Band Of The Month August 2002

Here Comes McVein

By: Adam Muffet

Who is McVein? The name is shrouded in mystery and intrigue, but a little investigation reveals that McVein is none other than Soulhat singer/guitarist Kevin McKinney (or at least his alter-ego). Not content with sitting around and doing nothing when Soulhat is not playing or putting out a record, McKinney has just released his first solo record entitled McVein in Green. Let's put an emphasis on the word "solo" here, though. Not only does he play every instrument on the record, but he recorded it in his kitchen on.....well.....not the most high tech equipment in the world. It all adds up to a very funky, creative recording, but that should not be a surprise considering that McKinney has been one of the biggest fixtures on the Austin music scene for the last decade. Amassing a huge following at the now-extinct Black Cat and Liberty Lunch in the early nineties, Soulhat owned audiences with its jam-out rock that mixes everything from funk to folk to blues. They still keep it going today playing on a regular basis, giving people a taste of the Austin that many hope never goes away. Soulhat fans should definitely dig McVein in Green, but the new record will also appeal to those who prefer a more laid back singer/songwriter type vibe. Whatever the case, Kevin "McVein" McKinney will keep on doing what he does best- cranking out music of some shape or form for you "freaks." In return, Let's see if we can find him some cool green clothes so he can display his true colors. Bring your donations to the Saxon Pub every Tuesday and stick around to watch McVein in action.

How did you come about deciding to release a solo album?

Well, I've always recorded stuff at the house just for grins, I don't have any fancy equipment or any of that.....We were supposed to have made a Soulhat record by now, but things didn't work out with the label we were on so we kind of fired each other. Rather than sit and wait to do something, I decided that these recordings I had made were good enough to release. There's something about all of them that I didn't think I could ever do again, and I like the versions of these songs.

Is the new album a major departure from Soulhat?

Yeah, I would say so. I'm playing all the instruments so it's not going to sound like the energy level that Soulhat is "supposed" to have. It's pretty laid back, kind of mellow. You know, it's a home recording, I wouldn't do a Soulhat record in my kitchen. But maybe I should!

How would you musically categorize the band or yourself as a solo artist?

I really can't, it's just me.....I write these songs and if they stick, I play em'. This is kind of a strummy acoustic thing and Soulhat is a whole different deal. I try not to do too much of the same old same old.....I guess if I would categorize my music, it would be groovy drums, strummy acoustic guitars and sarcastic vocals. Sarcastic social commentary with some love songs mixed in because I'm married now.

How difficult was it to do everything on the record yourself?

It was the easiest thing ever actually. That's what's frustrating about it Ñ making a record in a real studio with other people is not as easy. There's money and time involved, compromises.....Sometimes you get better results with others involved, but you need rehearsals, you have to trust people.....But doing things at the house you're comfortable, at ease, and you can work on it all day long without being frustrated by anyone not getting it.

You play everything on the album?

Yeah, everything......Drums, bass, guitar, everything. It's greedy, but I got tired of waiting around!

Well, I am McVein. If you rearrange Kevin McKinney, you get Kinky McVein with a couple letters left over (laughs). That's my little alter-ego I guess. Originally I was thinking that Johnny Cash is the "Man in Black", so I want to be the "Man in Green" and just wear green clothes all the time, but I never really found enough green clothes.

"Killers, Thieves and Conmen" is an interesting little number, what vocal effect are you using?

Just a real shitty mic through distorted gear! One of the beauties of the 4-track is you can get raunchy on it. Everyone has switched over to Pro-Tools, but I don't really like it because it makes everyone sound similar. I gotta be one of the hold-outs.

The Black Cat just burned down.....Knowing your history there, how did this affect you?

Well, it's real sad. I didn't really cry or anything like that, but it's my roots......Now my roots are gone, it's like being a plant in a flood having your roots washed away. It's just untimely with the closing of the Hole and the Wall. I hadn't played there in awhile.....Did some stuff with Earthpig and Fire in the middle to late '90s, but I haven't done any Soulhat shows there since the early '90s. I loved all those people, though, because they were so into it in a bizarre way.

What is the state of the Austin music scene in your opinion?

Well, it's easy to get down on it if you only stick around here, but if you go other places you can appreciate it more. I just played some shows in Oklahoma, and I think the people there appreciate the music more because they don't have nearly as much. Coming back from Oklahoma, you just have to realize that there are so many places to play here, and the scene is still pretty cool. There doesn't seem to be any bands really taking over the people right now, but you can see good bands every night in fifteen different places. It wouldn't hurt if there was a more positive environment about critiquing the music of the town.....I don't know, I just think that people who review a record in a particular genre should like that genre from the start, otherwise it doesn't have a shot. I think the radio stations here do a pretty good job of playing local stuff. I'm just sad there's not as many music instrument stores as there used to be. It's harder to go buy a funky guitar like you could at Workhorse guitars and start a band.....

Soulhat has generally had a free taping policy at shows. Are there pro's and con's to this?

Well, definitely. You can turn a lot of people on with the live stuff, but on the other hand, if there's a poor quality sounding performance out there, it's not good for business. I just kind of stay out of it, let it take care of itself. Live mics are okay, but I don't want people making board tapes, I don't think that captures the vibe of the room. Basically, if you tape it, and you dig it, and you think it's worth sharing, feel free to share it.

What are you listening to these days?

Mostly just my old vinyl stuff lately because I just got a new turntable. I just bought the new Flaming Lips record, it's cool. The Hives is a cool band too. As far as older stuff, I like Neil Young, Jeff Beck, ZZ Top, stuff like that. For guitar, I like Redd Volkaert a lot, anyone who likes guitar should definitely check him out.

What do you do when you're not playing music?

Hang out with the wife and play golf, I've whittled my life down to that (laughs). I have music, my wife, and golf. I love golf, actually met a lot of good people in the music industry through playing golf! I guess the greenery of the golf course has something to do with the green in the title.....

What's coming up for McVein?

Well, I'm doing Saxon Pub every Tuesday at 10, probably at least through the summer.....Maybe some happy hours at Antones.....I'm still doing Soulhat stuff - I don't want people to think that because I'm doing this that I'm not doing Soulhat. Soulhat is still alive and well. I really have to do both because I like being mellow and I like being spazz. I still like playin' the Bonecrushaaa! By the way, I just found a CD of the extended "Bonecrusher" at a pawn shop in Oklahoma, so I'm going to have some kind of contest because I want someone to have it. It has to be the most rabid freak because it's hard to find.....There's a copy out there for the highest bidder! I want to trade someone something for it, though, I like barter. I think barter's the way of the future when the stock market folds, and everyone is burning their guitars for firewood and eating their pets!

Appeared originally at http://www.insiteaustin.com/bandofmonth.htm

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