KENISIA formed in late 1996 by ex-members of Narcolepsy and Joshi, and went through various line up changes until the current line up came together in 2003. After starting out as an alternative/reggae kind of band KENISIA spent their first 2 years gigging around the Bristol/Bath area. Over this time the band developed and refined their style with a ska, punk and reggae influence with bits of metal put in for good measure!
In Summer 1998 KENISIA recorded a 12 track demo at the White House near Bristol, which provided two tracks for a split 7 with Mighty Joe Young and their first internet release ‘So What!’ (mp3.com and peoplesound.com).
Through money raised by constant gigging and the internet release, KENISIA went back into the studio, and the results were released on the internet as ‘Blown Out’ (mp3.com and peoplesound.com). The band then decided to mix and match favourite tracks from the two sessions and came up with ‘Crash Helmet Hoopla’. To begin with this was self-released but after getting good reviews Trash City Records offered to put the album ‘Crash Helmet Hoopla’ out in March 2001.
In January 2002 KENISIA took over the studio once more to record a new album, which they sent out to a few labels hoping they would like it as much as the band did. In July 2002 the new CD ‘Nothing to Say’ was released on Household Name Records. With wide ranging influences the bands musical style had evolved into today’s ska/punk and reggae/rock outbursts.
Original lead singer Alan Cains departed in late 2003 to explore the world and James Lambeth, the bands American trumpet player took over the vocal duties. With an exceptionally strong voice James added another dimension to the band helping them to continue going from strength to strength.
Shortly after James took over the vocal duties KENISIA recorded a Radio 1 Session for the Lock up show at the legendary Maida Vale studios. Three tracks were recorded including two new songs the band had written with James, a new era had arrived. With Several UK tours now under their belt, KENISIA went into the studio again in 2005, to work on new material.
Prototype is the third album from Bristol’s KENISIA. Released on Household Name Records (CAPDOWN, LIGHTYEAR & ADEQUATE SEVEN) it sees the band breathing new life into the UK ska punk hybrid by creating an uplifting soul infused punk rock record that will propel KENISIA to a new era of their own. New vocalist James Lambeth’s sweet, soaring falsetto blends effortlessly with JA infused rock that takes in as much of SUBLIME as it does LIVING COLOUR or the soul/reggae moments of BAD BRAINS’ vocalist HR making this a uniquely upbeat and colourful UK release in this time of pale and plastic teen emo-pop. Embrace it.
In 2007 original drummer Tom Shorland left Kenisia to start a family and Stuart Williams (formerly of Slick Fifty) joined to take over drumming duties. Influenced by drummers like Dave Grohl and Stewart Copeland, Stu quickly settled into the band with his very own distinctive style.
