Remember the days when Kaua‘i concerts were few and far between? Those days are thankfully no more and the latest in a crop of touring performers to hit our “Island of Discovery” are the Kekai Boyz, who will appear Saturday
Remember the days when Kaua‘i concerts were few and far between? Those days are thankfully no more and the latest in a crop of touring performers to hit our “Island of Discovery” are the Kekai Boyz, who will appear Saturday night at Aloha Beach Resort’s Kuhio Lounge nightclub.
Rare for Kaua‘i is an all-ages show that may just become a trend again on the island.
The Boyz hail from Keaukaha, a town just outside of Hilo with a population of about 2,000.
Like many Kaua‘i folks with side projects and artistic endeavors, they all work a day job. Most of the Kekai Boyz work in construction — except one, who’s a math teacher — and they practice on Wednesday nights when their schedules align.
Their first gig was in March 2000 at the annual Haili Men’s Volleyball Tournament in Hilo. They have one of those “all in the family” stories.
Try this: Christopher Kua (vocals, songwriter) and his older brother Jonathan Kua (bass) play in Kekai Boyz with their nephew CJ Kua (lead guitar). Avery Reis (vocals, drums) is married to Chris and Jona’s niece (CJ’s cousin).
They joined Tyron Nicolas, a longtime friend from the Keaukaha Homestead days. They have added keyboardist/drummer, Ace Loughmiller, to their live show and upcoming releases.
“Before Ace, we just played whatever we wanted to play, whether its loud, its reggae, happy or alternative. He started organizing our music for us; he can change the feel of the song when he plays,” Nicolas said.
“What we try and implement more is Chris’ writing. That’s what got us on the radio.” Their musical history includes stints with members of Mana‘o Company, Tapa Groove and “You start playing for fun, then everybody starts getting serious.
We started playing live shows and things started falling into place,” said Tyron Nicolas in an interview this week.
The Kekai Boyz’ 13-song debut CD “Just An Illusion” was released this year after about two years of playing local Big Island shows and a little more than two years of touring and playing around the state.
The CD features 10 original music tracks and three covers — all the originals are based on real events, the band says, including “One Night Stand,” “Joohyah’s Crib” and “Empty,” a song for those who know of a friend who’s passed as well those who’ve been down. The Kekai Boyz have been invited to Lana‘i and Moloka‘i more than once, and plan to catch the ferry to Lana‘i the third week of October. Nicolas says the Kekai Boyz are just as comfortable playing for 10,000 people at the Waikiki Shell as they are for the annual block party in Hilo, or 100-person family parties.
Their ‘ukulele- and guitar- rich songs are backed up with a bass, keyboard and drums.
At live shows Nicolas says they rely on the happy, pop style of island roots, because that’s what makes a crowd enjoy a show.
“There’s not too much heavy island reggae. That’s the direction we were heading two years ago, but people didn’t really like that style. Now we’re more laid back,” Nicolas said.
They have played on Kaua‘i before — for more than 5,000 folks at this year’s Waimea Town Celebration.
Kaua‘i adds a few new grooves Opening for the Kekai Boyz will be the Kaua‘i group Revival; singer-songwriter (and 2003 Na Hoku nominee) Shilo Pa; K2, featuring members of Revival, Papa‘a Bay Boys and other Kaua‘i musicians; and Papa‘a Bay Boys.
Revival is made up of Timmy Baliarias, lead vocals; Alika Simpson, lead vocals; Kana Pikini, bass and vocals; Ola Akau, guitar and vocals; Evan Gibson, drums; Cody Wolfchild, keyboards; and David Boyle, rhythm guitar.
“We’ve been going through some transitions,” Pikini said.
For one, Baliaris, their lyricist and lead singer, recently joined the Navy (he recently finished boot camp and is using some days of personal leave to play Kuhio Lounge); other band members are contemplating their futures; their debut CD is tied up in post production; and “Side Bang,” their offshoot band, could be merging with Revival.
This group has gone through some changes in personnel since their first gig — opening for fellow roots group 3Plus when they played the Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall in 2000 — but since Day One it’s been Pikini, Akau and Gibson.
“At that first show in 2000 when we opened for 3 Plus, the promoter was rushing us to come up with a name. He said he needed a name or it wouldn’t get on the flyers.
So me and Ola came up with ‘Revival’ and it stuck with us all the way,” Kana said.
“Side Bang” — despite the irreverent name, Pikini says the five-member group (three from Revival with two others) is “something we just do on the side. We kind of do our thing but we have a different repertoire.
It’s more contemporary island style music.” Revival has been opening for Hawai‘i artists like Hoonua, Natural Vibrations, Fiji, Sudden Rush and Opihi Pickers; and Kohomua and Ekolu on Maui.
Bigger-name concerts on Kaua‘i include opening for Kymani Marley, Yellowman, Inner Circle, Gregory Isaacs, and backing up Shinehead.
They’ve also played Waimea High School, first-birthday parties, wedding receptions, graduation lu‘au and family parties.
“We play reggae, but at the same time I don’t know how to categorize our music,” said Revival’s unofficial front man Kana Pikini, age 22.
“My favorite place to play, besides here because we live here — I can’t say for the rest of the band, though — is Maui, because Maui has so much love for our music. They welcome us to come … and they pay us.” Revival has played in Honolulu as well but these off-island tours prove difficult because “airfare is so expensive.” “Whatever changes come, with the CD coming out, and with new members leaving or coming in, it’s a way for us to explore new avenues,” he said.
Revival’s CD, titled “Roots Natty,” is in post production and may be out this holiday season.
This live-music show is an Ohana Production/Dennis Bader Production in association with Pacific Hawaiian Music Distribution.
Sponsors of this show are the Surf 95.9 FM, Next Level Customs, Fearless Hawaiian Enterprises, East Side Choppers, Kanikapila Records.
