Koufax (band)


Koufax is the name of an indie rock band band from America's Midwest. Koufax originally came from the independent-rock scene.
However, Koufax developed quite an independent and multi-layered style of music, which is mainly characterized by piano-driven rock songs with powerful guitar accompaniment. Quite frequently the band also included synthesizers. Later, the use of wind instruments increased. Another striking thing about Koufax is that quite often there were several multi-instrumentalists among the active band members.

History

Koufax were founded in 1998. The founding members are from mainly Toledo, Ohio.
The band is named after the baseball legend Sandy Koufax, who was a successful baseball pitcher with the Los Angeles Dodgers during the sixties.
Koufax were founded by Robert Suchan, Sean Grogan, Andrew Cameron and Dave Shettler. The band's self-titled debut EP was released in 1999 on independent label Doghouse Records, and got them noticed by The Get Up Kids, who signed them to their label, Vagrant Records subsidiary Heroes and Villains. The first EP is the only record where Koufax sound like what you would expect of an Indie rock band of that time.

'''''It Had To Do With Love'' (2000)'''

For recording the debut album “It Had To Do With Love” and the following tour, Jared Rosenberg joined the band as the second keyboarder. The band now focused on the use of piano and synthesizer. With Rosenberg in the band, the sound of Koufax changed substantially. Through his rhythmic and melodic playing the pieces are noticeably more dynamic and swinging, which continued for the next records.
In 2000, a tour with The Get up Kids and The Anniversary was sponsored by Napster.

'''''Social Life'' (2002)'''

For the second album there was a line-up change. Instead of Sean Grogan and Andrew Cameron, Benjamin Force joined the band as bass player, but also knew how to handle the guitar.
From May to June 2002, in just four weeks, the album "Social Life" was recorded, which addresses the topic of a social life with recreational drug use. Social Life was much heavier on the guitars than its predecessor and can probably also be regarded as Koufax's most popular work. The album was released in October 2002 again by Vagrant.
Again, Koufax did the tour for the album together with the Get Up Kids.
Despite professionally recorded albums and numerous tours, Koufax have struggled with being relatively unknown and have called themselves “The best band you've never heard” on their MySpace page.

'''''Hard Times Are In Fashion'' (2005)'''

In autumn 2004, Suchan moved from Ohio to Lawrence, Kansas and found the brothers Ryan and Rob Pope of the Get Up Kids as a new cast for the bass and drums section.
After two records on Vagrant, Koufax re-signed with Doghouse and released a third LP, Hard Times are in Fashion, in 2005.
On this album, Robert Suchan addresses the infectious apathy apathy spreading throughout the country. Suchan experienced this disinterest first-hand when he was a substitute teacher in American schools. With this record he does not want to impose political announcements on anybody, but he describes the current zeitgeist of the politically divided camps and the fear of the Americans to express themselves honestly politically.
Suchan recorded most of the material for  “Hard Times Are In Fashion” in Prague. From the distance, he realized how strange it was to live in America, and how much closer he actually was to Europe.

'''''Strugglers'' (2008)'''

For the next album Suchan put together a completely new ensemble from Lawrence, KS: John Anderson, Nathan Harold, Dustin Kinsey and Ryan Lallier. John Anderson had already worked on the previous Koufax-record and Dustin Kinsey used to work with The New Amsterdams. The band's 4th album Strugglers was released September 28, 2008 via Doghouse.
In contrast to its predecessors, it contains significantly more jazz elements and is considerably bulkier than its playful predecessors. After Koufax withdrew from their musical activity, Nate Harold and Dustin Kinsey joined the Get Up Kids as Touring members.The last stage activity was registered in 2010. The latest release is a live performance of the Song “Trouble will find you” on the compilation release “Fearless Music” in 2012
Koufax ask many questions in their songs, but they don’t expect any answers. Every listener should discover them for himself. Robert Suchan has repeatedly emphasized in interviews that he does not want to make music all his life or get rich with it.
"I'm not stupid enough  to believe that I'll get rich with it."  "It's a hobby for me, and if you commit yourself to making music, then you're a fool." - Robert Suchan

Influences

In addition to the fusion of musical elements from  70's Rock, 80's New Wave and 90's Emo-Pop, Koufax have been compared again and again with artists such as Joe Jackson, Elvis Costello or The Cure, which the band did not reject.
In fact, Koufax played the Joe Jackson song “Steppin 'Out” at several concerts. It can also be found as a cover version on the Japanese release of It “It Had To Do With Love”. On the Why Bother At All? -EP the Jackson's song “Look Sharp!” is included as a B-side. From The Cure they covered the “Love song” a few times live. In addition, artists such as Ric Ocasek, Eddie Money, Bruce Springsteen, Morrissey, Supertramp, the Cars or The Smiths are mentioned as possible influences.
However, Koufax apparently influenced some bands that were also signed to Vagrant at the time. When asked if he was worried that other bands might steal material from him, Suchan replied in an interview: "In my opinion, that's the best compliment."

Band members

Final members


Discography

Albums