Kevin Seconds

Kevin Seconds
Background information
Born (1961-03-24) March 24, 1961
Sacramento, California, United States
Genres Punk rock, hardcore punk, melodic hardcore, alternative rock, folk
indie rock
Occupation(s) Vocalist, songwriter, musician
Instruments Vocals, Guitar
Years active 1978–present
Labels BYO, Asian Man, Positive Force, Restless, Immortal/Sony, Rise Records
Associated acts 7 Seconds, Go National, Ghetto Moments, Drop Acid, Seed, Kevin Seconds & The Altruistics, Positively Ventilate

Kevin Seconds (born Kevin Marvelli; March 24, 1961) is an American singer/songwriter/musician, born in Sacramento, California. As a teenager, he moved with his family to Reno, Nevada where he lived until 1988 when he relocated back to Sacramento and has been based ever since.[1]

It was while living in Reno, that he founded the highly influential hardcore punk band 7 Seconds in 1979 with his younger brother Steve Youth. Having been their frontman from the start, he also writes their lyrics. The band signed to the Better Youth Organization label in late 1983. BYO put out 7 Seconds' first record, The Crew. Since its formation, 7 Seconds has released over 15 records as well as touring North America, Europe and Japan multiple times.

Simultaneously with his career with 7 Seconds, he has been engaged in several side band projects. These include Go National, Drop Acid, Mustard, 5'10", Ghetto Moments, Kevin Seconds & The Altruistics and a new loud punk/rock project called Positively Ventilate.

Besides his musical endeavors, Seconds is an artist and illustrator and makes his artwork available at his live shows and via his website. He also sporadically hosts an online radio show called "Sound Salvation Radio with Kevin Seconds", via Spreaker.com. Seconds broadcasts whenever he has free time, usually doing it live from his van. It is primarily a music show with Seconds playing tunes from some of his favorite bands but it is also a vehicle for him to discuss politics, social issues and the current state of the music scene, amongst other things.

Starting in 2001, Seconds and his wife Allyson Seconds owned and maintained the popular "True Love Coffeehouse" in Sacramento but closed 4 years later after multiple problems with the landlord of the building. In 2006, Seconds reopened True Love in a new location, not far from the original location but closed it after two years, after having various personal, economical and philosophical differences with his silent business partners. The couple have no immediate plans to re-open the cafe.

Solo career

Starting as a solo artist in 1989, Kevin Seconds began performing as a solo acoustic performer, debuting as an opener to the band Dramarama at the City Gardens club in Trenton, New Jersey. Since then, he has toured the United States and Europe extensively under his own name and has played with the likes of Elliott Smith, Jonathan Richman, Ben Lee, John Doe, Bouncing Souls, Bad Brains, Bob Mould, Chuck Ragan (Hot Water Music), Ben Nichols (Lucero), Vic Ruggiero (The Slackers), Greg Attonito (Bouncing Souls), Joey Cape (Lagwagon) and Jesse Michaels (Operation Ivy), among other acts. He has released 7 solo albums (Stoudamire, Heaven's Near Wherever You Are, Rise Up Insomniacs, Good Luck Buttons, Don't Let Me Lose Ya, Off Stockton and New Years Rulin's, a tribute record featuring 33 short songs inspired by Woody Guthrie's 33 new year's resolutions for the year 1943, and has appeared on several compilations, split 7 inch vinyl releases (including releases with Mike Hale (Gunmoll) and Mike Scott (Phinius Gage and Lay It on the Line (band)) and a split album with Matt Skiba of Alkaline Trio, released in 2002 on Asian Man Records.

He frequently collaborates with his wife Allyson, who sings lead in her own musical project BagOKittens with Sacramento -based singer-songwriter Anton Barbeau.

Although 7 Seconds still tours, Seconds has focused almost solely on his solo music and tours as frequently as possible. Since the summer of 2008, he has toured extensively throughout North America, as well as the U.K. and mainland Europe.

Discography

Studio albums

Straight edge

As with Ian MacKaye of Minor Threat, Seconds has had a great deal of influence on the straight edge subculture but has never fully embraced it as a movement. He has been outspoken about his opposition to the more militant aspects of straight edge and does not support it. Seconds continues to maintain a drug/alcohol/smoke-free lifestyle but appears to have no interest in being a spokesman for the straight edge lifestyle.[2] He is vegetarian.[2]

References

  1. ↑ Porter, Christopher (10 February 2009). "Committed for Life: Kevin Seconds". Washington Post Express. Retrieved 25 May 2013.
  2. 1 2 Smyers, Darryl (March 4, 2014). "Kevin Seconds on "4am In Texas" and Breaking Punk Rock's Rules". Dallas Observer. Retrieved May 21, 2016.
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