Band Kicks Concert Series Into Higher Gear

Connecticut's renowned top 40 cover band Kick played Tuesday night. 

They began with rather ordinary takes on "Summer of 69" and "You Made Me Right" that perhaps seemed so because they were playing at a lowered volume. 

However, once the technicians adjusted the sound, Kick’s following numbers would unveil one of their three distinguishing elements: exquisite harmonies. The pure, sweet tones of their frontman and backup vocalist melded seamlessly through tracks such as "I Want You To Want Me" and "Footloose." 

Suddenly, the hundreds in the audience understood the hype. The band next proceeded through an uninterrupted music-block that revealed their most dynamic feature: rearranged rock covers of urban and pop songs.

They applied blistering makeovers to "This Is How We Do It," "Rapper’s Delight" and "My Prerogative" and they spiced things up further by throwing in gender-bending covers of Pink and Katy Perry songs. 

The group then paused to take several requests from the audience, including "38 Special," which is a song that the band did not know. However, they valiantly mustered a credible, partial-stab at it. This is the third aspect that makes Kick unique: they will attempt any song they have ever heard, whether or not they ever played it.

Kick is a rock band to the core, and the five guys definitely look and play the part. Individual group members resemble members of Green Day, Smashmouth, and Incubus and when the boys collectively find their zone on-stage, they envelop it in rock-and-roll swagger. 

Not surprisingly, the band especially appealed to the ladies. The ampitheater’s pit brimmed in a sea of halter top-wearing dancers-- plus two guys. The lead singer pronounced them, “the two smartest dudes here.” 

Dan Paul, 26, of East Hartford watched appreciatively. 

“These guys always bring out the girls. Always.” 

His friend, Brian Gorski, 27, of Farmington added, “Best show I ever saw at UConn.” 

Many at the concert Tuesday may now say the same for Veterans Memorial Ampitheater. 

The concludes with Sold Out on tonight at 6:30 p.m.