Kopek is a three piece modern/alternative rock band from Dublin Ireland. The band is set to release their debut album on Religion Music June 29^th 2010 titled “White Collar Lies”; however Kopek has been together as a band for nearly ten years and have toured extensively in that time. Kopek’s members are Daniel Jordan (vocals/guitar), Shane Cooney (drums), and Brad Kinsella (bass guitar). A big break to Kopek came in 2005 when they entered and won the Global Battle of the Bands competition, which awarded the band $100,000 and a sponsored world tour. This would give Kopek the invaluable opportunity to earn their chops on the road and experience the world as a traveling band. Kopek performs like a band mature beyond their musical years. This certainly must play a part in their amazing depth of talent at such a tender age as a musical unit.

White Collar Lies is a spectacular collection of music that is comprised of several tasty layers. There are several fronts on which a group must strike to create a quality and worthwhile album.  There must be the obvious elements of well written lyrics, enjoyable melody and good production. However the truly classic bands/albums go deeper than just that, they add the magical element of the charisma of the musicians creating the music and an intense and passionate delivery that translates to the listener. A prime example of what I am saying for instance is Roger Daltreys primal scream in “Won’t Get Fooled Again”, or Kurt Cobains performance in “Smells Like Teen Spirit”. Music delivered with such sincerity and raw power that they make you believe in what they are singing about. Kopek has accomplished all of this with White Collar Lies. Every song is immensely enjoyable, chock full of cunningly written lyrics that have something to say and furthermore say it in a fresh and honest way. Daniel Jordans vocal performances are thrown in your face with a Cobain style swagger and attitude followed up by tasty R&B guitar licks. Kopek deliver impeccable musicianship with a guitar sound that is, at times reminiscent of the classic rock bands of the late 60’s and early 70’s that brought into play overdriven tube amplifiers. It takes about 30 seconds into the first track, “Cocaine Chest Pains” to realize that this band has something going on with talent that runs deeper than the average band. If I was to compare Kopek to another band I would say they are somewhere between Nirvana and Seether, with definite leanings toward Nirvana. Their music is at times dark and brooding, for example the albums last track “Sin City”, but always with a melodic edge and deeply inspired meaning.

Highlight tracks for my taste were “White Collar Lies”, which is a dead on jab at government corruption and abuse of power, “Love Is Dead”, “Bring It On Home”, and “Sub Human”, which makes clever use an Aborigine instrument called a Didgeridoo.

Kopek is a three piece band that sounds huge and has maintained a rather raw sound on the album, even though they have also tastefully added several dimensions to the music through use of various instruments such as the aforementioned Didgeridoo, guitar effects and some overdubbing, which is to be expected in the studio with a three piece band.

White Collar Lies by Kopek is Genius through and through, and is an astounding feat for a debut album. If Kopek’s musical talents and writing abilities continue to increase and mature in the direction in which they are currently pointed then they are poised to conquer the world!

 Ivan Parrish for Inside Heavy!