Kevin James Maher

Kevvy Mental
Kevvy Mental on stage in 2009. Photo by: Scott Alexander.
Kevvy Mental on stage in 2009. Photo by: Scott Alexander.
Background information
Birth nameKevin James Maher
Born (1988-04-20) April 20, 1988 (age 36)
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
GenresPuke-rawk, alternative rock, hip-hop
Occupation(s)Musician, songwriter, sound designer, record producer
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar, synthesizer
Years active2007–present

Kevin "Kevvy Mental" Maher (born April 20, 1988)[1] is a Canadian musician, producer, film composer and remix artist most notable for his work in Fake Shark as lead vocalist and programmer.

Early life

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Maher was born an only child in Edmonton, Alberta, and raised in Langley, British Columbia, by a single mother. Maher attended Langley Fine Arts School majoring in visual art.[2] Maher was kicked out of Langley Fine Arts in his grade 12 year. Maher attended Walnut Grove Secondary to finish his high school education.[2] During his time at Walnut Grove, Maher also attended AI Burnaby for audio engineering.[3]

Musical career

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Maher is primarily a vocalist in the band Fake Shark, but also plays guitar, piano and programs electronics. He has done a variety of remixes, listed below. He has also programmed electronics and contributed vocals to Jakalope, as well as working alongside Dave Ogilvie coproducing the debut album by former Lillix bass player Louise Burns.[4] The record was nominated for the Polaris Music Prize.[5]

In 2008, Maher teamed up with writer/director CJ Wallis to score the Sarah Slean short film Last Flowers.[6] The film received a pair of Leo Awards nominations in 2009.[7]

In 2012, co-wrote and produced part of Carly Rae Jepsen's new record,[8] Kiss, and wrote the Fake Shark - Real Zombie! record Liar. He has also composed some of the music for the film American Mary.[9]

Influence

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Maher cites a wide array of artists as influences. As a child, he listened to the Wu-Tang Clan.[8] He has been quoted as listening to almost nothing but rap music and jazz. He is a huge fan of Tyler the Creator, Christian Scott, Nirvana, and Mike Patton. He is known to have a friendship with Matt Webb, guitarist of Canadian pop-rock band Marianas Trench.

Another influence and friend is Henry Rollins of Black Flag.

Credits

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References

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  1. ^ "Kevin James Maher". IMDb.
  2. ^ a b "Honesty makes Fake Shark Real Zombie's Liar a monster". The Georgia Straight. 14 February 2013. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
  3. ^ "#ArtistAtHome with Kevin 'Kevvy Mental' Maher". Vancouver Is Awesome. 5 April 2016. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
  4. ^ "Vancouver singer-songwriter Louise Burns sets a new musical fire" Archived 13 March 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Vancouver Sun, 1 February 2011.
  5. ^ Review, AU. "Louise Burns on her Polaris Prize nomination and new music". youtube.com. YouTube. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  6. ^ Hughes, Josiah (13 November 2008). "Fake Shark – Real Zombie! Front-man Scoring Sarah Slean Film", Exclaim!. Retrieved 22 March 2014.
  7. ^ "2009 LEO AWARD NOMINEES & WINNERS" (PDF). leoawards.com. Leo Awards. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  8. ^ a b Woolsey, Barbara (13 March 2014). "Freak-pop band prides itself on keeping it real Archived 22 March 2014 at the Wayback Machine", Leader-Post. Retrieved 22 March 2014.
  9. ^ "American Mary Soundtrack". imdb.com. IMDB. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  10. ^ "Introducing Louise Burns". Uptown Mag.
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