Kill the Drama Revolutionize Pittsburgh's Indie Scene

Kill the Drama (KTD) made their entrance on the Pittsburgh, Pa. music scene only a month after forming their group. They dazzled the judges of local music competition The Graffiti Rock Challenge with six tracks infused with a strong dose of reality "that makes the music stronger and more believable," according to guitarist Steve Stiller. Written in a month's time, "Collapse", "Eyes Pried Open", "Seraph with Severed Wings" and "Death of an Arrogant Rockstar" were later included on their 11-track debut album "Close Friends with Sharp Knives."


Photo: Gerri Acri
Kill the Drama, Pittsburgh, January 2010

Winning this competition not only brought them recognition of the Pittsburgh's music industry, but also a tangible prize: A package to create a full-length studio album at Soundscape Studios in McKeesport, Pa. The band's title track "Close Friends with Sharp Knives" the namesake of their debut album was engineered by Dave Watson, mixed by Doug Kasper, and released in February 2007 is played regularly on 105.9 WXDX and 102.5 WDVE, two local radio stations in Pittsburgh.

Fortune kept smiling on their recording endeavors, as they made the video for their title track in collaboration with touted music photographer Robert John who became Guns 'n Roses' exclusive photographer when they signed to Geffen Records. John worked his magic on KTD's first video filmed in Pittsburgh's Diesel, and recounted many tales from photo shoots with the likes of Guns n' Roses, Alice Cooper, Elton John, Backstreet Boys, Rolling Stones, The Cult, and Aerosmith, among artists with whom he previously worked.



Constantly lending their ears to their surroundings, drummer Jason Godek and guitarist Steve Stiller, who met through a classified ad during high school; vocalist/guitarist Bryan Laskey, who who sent Stiller, Godek, and their original bassist Ben Solnik a demo of his work as a singer for his previous band Break the Sun, and bassist Chris Olzsewski, former guitarist for Break the Sun, who replaced Solnik after he parted roads with KTD, find inspiration in everything they hear.

Their style, based on a collection of personal experiences, is a successful outcome of band synergy, reminiscent of Deftones and Muse. Laskey, the main writer and Olzewski, the generator of ideas, collaborate with Stiller, who transforms the song ideas into full tracks, while Godek gives each tune its own flair by setting their rhythms.

KTD made the scene in numerous venues in Pittsburgh and its vicinity, as well as cities in Ohio and New York. They've also received invitations to perform in Belgium and Portugal, but the two tours have not been materialized.

"We have really bad luck when it comes to these things," Stiller said. On the other hand and, they've had more auspicious experiences recording their new album and finalizing another video for their debut album track "Sunshine." They're planning to shoot videos for their next album, slated to be completed this summer.

"We really hope to deliver something to our fans they haven't heard before," Stiller said. "That's our mantra for the new album."