The word has slowly spread through the local music scene over the past couple of days, but the Blender got official confirmation today that Tim Vester, front man of raucous punk rockers the Kronkmen, has left the band.
After a nine-year run with the Kronkmen and countless local and out-of-the-area shows, Vester decided over the weekend to step away from the band, citing personnel reasons. The Blender caught up with Vester this afternoon and he told us he has no ill will toward any other Kronkman and wouldn’t close the door on the possibility of returning to the crew under certain circumstances. Still, without Vester, the future of a revamped Kronkmen is definitely up in the air.
In the Blender’s opinion, the Kronkmen were a staple of the local music scene and well known for their insane stage antics and general hilarity in and out of music. Anyone who caught the band on 92.7FM’s Highway 97 program in March heard Vester and company giving a hilarious interview in which they claimed, among other things, that Vester was once the band’s “dancer” and had been living in a now defunct disco in Redmond. Classic Kronk, right there.
But it seems we’ve hardly heard the last of Vester. He is now devoting his attention to his industrial music project, Warm Gadget, which is a collaboration with former Vihara member Colton Williams. The two have been writing a recording for some time now and have a record slated for a September release on L.A.’s Mechanizm Records. Warm Gadget is also working a live show, recruiting Eric Metzger to take up bass duties and bringing local music mainstay Jared Forqueran on for drumming duties.
The sound is similar to Nine Inch Nails, but as Vester puts it, “it has less of the ‘I hate my mom stuff.'”
This article appears in May 7-13, 2009.
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Bummer for the Kronk. They will surely be missed. Go Warm G!!! I heard some of Gadgets stuff and it kicks A$$! Good luck with the project you dancin fool. Hurry up with some live locals. Can’t wait to watch.
The kronk men won’t be the same without Tim, but like the article said; never say never, he may be back. Until then, looking foreward to the Warm Gadgets phenomenon!
know vester will prevail, and not forget any of his past freinds and foes. Hope his future endevours lead him to a new venture.
godd luck to you.
Well it’s a sad day for all of us, but as we all know everything comes to an end; good and bad. Such is life friends. I wish all of my great friends in the kronkmen the best of luck with all future endeavors. I look forward to seeing you all again, musically and casually. I love you guys and all of the wonderful memories you have given me, playing shows, seeing your shows and just hanging out. Keep on rocking, I know you will.
this is truly sad news): the kronk men have been such a great band that has always stuck to their guns and has always done things their way no matter what. Although all things come to an end unfortunately. Tim is far from done making unique, original, and non compromised music. I have no doubts Warm Gadget will be an extreme breath of fresh air.
The only thing left now is Martini music.
we will see Tim again, and again he is too talented.
What is left without Tim?? Martini music?
we will see Tim again, and again….He is way to talented!!!
why the hell wasn’t WARM GADGET in that source local music issue?!?! there were bands on there that are barely doing anything. WARM GADGET has a label/release coming out!! What is wrong with the people who say what is good or not in this silly town?!
I have one thought as to why he might be leaving – no one gives a crap about the Kronkmen. I mean, everyone says they like ’em, but I went to 3 shows last year and the most people in attendance was 8. 8 freaking people to see one of Bend’s better local bands. This scene sucks.