Kev Bev

Are you ready to get the funk scared out of you? Then let Austin funketeers Kev Bev and animation sorcerer Eric Power enchant you with the video for "Ghost Tower," a creepy ode to a crumbling edifice, complete with ghosts, ghouls, and things to make you shake (your booty) in the night.
It's the first single from the upcoming LP Lifted, the groovy Austin outfit's follow-up to their 2018 sophomore album Love Lemonade. Kev Bev singer Candy Collins said the video was inspired by a trip to Thailand, where the band members found themselves in the shadow of the Sathorn Unique Tower in Bangkok. - Richard Wittaker, The Austin Chronicle - The Austin Chronicle

Austin genre defiants Kev Bev meld a cosmic hodgepodge of hypnotica. Behind horn and djembe-paced rhythms, the nine piece ensemble bends blues harmonies with funk synths and disco omnichords that manifest dance music through ripe instrumentation. On opener "Radio Slay," Candace Collins' spirited vocals mount over jangly guitar and atmospheric horns, building a riot grrrl-esque crescendo snapped by a howling chorus and robotic, electro-synth breakdown. A rolling harmony reminiscent of Tower of Power paired with a "Superstition" bassline souls out "Something Special," while swinging percussion and silky piano on "Has Been" help Kev Bev proclaim adaptation as the antidote for change.
-Jeremy Steinberger, Austin Chronicle - The Austin Chronicle

The Kev Bev sound is one that is unforgettable, charming, and contagious…. The sound is tight, the energy is authentic, and the true love for their craft is radiated continuously… This all rides together in on a funk/bluesy wave with subtle undertones of indie rock flare and delicate, electronic sound seduction.
- Cierra Schepp, On Vinyl - On Vinyl

A quick glance at the name Kev Bev & the Woodland Creatures might suggest something along the lines of a hip, new, children’s pop-up book – but at first listen, KB & the WC reveals itself as something much funkier. Currently consisting of eight members (excluding two performance dancers), the local group initially began as the solo brainchild of frontman Kevin Collins back in 2011. In the years following their not-so-woodland origins, Kev Bev & the Woodland Creatures have carefully selected each new member based on their robust instrumental and vocal talents, and honed in on their multi-genre sound – culminating in the 2016 debut album Domesticated. KB & the WC stopped by Studio 1A right after that album to entertain our Concert Club, and now you can be a part of their upcoming live album – taping this Friday at St. Elmo. - Jack Anderson KUTX - KUTX

Hailing from Austin TX, Kev Bev and the Woodland Creatures combine the afro-beat of Fela Kuti and the funky indie rock of bands like !!!—with a little soul and dub reggae thrown in. Their new album, Domesticated, has tracks to get down to like the danceable “Behind Those Pretty Eyes”; the Soul-inflected laid-back indie pop on, “High Spirits”; and “Mustachio”, which features a groove that could have fit neatly on the Minutemen’s Double Nickels on the Dime. –Ryan Wen KUTX - KUTX

Songwriter and vocalist Kevin Collins came to Austin in 2011 from Frederick, MD with every intention to make music, but something sort of caught him off guard, in a good way. It was like a fever that wouldn’t quit, an obsession fueled by funk, soul, hip-hop and reggae that got Collins writing new songs at a frenzied pace. Being the versatile and multi-talented musician he is (with a voice to match), it came quite easily to him, and it didn’t take long to make the transition from solo gigs to putting a band together.

Kev Bev Collins & The Woodland Creatures, usually anywhere from seven to nine musicians strong, believe that dance music – any dance music – shouldn’t be inhibited, which is why the embrace leaping from genre to genre to get people on their feet. Make sure you see KBC and The WC perform tonight at the Mohawk, 912 Red River, on the inside stage. Sharing the bill are rock trio The Electric Shout and pop/punk “queerfreakadelic” fiends Girls for Girls. Doors open at 9 p.m. This is where the wild things are. So recommended. - Lori Giarrdo - KUTX Radio

Seeing Kev Bev Collins & the Woodland Creatures in concert gives Austin Nightlife a great idea of the group’s world view. Collins really takes the “woodland creature” angle seriously, as he and his bandmates are usually dress in flamboyant creature outfits while they perform their psychedlic blend of dance, soul, and rock. Their new, self-titled EP is a satisfying introduction to the band’s approach, but it misses some of the wide-eyed fun that this group can bring on stage.

Austin Night Life Kev Bev Collins Austin Nightlife 300x300 Austin Nightlife Review: Kev Bev Collins & the Woodland Creatures“Behind Those Pretty Eyes,” the opening track, is probably the quintessential Kev Bev Collins & the Woodland Creatures song. The salsa shake of the song’s groove and the chorus of trumpets that act as the song’s main recurring melody is very pleasing. The stop-start attack of the chorus, though, is what really nails the song and makes it memorable.

“My Friend Jameson,” the second track, gives the listener a further encounter with Collins laid-back, husky-voiced singing. This track also establishes the Reggae influence on the band’s sound. Lyrically, the sentiments here are a bit more prurient in nature than the EP’s opening song. It’s clearly a party and substance celebration song. I personally feel the song is produced too intimately for its own good. This song requires a bit more braggadocio to hit successfully. The guitar solo, in all its Carlos Santana-aping glory, is one moment where the composition picks up needed momentum.

A major highlight of the disc is “Cash Money,” which trades in the stoner vibes for a gleamed-out synth line and an aggressive lyrical attack that feels closer to Kanye than Marley. Hopefully this electronic direction will be more fully developed in the future, because it really works for Collins’ songwriting.

My major hesitation on this EP - the muted, sparse production sapping the songs of some of their vitality – is never more obvious than on the final song, “The Sweetest Mango.” This is a silly trifle of a song that is meant purely for getting the audience to groove on the dance floor. In concert, the back-and-forth vocals between Collins and backup singers Monica Armendiez and Candace Spielma are great fun. But on the EP, without that crowd interaction and on-stage personality, the song’s mawkish lyrics are isolated. While the sense of enthusiasm carries the recording off, it’s still a lesser track to end the listening experience on.

What Kev Bev Collins & the Woodland Creatures need to make a great album or EP is a more cohesive song list and a more sympathetic production. As opposed to the soft hands of a Nick Drake, this music requires the explosiveness of Parliament Funkadelic. This EP is a nice introduction, a good shot across the bow (if you will), but it doesn’t show Kev Bev Collins & the Woodland Creatures at their strongest.

Final Grade: **** (out of five) - AustinTXnightlife.com

Hailing from Austin TX, Kev Bev and the Woodland Creatures combine the afro-beat of Fela Kuti and the funky indie rock of bands like !!!—with a little soul and dub reggae thrown in. Their new album, Domesticated, has tracks to get down to like the danceable “Behind Those Pretty Eyes”; the Soul-inflected laid-back indie pop on, “High Spirits”; and “Mustachio”, which features a groove that could have fit neatly on the Minutemen’s Double Nickels on the Dime.

The nine-piece came into Studio 1A on Thursday, January 14th to promote their new album, Domesticated. You can stream their performance at KUTX here, or see them live this Saturday at Independence Brewing Co.

–Ryan Wen - KUTX 98.9