Kevin Kribs

Kevin Kribs (far right) played guitar on Outer Circle's 1998 self titled album on Tooth and Nail Records.
Outer Circle members:
Matt Bailey - Bass
Kevin Kribs - Guitar
Jesse Nason - Drums
Mark Salomon - Vocals

The sound, the lyrics, and the spirit of this album made the band an instant favorite. Kevin Kribs gives the Working Class some insight into the inner circle:

WC: Where did you grow up?

KK: I grew up right here in Orange County, CA. I like it here, but I can't afford to buy a house.

WC: When did you begin playing guitar, and who were your first influences?

KK: I got my first real guitar when I was in tenth grade. That was 1986. I had been getting into punk at that time also. Minor Threat has always been my biggest influence as far as playing guitar goes.

WC: What tapes were always playing in your stereo in the late eighties? Remember, you're under oath.

KK: I was into punk mostly. I loved Uniform Choice, Verbal Assault, RKL, D.R.I., Ill Repute, Misfits, Social Distortion, Social Unrest,The Germs, etc. etc. etc. I listened to some other music too like The Alarm. I was really into them.

WC: Who was the first Christian band you respected musically?

KK: There was not a whole lot around back then. I liked the Altar Boys alot, but I have to say that The Crucified was my favorite. The first time I heard them I couldn't believe it. Christian bands didn't sound like that.

WC: How did you meet the other guys in Outer Circle, and how did the band come together?

KK: I got to know Mark from going to his shows and hanging out with him afterward. He had moved from Madera down to Huntington Beach a few miles from my house after the Crucified broke up. I had been in a band called Fluffy, but had quit that band. I tried going back to this other band I had been in, practiced with them for a while, but was informed that they wanted to "try out" another guitar player. I got bored and asked Mark if he wanted to start doing something. I was happy he said yes. Matt and Jesse had been attending the same church I went to for a while. They had been playing in a different band together and I asked them if they wanted to play in a punk band. So, we started writing music. Mark would come and listen to what we had written, choose which songs he liked, and we'd go from there. Playing punk was new for Matt & Jesse, and it showed with the songs Matt wrote. He became discouraged and quit the band. Jesse and I kept jamming and I kept writing songs. Mark had kept in contact with Jeff Bellew, who I think was sharing an apartment with Dirk Lemmenes. So, the plan was for the two of them to join the band. The problem was, they couldn't practice on the night that Jesse could practice. So, unfortunately, Jesse was told we were getting a new drummer. Although I was kind of bummed about that, I was looking at being in a band with two former Crucified members, and one former Focused member. The new drummer was named Jeremy Moffett. We got together for our first practice together and jammed a couple of punk tunes. One written by Jeff, the other by me. I thought it went pretty well. I guess Dirk and Jeff started talking about it and wanted to play something different. More serious. So we agreed that the band would change format. At that time, I was married with one daughter and another on the way. I had a stable job that I wasn't going to quit so I could go out on tour. To make it short, this was not going to work with the band. So, Stavesacre was formed. I think Mark felt really bad about it. He told me that we could finish what we had started and record the punk stuff we had been working on. I called Jesse up, and we started practicing again. After a while, we asked Matt if he wanted to come back. He agreed and the rest is history.

WC: How did Outer Circle get its name?

KK: I think Mark came up with the name Outer Circle. We didn't have a name until after we signed with Tooth & Nail. We had a couple of failed names. Broken Man was one. Anything B.S.P. was another. We had settled on the name Solid State until Mark found out that it was going be a new label for T&N [Tooth and Nail Records]. The coincidence was bizzare.

WC: What is your favorite song on the Outer Circle album?

KK: It's hard for me to choose just one, so I'll give you my top three in no paticular order. Dirty Hands, Separ8 St8, and It Must Be Wonderful.

WC: In the summer of 2002, Outer Circle played Cornerstone for the first time. What kind of impact, if any, did playing such a huge festival have on you?

KK: It was overall a great experience for me. Believe it or not, that was Outer Circle's first real show. (We had played a three song show to a weak crowd back in 1995). It was great to have a crowd that was really into it. I wasn't too happy with the amp I had to use. It had no gain whatsoever, so my guitar had no distortion. Someone had told me that the amp I was going to use was a Marshall JCM2000, so I didn't bring any pedals. I was in shock, but I think it went ok. The other downfall was that MXPX was playing the main stage when our show was starting. We may have lost a few people to their set. But, I did hear that one guy cried because he forgot about O.C. when he was at the MXPX show.

WC: Are you playing in any other bands right now?

KK: Nope.

WC: What kind of distortion/sound do you normally prefer to get out of your guitar?

KK: There's nothing like a Marshall, but I'm not too particular.

WC: What music are you listening to right now?

KK: I don't listen to alot of new music. I've been listening to Fugazi and Radiohead this week. I listen to the radio, but I am usually not tempted to buy most of the music they play.

WC: With the speed of entertainment today, people tend to consume one trend after another. MTV pushes a new trend almost every day. How do you feel this affects the kind of music we hear?

KK: This kind of goes with my last answer. We're expected to buy what they shove down our throats. Most of the time, I don't like the taste.

WC: If you could meet any musician, past or present, who would it be?

KK: I think Bono would be great to meet. Mike Ness actually came into my work the other day. I thought that was pretty cool to talk to him.

WC: Do you know why fast music is so much better than slow music?

KK: I couldn't really describe why I like fast music. I wouldn't even say that it is better than slow music. I just like it.

WC: Do you have a prediction on what the next big commercial music trend will be? (Ex. ska, boy band, rapcore)

KK: Whatever the record companies pay the radio stations to play. The kids will gobble it up.

WC: Downloading music from the internet- for or against?

KK: Personally, I don't mind downloading music. I think if you like what you download, you should buy the cd to support the band. If you don't like what you download, don't buy the cd. I wouldn't ban downloads, I would reduce the cost of a cd. They don't cost alot to make.

WC: When I record my album, if I pay airfare, will you come east and play guitar on it?

KK: I think that would be a waste of money. I'm not a very good guitar player. I don't know.

WC: Lastly, please tell us of a couple blessings in your life for which you want to give God praise and thanks for.

KK: I thank God for not giving me the friends I prayed for in school. I thank God for not giving me the girlfriend I asked for. I thank God for His plan for my life. My wife and kids. My family and friends. I have a great deal to give thanks for. Peace.
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