Dive Into the Mind of Kevvy Mental: Fake Shark's Fearless Frontman Reveals All

Fake Shark has been a defining name in the Canadian alternative rock scene for years, and the genius behind their fearless sound is none other than Kevvy Mental. Known for his raw vocals, innovative programming, and boundary-pushing collaborations, Kevvy’s musical career has been a wild ride. From their early days as Fake Shark – Real Zombie! to their current success, there’s no doubt Kevvy has been a driving force behind the band's evolution.

Now, with their latest album Afterglow out and a new album coming out this year , I caught up with Kevvy to talk about Fake Shark’s journey, the band’s future, his personal experiences, and more. So, without further ado, let’s dive into the interview!

GETTING TO KNOW FAKE SHARK

Alyssa: For people who may not know you, can you tell a bit about yourself and what you do in Fake Shark? 

Kevvy: I am the singer and primary songwriter and producer in Fake Shark. The only only producers we’ve worked with on our records are Steve Bays (who I grew up really looking up to in the hardcore and local punk scene) and Ryan Worsley. Both incredible songwriters, producers and mixers.

A: Can you walk us through what it was like growing up and getting into music? What were your influences growing up, and how did you find your unique sound? 

K: I went through a lot of different phases in taste and fashion. I had a metal phase, a punk phase, a goth phase and hiphop phase. Now, I just love it all and it all ends up in my music. When I first actually started playing in serious bands, my main influences were "Yeah Yeah Yeahs", "Bloc Party", "Dillinger Escape Plan" and "Blood Brothers"

A: Did you always know you wanted to pursue music professionally, or did that come later?

K: I thought I was gonna be a comic book artist when I was a kid, then I wanted to be a pro basketball player and then at 15, I started playing bass and knew I wanted to tour and play music for a living.

A: Was there a specific moment when you thought, "Okay, this is it, Fake Shark is happening"? 

K: It was interesting, having been in bands before where any success of a single song was very slow and intermediate, our first song we released; "Cheap Thrills", charted across the country and got into an apple commercial, so that was pretty exciting. 

A: What’s been the reaction from your fans as Fake Shark has grown and changed over the years? 

K: I’m lucky to have a great and loyal fanbase that’s moved with me through different projects and bands, so I think they’re pretty open-minded and I love touring and seeing them at the shows!

FAKE SHARK’S MUSIC AND CREATIVE PROCESS: 

A: How do you balance being both the lead vocalist and programmer? What’s the relationship between your voice and the programming side of things? 

K: The way I’ve always written music is by producing it as I go and then singing on it, so for me it makes sense.

A: What’s the most unexpected or rewarding collaboration Fake Shark has been part of? 

K: It’s pretty wild as a Canadian, that our music has been used in a handful of NHL games and especially the Stanley Cup finals games. As a Canadian, there’s kind of no greater achievement for us!

A: What’s your favorite Fake Shark track to perform live? 

K: Loser. I feel like I can dig into the performance in a way where I really notice I’ve got everyone’s attention.

A: Since this is a Newfoundland music blog The band has been to the province before for Iceberg Alley with The Glorious Sons and Jill Porter way back in 2018. What was that experience like for you and the band? Also, would Fake Shark consider returning to the province for another festival or show? 

k: I want to come back, we just need a good offer to do it!

A: Do you have any special memories from your time spent in Newfoundland during your past visit? 

K: I wanted to get screeched in, so someone books us there and I’ll do it on stage!

A: Do you ever get homesick while on tour? And if so, how do you cope with it? 

K: I actually don’t. If it were up to me, I’d always be on tour.

THE FUTURE OF FAKE SHARK:

A: What can fans expect from Fake Shark’s upcoming fourth studio album? Is there a particular direction you’re taking with the new material? 

K: A lot, a lot, a lot of lyrics. The last album was very rock and this one still has elements of that, but I feel like this one is like a refined version of our album "Walking Through A Fantasy". 

A: Are there any specific themes or concepts you’re exploring on the new album? 

K: Oh, I’m always writing sarcastic songs about having my heart hurt by people.

FUN AND PERSONAL QUESTIONS:

A: What’s a guilty pleasure song or band that you listen to when you’re not working on music? 

K: This is not a guilty pleasure at all, but I love Sabrina Carpenter.

A: If you weren’t doing music, what would you be doing instead? 

K: When I’m not doing music, I produce stand up comedy albums and specials.

A: And finally, how do you unwind when you’re not working on music or comedy? 

K: I game! 

Closing thoughts :

As we wrapped up our chat, it was clear that Kevvy remains as passionate and driven as ever, whether he’s shaping Fake Shark’s next evolution, collaborating on fresh projects, or simply indulging in some well-deserved downtime with a good game. The future of Fake Shark is as exciting as it has ever been, and I can’t wait to see what’s next for this ever-evolving artist.

Thank you so much to Kevvy for taking the time to chat and share some insights into his creative world.

For those who haven’t yet experienced Fake Shark live or listen to their music , I highly recommend you catch them at their next show and follow them on their socials ajs music streaming services !

Keep an eye out for new music, and maybe—just maybe—we’ll get to see them back here in Newfoundland soon!