Karate / Pockets

Karate (1993-2005). I noted Karate’s demise when it was announced in May, but have just barely got around to posting some of their music. Geoff Farina (guitar, vocals) had to leave the band for a number of personal reasons, the most notable was the development of hearing problems related to playing loud, devil-rock music. (However, Geoff still continues to play. He strums his quiet, jazzy guitar music mostly around Europe.) Gavin McCarthy (drums) and Jeff Goddard (bass post 1995) rounded out the Karate three-piece. The hardest thing about Karate is to play the “Sounds Like…” game. They have such a unique meld of jazz, punk, slo-core, and pretentious poetry that no one else really dwells in that genre.

I used to hate tomatoes and cantaloupe - couldn’t stand the things. I’m not quite sure how they slipped into my culinary aesthetic, but they did and now I love them. When I was first introduced to Karate, I skipped through the entire CD, deemed it boring, and returned the disc to my cousin and asked her to give me something good next time. Well, she just gave me more Karate. After a few more listens, they grew on me and I bought all their CDs. Most people I introduce to Karate have the same reaction. Just slip these tracks into your usual mix and let the subtleties work their magic.

Recommended Tracks:

• This, Plus Slow Song / Karate
• If You Can Hold Your Breath / Karate
• One Less Blues / Karate
• Ice or Ground / Karate
• The Rights / Geoff Farina
• Dries / Geoff Farina