The Kast Off Kinks

The iconic British rock band, The Kinks, are often cited as one of the most important and influential rock bands of all time.

Their first hit, ‘You Really Got Me’, in 1964, broke new ground with driving power chords and Dave Davies’ distorted guitar sounds, and created a template for many bands to follow in a rock and roll development which led variously to heavy metal, new wave and grunge.

Later work saw the band’s style change to more melodic songs, highlighting Ray Davies’ lyrical and observational skills in songs like ‘Sunny Afternoon’, ‘Dead End Street’ and ‘Waterloo Sunset’.

Although the band’s popularity in the UK waned in the 1970s, they found new commercial success in the late 1970s and early 1980s, and returned to the UK top 20 in 1983 with ‘Come Dancing’. The Kinks continued as a recording and gigging band until 1996, when the Davies brothers went their separate ways with solo careers.

Founded in 1994 by guitarist Dave Clarke and Mick Avory, Ray and Dave’s drummer for over 20 years, the Kast Offs showcase the Kinks’ top tunes.

Joining Dave and Mick on stage, is keyboard player Ian Gibbons, a Kink from 1979 to 1989 and Jim Rodford, the Kinks’ bass player from 1978 to 1996.

Jim, no stranger to Plinston after his visit in 2002 as a member of the fabulous Animals and Friends, was also a key part of classic rock band, Argent (‘Hold Your Head Up’, ‘God Gave Rock n’ Roll to You’) which he founded with his cousin, Rod.