Band Bio: Kill The Complex has soared out of the smoldering ashes of its former incarnation Butane, ranking in Music Connection Magazine's 2007 list of "Hot 100 Unsigned Artists”.
"Butane's songs were more raw and written off-the-hip,” reveals drummer Ted Barakat, who has played with Pre)Thing and Son Of Jerel. “KTC's music is considerably more worked on, thought out and mastered."
With that detail oriented mindset, KTC has continued to build a zealous fan base with back-to-back tour dates, TV and film soundtracks, and a soon-to-be-released multimedia album.
As Kill The Complex and Butane, the band has played well over 100 shows across the country, including the Vans Warped Tour and SXSW; and they've played alongside Social Distortion, Strung Out, Fishbone, The Aquabats, The Addicts, Nashville Pussy, and most recently opening for PUDDLE OF MUDD at the ROXY in Hollywood. KTC has also performed live on the FOX-7 Morning Show in Austin, TX and on various live web radio broadcasts. Star 98.7 recently included the KTC track "On The Outside" in their morning show, and KTC songs are in rotation on various indie radio stations throughout the U.S. as well as in England, Argentina and Germany.
Captivating audiences with a solid and inventive sound has been one of KTC's greatest ambitions, especially in an industry overcrowded with clichéd, uninspired musicianship. "In this music world, it's hard to be unique. Sometimes it seems that everything has been done," says frontman Dann Saxton, who also serves as president of the non-profit UnityShows. "What makes us unique is that the music is true. We are giving you the truth. In our talent, in our onstage body language, in our excitement for what we do, in lyrics that seem to write themselves – it's all real, and it's us. There are too many bands out there that you just can't believe – and that's what puts us in a different category. When you see us play, you know that I mean every word I say, and the guys mean every snare hit and every chord they play."
While still playing with the band Elmwood, Saxton met KTC guitarist, Gabe Heredia and Barakat during a recording session at Heredia's Avilon Studios for Saxton’s band Elmwood. "During those sessions both Elmwood and Butane were experiencing some personal troubles,” recalls Saxton. "I left Elmwood to become the singer of Butane. A year later Gabe replaced Bobby Vaughan on bass. In 2006, Gabe moved to guitar."
The most exciting result of the band's passion and evolution is the music they are creating together now – music that's widened the band's appeal without compromising the integrity of their vision. "KTC is much more melody-driven; the songs breathe a lot more now," says Saxton. "The songs have more of a rock than a punk feel." Heredia calls KTC's music "easily more epic to the ear, much more complex and melodic" and describes the band's lyricism as "powerful and broader covering more than just a few genres."
"I love our writing process," declares Barakat. "Gabe and I come up with ideas musically. That can be a riff or a mood. From that we play it over and over until we come to what we were thinking."
While the new album is a vigorous celebration of life and a coalescence of the band's talent, passion, and creative skill, each song offers its own distinctive value. "Palm Trees" is a lively rocker that explores the bright spots in a sometimes not-so-utopian L.A.; "On the Outside" is a wake-up call to a world that's become increasingly disconnected; "Be the Change" is about trusting life – even when nothing is alright, everything is okay; Barakat's opening drum assault sets the stage for "Ambiance," a song that confirms the value of turning to music for shelter; "Shine" is about overcoming hesitation and embracing confidence; "I'm Alive" is chock full of drum rolls and optimism; the introspective "Pain" tells an epic story of one man's life; "Sail Me Away" is about making a connection with one's own soul; and the powerful "Wonderland" is a very personal, tragic love story.
KTC's music has already enjoyed TV success by scoring song placement on MTV (Cribs, Bam's Unholy Union, Meet the Barkers, Pimp My Ride, Yo Mamma, Date My Mom, NEXT, Trippin', Two-a-Days, Miss Seventeen, My Own, Parental Control and Engaged and Underage), VH1 (Bands Reunited, Flab To Fab), the WB (High School Reunion), TLC (10 Years Younger), CourtTV (Beach Patrol), WE (Daddy's Spoiled Little Girl), and Bravo (The Real Housewives of Orange County). KTC's music is also featured in “Legend Of The Sandsquatch” and the title track in “National Lampoon's Cattle Call”.
Through creating positive music and playing dynamic live performances on stages in 20 states may be a pretty great achievement foremost, but it's the more personal connection that has been the most satisfying according to Saxton. "People write to me about how much my lyrics have affected them. That is my biggest accomplishment – people connecting with my thoughts and feelings."
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