It's really hard to described Kim Mitchell's music to someone who hasn't heard it. It's like a cabaret of Frank Zappa, Eddie Van Halen, David Byrne, King Crimson and Ritchie Blackmore all thrown together--but then again, it isn't (execpt for the Zappa thing)!
One thing is true--Kim Mitchell is an incredible player in the tradition of those who strive to master the instrument. His talent is virtually limitless. His music is irreverent, dynamic, charged and sometimes eclectic, while rarely being overindulgent.
Known in his native Canada as the 'king of the hosers', Mitchell's career started in the Toronto band Max Webster (there never was a person, Max--just a name). Max carved out an impressive following, but when Mitchell went solo in 1982 his popularity quadrupled (or even more maybe <g>).
He releases album after album, each one better than the last. Probaly best recognized for his song Go For Soda, adopted as MADD's theme, he never has really broken in the states. Mitchell doesn't care. His personal mission is simply to produce music with integrity and pizazz--nothing more, nothing less. To his fans in Canada, he represents the national ebodiment of good music and good times.
If you get a chance to pick up one of his albums, give it a stab. If you don't like that one, try another. I guarantee that once exposed, most guitarists and rock fans will come to love his music. You never know, one day you might even make it to 'honarary hoser' status!
