Although a lot of people might not recognize his name, anyone who’s heard Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen is familiar with Bill Kirchen’s work as the lead guitarist for that legendary band. Those who have been fortunate enough to catch him live with his current band, Too Much Fun, know that he’s one of the most exciting and versatile guitar players on the planet. Blending straight ahead rock and roll, country twang, and mournful, cry in your beer truck driving songs into a style all his own that he calls “dieselbilly,” Kirchen delivers exuberant, electrifying performances that never fail to delight, astound, and exhilerate his audiences.
In addition to songs from his own extensive solo career, Kirchen’s material includes a liberal helping of old Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen favorites such as “Lost in the Ozone,” “Seeds and Stems,” “Too Much Fun,” and the undisputed centerpiece of his shows–a marathon rendition of “Hot Rod Lincoln” in which he pays homage to two or three dozen legendary guitar players and can be heard on the amazing 1997 release “Hot Rod Lincoln Live!” on Hightone Records. It’s not an exaggeration to say that you haven’t lived until you’ve witnessed him and his battered old Telecaster evoke the signature sounds of everyone from Duane Eddy, the three Kings (B.B., Albert, and Freddie), to Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and a host of others in the space of a few minutes. If you ever get a chance to see Bill Kirchen and Too Much Fun, by all means drop everything and go. You won’t regret it! To check out his touring schedule, discography, and lots of other useful information, check out his website at http://billkirchen.com/CrosstownArts/client_music/kirchen/.
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