It all began in a sound-proofed basement in West Chester.
Mastering the classic rock power ballad “Don’t Stop Believing,” by Journey, four friends with various musical talents comically found that, with the power of “belief,” an amazing thing occurred. While playing interpretations of other people’s music, they could entertain themselves and others, but most importantly, have fun.
With only six months of performances under their belts, Ka-Pow! already has an incredible repertoire of more than 40 notorious songs. Their crowd-pleasing shows are like dance parties with the whole town on the guest list.
At first, the lineup consisted of husband-and-wife vocalists Mary Kate and Colin McGetrick (also on guitar), drummer Ben Green and bassist Christopher Stober. However, at their first show, Aubrey Windish questioned if Ka-Pow! was in need of a keyboardist and she too became part of the dance-savvy group.
Green and McGetrick, now with full-time careers in music, have been playing together since age 13. While McGetrick suggests their various bands had been part of the “classic grunge scene,” whenever he plays Jimi Hendrix’s “Hey Joe” with Ka-Pow! he feels like “a kid in the candy store.”
Stober met Green in college at West Chester University, as did Windish, where they all studied musical education as undergraduates. Mary Kate also had a concentration in music during her college years at West Chester University, suggesting that being part of Ka-Pow! has allowed her to keep performing, making use of her musical theater major.
“We were all friends first,” Green said. “Ka-Pow! is built on a group of friends who play instruments and do it right.”
When you attend a Ka-Pow! show, you’ll hear a set list packed with classic rock, pop and indie, including Muse’s “Hysteria,” Katy Perry’s “California Gurls,” The Rolling Stones’ “Paint It Black,” The Beatles’ “Come Together” and “Oh Darling,” and even Cee Lo Green’s “Forget You” — and no, not the clean version.
With ever-changing variety in each set, mixing and mashing vocals and striving to appeal to wide audiences, Ka-Pow! may be the most entertaining band you’ve seen. You can catch them at the Pale House, Blarney Stone or Side Bar, living by their honest tag line, “Every night is a happy fest, a dance party that will make you sore in all the right places.”
However, be warned: There may be silly hats. As Windish puts it, “We take our fun seriously.”
Find Ka-Pow! online at kapowband.wordpress.com or at their next show at the Pale Horse on Sat., Feb. 12.
“Jump” Photo Credit: Leigh Green
Other photos: Amy Strauss
