sunrise kills

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40 July 9, 2009 Norman’s cousin Ma Hungerford, 22 of Dequincy, would join the group. Kennon and Norman say they had to encourage Johnson to take the microphone as lead singer, but they knew he had what it takes. “Once he did it, I was really proud of him,” Norman said. And Johnson admits it wasn’t a natural fit for him. “It took a lot for me to open up,” he said. “I’ve come a long way. I was a shy guy.” While he says since he has to focus on singing, he can’t do as much on his guitar during the show, he does now feel comfortable as the front man of the group. “It’s where my heart is at.” Sunrise Kills describes its sound as pop/hard rock that is just catchy enough not to push people away. “Some songs have some hard break downs, but nobody dies or anything, so it’s all good,” Johnson said with a laugh. It’s an interesting musical genre for this group, when you learn about their musical roots. Kennon’s grandfather, a Pentecostal preacher, was a bluegrass musician and his father is a drummer. Johnson’s father has played in Cajun and zydeco bands. Norman grew up watching his older brother perform in rock bands. ey all agree that music is in their blood. Speaking of family connections, the guys feel like they are as tight as family. Kennon is definitely the “lile brother” of the group. “He likes to do his own thing his own way,” Johnson said. welcomed the opportunity to support their son’s dream. Kennon, being a bit younger than the other members of the group, had to have special permission to play many of the band’s gigs. But, as long as he was with “his brothers” Kennon’s parents didn’t have a problem with it. “We always brought him back in one piece,” Johnson joked. Sunrise Kills has played mostly local gigs at this point. ey have hit some spots in north Louisiana, Southeast Texas and have traveled as far as Montgomery, Texas. “We have a younger following, so we try to play all- age venues,” Norman said. Even though their touring schedule hasn’t been expansive, the band has been able to develop quite a following. “A lot of people know us through myspace,” Johnson said. “You can catch random people’s ears that way.” One recent offer the band received was a direct result of their myspace page. ey were offered a promotional deal from a record label. e band would Turn it Up T he phrase Band of Brothers may conjure up visions of military units. But, spending just a few minutes with Sunrise Kills, and you realize the phrase isn’t just a play on words—it is a fiing description of this up-and-coming group. Sunrise Kills is a giſted group whose respect and admiration for each other is as strong as the love that they have for the music. e strength of their relationship, their bond, comes out in every note they play. Aaron Johnson, 24, Sean Kennon, 18, and Jon Norman, 24, have always been the heart of Sunrise Kills. Johnson and Norman went to high school together. Lake Charles native Johnson met Kennon when he was a kid. “I dated his aunt and babysat him and his lile brother,” Johnson said. e two bonded over a mutual interest in music. Kennon, a Dequincy native, played drums in his church band. Johnson started playing guitar with him in the church band. At the same time, Norman, a Grand Lake native, was learning to play bass. “We would all get together and just start jamming,” Johnson said. e jam sessions turned into a full- blown band about three years ago. e group originally had another lead singer and a keyboard player, but when they leſt, the true core of the band remained intact. at is when they adopted the name Sunrise Kills and Johnson stepped up to the role of lead singer. Later, “But that is not necessarily a bad thing sometimes.” Johnson is the “peacemaker” of the group. is is especially important when they start fighting, as brothers tend to do. Hungerford is the “bodyguard” of the group. “He is very protective of us, very protective of the group. He keeps the bond tight,” Norman said. And what about Norman? How do his band mates describe him? “Jon brings the fun,” Johnson said. Norman even has a taoo called “the fun rocket” to prove it. is is just one of eight taoos Norman has. Johnson and Hungerford also sport their fair share of ink. Kennon wears a lip ring. So, the guys definitely look the part of the hardcore rock star. But looks can be deceiving. e boys have manners that would make any mother proud. ey also count their parents among their biggest fans. “Sean’s mom is our biggest supporter,” Johnson said. e majority of the band’s practice time has been spent in Kennon’s parent’s living room. And apparently, they gladly By Cassondra Guilbeau Sunrise Kills: Close Knit “Band of Brothers” A Must See Continued on Page 45

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In depth interview with local Lake Charles, La. group Sunrise Kills

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Sunrise Kills

40 July 9, 2009

Norman’s cousin Matt Hungerford, 22 of Dequincy, would join the group.

Kennon and Norman say they had to encourage Johnson to take the microphone as lead singer, but they knew he had what it takes.

“Once he did it, I was really proud of him,” Norman said.

And Johnson admits it wasn’t a natural fit for him. “It took a lot for me to open up,” he said. “I’ve come a long way. I was a shy guy.” While he says since he has to focus on singing, he can’t do as much on his guitar during the show, he does now feel comfortable as the front man of the group. “It’s where my heart is at.”

Sunrise Kills describes its sound as pop/hard rock that is just catchy enough not to push people away. “Some songs have some hard break downs, but nobody dies or anything, so it’s all good,” Johnson said with a laugh.

It’s an interesting musical genre for this group, when you learn about their musical roots. Kennon’s grandfather, a Pentecostal preacher, was a bluegrass musician and his father is a drummer. Johnson’s father has played in Cajun and zydeco bands. Norman grew up watching his older brother perform in rock bands. They all agree that music is in their blood.

Speaking of family connections, the guys feel like they are as tight as family. Kennon is definitely the “little brother” of the group. “He likes to do his own thing his own way,” Johnson said.

welcomed the opportunity to support their son’s dream. Kennon, being a bit younger than the other members of the group, had to have special permission to play many of the band’s gigs. But, as long as he was with “his brothers” Kennon’s parents didn’t have a problem with it.

“We always brought him back in one piece,” Johnson joked.

Sunrise Kills has played mostly local gigs at this point. They have hit some spots in north Louisiana, Southeast Texas and have traveled as far as Montgomery, Texas. “We have a younger following, so we try to play all-age venues,” Norman said.

Even though their touring schedule hasn’t been expansive, the band has been able to develop quite a following. “A lot of people know us through myspace,” Johnson said. “You can catch random people’s ears that way.”

One recent offer the band received was a direct result of their myspace page. They were offered a promotional deal from a record label. The band would

Turn it Up

The phrase Band of Brothers may conjure up visions of military units. But, spending

just a few minutes with Sunrise Kills, and you realize the phrase isn’t just a play on words—it is a fitting description of this up-and-coming group.

Sunrise Kills is a gifted group whose respect and admiration for each other is as strong as the love that they have for the music. The strength of their relationship, their bond, comes out in every note they play.

Aaron Johnson, 24, Sean Kennon, 18, and Jon Norman, 24, have always been the heart of Sunrise Kills. Johnson and Norman went to high school together. Lake Charles native Johnson met Kennon when he was a kid.

“I dated his aunt and babysat him and his little brother,” Johnson said. The two bonded over a mutual interest in music.

Kennon, a Dequincy native, played drums in his church band. Johnson started playing guitar with him in the church band. At the same time, Norman, a Grand Lake native, was learning to play bass.

“We would all get together and just start jamming,” Johnson said.

The jam sessions turned into a full-blown band about three years ago. The group originally had another lead singer and a keyboard player, but when they left, the true core of the band remained intact. That is when they adopted the name Sunrise Kills and Johnson stepped up to the role of lead singer. Later,

“But that is not necessarily a bad thing sometimes.”

Johnson is the “peacemaker” of the group. This is especially important when they start fighting, as brothers tend to do. Hungerford is the “bodyguard” of the group. “He is very protective of us, very protective of the group. He keeps the bond tight,” Norman said.

And what about Norman? How do his band mates describe him? “Jon brings the fun,” Johnson said. Norman even has a tattoo called “the fun rocket” to prove it. This is just one of eight tattoos Norman has. Johnson and Hungerford also sport their fair share of ink. Kennon wears a lip ring. So, the guys definitely look the part of the hardcore rock star.

But looks can be deceiving. The boys have manners that would make any mother proud. They also count their parents among their biggest fans. “Sean’s mom is our biggest supporter,” Johnson said.

The majority of the band’s practice time has been spent in Kennon’s parent’s living room. And apparently, they gladly

By Cassondra Guilbeau

Sunrise Kills: Close Knit

“Band of Brothers” A Must See

Continued on Page 45

Page 2: Sunrise Kills

July 9, 2009 41

have a song on a CD with other artists, but would have to tour extensively as part of the deal. While the opportunity was good, they just didn’t think it was right for them.

Recently, Sunrise Kills has found itself at an interesting crossroads. The members all have jobs or go to school and all are in relationships. They all know that this is…this is the real deal. They want music to be their career. But, when do you make the leap?

“We are still trying to figure out what road to go down,” Norman said.

The guys admit that working without a net is a scary thought, but one they are willing to face. They have been working to lay a foundation of stability, so their musical career won’t leave them broke. But, they are ready for the day that they can “get out of the heat” of their daily jobs and get on the road as fulltime musicians.

Recently, the band spent four days in Baton Rouge at Little House Productions recording facility recording their first EP. Their first time in a real recording studio, this was a big step for the band. A step that not only brought them closer together as friends, but made them all better musicians. “We know how we are supposed to sound now,” Johnson said.

The songs are all original Sunrise Kills creations. The guys come together to write their songs. Like many bands, they all bring ideas to the table, each introducing pieces of music to the group

to see how it can be developed. Johnson, as the lead singer, writes the lyrics. But, they know each other so well, they agree the lyrics he writes defines them all.

The CD will be released in the coming months. The guys can’t wait just to get their hands on the finished product. “We are going to take a bath in it,” Norman joked. The project was a true labor of love for Norman. He oversaw the marketing end of the project, including the cover art for the CD, which was created by his girlfriend. “I’ve always been a big procrastinator, but the band has kept me from procrastinating,” Norman said.

With the album ready to drop, the band will plan more touring, and feel ready to make the big leap into their musical career. They have been preparing for it for some time. Their band is a business and they know they have to treat it that way, which can sometimes mean separating their personal relationships from the equation.

“We have band talks and address things as a group,” Norman said. “It’s the key to staying together.”

As this “band of brothers” gets ready to embark on their dream, they remain grounded in where they came from and who they really are. “We always pray before going on stage,” Kennon said. “We notice a difference when we skip a prayer, it just feels different.”