Beloved Genre-Benders Karate Make a Fitting Comeback
25/10/2024
By
John Mirisola
October 24, 2024
Left to right: Geoff Farina, Jeff Goddard, and Gavin McCarthy of Karate
Image courtesy of Shawn Brackbill / shawnbrackbill.com
If youre looking for one of the feel-good music stories of the 2020s, consider the unlikely reappearance of legendary jazz-punk pioneers Karate some two decades after the band called it quits.
Lost, Found: A Brief History of Karates Dark AgeFrom 1993 until their breakup in 2004, Karate, led by guitarist and singer Geoff Farina BM '91, cultivated a sound that was completely its own. The band floated across the borders of indie rock, punk, jazz, and all their interrelated subgenres-emo, slowcore, post-rock, and so on. Along the way it amassed a loyal league of fans from all of those camps and from adventurous listeners everywhere in between.
But in the years since Karates breakup, the bands music really did become the stuff of legend. Its label neglected its catalog, let the releases fall out of print, failed to make the albums available on most streaming services, and wouldnt release the masters. It was a good decade where you couldnt get our music, says Farina. It was upsetting.
Listen to the first track from Karates 1998 release, The Bed Is in the Ocean.
Through those years, those who knew about Karate, well, they knew. Everybody else never had the chance. Until, as this century seems to go: the internet got involved. But in this narrow case, that was a good thing.
Whatever happens on the internet happened to us, Farina says, and people got more and more interested in our records.
Then in the fall of 2020, an article in the Chicago Reader asked the question on every Karate fans mind: Why isnt anyone reissuing Karate records?
Ken [Shipley] from Numero [Group] saw that, and called me, and all this kind of happened, Farina says. Over the next few years, prestige archival record label the Numero Group rereleased all six of the bands albums in physical and streaming formats, to widespread critical acclaim. Its been a little bit of a vindication, says Farina, to see so many old fans reconnect with these albums, and to see their music connect with new audiences.
Whatever the Style, Karate Make It Fit
The rereleases led to a reunion tour in 2022 with Karates long-time lineup of Farina, bassist Jeff Goddard '88, and drummer Gavin McCarthy BM '02. More shows and festival dates followed in the years since. All of this led, this October, to their first new album in 20 years, Make It Fit, on which they drive home a point theyve made persuasively since their early days playing Boston clubs and colleges: We always sound like Karate, no matter what we do, as Farina says.
Theres a timeless quality to these new songs. You can still hear the DIY punk and indie influences that have been with the band since its inception, but these touch-points are mixed liberally with echoes of everything from the literate pub rock of Elvis Costello to vocal jazz balladry, to Thin Lizzy, to midcentury rock n roll, plus dozens of others. Its the logical next step for a band that left genre distinctions behind somewhere in the mid-nineties, then took a 20-year beat, but never stopped digging through record crates for new sounds to inspire them.
Well try anything, says Farina, who also teaches courses on songwriting and music history at DePaul University in Chicago, and whose other musical projects range from jazz to Americana to Italian folk-punk. We just sort of do whats interesting to us musically at the time. When I write songs . . . if something feels right when I play it and sing it, then it doesnt matter what the genre is. I just try to make it work.
The State of the Guitar SoloOne distinctive through-line in that omnivorous Karate sound: the guitar solos. This might seem natural for a Berklee-trained musician who spent his weekends in the library . . . trying to transcribe Coltrane solos. But taking a solo was a transgressive impulse within the scenes that Karate frequented. Almost all of the bands we were peers with in the '90s were not into guitar solos, Farina says.
Those solos, often the clearest line you can trace back to the bands affection for jazz, have set the band apart even as the State of the Guitar Solo has waned and waxed in rock music.
Farina admits, with something of a wink, that its just been something Ive always tried to do-in some ways, I think, inappropriately, in some songs or some records. . . . Its kind of a challenge I put in front of myself-doing something besides singing and just playing rhythm guitar. But he adds that on Make It Fit, they made an extra effort to coordinate the band more closely during those sections: I really tried to make it sound as if were always playing together.
Guitar Playing Styles to Explore and Master
From classical and jazz to hard rock and the avant-garde, take a tour of the instrument's near-limitless potential.
Boston BeginningsWhile Farina isnt clear where Karates reunion will lead-were just doing it year by year-he still recalls fondly where his musical career really kicked off. Surprise: Its Berklee. It was such a great time, he says. I still think about arriving in Boston in 1988. He fell into the citys indie scene, going to shows at the Middle East and the Rathskeller-an iconic venue that closed in 1997-and frequenting the numerous record shops and music stores surrounding campus in those days. Its this Boston indie scene that Karate would step into in the '90s.
But just as importantly, Farina says, was arriving at Berklee and understanding how terrible a musician I was. He was stunned by his classmates musical skills and the skills of my instruct
LINK: | https://www.berklee.edu/berklee-now/news/karate-band-make-it-fit-comeb... |
See more stories from berklee |
More from Berklee
11/12/2024
Berklee Announces 2025 Spring Signature Series
Berklee Announces 2025 Spring Signature Series This season's lineup features a Fleetwood Mac tribute, a mambo big band celebration, a gospel music extrava...
10/12/2024
Why Country Music is Topping Charts and Filling Arenas
Why Country Music is Topping Charts and Filling Arenas Country has exploded in popularity as new artists-and fans-flood in. By Alexander Gelfand December 1...
10/12/2024
Krisha Marcanos Goals for Conservatorys Theater Division: Refine, Level Up, Focus
Krisha Marcanos Goals for Conservatorys Theater Division: Refine, Level Up, Focu...
10/12/2024
Yacht Rock: Smooth Sailing on Rocky Waters
Yacht Rock: Smooth Sailing on Rocky Waters Read about how the soft-rock genre has weathered the test of time, and listen to a playlist of some of the best yac...
09/12/2024
Jim Lucchese Talks About Being an Artists Advocate and How Hell Approach Berklee Presidency
Jim Lucchese Talks About Being an Artists Advocate and How Hell Approach Berklee...
09/12/2024
Berklees New Program in Morocco Explores an African Musical Tradition
Berklees New Program in Morocco Explores an African Musical Tradition The partnership with the Gnaoua and World Music Festival that helps musicians dig deeper i...
09/12/2024
Berklee Artists Perform at Boston Snowport Holiday Market
Berklee Artists Perform at Boston Snowport Holiday Market The performances are a result of a partnership between the Snowport, Mohegan Sun, and the Berklee Po...
07/12/2024
NPR's Best Songs of 2024 List Highlights Berklee Alumni
NPR's Best Songs of 2024 List Highlights Berklee Alumni Arooj Aftab, Adrianne Lenker, Tiny Habits, and more made the cut on NPR's roundup of this year...
03/12/2024
Applications Open for the Berklee Fenway Neighborhood Improvement Grant
Applications Open for the Berklee Fenway Neighborhood Improvement Grant The deadline for the grant application is December 6, 2024. By Colette Greenstein D...
20/11/2024
John Hollenbeck and Miguel Zenn Named the 2024-2025 Ken Pullig Visiting Scholars in Jazz Studies
John Hollenbeck and Miguel Zen n Named the 2024-2025 Ken Pullig Visiting Scholar...
16/11/2024
Berklee Global Partners with AES Dominicana Foundation and Ministry of Culture for Berklee in Santo Domingo
Berklee Global Partners with AES Dominicana Foundation and Ministry of Culture f...
16/11/2024
Berklee Alumni Win at the 2024 Latin Grammy Awards
Berklee Alumni Win at the 2024 Latin Grammy Awards Juan Luis Guerra '82 won four Latin Grammys, including two of the most prestigious awards: Record of th...
16/11/2024
Meet the Berklee Grads Shaping Latin Music's Future
Meet the Berklee Grads Shaping Latin Music's Future The Miami-based alumni-along with collaborator and Latin Grammy winner Ela Taubert-share their insight...
16/11/2024
Spotifys New Creator Program Is Here to Take On YouTube
Spotifys New Creator Program Is Here to Take On YouTube Spotify for Creators will let podcasters monetize their videos without ads. By Tara Bellucci Novemb...
15/11/2024
Lost Music by Mozart and Chopin Discovered
Lost Music by Mozart and Chopin Discovered If you had new music from these legendary composers on your 2024 bingo card, you're in luck. By Bryan Parys ...
14/11/2024
The Best Tiny Desks by Berklee Artists (an Incomplete List)
The Best Tiny Desks by Berklee Artists (an Incomplete List) From Big Thief and Lizzy McAlpine to DOMi & JD Beck, Kenny Beats, Arooj Aftab, and more, Berklee a...
13/11/2024
Memphis Rapper Al Kapone Brings Blues Education to Berklee
Memphis Rapper Al Kapone Brings Blues Education to Berklee He was the featured guest at the 18th annual Business of Hip-Hop Music Symposium. By Colette Gree...
13/11/2024
Berklee to Hold Blue Ridge Benefit Concert for Hurricane Helene Relief Efforts
Berklee to Hold Blue Ridge Benefit Concert for Hurricane Helene Relief Efforts The event, featuring headliners Langhorne Slim and Kashus Culpepper, takes plac...
09/11/2024
Berklees 2025 Alumni Grammy Nominees: See the Full List
Berklees 2025 Alumni Grammy Nominees: See the Full List Nominees include Alissia Benveniste, Miguel Zen n, Bill Frisell, Madi Diaz, Lalah Hathaway, and many o...
05/11/2024
Amplify Berklee Gala Raises $1.3 Million for Berklee City Music Scholarships
Amplify Berklee Gala Raises $1.3 Million for Berklee City Music Scholarships This year's event featured a dance party with DJ Jazzy Jeff and performances ...
05/11/2024
Remembering the Rare and Extraordinary Life of Quincy Jones
Remembering the Rare and Extraordinary Life of Quincy Jones With the passing of the legendary musician, composer, arranger, producer, and all-around media mog...
02/11/2024
Berklee's Signature Series Presents Singers Showcase: One Sweet Day-The Music of Mariah Carey
Berklee's Signature Series Presents Singers Showcase: One Sweet Day-The Musi...
02/11/2024
What If the Game of Thrones Theme Was Surf Rock? This TikToker Has the Answer
What If the Game of Thrones Theme Was Surf Rock? This TikToker Has the Answer Guitarist and TikTok user Cloudchord puts his spin on the epic theme music, orig...
02/11/2024
Mariah Carey Set the Standard for What a Christmas Album Could Be
Mariah Carey Set the Standard for What a Christmas Album Could Be The New York Times spoke with Berklees Maureen McMullan about Mariah Careys lasting impact o...
31/10/2024
Andr 3000 at Berklee: Respect Your Taste-Thats All You Got
Andr 3000 at Berklee: Respect Your Taste-Thats All You Got On tour for New Blue Sun, the iconic artist and his band sat down for a sprawling conversation on ...
31/10/2024
Reggaeton's Underdog Story' Told Through Daddy Yankee's Docuseries
Reggaeton's Underdog Story' Told Through Daddy Yankee's Docuseries Wayne Marshall discusses the importance of Reggaeton: The Sound that Conquered...
31/10/2024
Why Were Not Afraid to Love Scary Music (Plus 13 of the Best Horror Film Scores)
Why Were Not Afraid to Love Scary Music (Plus 13 of the Best Horror Film Scores) Faculty composer Ryan Page discusses the appeal of scary movies and what make...
30/10/2024
Billboard Names Berklee College of Music and Berklee Valencia to Its 2024 Top Music Business Schools List
Billboard Names Berklee College of Music and Berklee Valencia to Its 2024 Top Mu...
29/10/2024
Africana Studies Division to Induct Kid 'n Play into Berklee's Hip-Hop Hall of Fame
Africana Studies Division to Induct Kid 'n Play into Berklee's Hip-Hop H...
29/10/2024
Latoya Lee Brings Industry Expertise and Connections to Berklee Career Center
Latoya Lee Brings Industry Expertise and Connections to Berklee Career Center Berklee's new director of industry relations has worked on platinum-selling ...
26/10/2024
Africana Studies at Berklee to Induct Kid 'n Play into Berklee's Hip-Hop Hall of Fame
Africana Studies at Berklee to Induct Kid 'n Play into Berklee's Hip-Hop...
25/10/2024
Beloved Genre-Benders Karate Make a Fitting Comeback
Beloved Genre-Benders Karate Make a Fitting Comeback Its one of the decades feel-good music stories: How the legendary alumni acts rediscovery led to rereleas...
25/10/2024
Berklee Presents Holiday Extravaganza: Duke Ellingtons Nutcracker Suite and Christmas Vibes Featuring Warren Wolf
Berklee Presents Holiday Extravaganza: Duke Ellingtons Nutcracker Suite and Chri...
24/10/2024
Michael Shinn Named Executive Director of Boston Conservatory at Berklee
Michael Shinn Named Executive Director of Boston Conservatory at Berklee Shinn, who served as the Conservatory's dean of music for six years, has been int...
23/10/2024
Berklee Celebrates Annual BMI Day with Acclaimed Composer Mychael Danna
Berklee Celebrates Annual BMI Day with Acclaimed Composer Mychael Danna Berklee's Sean McMahon and BMI's Tracy McKnight presented the BMI Film Scoring...
22/10/2024
Lauv Inspires Berklee Students with Authenticity and Chart-Topping Success
Lauv Inspires Berklee Students with Authenticity and Chart-Topping Success Pop sensation Lauv shares insights on creativity, vulnerability, and overcoming the...
22/10/2024
Applications Open for Next Jazz Legacy 2025 Cohort
Applications Open for Next Jazz Legacy 2025 Cohort Backed by a $1.25 million Mellon Foundation grant, the initiative from New Music USA and the Berklee Instit...
22/10/2024
This Rihanna Song Has Secret' '80s Easter Eggs
This Rihanna Song Has Secret' '80s Easter Eggs The SOS songwriter revealed a nostalgic twist to the lyrics, and it's going viral on TikTok. By...
19/10/2024
Middle Eastern Music Festival to Celebrate the Music of Georgia
Middle Eastern Music Festival to Celebrate the Music of Georgia The annual event returns with performances from flagship ensembles and special guests artists ...
19/10/2024
Sphere Announces a Second Location Planned for Abu Dhabi
Sphere Announces a Second Location Planned for Abu Dhabi Berklee Abu Dhabi comments on the plans for the new venue, which is in partnership with the Departmen...
18/10/2024
Berklee Announces Leon V. Rosenberg Presidential Scholarship in Jazz Studies
Berklee Announces Leon V. Rosenberg Presidential Scholarship in Jazz Studies This permanently endowed scholarship honors the legacy of Leon V. Rosenberg, a pa...
18/10/2024
Berklee Alum Aliyah Khaylyn Wows The Voice Coaches with Tamar Braxton Song
Berklee Alum Aliyah Khaylyn Wows The Voice Coaches with Tamar Braxton Song The recent alums version of Braxtons Love and War for her blind audition left Micha...
12/10/2024
Why Recession Pop Is Hot-Even When Its Not a Recession
Why Recession Pop Is Hot-Even When Its Not a Recession Discover why fans turn to party anthems during times of economic crisis-or just when the vibes are off....
11/10/2024
Berklee Announces Gail Wilson as Vice President of Finance
Berklee Announces Gail Wilson as Vice President of Finance Wilson will oversee Berklee's budgeting, financial reporting, controller's office, and camp...
10/10/2024
Academic Leadership from Boston, Valencia Return for Abu Dhabi Educators Symposium
Academic Leadership from Boston, Valencia Return for Abu Dhabi Educators Symposi...
10/10/2024
All-Student K-Pop Bands Debut at K-Pop & Beyond Summit
All-Student K-Pop Bands Debut at K-Pop & Beyond Summit The diversity of the artists involved in the collaborative K-Pop Idol project, which developed the two ...
10/10/2024
Signature Series Presents Country Music: Black Roots and Branches
Signature Series Presents Country Music: Black Roots and Branches New Dangerfield, Dom Flemons, Donna McElroy, and Farayi Malek headline this October 29 conce...
08/10/2024
Charlie Puth's Comedy Show Is a Silly, Star-Studded Satire of Reality TV
Charlie Puth's Comedy Show Is a Silly, Star-Studded Satire of Reality TV All six episodes of The Charlie Puth Show are now streaming for free on The Roku ...
05/10/2024
Boston Conservatory Orchestra Presents Telling the Story at Symphony Hall
Boston Conservatory Orchestra Presents Telling the Story at Symphony Hall The program celebrates the art of storytelling through orchestral favorites and a co...
03/10/2024
Student Spotlight: Rafael Heredia
Student Spotlight: Rafael Heredia The flamenco percussionist is channeling the vibrant music scenes of Japan and Spain in his musical explorations at Berklee,...