When I was in my early-to-mid teens, growing up in Mankato, MN I tried to go to as many shows as I could. I was getting into punk rock and completely immersed in the scene and music and the entire DIY movement. Mason City, Iowa's The Kinship were one of those bands that played my town on a regular basis, playing a variety of shows at a variety of venues, and the band members weren't much older than me! Their shows were full of emotion and energy with their lead singer falling to the ground screaming by the end of their set. I saw them a lot over the next few years, and as they kept playing they got better.
This first 7" must have been released in 1998? By 1999 they had a three-song cassette demo with better production that blew this away (if I had a cassette player, I would upload that too, but I do not). But for me, this band was a huge stepping stone for me being involved with hardcore. I obtained my first copy of the legendary HeartattaCk zine from their merch table, and the 7" seemed more personal to me than others -- the booklet had a screen printed cover, and there was a note from the band in the little booklet that accompanied the vinyl and MY copy was signed in pen! To a teenager newly involved in the scene and hardcore, a little thing like that can really just stick with you.
I ended up seeing The Kinship at least a dozen times, if not more, and even booking a handful of shows for them. The last time I remember (my memory could be wrong though) seeing them was opening up for Disembodied at the Mankato skatepark. I set up the show, but had a goddamn spinal tap the day before, but my friends stepped up to help me run the show and make sure it went smoothly. And The Kinship delivered that Sunday afternoon in that hot skatepark, the perfect precursor to the powerful force that was Disembodied who followed their set.
There was talk of a Kinship full-length. I think I even talked about putting it out myself. But then The Kinship came to an abrupt hiatus when the singer, Steve Snere, was asked to join Killsadie as their new lead singer. Although the band initially could have stayed together with Steve doing double band duties, that never happened, as not only had Killsadie recruited Steve as their singer, but they also decided to relocate to Seattle. Killsadie lasted in Seattle only about two more years before they broke up, with Steve Snere going on to sing in These Arms Are Snakes. As for the other members of The Kinship post-break-up, a couple ended up relocating to my hometown of Mankato for a while, and all three spent some time playing in the band Mahkato, but not all at the same time.
It's a bummer that this band didn't get to record more of their songs for releases, but for me, this band and this 7" was and will always be an integral part of my youth and getting into hardcore.
THE KINSHIP - self-titled 7" (Apathy Press Records)
01. Kagero
02. While Atlanta Burns
03. Fueled By Hate In The Centennial State
04. Shelf Life
