Artist Focus: The King Blues

[Led Zeppelin]

Short Biography:

http://www.phillygirlabouttown.com/photos/uncategorized/2008/05/28/kingblues_2.jpg

The King Blues are a Punk and Reggae band from London, England. They blend a wide range of styles of music from acoustic to ska. Influences include King Prawn and The Clash. The King Blues started off as a two man ska outfit, consisting of Itch playing ukulele/Vocals and Jamie Jazz playing acoustic guitar and contributing vocals. They then expanded to include a second acoustic guitar and a bassist, before again expanding to include two full-time percussion members. Their sound was initially described as "soulful ska with raw folk and a punk rock attitude" or "conscious rude boy ska".


Albums:

Under The Fog (http://www.revleft.com/wiki/Under_The_Fog) (2006)
Save The World. Get The Girl (http://www.revleft.com/wiki/Save_The_World._Get_The_Girl) (2008)


Videos:


The King Blues - Save The World Get The Girl
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txZMLOohTnU
Link to official video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rs8ZSlJO34Q) (embedding is disabled for it)

The King Blues - My Boulder
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEF07KfTNkU

The King Blues - Mr. Musicman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeivMPkIRfM

Links:

Official Website (http://www.kingblues.net/)
The King Blues (http://www.myspace.com/thekingblues) at MySpace (http://www.revleft.com/wiki/MySpace)
The King Blues Residency (http://www.myspace.com/thekingbluesresidency) at MySpace (http://www.revleft.com/wiki/MySpace)
press blog (http://www.kingbluespress.blogspot.com/)
Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-King-Blues/7852483225)
Bebo (http://www.bebo.com/thekingblues)
YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/user/thekingbluesofficial)
Q&A with Jonny "Itch" Fox on politics, girls and making it big in America (http://www.yuppiepunk.org/2008/11/qa-the-king-blues.html)
interview on music.virgin.com (http://music.virgin.com/2009/02/09/interview-the-king-blues/)

[MilitantAnarchist]

absolutely amazing band, seen em last August...

[Y Chwyldro Comiwnyddol Cymraeg]

Going to see them in a few weeks, cant wait!

[Black_Flag]

Excellent band :thumbup:

[scarletghoul]

Hey, didnt I nominate these? Im glad you like them!!:lol:

[Sam_b]

The use of the ukulele is really good. Its unfortunate that it's often regarded as a non-serious instrument (when I was passing through airport security once I was asked by the officer if it was a "kid's instrument"), but when played right its far from this description, perfect if you're looking for an alternative to guitar with a higher tone.

And yes, works very well with ska and even upbeat reggae. I often find myself playing Althea and Donna's epic Uptown Top Ranking and it sounds awesome on it.

[Y Chwyldro Comiwnyddol Cymraeg]

Just to report back I went to see them on the Friday of the MayDay bank holiday weekend. They came on and graffitied "Happy May Day" on a huge canvas.
They performed a mix of songs from the Under the Fog album (Mr Music Man, Come fi di Youth)
Before the song "come fi di youth" they got the crowd to say a fuck-off to the BNP, as it is an antifacist song.
They also did stuff from Save the World get the Girl (the title track, Lets hang the landlord, My Boulder, I got Love and my fav. The Streets are Ours.
Then they did a song about the G20 policing called "Dont let the bastards win"
And finished with a poem about Womens Rights.


Amazing gig, cant beleive I remeber so much considering the booze and other stuff that was consumed on my part; but well worth going to see!