From the garages of the Southern Californian rock scene to the after hours jazz hangs of Chicago, Kevin and Hell tells a story of the future in the past. The group is versed in idioms of the jazz tradition, as well as recent innovations in rock and electrically generated sound. From this foundation they synthesize a new sound that bespeaks of the shape of music yet to come. Comprised of musicians equally comfortable at either a jazz club or house party basement, they function as a gateway for rock and roll aficionados to behold the majesty of jazz.

Evil Genius was formed in 2012 by Max Kutner, Stefan Kac and Mike Lockwood. Each member brings a vast range of creative experience, performing and composing in genres as distant as death metal, polka, thrash, swing, chamber music, progressive rock, klezmer, surf and musique concrete.

The music of Evil Genius thus comes forth as a shredded amalgamation of those musical styles (and many more) that can shift focus spontaneously and in a unashamedly free fashion. This quality when combined with distinctly cinematic melodies and not-so-subtle threads of dark humor allows for an original aesthetic that is always inclusive despite its complexity.

In 2015, they will release their debut album, "Bitter Human", on the Los Angeles-based label, Orenda Records.

Inspired by:
Our vacuum growing up
Flys that I'd catch and make buzz in my ears
College radio from SLC in the 80s
BIL (Squim) and experimenting with cassette warping, splicing, and general recording mahem as young teenagers
Daniel Johnston
Sebadoh - Freed Weed
Art of Noise - (Who's Afraid of) The Art of Noise?
Celestial Soda Pop (by Ray Lynch)
Joe Frank

 Max Kutner is a guitarist, composer and instructor originally from Las Vegas, NV. As an instrumentalist, Max's focus is on new works for the electric guitar as well the promotion of electric guitar in new performance settings. His current concert programs feature radical restructurings of older works from all musical epochs utilizing new technologies as an extension of the original intent of composers, as well as avenues for improvisation. As a composer, Max translates several of his non-musical passions: namely literature and architecture, into a distinctly singular musical language that is neither strictly exclusive or accessible to performers. 

Max was responsible for developing, producing and performing multiple instruments in the U.S. premiere performance of Mike Keneally's The Universe Will Provide (REDCAT) and has also participated in West Coast premiere performances of pieces by Sofia Gubaidulina (REDCAT) and Ulrich Krieger (Beyond Baroque). Presently, he can be seen performing the music of Frank Zappa as a member of the Grandmothers of Invention, who perform worldwide 4-5 times annually.

His performance credits also include dozens of recitals with various singers and chamber groups as well as leading several live bands who are actively performing in the greater Los Angeles area. He has also performed and/or recorded world music from Bulgaria, Macedonia, Norway, Mexico, Brazil, Spain, Persia, Nigeria,Turkey, Ireland and Scotland. Max is being featured on an upcoming album of John Cage's indeterminate works for Mode Records and has previously been a soloist with the University of Nevada Chamber Choir and Guitar Ensemble. Max has also performed as lead guitarist for Truckee River Community College (TMCC) productions of HAIR and RENT and has contributed to the sound design of an adaptation of Eugene O'Neill's play, Desire Under the Elms.  From 2012-2013, he taught on the Adjunct Faculty of CalArts as guitar instructor for non-majors.


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