Just when you least expect it , Kevin climbs out from behind his monumental drum kit and transforms himself into Johnny Cash , and then a very scientific Thomas Dolby , before also becoming a “ Whip It ” -singing Devo , with many more impersonations in the pipeline .
Don ’ t think that everything is confined to the stage area . Every member of Smash Hit Carnival is equipped with radio linked instruments and microphones and will eagerly “ invade ” the dance floor and even rush your table and seating area , to invite you to become part of the shenanigans !
So how on Earth did all this amazement happen to ignite right here on our very doorstep ? To bring you the full picture I had to do quite a bit of background digging .
Kevin , the Carnival ’ s founder , was born into a very established musical family here in Spokane . Kevin gained much inspiration from his mother , a popular local pianist and drummer . His grandfather played saxophone alongside Bing Crosby and Warner ’ s Mel Blanc who was a singer at that time , and his great-grandfather played violin in the early part of the 20th century . Being constantly surrounded by music Kevin quickly followed his family ’ s musical tradition and , like his mom , picked drums as his instrument of choice . As his drumming skills developed Kevin began attracting the attention of many other young up-andcoming local musicians , and early group collaborations started to develop .
Listening to early progressive rock albums galvanized Kevin into writing and arranging original material , resulting in the recording and release of several albums by his “ prog rock ” band Madrigal . Their albums were well received regionally , and particularly in Europe , eventually leading to several radio airings and TV appearances .
It was around this period that highly proficient bass guitarist , vocalist and audio guru Steve Springer came into the picture . Steve had begun teaming up with Kevin on several early projects , some that included Madrigal , and because of his tight precision playing and keen progressive styling he easily locked into Kevin ’ s timing exactness on drums , and together they formed a very precise and inventive rhythm section . This long-lasting association would play a key role in what would occur in later years !
Being that multi-tasking “ juggler ” as I described him , Kevin at this time was also very busy working behind the scenes as a professional studio session drummer , creating various percussion tracks that would be , and still are , used as soundtracks in major films and TV productions . Weaving between recordings , he was also playing live shows for several other bands and musicians , one of which included Motown recording artist Peter Rivera , of the band Rare Earth , who ’ s also now a Spokane resident .
52 ART CHOWDER MAGAZINE
J
ust when you least expect it, Kevin
climbs out from behind his monumental
drum kit and transforms himself into
Johnny Cash, and then a very scientific
Thomas Dolby, before also becoming
a “Whip It”-singing Devo, with many
more impersonations in the pipeline.
Don’t think that everything is confined
to the stage area. Every member of
Smash Hit Carnival is equipped with ra-
dio linked instruments and microphones
and will eagerly “invade” the dance floor
and even rush your table and seating
area, to invite you to become part of the
shenanigans!
So how on Earth did all this amazement
happen to ignite right here on our very
doorstep? To bring you the full picture
I had to do quite a bit of background
digging.
Kevin, the Carnival’s founder, was
born into a very established musical
family here in Spokane. Kevin gained
much inspiration from his mother, a
popular local pianist and drummer.
His grandfather played saxophone
alongside Bing Crosby and Warner’s
Mel Blanc who was a singer at that
time, and his great-grandfather played
violin in the early part of the 20th
century. Being constantly surrounded
by music Kevin quickly followed his
family’s musical tradition and, like his
mom, picked drums as his instrument
of choice. As his drumming skills
developed Kevin began attracting the
attention of many other young up-and-
coming local musicians, and early group
collaborations started to develop.
Listening to early progressive rock
albums galvanized Kevin into writing
and arranging original material,
resulting in the recording and release
of several albums by his “prog rock”
band Madrigal. Their albums were well
received regionally, and particularly in
Europe, eventually leading to several
radio airings and TV appearances.
52
ART CHOWDER MAGAZINE
It was around this period that highly
proficient bass guitarist, vocalist and
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