The Kiss Offs

Since their Austin, TX, debut in 1997, the Kiss-Offs have brought on their hectic, noisy garage punk comparable to the likes of the Grifters, Emily's Sassy Lime, and Bratmobile. Accompanied by a tongue in cheek stage show that included the use of strobe lights and pyrotechnics, Dwayne Barnes (drums/ vocals), Gavin Scott (bass/ vocals), Katey Jones (keyboard/ vocals), Travis Higdon (guitar/ vocals), and Phillip Niemeyer (guitar/ vocals) released their first EP, Love Evidence, through Peek-A-Boo Records in 1997. Following two additional singles, the Kiss-Offs recorded their first album, Goodbye Private Life, in Dwayne Barnes' garage before having Peek-a-Boo Records release it in 1999. A nation-wide tour in support of it would follow for the duration of the year, including a brief stint opening for the Rondells. Another studio release, entitled Rock Bottom, surfaced in early 2001.