kemper: Bio
John Kemper - vocals
Native of Boone County, KY born 1972 under the sign of aries, the vocalist, songwriter, musician started playing piano and singing at a very early age. Branching from that, through out his early era of basement parties and singing covers for the pure love of singing KEMPER has developed his own. Althought his roots were layed in punk, creation and progression are his passion. Early influences recalled: Elvis, Black Flag, Misfits, Samhain, Black Sabbath,Alice Cooper, Jim Morrison, Rollins band, Glenn Danzig, Ozzy, John Christ, The Doors, Tony Iommi, Johnny Cash ,,,,,...... The singer, songwriter, musician payed his dues in the early days learning all instruments himself. After a few years of passing around lots of 5 and 6 song cassette recordings the passion was being discovered and the journey of blackness had begun. The dark warlock's first project was called (the fly the lights) very underground, maybe 50 copies on cassette. Next came (lucifugum fury). And and in 2004 the ever so dark and dangerous RESTLESS FURY . An enthusiast of the black arts who's writing consists of darkness, violence, mood and feelings, his dooming mark has been made. "It's always a never ending uphill fight for me". This is only the beginning of whats instore of the future from this looming mysterious black raven of the night.
Mike Mitchell - bass
Born 1-17-75 to a mother who loved listening to the music of the greatest vocalist/performer of all time Elvis Aaron Presley it was no surprise that Mike Mitchell's love for music came at an early age. Mike's passion for music has driven his lust for playing since the ripe age of 14. After purchasing his first bass guitar from a Sears catalog Mike was well on his way learning (Old school) Metallica and the great Black Sabbatherian groove. Heavily influenced by the God of Bass Cliff Burton Mike has became one hell of a bass player throughout his many years of playing. Joining (the coven of blackness) KEMPER in 2005 since, JK has an awesome band mate and a new brother in horror.
"I'm proud and honored to be a member..... ROck On...KEMPER 4ever!!"
M-UNDERTAKER
--------------MIKE'S GEAR-------------
*Hamer 5 string
*Dean Edge-one J
*Rogue SX100B
*Behringer Ultra Bass BX3000T 300watt bass head with dynamizer
*Behringer 1000watt bass cabinet with cone Bugera speakers
*Mogami and Monster low noise intrument cables
*D'Addario and Ernie Ball strings (130-100-85-65)
Gabriel Lipscomb - drums
Gabriel was born January 22, 1973. Introduced to horror films at the very early age of 5 " The Deadly Butcher" discovered his craving addiction for the genre. The classic film Zombie Island hinted Gabriel's first infatuations with Zombies and the Undead. He has been heard many times saying " If it has a Zombie in it, it has to be good." After witnessing the number one film of all time THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE(original) Gabriel found a new God. GAbriel related to and idolized the drugeounous LEATHERFACE many years. While working as a butcher in the past therefore "The Deadly Butcher" was birthed. Experimenting years with various bands Gabriel found his nitch with the horror based band PAGAN HOLIDAY 1313. After 3 years in the 1313 CRYPT Gabriel "The Deadly Butcher" joined forces with the evil that is KEMPER.
---------MUSICAL INFLUENCES OF GABRIEL---------
Alice Cooper, Samhain, The Buddy Rich Band, The Misfits,
Wednesday13/The Murderdolls, Black Sabbath and Pink Floyd.
---------GABRIEL'S FAVORITE DRUMMERS---------
Buddy Rich, Gene Krupa, Igor Calvera
-----------GABRIEL'S GEAR-----------
8 piece PEARL Export
2 - 22" bass drums
10",11",12",13",14"' toms - 16" floor tom
14" PEARL John Robinson Jr. signature snare
"The Deadly Butcher" plays ZILDJIAN cymbols exclusively
14" ZBT hi-hats (soon to be upgraded)
18" vintage medium crash
18" a custom thin crash
22" vintage ping ride
20" ZBT ride
18" a custom china
18" orental china
10" a custom splash
PEARL - cowbell with mount, tamborine with mount, eliminator double bass pedal(for scaled down kit)
Latin percussion bar chimes
David T. Short - lead guitar
Daves birthing date of existence: October 20th 1972.
Daves interests include reading,anything guitar related (such as giving lessons, repairing instruments) watching movies, more reading, politics, etc....... Influenced by lots of musical artists some of Daves favorites would be George Lynch, Michael Schenker, Robin Trower, David Gilmore, Edward Van Halen, Ritchie Blackmore, Reb Beach, Adrian Smith/Dave Murray, Billy Gibbons and Jake E. Lee. Throughout his longing 20 plus years of playing Dave has compiled a great list of albums of his inspirations.
.........DAVES FAVORITE ALBUMS OF INSPIRATION.........
"NOTHING FACE" - VOIVOD
"MOB RULES" - BLACK SABBATH
"WASP" - WASP
"POWERSLAVE" - IRON MAIDEN
"JAILBREAK" - THIN LIZZY
"STRANGE HIGHWAYS" - DIO
"TRILOGY" - YNGWIE MALMSTEEN
"BACK FOR THE ATTACK" - DOKKEN
"BRIDGE OF SIGHS" - ROBIN TROWER
............DAVE'S GEAR................
>87 & 99 Fender Stratocasters
>01 7string Epiphone Les Paul (THE STEAMROLLER)
>Rocktron & Marshall Amplification
>Dunlop Crybaby Wah
>Boss CS-2 Compressor Sustainer
>Digitech 2101 Multi-Effects Processor
>Monster Cable
>Elixir Guitar Strings (.009 - .042)
> Dunlop 'Gator Grip' Picks (2.0 mm)