Biography
New York City's the K-Holes derived their moniker from the dissociative, hallucination-filled state induced by excessive ketamine intake, a condition frequently likened to schizophrenic episodes. Although the choice appears odd for a rock outfit, it aligns fittingly with the ensemble's murky, swamp-like sonic texture. Guitarist and vocalist Jack Hines, an Atlanta native who performed with the Black Lips between 2002 and 2004, assembled the group after departing that act to prioritize time with his recent spouse Julie. Following several years in the South, the couple grew weary of regional life and moved northward to New York alongside companions. There, Jack handled guitar while Julie took up bass; together they enlisted vocalist Vashti Windish, saxophonist Sara Palmquist, and drummer Cameron Michel. The K-Holes issued their first recording during summer 2010 via a cassette-only split shared with longtime associates the Black Lips, after which their distinctively expressive style and boisterous performances quickly generated notice. Chicago's garage-punk imprint HoZac Records soon signed them, issuing the self-titled debut in early 2011. The follow-up, the unhinged Dismania, was tracked in Detroit and surfaced the next year on Hardly Art, a Sub Pop offshoot.
Albums
