Electronic Press Kit

Electronic Press Kit

In an era where words - in fact merely talking - has dominated mainstream music, It’s worth noting that some of the finest songcraft of now and decades past, much of it great and often overlooked, contained no words at all! Such is the crusade of Hillsborough NC’s Killer Filler, whose slogan is also their mantra:

“ Lyric-Free since 2004 ”

We’re not talking about some free jazz ensemble or jam-band noodlers here; Killer Fillers’ songs hark back to an earlier era where they often clock in at four minutes or less, and are catchy, fun, and compulsively danceable. Their covers are often obscure wonders deserving newfound attention, their originals good enough to have been used as soundtrack music to many contemporary television shows (“The Osbournes’”, “The Real World”, and “Pimp My Ride”, being but a few).

Seeking the best musical bang for the buck, no musical format is safe: Soul, R&B, Surf, Rockabilly, Country, Jazz, Latin, and even Easy Listening appear on Killer Fillers’ setlist, the contrast of styles being refreshing and complimentary to band and audience alike. Their debut album, “Filler Up!” follows this same non-formula. From the peppy surf of “Kiddie Pool” to the TV sitcom funk of “The Bailiff”, to the goofy lounge of “Tintarella Di Luna”, to the happy pop of “Mallsville”, the average listener will never be bored, and likely will never miss the words that aren’t there.

Killer Filler is the pretty good idea of keyboardist/guitarist/songwriter Crispy Bess, better known to some as “Cousin Crispy” during his stint as Southern Culture on the Skids’ utility infielder from 1997-2003. The band also features the guitar work of Bryon Settle (also known from Lud and the legendary Pressure Boys), the “Psycho-Delic” guitar of Pete Gamble (who also played in Secret Service many years ago), Mark Murphy on drums, and their newest member, Rusty Miller, on bass. The combination of seasoned professionals and sharp-minded younger players show in their tightness of arrangements and rock solid grooves that entertain both young and old with equal measure.

“ Be Sure To Ask For Gus! ”

Press Clippings

In addition to being an Independent Weekly “Indy Pick” for almost 90 percent of their shows, nearly all of the regular Indy writers have had nice things to say:

“Fun and frolicking instrumentals…An eclectic mix of R&B, Surf, and other instrumentals that would be at home in a Tiki Lounge or dance party,”

-Chris Toenes, Independent Weekly

“A ready-made Austin Powers soundtrack“

--Dan Forte Vintage Guitar Magazine

“And now for something completely different! Enjoyable, entertaining, funny, good musicians, Killer Filler are not throwbacks, not a nostalgia act with their musically quirky hodad hijinks,”

-Butch Modern, the Village Idiot

“Anchored by the band’s progenitor Chris “Crispy” Bess, these five musicians work in hues of 1960s Memphis soul and California surf music to paint a pretty picture in your head of all those 50s and 60s memories you had personally, or lived vicariously through movies and TV.”

--Richard Davis, Car Kulture Deluxe Magazine

“Think of an OCD knob-twiddler molesting 60’s car stereos and mashing up styles with a delightfully demented disregard for genre. Or think of a schizoid potpourri of instrumental revelry…You’ll laugh. You’ll cry. You’ll surf,”

--RM, Independent Weekly

“Killer Filler lives up to its’ name,”

--Grant Britt, Independent Weekly

“You just can't listen to these 17 sleek instrumentals without being put in mind of a really cool heist caper starring George Clooney dressed to the nines and masterminding a convoluted plot to get the money and the girl.”

--David Menconi, Raleigh News and Observer

“ KILLER FILLER: Psychesurfia instrumentals suitable for lounging, drag racing or soundtracking a spaghetti Western.”

--Rick Cornell, Independent Weekly

“These seasoned cats go spelunking into the instrumental vibe knowing that surf numbers, New Orleans funk and dusty party nuggets mean one thing: good-time music. “

--CT, Independent Weekly