Repulse Kava
Repulse Kava were a punk/art/noise band that existed between late 1986 and 1988. The group combined punk with odd song structure, kraut-rock, and musique-concrete techniques. Between 1987 and 1988, the group released two 7” records. A posthumous LP recorded with former SST co-owner/author Joe Carducci was released in 1989.
The original members were John Seden (vocals, turntables, various deconstructed guitars and devices); Jon Navy (Lead Guitar); Bill DeLeonardis (Bass); Kerry Brown (Drums); and Chris Levack (percussion and truck spring). All were students at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 1986-87 (not sure about Chris). From late '86 through mid 1987 the band worked out 9 songs or so and recorded most of them to cassette. A few decent songs were recorded including Coercion and Daddy's Crowbar, and sent to Butt Rag, which gave it excellent reviews ("nice guitar swill" - my favorite line ever). Somewhere around this time, Craig White came on board as a second guitarist. In early June of '87 they recorded for 3 days to 1/2 inch 4-track in Jim Thorrick's loft, which resulted in several decent recordings (never officially released) and the breakup of the original lineup. Bill broke the neck off his bass in a moment of intensity; Kerry and Navy quit in frustration. The band eventually reformed with Craig as the lead guitarist and Robert Rising or Andy Young drums.
After the demise of Repulse Kava, Seden and DeLeonardis, with drummer Peter Kessel, began performing under the name Kava. The group’s sound was more no-wave and free-improvised. The band released a 7” e.p. with Jack Brewer of Saccharine Trust.
After Kava disbanded, DeLeonardis and Carducci started the film distribution company Provisional Video, featuring films made by Raymond Pettibon, Mike Watt of The Minutemen, and others.
Members
- John Seden: vocals, turntables, effects, “drug guitar
- Craig White: guitar, formerly of No Empathy
- William DeLeonardis: bass, guitar, and vocals
- Robert Rising: drums (Daddy’s Crowbar single and LP)
- Andy Young: drums (Coercion e.p.), co-founder of Landmind Records and formerly of Denied Remarks
Former Guitarist
- Jon Navy (original guitarist)
Former Drummers
- Brian St. Clair, Rights of The Accused and Local H
- Craig Hall, God’s Acre
- Virus X (Bill Richman),Articles Of Faith.
- Kerry Brown (original drummer) Catherine, Producer and drummer for Smashing Pumpkins, Spirit in the Sky
- Chris Levack (original percussion)
Records
REPULSE KAVA
- Coercion e.p. (Buttrag Records) 1987
- Daddy’s Crowbar / Judging (Buttrag Records) 1988
- Flow Gently Sweet Alpha (AJAX, U.S.; Zuma/Rough Trade, Europe, includes Daddy’s Crowbar single) 1989
KAVA and JACK BREWER
- Major Punk Statement e.p. (Carducci Records) 1990