Just released by the Kevin North Band a dazzling cover of “Never Trust a Man With Egg on His Face”, originally done by Adam & the Ants on their debut album “Dirk Wears White Sox.” This version holds true to the original song with a twist from Kevin North and his accomplished musicians. Sometimes the present seems most perfect when its seeds lie in the past.
The “Kevin North Band” captures the essence of the original song and even goes beyond. Kevin North, originally from England but now known throughout San Francisco, plays a mix of soul, rock, and folk and can often be found on the streets of the city entertaining the masses in front of art galleries or other cool events. Members of the band include Kevin North on vocals and lead guitar, Jeff Herrera on the drums, with Henry Mobley on bass.
The song was produced by insane scientist and multi-instrumentalist “No” Mansfield (front-man for his own psyche rock band Revolushn) who has worked with artists including Aretha Franklin, Rod Stewart, Berlin, No Doubt, Devo and many others.
In a conversation with Kevin he spoke of his career, his new release, and his musical journey…..
What inspired you to cover Adam Ant’s fabulous “Never Trust a Man with Egg on his Face?”
When I first moved down to London my flat mate played me a tape that was floating around called Decca Demos. That was the first time I heard “Egg”. The shear quirkiness yet simplistic nature of it grabbed me and since then I`d always played it, not live, usually for fun in band rehearsals. Years later when I started doing solo stuff around San Francisco I chucked it in the set and used it as a point at which to spread some Adam Ant love.
Are you a fan of Adam or just the song itself? Does the song have a special meaning to you personally?
Always been a big fan of Adam Ants work. Dirk Wears White Sox for me is one of the greatest albums of the punk era. Songs like Car Trouble, The Day I Met God and Table Talk are classics and show a groundbreaking songwriting style which is still today underappreciated.
To answer the question, this does have special meaning to me, the fact that it captures the time when this music was at the forefront of my musical learning journey.
Do you plan on releasing an EP?
We are talking of this maybe an Album or EP, I recorded a lot of stuff at NO`s Studio in Tracy last year and there`s stuff there, but as always, in recent shows I`ve been doing, I`ve been playing some newer unrecorded songs which I`d like to have a go at recording too, so let’s see …
I understand that you play a lot of gigs outside… why is that?
I love playing outside in busking / market / artwalk type surroundings. Here you have a fluid audience and you are pushed to keep them interested which is a challenge I love . Also, you are not restricted to an age group, you have to be 21 to get into most clubs, outside no problem and it’s so great seeing the wonder in the real young one’s eyes as they discover guitars and drums doing what they should do . Also, the older folk whose clubbing days may be a long behind them hang out and get up and dance.
If we`ve anything to thank Covid for, its more outdoor music.
Where would you like to be in 5 years?
Never a fan of this question as I`ve never been a goal setter over that amount of time, usually a year or 18 months is the extent of my planning. But to answer that I would say to be healthy, still playing music and enabling others to do the same.
I have been involved in a lot of work into putting free music for the public of San Francisco and over the last 4 years there’s been a good stream of musical talent coming through. In five years it`d be nice for this City to be recognized as an Art and Music center globally and to be a little part of that.
Is there a moment that you can recall that changed the trajectory of your life?
Undoubtably yes, the death of my Mother, it’s a reality and I hear it all the time that after the parents are gone you really appreciate all the things they said. I always was a part of a musical endeavor… a sideman, guitarist, co-writer etc, never a frontman singer . Mum always said do it on your own, be the leader. When she passed, I promised myself I’d start doing solo gigs, open mics just to see if I could pull it off just voice and guitar. Then I started to really enjoy it, and this naturally led onto fronting a band.
If you could have me ask you any question on the planet what would it be and how would you answer?
“What are your interests outside music ?”
I`ve spent a lot of time traveling around the western part of the USA camping and hiking in the wilderness, I used to love exploring solo and writing while up a mountain or in the desert, but as music work has become more prevalent in my life those days are gone, but I`m not complaining, glad I did it.
A constant in my life other than music is Footie (Soccer) for me it’s part of my upbringing. My team is Luton Town, the town where I was born. I can go back there for matches and it’s still what it always has been Family and Community. I`ll see my mate Steve who I’ve known since I was 5 or go with my Sister Bev, pity you can’t bottle those feelings.
Stream “Never Trust A Man With Egg On His Face” by the Kevin North Band on Spotify here:
Follow the Kevin North Band on the web:
https://www.instagram.com/kevinnorthband/
https://kevinnorth.bandcamp.com/album/avenues-2
