well as numerous other artists, and is currently recording The Phenomenauts
*Ben is given credit for doing a horn section on Decomposer by The Matches
*This band is credited with causing the band Alien Spy to dissolve.

Related Bands

*Maldroid - Johnny Genius plays guitar for the up and coming British Invasion style act
*Pailboy - This hip-hop group has featured all the members of the K.G.B. but is mostly kept up by Toby and Johnny
*The East Bay Royalty - Was a dub group consisting of members of The K.G.B., The Locals, and Solemite, they put out one record called 'The Q-Dub Conspiracy'
*Push To Talk - Tom is currently playing drums for this indie rock group
*The Morning Benders - Tom played drums and Leo played bass for this group and are credited on their first release 'Loose Change'
*Alien Spy - Tom played drums and Ben played trumpet for this Ska band at the early stages of the K.G.B., the two bands put out a split record togeather entitled Double Agent
*Royalty - Tom switched to vocals for this punk band, with Genius on guitar

External links

* [http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:0vftxqtjldte The K.G.B. at allmusic]
* [http://www.myspace.com/kgbthis The K.G.B.'s Unofficial MySpace Page]
* [http://www.myspace.com/PailboyMusic Pailboy - Toby and Johnny's active group]