The Nihil: PRESS

Introducing The Nihil & Their Debut CD Release Show
at the Whisky a Go Go

The Nihil’s 3-18 debut release of Nihilism at the Whisky a Go Go in Hollywood showcased a young developing rock band with much potential and significant academic accomplishment. Technical problems in the set meant an extra drum solo which delighted the crowd, and instrumental techniques such as a heavy blues slide Jimi Hendrix style and the Jimmy Page technique of playing the guitar as a violin was entertaining. The Nihil’s music is earthy, but also eerie and edgy. The band started playing out Spring 2005 with a year residency at CSULB (California State University at Long Beach) Nugget Bar which lead to being a regular at Di Piazza Restaurant (Long Beach) before doing shows at the Whisky a Go Go. Next on the agenda is a two month tour in Hungary opening up for the Republic which is a major band in Budapest. The Nihil has roots ranging from Budapest, Hungary to Toronto, Canada to Montreal, Canada to Seattle, Washington to making Long Beach, California home with a connection link to Lakewood High School where Mate Kalapos, drummer, 16 currently attends as a sophomore and is a National Merit finalist. as his older brother Robert Kalapos, lead vocals, guitar, 20 was before him. The Kalapos brothers left Budapest and learned English at ages 3 and 9 in Toronto when their parents immigrated for employment opportunities, which eventually took them to Montreal to learn French before coming to Long Beach via Seattle, Washington, where they were exposed to the grunge movement.

The Kalapos brothers grew up jamming together before leaving Canada which is their country of citizenship, and Robert Kalapos used to bring his acoustic guitar to school as a sophomore and met freshman Bradlee Crihfield, bass, 19 who jammed Nirvana covers on his acoustic guitar with Kalapos everyday after school. The duo eventually formed a band with Crihfield picking up bass because they couldn’t find a third member that shared their style, goals and their nihilistic philosophy which is the belief in nothing, anarchy, breaking down the previous systems to create your own destiny in which an individual has total control and that everyone has to think for themselves; explaining where they got both their album and band name. Mate Kalapos sums it up with his belief, “You can’t go anywhere if you don’t try, strive for more.”

Being exposed to multi-cultures influenced the brothers as they grew up jamming together being influenced by bands such as The Doors, Led Zeppelin, Dire Straits, and The Tea Party (Canadian band) along with their Eastern European and Canadian heritage. The Nihil are a band whose essence relies on both instrumental and execution of their written word which sparkles and transcends into magnificent poetry. Robert Kalapos came up with mystical poetic lyrics through his knowledge and studies of famous poets and philosophers such as William Blake, Ayn Rand, David Thoreau, and Nietzsche, and his stated personal belief, “Step into the second enlightment and the higher state of mind. With a clear head, it’s a stronger meaning. You’re really meaning what you’re saying.”

The Nihil boasts membership strong on physical fitness and headed in the medical direction on the road to rock n’ roll stardom with Mate Kalapos into swimming and water polo and headed towards CSULB with the goal of preparation studies in optometry where his brother Robert Kalapos, a fitness trainer is about to graduate from with his next step being dental school at USC (University of Southern California). Brad Crihfield is working full-time doing insurance billing at a dental office along with studying at Long Beach City College and wrestling. While Crihfield has a stressful schedule, he believes “In order to live a successful future you must accept all past events.” The Kalapos brother’s father Bela manages The Nihil bringing along the mom Erika as the fan club leader and Bela’s aerospace colleague and family friend Daniel Landrum as official photographer. Mate Kalapos also has the legendary drummer Gregg Bissonette (Ringo Starr) as one of his biggest supporters, mentor and teacher.

NIHILISM / The Nihil / Kalapos Records

What would you get if Jim Morrison ever hooked up with Motorhead, what would you get? I tell you what you'd get a power house rock trio known as The Nihil. The power trio which is made up of, Robert Kalapos on vocals and guitar, Bradlee Crihfield on bass and Mate Kalapos on drums, come out swinging from the moment you hit play with tracks like the guitar laden rockers, "The Gathering" and "Bloodflower". If you want more the boys are more than happy to get your rocks off with tracks like, "The Gallows" and "Gone". 'NIHILISM' is ball tearer of a debut outing! If you like your rock and roll served up hard, loud and fast with guitar riffs and drums that will have you holding onto your seat then this is the album for you. Overall, I must say that The Nihil's debut has impressed me. While not a perfect album, it goes to show that the band, more likely than not, has a bright future, more than I can say for some of the junk that's out there today. When you put this cd in your car and turn it up, it takes on another life of its own. Get your hands on The Nihil, you will not be dissapointed. All the current music out now seems to be dead and stinking, but this is fresh. If you want modern rock that doesn't suck, give The Nihil a listen.