Near the end of 2020, I got mean for a hot sec when my partner told me the vaccine was almost out. Oh, no! Our cool little lockdown quarantine was gonna end?!?!   

This was my reaction to the fear of using the simplicity we had gained.. on some levels. Obviously, there was also a lot of pain in the world; but there were also some lovely, simple silver linings. 

So this song birthed itself. 

It is also abstractly about my parents and how Parkinson's disease was dictating their lives at the time as the condition had been consuming my dad's mind and body. 

The lyrics are sorta the 1st words that were spewed out of my mouth on my phone. I listened to them intently with headphones on and wrote them down. Jeff Tweedy calls this a 'mumble track.' I tried to rewrite the words more literally in tune with what I was trying to say but they felt forced so I kept the mumble track. 

+ The title is not mentioned in the lyrics once. 
+ The beat was made using the drum machine from a Yamaha keyboard that I bought on my street corner.  
+ Originally, this song was going to be part of a new project but STDR is evolving. This is part of the next batch. 
+ I will be playing this song out live for the 1st time on December 9, 2022.
+ More than likely this is not the final version.  

Disclaimer: This song is by no means a political statement on vaccines.

Photo: Abby Linne

Vaccine Mean

VACCINE MEAN (demo)

I've been wanting to cover this song for ages!
One of my fave Rudolph jams.
And most certainly, I'm a misft.
Who knew this holiday classic could be about autonomy and inclusion?!
STDR-style, it might sound a bit more like Sabbath meets Salt n Pepa than Rudolph ;) - Enjoy! Throw it on that holiday playlist!

We're a Couple of Misfits

We're A Couple Of Misfits

The latest tunes from STUNTDRIVER. 
Plan to add live drums at minimum. ;)

A.I. --- of course, about the obvious impending fear of AI taking over the world, there's a lyric that spouts "Johnny Cash" that everyone asks about -- well, it's just a legend my late dad loved and admired ...and it's what I spit out when I was making up this tune

Dickface Sweetheart --- "I don't present as sweetheart. Or do I?" Messing w. the concepts of how we present, and literally are we sweethearts or dickfaces or both? 

140 --- This is the BPM of the song. I will eventually come up with a title. HA! But this song is about trying to save my dad when he had the horrible fate of Advanced Parkinson's and Lewy Body Dementia. It's also about fighting the system, in this case, the bureaucracy of the health care system.

140__Demo92924

Dickface Sweetheart_Demo92924

I wrote this song in 2023 and have been playing it out since. I actually prefer to plays songs out before releasing them so they can sort of figure out their life in you on the stage.

But it's essentially about our conflicted relationship with the rising influence of AI. Obviously, its presence has grown since 2023.

I would never use it to create but do I use it for admin-like tasks? Absaf'nlutely. It makes my life easier. But isn't that the thing we are afraid of -- how it will replace humanity...

Ironically, here's what ChatGPT said when I asked it to describe the song:
“AI” explores our beautiful and terrifying relationship with technology — how it mirrors our hunger, our loneliness, our drive to evolve.

A love-hate anthem for the machine age.

ChatGPT is not wrong here.

No AI was used in the creation of this track whatsoever.

Just pure guts and glory.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
lyrics
AI
C. Kym Priess 2023
Publisher: Highway Tomahawk

AI / Oh no
AI / Oh - Johnny Cash
AI / Oh no
AI / Oh Oh

What they say
is what you want
And is it really
what you want
Do you know
what you want
Can it save you

What you see
is what you bleed
And if you plead
will you see
Overtake
Or Overbake
Can they save us

AI / Oh no
AI / Oh - Johnny Cash
AI / Oh no
AI / Oh NO

Ohhh
Ohhh
Ahhhh

AI / Oh no
AI / Oh - Johnny Cash
AI / Oh no
AI / Oh NO

If they know
what you want
Can they make
what you need
If they make
what you need
Will it save you

Got the codes
to map it out
Do you trust
or bow on out
Ask them now
They’ll hold it down
Will they take us?

Run away to outer space
Run away
To home

Hah
Hah
Hah
Hah
Hah
Hah
Hah

AI / Oh no
AI / Oh - Johnny Cash
AI / Oh no
AI / Oh NO

AI

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
credits
released November 28, 2025
Performed by STUNTDRIVER
Written, Recorded & Produced by Kym Priess
Bass, Synth, Guitar, Vocals: Kym Priess
Drums: Bailey Chapman
Additional Guitars: Chris Poland, Babsy Singer
Drums recorded by Will Bates / Fall on your Sword
Mixed and Mastered by Chris Cline / Civilian Audio
Artwork Design by Kym Priess
Photography by Hassan Abdul-Wahid
license


"Trapped in a Body" is a part of the upcoming concept album "SAGA" that is out 9/24/21 on Rock Hand Records. 

The track emanates an electroclash post-punk feel but has a tinge of industrial pop behind it. 

"The concept was 'inspired' by my father's struggle with the ferocious disease of Parkinson's and the notion of not being able to control one's own body." - Kym Priess, Ringleader of STDR  

The chorus chants... 
"I wanna move my legs normal - don't wanna move no more!"

Made this : https://youtu.be/sWSaw5zbzhc

When the song was presented at the debut immersive production of STDR, audience members were prompted to crawl thru a literal tunnel - using their capable bodies,  evoking the concept of personal transformation and hope. 

STDR continues to tackle the battle between Light and Dark - in whatever form it may present itself in. And the "transformation tunnel" lives on today in live shows at a music venue near you :) 

---

Written by Kym Priess 
Engineered / Mixed by Anton Söder & John Avila 
Produced by John Avila & Anton Söder 
Mastered by Gavin Lurssen 

Vocals - Kym Priess 
Programming - Anton Söder 
Live Drums - Jimmy Lucido 
Bass - Kym Priess, John Avila
Guitars - Kym Priess, Anton Söder, Ryan James
Synths - Kym Priess, Anton Söder 

Photo - M. Castro 
Suit - Stephen Baldry

SAGA

Trapped in a Body

TRAPPED IN A BODY (Official)

The Influencer, perfect virtual being, disguiser of flaws beckons you with her theme song, Nitecreme. Why work on your flaws when you can hide them, she says ? ;) ( Clearly, this is a biting critique of social media culture.) 

The Influencer ended up spawning the entire world of STUNTDRIVER into an immersive production a la Star Wars with The Influencer being part of the Dark Side and her "enemy" (The Driver) being part of the resistance.. both sides are played out on the upcoming concept record "SAGA." 
OUT SEPTEMBER 24 ON ROCK HAND RECORDS . 

Written, created & performed by Kym Priess
Produced by Kym Priess 
Mastered by Gavin Lurssen (Iggy Pop, Robert Plant, Alice Cooper) 
 
Photo: M.Castro

Nitecreme120bpm-mp3

NITECREME (Official)

Sultry, bombastic, genre-bending debut single from the upcoming record by STUNTDRIVER. A merge of post-industrial and heavy electro dance-rock evoking hints of NIN, YeahYeahYeahs, and even Motley Crüe with vocals that howl like a Banshee, BAD BATH takes you on a ride whilst examining being an adult, contemplating what to shed, what we might drown in if we don’t trim the fat, existential angst, self-acceptance, connectivity and the visceral realization that we are all indeed bathing in the very same dirty old bathtub. 

Written by Kym Priess 
Engineered / Mixed by John Avila & Anton Söder 
Produced by John Avila, Anton Söder & Kym Priess 
Additional Bass Tracking by Zach Summerill 
Mastered by Mark Chalecki 

Vocals - Kym Priess 
Backing Vocals - John Avila
Programming - Anton Söder 
Live Drums - Jimmy Lucido 
Bass - Kym Priess, John Avila  
Guitars - Kym Priess, Anton Söder, Ryan James
Synths - Kym Priess, Anton Söder

Photo by M-Castro 

Tremendous Lurve to Family & Friends 
c. 2018 Stuntdriver 
www.stuntdrivermusic.com 

Recorded at The Hobby Shop & Brando’s Paradise 

STUNTDRIVER is the latest project from performance artist / creator / musician / songwriter Kym Priess. The project is born out of Priess’ desire to create a musical experience that’s not just another ‘band,’ her infatuation with Janet Jackson choreography, hi-camp, 80/90s music videos, Star Wars, Wizard of Oz, and haunted houses.  

Sonically, it pushes lines between metal, electro, dance-rock with even a ounce of 90s rap. Just a few influences to name: NIN, PJ Harvey, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Motley Crüe, Tubeway Army, Judas Priest, Ministry, Techotronic, NEU!, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Ladytron, Hot Snakes, Black Sabbath, Siouxsie Sioux, Too $hort, Michael Jackson, and Nightsatan to name a few.  

Live shows dwell in a multi-media, multi-dimensional, immersive world blurring the lines between concert goer, gallery viewer and theater spectator and can vary; some possessing two drummers, hyperphysical actors, a visceral set and projections while others may be a bit more simplified. 

Metaphorically, STUNTDRIVER stems from Priess’ own journey and aims to allegorize society’s battle with perfection and imagines what it would be like if we were perfectly content with our imperfect selves. Are we Fugitives or Drivers on a collision course with our demons? What would happen if we allowed those demons to aid us in our path to happiness?

Muchless, once Priess got introduced to John Avila of OingoBoingo, it made sense to work together considering his theatrical rock background not to mention his multi-decade history of making records. Then came Anton Söder, his business partner, who brought his wizardry production skills to the table and off they flew! 

STUNTDRIVER will definitely take you on an existential, captivating RIDE - no matter what form you experience it in. 

Quotes from the live shows - 
"A Live action music video! Like being inside 10 music videos in under an hour!"
- Kim V, Event Producer
"If Rocky Horror & Clockwork Orange had a baby and enrolled it in the future."
- Robb McCaffree, Designer
"My mind was blown...a show that still has me spinning."
- Christian de la Iglesia, Surf Shop Entrepreneur

Bad Bath

BAD BATH (Official)

RED ROAD serves as the sci-fi anthem for "The Drivers," a fierce entity who arms itself with white racecar suits, gold helmets, & Bladerunner-esque makeup to stand up for truth + justice while keeping watch on the rising evil of The Influencer, disguiser of flaws. 

This is the second track on the upcoming concept record SAGA out 9.24.21 on Rock Hand Records.
In the immersive debut of this album, this song was performed by three drivers revealing themselves on a red road doing synced, Janet Jackson-esque choreography. 

Written, created & performed by Kym Priess Co-produced by Antön Soder & John Avila (Oingo Boingo) Mastered by Gavin Lurssen (Iggy Pop, Robert Plant, Alice Cooper)
Vocals - Kym Priess
Backing Vocals - John Avila Programming - Anton Söder
Live Drums - Jimmy Lucido (Electric Six, Nightmare Air) Bass - John Avila
Guitar - Ryan James
Synths - Kym Priess, Anton Söder
Photo- M. Castro
Suits - Stephen Baldry

Red Road

RED ROAD (Official)

“Plastic Faces” is the second single from STUNTDRIVER’s upcoming concept album SAGA due out in 2021.  The song is a banging new wave post-rock inquiry on disguise, age and mask (what we hide, what we don’t, why we hide and how we hide.)  When this project debuted as an immersive performance art music installation in the summer of 2018, this song was performed inside “The Plastic Station” with the band, actors and as many audience members as possible packed inside with the invitation to find a stranger and get uncomfortable.  Even in the music venue versions the band appropriately dons Diva Knievel-style suits, masks their faces in gold/black paint and human plastic wrapping among other antics occur without abandon. 

One thing to understand about STUNTDRIVER (STDR) is its absolute roots in performance art and theatrics so it can’t be dismissed that the live content that comes with this genre-bending adventure rock is integral to the full understanding of the project…some have even said STDR is akin to Peter Gabriel’s presence in Genesis or the sonic antics of Causey Way or Devo. 
However - the music always comes first, says Kym Priess, creator and leader of STDR. 

As the mixing started to finalize, Priess realized how truly influenced she was by Madonna growing up and 80s pop in general. One of her favorite songs “Let the Music Play” might even be evident in parts of the track but Priess’ main influences of post-punk, electro, avant-garde, art rock, metal, glam and industrial prevail. 

The idea behind “Plastic Faces” (and STDR in general) examines how we put up masks and don't let people see us fully as we are --- flaws, imperfections, demons and all. The bridge of the song ("the guards are down on the eve of.....ultimate disguise”) addresses the ritual of Halloween specifically (but any costumed event is parallel.) On this night, people play characters (or really just exaggerated versions of themselves ie clowns) and for the most part, interact with others with wild abandon. Social inhibitions seem to disappear under this undercover veil along with judgement and the pressures of societal conditioning.  That very vulnerability and openness is what allows us to accept ourselves as a whole evolving, flawed being and moreover, experience joy and play. How may we integrate this into our daily lives? 
Are we escaping OR running to ourselves? Fugitives to our imperfect selves. But that’s a whole other song ( it’s called ‘Fugitive’ actually, it’ll be on the album ;)

Look for the accompanying campy visceral video due to premiere early 2020. The video was shot, produced & performed by SD creator, Kym Priess, alone in her garage with a red backdrop, two mannequins, a wig, a stuntsuit and a ton of plastic (that is recycled, of course.)

Written by Kym Priess 
Engineered / Mixed by John Avila & Anton Söder
Produced by John Avila, Anton Söder & Kym Priess 
Mastered by Gavin Lurssen

Vocals - Kym Priess 
Programming - Anton Söder
Live Drums - Jimmy Lucido 
Bass - John Avila, Kym Priess
Guitars - Kym Priess, Anton Söder, Ryan James
Synths - Kym Priess, Anton Söder 
Accordion - Kym Priess

Plastic Faces

PLASTIC FACES (Official)

“Fugitive,” the third single from Adventure Rock Spectacle, STUNTDRIVER, is a dancy industrial-driven rock track ( produced by Anton Söder & John Avila of Oingo Boingo and mastered by Grammy-winner Gavin Lurssen) that features sexy, fierce vocals oozing/chanting about our escape from ourselves and truth, inspired by front woman Kym Priess’ own battle between Light & Dark.
With a syncopated beat, heavy synths, anthemic choruses, + background vocals from Avila, “Fugitive” begs the questions : Are we Fugitives or Drivers on a collision course with our demons? What would happen if we allowed those demons to aid us in our path to happiness?
After all, “in the Forest, no one hears your screams,” except you.
A campy animated video by Patricia Luna, showing The Driver running away from The Influencer, yellow sponges and other demons in the forest/desert, will follow the release of “Fugitive.”
In the immersive debut of this project , audience members were led on a journey throughout a fabulous set and for this song , they were instructed to pluck leaves from the red trees and write their demons on them to confront on the trail ahead. It was a living album experience! Expect more Of that down the red road !
Think Peaches, Karen.
 O meets Rocky Horror but you can’t put this brash baby in a box.

—
Written by Kym Priess
Engineered / Mixed by Anton Söder & John Avila
Produced by John Avila & Anton Söder  
Mastered by Gavin Lurssen
Vocals - Kym Priess
Backing Vocals - John Avila
Programming - Anton Söder, Scott Anderson
Live Drums - Jimmy Lucido
Bass - Kym Priess, John Avila  
Guitar - Kym Priess, Anton Söder
Synths - Kym Priess, Anton Söder

C. Kym Priess 2020

Fugitive

FUGITIVE (Official)

The real question is : CAN TINSEL SAVE THE WORLD ??

STDR couldn't let this wild year go by without crooning out a f'd 2020 holiday tune! 
---

CURBSIDE XMAS

STUNTDRIVER is an LA-based performance-driven genre-bending rock spectacle that straddles music and art crowds with its “Diva” Knievel-style white racecar suits, gold helmets, Bladerunner-ish makeup, stark choreography, camp aesthetics and bass-driven, dark-synth laced heavy electro-art rock that makes everyone feel like they’re on the same punk adventure together.  Fresh off tour dates with Peaches, STDR doesn’t stop. Catch the creator Kym Priess doing it solo or with a full band (including the likes of Oingo Boingo bassist John Avila) at a venue near you. Think Siouxsie x Peaches X Karen O with a dash of NIN, a splash of Rocky Horror and a sprinkle of conceptual artist Cindy Sherman devoured inside Pee Wee’s Playhouse.

STUNTDRIVER

Popular tracks