Kitchens of Distinction



Kitchens Of Distinction (usually shortened to KOD) are a British Dream Pop/ Shoegazing active from 1986-1996. The band consists of Patrick Fitzgerald, Julian Swales, and Dan Goodwin, making them one of the few Shoegazing acts that was just a trio.

The band got it's start in 1986 when the three met at college. They signed to a few Indie labels before they got their feet on the ground with their first few singles and first album. Of these few original singles they released, many publications have listed 1988's "Prize" and 1989's "The 3rd Time We Opened the Capsule" on some "Greatest Songs" lists.

In 1989, they released their first album, Love Is Hell to critical acclaim, but to poor commercial performance due to the band's refusal to sell out. Their second album, Strange Free World got lukewarm critical response, but became a fan favorite. Then in 1992 their masterpiece, Death Of Cool was released and they reached their artistic peak.

Facing personal problems and financial troubles, the band dissolved in 1996 and became something of a footnote in Rock history. These guys are probably one of the most influential bands a lot of people have never heard of. Dream Pop and Shoegazing bands of the 2000s found themselves really heavily influenced by these guys. Interpol, Slowdive, and The Decemberists are just a few of the bands that were influenced by them. Their unique focus on lyrics/ vocals blending more smoothly with the layered guitars helped them stick out a little more from their fellow shoegazers.

Kitchens Of Distinction contains examples of:


 * Album Title Drop- In Love Is Hell the title is thrown at as in the last line in the song "Hammer".
 * Careful With That Axe - Patrick Fitzgerald on stage. He was known to be rather... wacky, to say the least.
 * Concept Album - Love Is Hell is a concept album about breakups, Death Of Cool is arguably a Rock Opera, but is definately about the AIDS culture.
 * Good Name for A Rock Band- They got their name from a local kitchen store in their town.
 * Rock Opera- Death Of Cool arguably.
 * X Meets Y - My Bloody Valentine meets The Smiths, or Cocteau Twins meets The Smiths.