Kudzu Wish
Encyclopedia
Kudzu Wish was formed in 1998 by Devender Sellars, Eric Mann, Tim LaFollette, and Geordie Woods after befriending each other while studying at Guilford College
in Greensboro, NC. Adam Thorn later joined the band in 2000. Depending on who you ask, Kudzu Wish was either an Indie rock
band, a Punk rock
band, a Post-hardcore
band, or an amalgamation of some or all of those genres. Perhaps guitarist Eric Mann defined the band most accurately:
Records, often revealed the reviewer to be confused (and occasionally appalled) at a perceived lack of cohesiveness, and yet appreciative of the forcefulness of the songs. Ryan Potts at Skyscraper Magazine seemed let down by a band who couldn't finish what they started.
and radio promotion was done for the album through Vitriol Independent Promotion. The album was a top 10 CMJ ADD and reached number 137 on the CMJ college radio charts. Many of the songs featured on the album would remain in the Kudzu Wish repertoire until the end. "I Am Robot", "We've Got Big Hands", and "Do You need An Anthem?" had audiences singing along to the lyrics as though they were written with a mob of voices in mind. More touring followed the release of Reverse Hurricane including a tour of the southeast with Army of Ponch, as well as a number of opening slots with the up and coming Against Me!
In 2004 Kudzu Wish completed a five week tour of the continental United States.
. The album was released by Ernest Jenning
on October 7, 2005 and was released post-humously as a 12" EP by Permaculture Records (now Red String Records). 2005 saw Kudzu wish touring up to Canada and back down to Florida with No Idea Records
band, Fifth Hour Hero. 2005 also saw the final Kudzu wish show which took place at the Greene Street Club in Greensboro (A reunion concert was held at Two Art Chicks in 2007). In 2006 No Idea Records
released the Fest3 DVD which featured a Kudzu Wish performance of their song "I Am Rocket," and Series DVD released First in Flight: A North Carolina Retrospective DVD which featured Kudzu Wish performing "Do You Need An Anthem?" live . An interview is conducted with Adam and Eric on the extras section of Against Me!
's "We're Never Going Home" DVD. Kudzu Wish also donated several curry recipes to I Like Food, Food Tastes Good a book that features recipes by rock bands and was published by Hyperion Books.
, or Lou Gehrig's Disease) in April of 2009. His friends started the Often Awesome Army, working to improve Tim's quality of life and create awareness about ALS. Tim's battle was featured in a web series called "Often Awesome: The Series." Tim passed away on the morning of August 23rd, 2011, surrounded by family and friends.
Guilford College
Guilford College, founded in 1837 by members of the Religious Society of Friends , is an independent college whose stated mission is to: provide a transformative, practical and excellent liberal arts education that produces critical thinkers in an inclusive, diverse environment, guided by Quaker...
in Greensboro, NC. Adam Thorn later joined the band in 2000. Depending on who you ask, Kudzu Wish was either an Indie rock
Indie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
band, a Punk rock
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
band, a Post-hardcore
Post-hardcore
Post-hardcore is a genre of music that developed from hardcore punk, itself an offshoot of the broader punk rock movement. Like post-punk, post-hardcore is a term for a broad constellation of groups...
band, or an amalgamation of some or all of those genres. Perhaps guitarist Eric Mann defined the band most accurately:
"it means a rock band of 5 dudes, whose many music influences just happen to make sense together. In addition, it also means a lot more than music to me. It means community and friendship."
At The Scene Of The Accident
Regardless of what the disparate parts of Kudzu Wish thought their band was, the music press, and underground rock fans, often didn't know what to make of the five-piece. Reviews of their 2002 debut, a split CD with Disband released on Ernest JenningErnest Jenning
Ernest Jenning / Ernest Jenning Record Co. is an independent record label established in 2002 in Jersey City, NJ. The label is currently based out of the 44 Wall St. office in downtown NYC...
Records, often revealed the reviewer to be confused (and occasionally appalled) at a perceived lack of cohesiveness, and yet appreciative of the forcefulness of the songs. Ryan Potts at Skyscraper Magazine seemed let down by a band who couldn't finish what they started.
"Kudzu Wish spin rough rock edges around their sturdy melodic core to arrive at music that feels as if it’s simply going through the motions of a typical punk band rather than truly trailblazing its own path."
Reverse Hurricane
When it came time for the band to release their first full-length album in 2003 it was apparent to most that a steady regime of touring had resulted in a tighter, more ferocious Kudzu Wish. Reverse Hurricane, was also released on Ernest JenningErnest Jenning
Ernest Jenning / Ernest Jenning Record Co. is an independent record label established in 2002 in Jersey City, NJ. The label is currently based out of the 44 Wall St. office in downtown NYC...
and radio promotion was done for the album through Vitriol Independent Promotion. The album was a top 10 CMJ ADD and reached number 137 on the CMJ college radio charts. Many of the songs featured on the album would remain in the Kudzu Wish repertoire until the end. "I Am Robot", "We've Got Big Hands", and "Do You need An Anthem?" had audiences singing along to the lyrics as though they were written with a mob of voices in mind. More touring followed the release of Reverse Hurricane including a tour of the southeast with Army of Ponch, as well as a number of opening slots with the up and coming Against Me!
Against Me!
Against Me! is an American punk rock band formed in 1997 in Naples, Florida and relocated to Gainesville, Florida in 1999. Their first full-length album, released on No Idea Records in 2002, was Against Me! Is Reinventing Axl Rose. They have released music on Misanthrope Records, Crasshole Records,...
In 2004 Kudzu Wish completed a five week tour of the continental United States.
En Route
The band's next step was to record an EP entitled En Route with respected producer J. RobbinsJ. Robbins
James Robbins is an American rock music artist. He began his career as a bassist for Government Issue, and has also led four of his own bands: Jawbox, Rollkicker Laydown, Burning Airlines, and Channels. He was a touring bassist for Scream and played bass on the debut 7" from Jack Potential, which...
. The album was released by Ernest Jenning
Ernest Jenning
Ernest Jenning / Ernest Jenning Record Co. is an independent record label established in 2002 in Jersey City, NJ. The label is currently based out of the 44 Wall St. office in downtown NYC...
on October 7, 2005 and was released post-humously as a 12" EP by Permaculture Records (now Red String Records). 2005 saw Kudzu wish touring up to Canada and back down to Florida with No Idea Records
No Idea Records
For other uses, see No Idea .No Idea Records is an independent record label based in Gainesville, Florida which produces both vinyl records and compact discs...
band, Fifth Hour Hero. 2005 also saw the final Kudzu wish show which took place at the Greene Street Club in Greensboro (A reunion concert was held at Two Art Chicks in 2007). In 2006 No Idea Records
No Idea Records
For other uses, see No Idea .No Idea Records is an independent record label based in Gainesville, Florida which produces both vinyl records and compact discs...
released the Fest3 DVD which featured a Kudzu Wish performance of their song "I Am Rocket," and Series DVD released First in Flight: A North Carolina Retrospective DVD which featured Kudzu Wish performing "Do You Need An Anthem?" live . An interview is conducted with Adam and Eric on the extras section of Against Me!
Against Me!
Against Me! is an American punk rock band formed in 1997 in Naples, Florida and relocated to Gainesville, Florida in 1999. Their first full-length album, released on No Idea Records in 2002, was Against Me! Is Reinventing Axl Rose. They have released music on Misanthrope Records, Crasshole Records,...
's "We're Never Going Home" DVD. Kudzu Wish also donated several curry recipes to I Like Food, Food Tastes Good a book that features recipes by rock bands and was published by Hyperion Books.
Tim LaFollette and Often Awesome
Bass player Tim LaFollette was diagnosed with Amytrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALSALS
ALS refers to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's diseaseIt may also refer to:-Medicine:* Advanced life support, a level of medical training* Anterolateral system, part of the nervous system...
, or Lou Gehrig's Disease) in April of 2009. His friends started the Often Awesome Army, working to improve Tim's quality of life and create awareness about ALS. Tim's battle was featured in a web series called "Often Awesome: The Series." Tim passed away on the morning of August 23rd, 2011, surrounded by family and friends.