At a Kepi Ghoulie show, it’s not uncommon to see children and adults dancing together. For the kids, songs about animals and trips to space are appealing. And, for the adults, Kepi Ghoulie provides a sound reminiscent of the old school punk sounds of The Ramones and The Dickies.
Kepi Ghoulie, who has opened for kid-and-adult-friendly ska band The Aquabats, said he thinks it’s great his music can cross generations and help bridge gaps.
“It is great when families come, or some kid tells me that I am the only artist they have in common with their parent,” said lead vocalist Kepi, whose real name is Jeff Alexander, in an interview with the Long Beach Post ahead of his free January 25 performance at Toxic Toast Records in Long Beach. “I think originally punk was thought to be a form of musical rebellion and perhaps it was, but music, like ourselves, must evolve or grow stale. I think music now is about respect and doing what is right for you (the artist and creator), and also the punk/music scene can be great for creating original, creative communities. Much big music now is based on good looks and delivery of someone else’s material, or the original music has zero message. That’s why I love the Aquabats. Their music is fun, funny, creative, positive, promotes positivity and community all at once. That is a great thing.”
Kepi’s career in music began 31 years ago when he performed with the Groovy Ghoulies, a 1980s pop-punk band whose lyrics were inspired by horror movies. After the band dissolved in 2007, Kepi continued to perform music by creating Kepi Ghoulie.
Since then, Kepi Ghoulie has released six full-length albums, which include genres like punk, roots, acoustic, children’s music and country.
With the country album being the latest addition to his discography, Kepi appears to be following in the footsteps of musicians like Johnny Cash and Mike Ness of Social Distortion, artists who he said he admires.
“I was playing a house show in France and my friend’s mom asked me to play a Johnny Cash song, so I did ‘Ring of Fire’,” Kepi said. “I liked that version and then recorded it. It was intentionally different from the original.”
Kepi said he was proud to have been in the music scene for so long.
“At this point, I feel honored to still be making music and that people want to hear it,” he said. “I think, ‘Who from 1954 was still going in 1984?’ So when I think that I get to still keep going from 1984 to 2014, wow! Many musical endeavors last two to three years, but I have good inspirations, from the Stones to Neil Young to Iggy Pop to Jonathan Richman to Lemmy to Chuck Berry, who is ‘feeling great at 88!’ As long as the ideas for new projects keep popping into my head — and they are — I will keep going!”
He said Long Beach can expect a mix of Kepi Ghoulie songs, as well as Groovie Ghoulie songs, at his upcoming show at Toxic Toast Records.
“There are no rules,” he said. “I will play things from the new record, of course, but that is almost an acoustic ‘greatest hits’ unto itself. I always take requests of almost anything I have ever written and recorded, if I can remember it or I feel it is appropriate for that particular performance. Just know that every show I ever play, I am doing my best, and trying to put on the best show of my life.”
Kepi Ghoulie will perform at Toxic Toast Records, located at 757 Pine Avenue, on January 25 at 3:00PM. Admission is free and open to all ages.
Photo of Kepi Ghoulie by Brittany Woolsey
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