Holy Ghost Revival
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2001 |
| Defunct | 2008 |
| Headquarters | Bainbridge Island, Washington , United States |
| Products | Rock music albums and singles |
Holy Ghost Revival was a rock ensemble originating from Bainbridge Island, Washington, established in 2001. They characterized their sound as a fusion of "heavy metal, folk rock, and pagan glam," featuring a frequently changing roster of musicians. Prior to their dissolution in 2008, the group included Conor Kiley (vocals, keyboards), Mikko Freeman (drums), Sebastian Sheldon (keyboards, guitar), Jakes Bayley (bass), and Johnny O'Donnell (guitar). Their discography comprises multiple LPs and singles released through labels such as 1965 Records.
The band’s musical style was influenced by cinematic scores and rock music from the 1970s and 1980s. OC Weekly described Holy Ghost Revival’s sound as a "vampy, swaggering combination of power chords and pianos, blending glam theatrics with operatic punk rock drama." Frontman Conor Kiley was likened by Allmusic to a hybrid of Iggy Pop, Axl Rose, and Jim Morrison.
Formation
Holy Ghost Revival came together on Bainbridge Island, Washington in 2001 while most members were still attending high school. Conor Kiley, who graduated from Bainbridge High School in 2001, recalled, "We were just teenagers playing punk rock, glam rock, and other cool genres. We simply assembled and started performing." The band's name was inspired by a sign at a Seattle store called The Blade. After acquiring a van, they began organizing their own gigs. Known for their distinctive "heavy metal folk rock/pagan glam" genre, the group maintained a fluid lineup and acted as mentors to emerging local glam bands such as Gruff Mummies.
Discography
At the outset of their career, Holy Ghost Revival issued several singles and distributed complimentary 7" vinyl records to their audience. In 2005, they released City Drugs on Antarctic Records as a vinyl LP.
- Bleeding Light
Their first album, Bleeding Light, debuted in 2005 through a joint release on Jonny Cat and 17 Television labels, featuring string contributions from Seattle artist Jherek Bischoff. A review from CMJ praised the album for combining raw vigor with intricate musical arrangements. That same year, they issued the live recording Live on Sycophanticide Records, showcasing Conor Kiley (vocals), Sterling MacKinnon (bass), Andy Crane (keyboards), TV Coahran (guitar), and Mikko Freeman (drums).
- Releases on 1965 Records
In 2007, Holy Ghost Revival signed with London-based 1965 Records, which reissued Bleeding Light and included two of their tracks on the compilation Decline Of The Pacific Northwest - Seattle Rock N Roll Circa 2007, available on 7" vinyl. The lineup at this time consisted of Conor Kiley (vocals, keyboards), Mikko Freeman (drums), Jean-Paul Garnier (bass, clarinet, vocals), Sebastian Sheldon (keyboards, guitar), and Johnny O'Donnell (guitar).
By early 2008, the band had toured extensively across Europe and completed several tours within the United States, including circuits along the West Coast. In July 2008, they released the single "Hot Love in a Berlin Bombshelter" via Burn Burn Burn Records as a 12" vinyl.
- Twilight Exit (2008)
| Twilight Exit leans more heavily into heavy metal influences. It embraces hard rock with a '70s vibe. Previously centered around glam rock, we hail from Seattle where much indie rock feels uninspiring to us. Looking at the broader U.S. scene...there isn’t much music that captures the chaotic state we’re experiencing. We aren’t overtly political but it inevitably impacts us all; thus, our music reflects an immediate emotional response that resonates with our collective mood." |
| — Conor Kiley, lead vocalist |
Later in 2008, while residing in a Vauxhall council flat in London, the band recorded their second full-length album under the production of Ryan Hadlock (Modest Mouse). Released on September 1, 2008 by 1965 Records, Twilight Exit drew heavily from horror movie soundtracks for inspiration.
NME awarded Twilight Exit a score of 7 out of 10, noting its sonic resemblance to classic rock groups from the '70s and '80s such as Guns N' Roses and Jethro Tull. The review highlighted Holy Ghost Revival’s gritty rock approach as a contrast to contemporary Seattle bands like Fleet Foxes, emphasizing its blend of raw energy with polished retro-rock aesthetics suitable for both live performances and studio recordings.
Post-breakup
Following the release of Twilight Exit and the conclusion of their tour, the members of the band embarked on individual ventures. In 2010, Kiley reflected on the journey as a chaotic mix of euphoric peaks and grim valleys, emphasizing that they succeeded in extensive recording, worldwide touring, securing a deal with a major label, and ultimately disbanding without fracturing. He affirmed that the decision to end the group was timely.
By that same year, Kiley was active with Broken Nobles and subsequently issued music under the alias Bad Blood.
Musical style
The Seattle Weekly characterized the group as "a Seattle wildcard merging Victoriana fantasy with metal anthems." Kiley described their sound as driven by indifference and adolescent frustration, devoid of societal salvation but charged with unfiltered rock vitality. James Monger from Allmusic compared Kiley to "a sinister blend of Iggy Pop, Axl Rose, and Jim Morrison."
The band acknowledges inspirations from The Scorpions, The Doors, David Bowie, Blue Öyster Cult, alongside cinematic scores, particularly drawing influence from Stanley Kubrick's films. A significant number of their tracks are composed with a filmic approach. As noted by OC Weekly, their aesthetic fuses glam theatricality with operatic punk rock melodrama, reminiscent of Theda Barra, Marc Bolan, and Robert Smith. Renowned music critic Richard Meltzer played a role in their creative development.
Band members
- Former core members
- Conor Kiley – Vocals, Keyboard, Guitar
- Mikko Freeman – Drums
- Sterling MacKinnon – Bass
- TV Coahran – Guitar
- Andy Crane – Keyboard
- Paul Phillip Brinkley – Guitar
- Jean-Paul Garrnier – Bass and Clarinet
- Sebastian Sheldon – Keyboard and Guitar
- Johnny O'Donnell – Guitar
- Jakes Bayley – Bass
- Jeremy Young – Drums
- Chad Dahlquist – Keyboard
- Vanessa Gonzalez – Keyboard
- Morgan Stickrod – Guitar
- Zack Lewis – Guitar
- Previous guest contributors
- Jherek Bischoff – Strings
Albums
| Year | Album name | Release information |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | City Drugs |
|
| Bleeding Light |
| |
| Live |
| |
| 2008 | Twilight Exit |
|
Singles
| Year | Single title | Release specifics |
|---|---|---|
| "Christmas Everyday" |
| |
| 2003 | "Hot Love in a Berlin Bombshelter" |
|
| 2007 | "Embrace The Hate" |
|
Compilations
- 2006: NME Presents - Independent Thinking (1965 Records) – featured track: "Christmas Everyday"
- 2007: Decline Of The Pacific Northwest - Seattle Rock N Roll Circa 2007 (1965 Records) – included tracks: "Girl's Night Out" and "Angel Of Death Of My Dreams Part 2"
- 2007: Ponies In A Stable (Don't Stop Believin' Records) – contributed track: "Lay Me Down"
- 2009: GGNZLA Sampler (GGNZLA) – track featured: "It's Ok To Be Gay"
Further reading
- Interviews and articles
- Pretty in the Dark – Holy Ghost Revival's vampy punk melodrama, OC Weekly, October 2, 2003
- A Glimpse Of Another World – Interview with Conor Kiley, Black Velvet Magazine, February 2008
- New Band of the Day No 239: The Holy Ghost Revival, The Guardian, December 3, 2007
- Future Hits 005: Holy Ghost Revival, Thrash Hits, July 29, 2008
- Discographies