KemoForEmo

Also at Fitzgerald’s downstairs, the pop punk return of Houston’s Kemo For Emo will be happening. I had to think when I realized that I hadn’t heard these guys’ name in a good while; but I recall them having a decent live show. They could’ve been really great, but that was at least seven or eight years back. They made a pretty great pop punk album called “What Happens In Omaha” as I recall. The post alt hard rock of Houston’s Lotus Effect will be on the bill as well, and should add a hard element to the show. The Trimms will also be on hand to add some rock n’ roll dirt to the show, while Houston’s dynamic pop rock duo Fox & Cats will get things started. The doors are at 8:00, it’s an all ages show, and the cover is $10.00. - Free Press Houston

Saturday, September 13, 2014, 3:00 AM

Kemo For Emo is a pop-punk band that was formed in 2003, in Houston, TX. Larry Fenix (vocals/rhythm guitar) and Brian Gibbs (bass/vocals) formed a musical bond in their love for catchy, rhythmic, and energetic tunes. After adding Matt Martinez (Drums) and Jake Rawls (Lead Guitar), Kemo For Emo hit the studio. In 2006, Kemo For Emo was signed to Montrose Records and released their critically acclaimed full length album, "What Happens In Omaha". In 2014, they regrouped and have started work on their follow up album, "Kemo For Emo" to be released in late 2014.

Cost: General Admission $10.00 - KHOU Houston

One of Houston's best bands, Kemo for Emo is back in the saddle and rocking this weekend after a breakup that saw Larry Fenix leave the band to join Mike Terror. Lead guitarist Jake Rawls sat down with us to do a brief interview about the reunification.
Rocks Off: What brought you guys back together again?
Jake Rawls: Larry (Fenix, Vocals/rhythm guitar) and Brian (Gibbs, bassist) have been lifelong friends and still kept in touch post-breakup, and they started kicking around the idea of starting the band up once again shortly after Larry had left Mike Terror. They contacted Matt (Martinez, drums) asking if he wanted his old spot back and he happily obliged.

They contacted me last, and essentially said they were doing this thing with or without me. I could sense a renewed vigor in their attitude, without the negative feelings or pettiness that often permeated our last breakup. At the time we broke up, we knew we had a lot of unfinished business. But it felt like they had the drive to finally finish the songs we were working on when we split, and it got me excited again. I slept on it, and agreed to it the next day.
The K4E lineup is our "classic" lineup that recorded our What Happens In Omaha record, the lineup that has more or less held sway for the majority of the band's existence. Neither Matt nor myself are original members, but we have both been involved with the band (breakups aside) since 2005.

What sort of set can we expect at the comeback show? Anything new or just the old favorites?
Our set will feature most of the old favorites plus five or six of our new songs. We definitely want to show appreciation to our original fans that haven't heard their favorites in ages. But, it's also important for us to show the world how much we've progressed musically, where we're at in 2014, and what they can expect from us in the future.

Any plans for an album, or are you just taking it easy?
We definitely plan on hitting the studio for a new record in the near future. Right now we're looking up our options as far as viable studios go, and whether we want it to be an EP or a full-length album. Either way, something is coming down the pipe sooner or later.

What do you think the biggest difference is between where you were before as a band and where you are now?
On a musical level I feel we've all improved. When we recorded Omaha I was barely 19 and very much a timid guitarist, and I think that record shows that sometimes. Now I'm far more confident as a guitarist, Larry's vocal range has increased, and Brian's bass runs have more complexity.
We've all changed except for Matt, since he's been one of Houston's top drummers since he came out of the womb. You can't fix that level of perfection. Our songwriting, both lyrically and technically have progressed and matured as well as how well we mesh together now as a band. We are a much more cohesive group now.

We've also definitely matured as we've aged. Two of the guys in the band have kids now and I'm the sole remaining band member in my twenties, so there really isn't room for the drama that there used to be. We have too many real problems to take care of than wind up in petty band arguments. We've missed out on too many good times as it is because of that. - Houston Press

Earlier this year, Kemo for Emo took one on the chin when I said they had a “dreadful” band name. We have since made friends and I have since found other awful band names (Dirty Leg, I’m looking at you), so to celebrate our newfound friendship and to let you know a bit more about the band and its new CD, What Happens in Omaha, I asked a few questions and singer Larry Sanders answered.

Q. What band are you definitely better than?

A. We are definitely better than Angels and Airwaves.

Q. What band do you hope to be as good as someday?

A. We hope to be as good as Aaron Neville. I don’t know much, but I know he’s uh-may-zin. Honestly, we would like the success of Green Day, the rep of Blink 182, and the looks of Justin Timberlake.

Q. How did your band name originate?
A. We wanted to make fun of emo kids, then our lives turn to crap and we ended up writing a bunch of emo songs — so there’s that.

Q. Tell us about the new CD. Why should people give it a listen?

A. Our new CD is an indie release with a mainstream feel. I think this album not only appeals to the obvious pop-punk crowd but will also offer tracks that are radio-friendly and adult-friendly. We have some really fast pop-punk offerings and an acoustic memorial song. Everyone will love it.

Q. What is the worst thing to ever happen at one of your shows?

A. Our bass amp went out and our drummer’s kick pedal broke at the same time. Our drummer started taking apart his drum set in the middle of a song because he thought we were through. We were only about four songs into our set. But then we actually got mobbed by everyone and sold more merchandise at that one show than we ever had before.

Q. Next five songs on your iPod?

Each band member pitched in a response: No It Isn’t by +44; Scattered by Green Day; Big Balls by Smoove; Celebrate and Die by Leaf; Boner by Straight Outta Junior High; Gonna Fly Now theme from Rocky. - Houston Chronicle