Published on Jun 3, 1998
“Chicago’s own” : The Kind
Back in the early Eighties, a local band called The Kind was
getting some heavy airplay with a song called “Loved By You,” which
has been one of my favorite songs ever since I heard it. Their
debut album,
The Kind, was recorded and mixed at Pumpkin Recording
Studios, in Oak Lawn, Illinois. The album was mastered at Sterling
Sound in New York. The band’s label, Three-Sixty Records, was
located in Morton Grove, Illinois.
In fact, this song was brought to my attention when the
guitarist in a band I was in (back in 1985) took this song and
wanted us to play it. Ever since, I’ve been fortunate in including
this song in every band I have been with since.
“When You Rock” is compared to two bands of the 1970s, The
Status Quo and The Kinks. “Last Letter” has verses having a Knack
sound, where the chorus and lead guitars pointing back to The
Status Quo. “I’ve Been Around” has the style of Greg Kihn, where
lead vocalist/rhythm guitarist Frank Jalovec’s singing has a slight
resemblance to Kihn’s. Another bouncy-Kihn-like song is “Total
Insanity,” where it has a 1980’s pop sound. “Lose My Life” is
harder-edged, where the guitars’ rock beat is almost (not exactly)
compared to heavy metal, such as Judas Priest.
“You Don’t Love Me” and “Oh That Feelin'” are bass and guitars
driven, and has a pop-80’s sound, compared to another band, Off
Broadway. The album ends with a remake of Diana Ross & The
Supremes’ “Stop! In The Name Of Love,” which, like “Total
Insanity,” has the 1980s pop sound.
Many comparison bands of the late 70s, early 80s are found to
define The Kind: The Status Quo, Off Broadway, The Romantics, to
name a few. But to pinpoint their sound to the bands listed, it
would have to be Off Broadway.
The Kind only released two albums (to my knowledge), and
obviously, they’re not available on CD. I searched heavily on the
Internet, and found another band with The Kind name, but it wasn’t
the one that featured members Frank Jalovec, Frank Capek, Mark
Gardner, and Frank Sberno. I even tried writing to Three-Sixty
Records, with no response.
The Kind’s music is enjoyable to listen to. The early 1980s
sound of rock bands is easily showcased in their music. When Off
Broadway’s album was released a year or so ago, right away, I
thought of The Kind, and how their music should be re-issued. But I
guess The Kind’s music didn’t get enough exposure as other local
bands. That’s a shame; The Kind is an interesting band, and if they
did get more recognition, they could of been one of many bands to
add to the list of other pop/rock 1980s bands.