Kicked in the head
Create to Destroy, Destroy to Create
In 2017, after more than a decade of silence, Kicked In The Head returned from the dead—louder, heavier, and with something to say. What began as a simple reunion spiraled into a full creative campaign that reignited a nationwide cult fanbase. Two sold-out nights at Great Scott (Allston, MA), plus a performance at the Mighty Mighty Bosstones’ Hometown Throwdown, proved the band still had real fire behind it.
Without any social media presence left—no Instagram, no Facebook activity, no marketing engine—the fans were still there waiting. Some flew in from all over the U.S. Others reached out from overseas wishing they could be here. It was a reminder: the culture lives even when the band sleeps.
The Challenge
We had no active social media, no algorithm support, and no marketing budget.
There hadn’t been a post, a show, or a photo in years.
The audience was scattered across the country, and many assumed the band was gone for good.
We needed to rebuild identity, momentum, and culture — fast.
And we wanted the comeback to feel artistic, not nostalgic; a rebirth, not a reunion.
A New Visual Identity: “KITH Rises”
Along with artist Joe Boyle, Ryan and I created a gritty, mythic, resurrection-themed visual universe anchored by the now-iconic bird-and-matchstick illustration.
It became the symbol of rebirth.
It became the campaign.
It felt like a folk legend wrapped in punk energy.
The aesthetic direction was:
Rough, tactile, and handmade
Symbolic of burning down the old to build the new
High-contrast and dramatic, built to stand out in feeds
Nostalgic and elevated — maturing the brand without losing the edge
This visual universe rolled out across:
Posters & social assets
Merch
Motion teasers
Live-show environmental design
Ticketing promo
Fan-shared content
Rebuilding the Fanbase Without Algorithms
We treated the campaign like launching a brand — because it was.
We used:
Targeted organic posts with share-worthy visuals
Personal fan outreach (DMs, mailing lists, local promoters)
Close collaboration with long-time allies in the Boston music scene
Teaser drops mimicking film trailers
Nostalgia micro-moments — old footage, early flyers, early show stories
The response was immediate and overwhelming.
People were reaching out from all over the US and abroad.
the Live Experience at Great Scott
We wanted more than a “reunion.”
We wanted an event — a ritual — for people who had waited a decade.
What we created:
Two completely unique setlists (no repeats across nights)
Special guests from our extended Boston punk and ska family
A VIP acoustic pre-show only available to fans who bought tickets to both nights
Custom merch drops for each night
Curated stage visuals and atmosphere
Fan-driven photo moments
A community-driven “KITH Rises” aesthetic across all touchpoints
It wasn’t just about performing — it was about celebrating a culture.
The Result
Sold-out shows. Line out the door. A social revival that brought the fanbase back to life. And a brand reborn.
The campaign generated massive engagement — purely organic
Fans traveled from all corners of the U.S.
The new visual identity instantly became part of KITH’s modern story
The band re-cemented itself as a Boston staple
The experience led to continued opportunities, including the Mighty Mighty Bosstones’ Throwdown
The “KITH Rises” campaign became a model of what happens when design, music, and community culture all move in sync.