THE UNDERGROUND REBELS formed in Vancouver in 1997 by Kurt Frohlich. Since then they have released 2 CD's as The Loving Dead, and created a fan base in Canada and The United States. Their self titled debut CD sold out and is in demand to press more for their die hard fans they create. Their second release "Do It Again" has already outsold their debut CD and the title track is receiving radio play in their home town of Las Vegas, Nevada. Along with the infectious song "Do It Again" they have a knack for writing catchy, hooky songs. As Kurt said in an interview with a Vancouver based magazine, "We just write hard rock power hook songs that will stick in your head all f***n' day!. We want to make rock and roll a spectacle again."
Their most recent addition to the band is Lez Warner from THE CULT fame on drums. Lez was in THE CULT at their golden age performing on their "Electric" album as well as touring the world for it and also their "Love" album. Lez has added an amazing energy toTHE UNDERGROUND REBELS that the fans noticed at their first performance with them.
As Kurt said about making rock a spectacle again, they are doing just that in their live performances. Their live show is nothing short of amazing. Like their childhood heroes KISS, they put on as big a show as any venue will allow. They have performed all over the world in countries such as Japan, Canada, The Cayman Islands and covering the United States numerous times. In Las Vegas they have played at prestigious venues such as The House of Blues in Mandalay Bay, The Joint in The Hard Rock Casino and Club Ra in The Luxor.They also opened for Motley Crue at G.M. Place in Vancouver, B.C. to critical acclaim.
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Meet The Band
Kurt Frohlich
Kurt Frohlich - Vocals
Kurt played in various original and cover bands until 1994 when he co-founded the band, The Ultimate Tribute to Kiss, Black Diamond. Kurt, portraying Ace Frehley, toured around the world playing over 200 shows per year ranging from clubs to rock festivals and large venues. It was in Black Diamond that Kurt honed his skills not only a musician, but also as a performer and entertainer.
While living in Vancouver, British Columbia during 1997, Kurt founded the original band TheLoving Dead. Their self-titled, independently produced CD was released in December of that year. Being fed up searching for the right musicians, Kurt wrote, recorded and performed everything on the CD except for the drums. Shortly after forming the band, Kurt and The Loving Dead won third place in the Vancouver Seeds competition. They also won the “Kickstart Your Career” competition in Vancouver which landed them the opening slot for Motley Crue at GM Place Coliseum. They were invited by Motley Crue and The Scorpions later that year to perform another show.
The Loving Dead released its second CD in December of 1999, which received radio play all over Western Canada. The title song "DO IT AGAIN" was adopted by the Edmonton Oilers NHL Hockey Team as the song played after every goal scored at all home games. The Loving Dead went on to sell over 2,000 copies of their CD’s independently.
The Loving Dead has toured and performed with such bands as Motley Crue, Dokken, BangTango, Sebastian Bach, Noise Therapy and WASP to name a few. In January of 2000 Kurt, accompanied by Devlin Harkell, who played with Black Diamond and The Loving Dead, decided to seek musical fame and fortune in Las Vegas.
Since moving to Las Vegas The Loving Dead changed its name to The Underground Rebelsbecause their old name seemed to draw negative stereotypes. Kurt finds his place as lead singer and guitar player in The Underground Rebels. Finding other members in Las Vegas was difficult but they finally clicked with ex-CULT drummer Lez Warner who played on the Cult’s Elecric album and toured in support of it and their Love album. The Underground Rebels have been compared to bands such as Cheap Trick, The Ramones,KISS and even The Strokes. They have been playing in concert venues all over Las Vegas including The Joint at the Hard Rock and The House of Blues at Mandalay Bay. The Rebels are known to be the cities most energetic and electrifying live rock act, which has earned them numerous glowing reviews with the local press.
Darren Harkema ("D")
Darren Harkema ("D") - Bass Guitar
Darren Harkema, a.k.a. "D," was born in Ontario, Canada. He got his first Kiss record when he was 8 and after his mom & dad took him to his first two Kiss concerts, he knew what he wanted to do and got his first guitar. As well as Kiss, "D" grew up listening to bands such as: Van Halen, Motley Crue, The Ramones, Cheap Trick and The Sex Pistols. At 16 years of age, he began playing in garage bands and later found himself the part of Gene Simmons in a Kiss Tribute band called: "Black Diamond," the world's ultimate tribute to Kiss. He has played bass for Marky Ramone of the "Ramones" and also in Brent Muscats "Sin City Sinners" of Las Vegas. After touring the world with Black Diamond, "D" and Kurt, the guitar player for Black Diamond, formed an original band called "The Loving Dead." They went on to record 2 albums and opened up for Motley Crue, Sebastian Bach, Dokken and Wasp. "D" currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada, writing and recording with The Underground Rebels.
Todd Kerns
Todd Kerns - Guitar
Todd Kerns is the voice of Canuck legends THE AGE OF ELECTRIC and their critically acclaimed spin-off STATIC IN STEREO. Now as a thriving solo artist and producer/songwriter Todd is very much alive and well. He has played on legendary stages from The Whiskey A Go Go and The Roxy in LA to CBGBs in New York City to Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto and has no intention of stopping anytime soon.Born and reared in the heartland of the Canadian praries Todd first garnered attention with his first band THE AGE OF ELECTRIC who went on to attain Gold selling status as well as being nominated for a Juno (Canada’s Grammy). THE AGE OF ELECTRIC worked with luminary producers Bob Rock (Metallica) and Gil Norton (Foo Fighters) and are still remembered as one of Canada’s favorite alternative rockers.
After THE AGE OF ELECTRIC Todd and brother, former AOE bass player, John formed STATIC IN STEREO with youngest brother Ryan. STATIC IN STEREO’s self titled album went on to receive critical acclaim and secured Todd’s place as a fixture on the Canadian music scene.In 2004 Todd released his first solo album GO TIME. A collection of original songs influenced by the artists closest to Todd’s heart including T-Rex, Bowie, MC5 and The Stooges, GO TIME swells and bursts with attitude and swagger.
Todd has appeared on albums by such artists as THE MATTHEW GOOD BAND, BIF NAKED and most recently lent his voice to the successful project called THE NEVERENDING WHITE LIGHTS which is currently burning up the Canadian music charts. He is respected as one of Canada’s most dependable vocalists.
Recently Todd has delved into his other passion, production and songwriting with other artists. He has produced and written with a number of artists and continues to share his knowledge of all things musical with artists he believes in. Artists such as BRITT BLACK, MOTION SOUNDTRACK, SUPERBEING, THE FLAIRS, SEVENTH RAIN, JOSHUA’S HABIT, A SINGLE FEW, AKA and more have all benefited from Todd’s helping hand.
In 2007 Todd joined FASTER PUSSYCAT as part of their 20th anniversary tour. Todd's skill as guitarist, vocalist, songwriter and producer have been a huge asset to the resurrection of FP. The tour has stretched through the US, UK and Europe and plans for Japan and South America are in the works. Finally the world will discover Todd's many talents. Todd’s charity work with The White Ribbon Foundation-Men Working To End Men’s Violence Towards Women with artists like THE TEA PARTY, RUSH, DANIEL LANOIS and many more continues to this day.
Todd Waetizg
Todd Waetzig - Drums
Todd Waetzig, drummer for The Underground Rebels, has been performing live with the band for 3 years and has been drumming for 22 years. Todd's first recorded performance with them is on their newest release, Insult To Injury. He is also been with Blue Man Group for a decade, and is known for his percussion performance on the triple platinum DVD, The Complex Rock Tour Live. Todd is the Kit drummer for Blue Man's critically acclaimed Megastar World Tour, and is featured on their new DVD/CD release, How To Be A Megastar Live! which debuted at no. 2 on the DVD charts. He has also performed percussion on their album The Complex, and plays drum kit on the recording, Blue Man Group Live At The Venetian. Todd is also a professional photographer. Most importantly, he likes Grey Goose on the rocks (no lime) as well as some kick ass barbeque.
