Iconic psychobilly trio Koffin Kats will be celebrating two decades on the road when they return to Tin Roof Jan. 10
from Staff Reports
The groundwork for what has become the relentlessly-touring sonic assault known as The Koffin Kats was laid near Detroit, MI when Vic Victor (lead vocalist, upright bass) joined forces with long-time friend Tommy Koffin (guitar). After adding Damian Detroit (drums) the band kicked off in June 2003. Now, with two decades of touring internationally and thousands of live shows, the touring trio’s current home is out on the open road.
The Koffin Kats began by putting together songs with such subjects as dealing with the horrors of the real world, as well as science fiction. The band started in small local bars playing for beer, hoping for gas money, and eventually made their way out of the Midwest. The next couple of years contained positives, including numerous North American tours, and negatives concerning changes in the drumming position. During this time, the Kats released their first three albums: Koffin Kats (2003), Inhumane (2005), and Straying From The Pack (2006).
The three album releases and their supporting tours gained attention for The Koffin Kats and helped get the band noticed in the wild world of punk and psychobilly. In 2007 Victor and Koffin connected with drummer Eric “E-Ball” Walls to record the band’s fourth studio album, Drunk In The Daylight (2008), and catalyzed what the band is now known for: love for their fans and the road, and playing everywhere for everyone willing to watch and listen.
In 2009 the trio released their fifth studio album, Forever For Hire, and Koffin departed at the year’s end to pursue a “normal life.” Shortly thereafter, “EZ” Ian Jarrell took over the guitarist position and joined the band on tour. While on the road they worked on the material that would become featured on their split album with fellow psychobilly act 12 Step Rebels, From Our Hands To Yours (2011).
The Koffin Kats signed with Sailor’s Grave Records in late 2011, and released Our Way & The Highway in January 2012. The trio supported their sixth studio album’s release with non-stop international touring, finally ending in summer of 2013. In autumn of the same year, they released another full-length album with Sailor’s Grave Records, Born Of The Motor.
Early 2014 brought another change to The Koffin Kats’ member roster. Ian Jarrell left the band to handle personal business at home in Albuquerque, N.M. Not wanting to bring someone too far removed from The Koffin Kats family into the fold, Victor and Walls enlisted John Kay (guitar), who served as engineer on some previous Koffin Kats recordings.
And then, in 2016, the founding lineup returned. Six years after his departure, Koffin returned to playing guitar with The Koffin Kats. With Victor on lead vocals and upright bass, and Walls on drums. In 2017, the trio self-released the album Party Time In The End Times under the Koffin Kats Records label. The band toured throughout the following years until the COVID-19 pandemic brought live entertainment to a halt.
During the unexpected break from touring, the band took time to write and record. Victor and Koffin put together an acoustic release called Victor & Koffinfunkle. Back in writing mode they then focused on new material. This brought about the early 2021 self release of Ya Can’t Take It With Ya. A 6-track EP.
The band continued to tour and work on new material in 2023, which was their 20th anniversary year. Now, with 2024 beginning, the Koffin Kats are showing no sign of slowing down.
Koffin Kats will play Wednesday, Jan. 10 along with Jared Petteys & The Headliners and Dog Bite at Tin Roof, located at 1117 Magnolia Road. Tickets are $12. For more information, call (843) 571-0775 or visit www.charlestontinroof.com.
