Biography

Born from the burning embers of a handful of defunct-but-vital bands from across the US, 25 Smokin' Figurados, is the culmination of the efforts of singer/songwriter Timothy Abbott and singer/songwriter/instrumentalist Gregg Kirk.

The two met in America's heartland in the sad state of Iowa. Culturally deprived and financially challenged, Abbott and Kirk struggled through a purgatory of nameless Iowa cover bands -- all the while honing their skills and sharpening their craft for a greater goal.

Their luck changed when Abbott left for Austin, TX and founded the renowned Up Periscope. The group played alongside Timbuk 3 and the Reivers at such venerable Austin clubs as Liberty Lunch, The Beach Cabaret, Continental Club, Steamboat, and Cannibal Club. After three years that band met with an end, and he then formed Argument Clinic. They released "Bones of Contention" in '91, and then "Argument Clinic" in '94, which saw US airplay on close to 150 stations. That group played shows with the Butthole Surfers and the Hickoids at the same Austin haunts.

Meanwhile, Kirk left for the East Coast and played a short stint in Robert Hazard's band in Philadelphia before forming the Philly-based Shovelhead. During almost 8 years of battering the Mid-Atlantic region with their version of pre-grunge noise, the group shared the stage with an impressive list of bands including Goo Goo Dolls, Fugazi, Godflesh, fIREHOSE, and Dread Zeppelin. In 1996, A&M Records paid for them to record an album and then subsequently dropped them.

Kirk moved to the NY metro area in '99, built his own home recording studio and began a project called Evelyn the Band. While working on this project, the seed for 25 Smokin' Figurados was planted.

Now Abbott and Kirk have reunited and combined their talents to express the sum of their experiences. Their songs -- which breathe with Midwestern angst, urban depravity, and Texas heat -- are meant to be played at maximum volume and savored... like a fine figurado... preferably with a glass of absinthe or a choice Belgian beer.