INTERVIEW: Kashmir travels back in time to days of live Led Zeppelin
Kashmir is one of the top Led Zeppelin tribute bands. Photo courtesy of the band / Provided by Buzzword PR with permission.
Kashmir is no typical band, and that’s because the group’s source material is quite legendary. They are performers of a live Led Zeppelin experience that uncannily comes close to the original, and they bring their rock-ified excess Saturday, April 13 to the Victoria Theater at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, New Jersey.
Vocalist Jean Violet created the band in 2000, and they have been going strong for nearly 20 years. Their early days were spent in venues in the New York City area, and now they’re a global act, constantly dedicated to recreating the Zeppelin live sound.
In addition to Violet, who fills in for Robert Plant, there’s Andy Urban on guitars, theremin and bow; Paul Cooper on drums; and Felix Hanemann on bass, keys and mandolin.
Violet, with the requisite long locks of blond hair, has been in several groups over the years. At a young age, he started Avante Garde, followed by Naked City. After a stint rocking in Japan, he came back State-side and started Time of Dying. His latest project, in addition to Kashmir, is Violet Sunn Armada.
Recently Hollywood Soapbox exchanged emails with Violet about the upcoming NJPAC show. Questions and answers have been slightly edited for style.
What can fans expect at your NJPAC show?
Fans can expect to go back in time to experience a live Led Zeppelin show. It is [the] 50-year anniversary of Led Zep and Led Zep II, both recorded in 1969, and [they should] expect to hear a bunch of songs from those albums. Also expect to see and hear what people are describing as the closest replication to a live Led Zeppelin show.
When did you first fall in love with the music of Led Zeppelin?
When I was a child visiting NYC and my grandparents I watched Don Kirshner’s Rock concert with Led Zeppelin and was amazed by Jimmy Page’s dragon suit.
What makes Kashmir different than other tribute shows?
We are the closest thing to the live Led Zeppelin show. Singer looks like Robert Plant’s twin, only four guys no wigs or BS. We play like the record, but we don’t have eight people or an orchestra or patches to fill in. It’s all live and all about the energy between the band and the crowd.
Is a concert vocally challenging given the demands of these songs?
Yes, it takes a lot of practice, discipline and warming up to perform several times a week in our concert seasons. Lots of rest and eating right as well. Doesn’t sound like a rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle, but in order to be on top of our game and giving our audience the best show, it demands hard work, discipline and commitment.
You’re on a deserted island and can only have one Led Zeppelin album. Which one do you choose, and why?
Physical Graffiti, it is my favorite as well as The BBC Recordings. Physical Graffiti album in my mind is Led Zeppelin in their prime and at their best. Songs are incredible, and I think that the band was at their best frame of mind at that moment.
BBC Recordings was LZ at their hungriest, and Plant could sing anything and was extremely powerful with his entire range.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Kashmir will play Saturday, April 13 at the Victoria Theater at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, New Jersey. Click here for more information and tickets.
