Killcode at the Marlin Room at Webster Hall

Tom Morrissey & D.C. Gonzales

Vocalist Tom Morrissey and guitarist Chas Banellis in 2008 had a vision of recreating a classic rock sound with a more modern metal edge and began recording original songs at Banellis' home studio in New York City. The duo shared the rough vision and recruited similar-minded guitarist Pat Harrington, bassist Erric Bonesmith and drummer Rob Noxious, who added form to this skeleton. The band began playing the local rock club circuit and helped establish an underground hard rock scene. Killcode released six-song EPs in 2008 and 2010, and a self-titled debut album in 2012. D.C. Gonzales replaced Harrington on guitar in 2013.

How does a band from New York wind up sounding like a southern rock band? It is a mystery that even Killcode may not understand fully. Opening for Red Dragon Cartel tonight at the Marlin Room at Webster Hall, Killcode again proved that New York is the mecca for hybrid rock music. Killcode's songs were hard rocking, as raw as punk and also as heavy as metal, smoothed with classic rock dueling guitars and southern rock vocal melodies. The band's deep bottom sound at times made the songs sound as sludgy as a four wheel drive in mud, but then Morrissey's melodic vocals cleared the dirt from the windshield for rallying hooks and choruses. After having played on every New York stage several times, the hard-working Killcode has refined its sound and is now ready to revive and save classic rock.

Visit Killcode at ww.killcode.net.