Kerbloki

Infobox musical artist
Name = Kerbloki


Img_capt =
Background = group_or_band
Origin = Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Genre = Rap
Electronica
Indie
Years_active = 1999 – Present
Label = Lucid Records
Bifocal Media
URL = http://www.kerbloki.com/
Current_members = Mike Westbrook
John Bowman
Murat Dirlik
John Crouch
Past_members = Andrew Paynter

Kerbloki is a rap band from Chapel Hill, North Carolina. They were established in 1999.

Kerbloki is Mike Westbrook, John Bowman, Murat Dirlik (bass) & John Crouch (drums). Kerbloki began in Manhattans East Village as a break from the daily grind of city life, but eventually found its way back home to Durham, NC. Their first release was a s/t ep on Bifocal Media in 1999. This was followed with a s/t full length in 2002 also on Bifocal Media. Their latest, an ep titled "Poisonous Plants", was released in 2004 on Lucid Records in Chicago which was backed by a 31 day US tour.

Band Bio

The group was born as a threesome in Manhattan’s East Village where Mike Westbrook, John Bowman and former member Andrew Paynter (the Kobra) were getting a first class education in “the City”. All three, originally North Carolinians, had relocated to New York to pursue careers in film production, photography and commercial art. As a leisure activity to escape the daily grind of city life, Westbrook began creating music in his tiny Manhattan apartment. After a few compositions were completed the three got together and began to lay down a mixture of comical and catchy rhymes. The songs were heard by Los Angeles/Raleigh, North Carolina Bi-Focal Media Group, which insisted on releasing an EP of the recordings.

The group played their first show in the home of the Les Savy Fav band members Williamsburg Brooklyn compound where Kerbloki realized the impact they had while performing. Shortly after the Brooklyn performance, Westbrook and Bowman re-located to Chapel Hill, NC while Paynter decided to further pursue his photography career in San Francisco, CA.

Since then, Kerbloki has played with groups ranging from Chicago’s Milemarker, cult classic Atom & His Package, N.C. hip-hop heroes Little Brother, all the way to Prince Paul, Aceyalone and the infamous turntablist crew The X-Ecutioners, as well as, headlining their own shows at Chapel Hill’s Cat’s Cradle, Go Studios, New York’s Mercury Lounge, and Santa Monica, CA club Temple Bar.

In 2007 Kerbloki added bassist Murat Dirlik and drummer John crouch to their line-up. This has brought a whole new feel and energy to the already exciting act.

Using live instruments and synths Westbrook creates the tracks in a small "bedroom studio" resulting in a sample free sound. Vocals are delivered a la 80's style with a result that is equal parts old school rap stylings, classic movie scores and post rock instrumentalism. When it comes to live shows, Mike and JB deliver a tight, hyper-active performance backed by Murat & John's rhythm section (sometimes known as the Poisonous Plants).

Kerbloki is now working on their first full length recording with their new members; Brian Paulson (Beck, Slint, Wilco, Archers of Loaf) is producing. The record's expected completion is Spring 2008 at which point the band will begin looking for a label.

"Kerbloki CD/EP"

The first release for this New York, Chapel Hill, and San Francisco hip hop trio. Ex-members of Eagle Bravo and Rights Reserved find them selves couped up in a new york city apartment with pro tools, a drum machine, and three microphones.

"Kerbloki S/T Full Length CD"

The first full length offering from this three piece electro/hip hop outfit.

"Poisonous Plants"

Kerbloki's 3rd release.

Line-Up

*Mike Westbrook - (MC/Production)
*John Bowman(JB) - (MC/Production)
*Murat Dirlik - (Bass)
*John Crouch - (Drums)

External links

* [http://www.kerbloki.com Kerbloki Website]
* [http://www.myspace.com/kerbloki Kerbloki Myspace]