King King Blues

King King ft. Alan Nimmo

“Softly softly” is not a maxim that King King are familiar with. Since surging into life last year they have barely stopped for breath, and their electrifying sound and scorching live shows have generated more of a thunderous roar than a buzz.

This is a band which knows how to make an entrance. Fronted by charismatic bluesman Alan Nimmo, their exhilarating debut at last year’s Monaghan Blues Festival created such a stir that it prompted organizer Somhairle MacCognil to remark: “King King aren’t just playing the festival. Word is that King King ARE the festival”. With a reception like this there’s no surprise that the phone has been ringing off the hook since, and the last year has seen a frenetic schedule of gigs and festival appearances which have received outstanding praise and added plenty of new blood to their burgeoning army of followers.

With an almost instant reputation which spread like wildfire through the blues scene and a diary fit to burst, you’d be forgiven for thinking that King King might have wanted a bit of a rest. You’d be wrong. Apparently imbued with sufficient energy to power a small town, the band also found time to get into the studio, the result being their debut EP ‘Broken Heal’. Produced alongside the team behind the Arctic Monkeys, Kaiser Chiefs and the Editors, the EP instantly received a gleaming review from Blues Matters Magazine, including remarks on it’s “emotive lyrics” and “stirring guitar work”. The band had barely left the studio when they began to receive airplay on radio stations across the UK, Europe and the US. Listeners to Radio 2’s Paul Jones were treated to a taste when the DJ got his hands on the band’s stunning ‘Heart Without A Soul’ and introduced it to the masses. Little wonder then that organizers of the celebrated Blues On The Farm festival had a listen and were so impressed that they made room for King King - despite having already filled the bill for the event.

Thundering on, the summer saw King King descending on the celebrated Maryport Blues Festival, where they played the main stage to rapturous effect. One press review effused: “How do you top an evening of music dominated by the wonderful Jethro Tull? With King King, that’s how.”

Yeah, they’ll get you like that.

Pretty impressive stuff for a band less than a year old. So what’s at the root of all this commotion? Well, aside from seemingly boundless impetus, the band is certainly not lacking in pedigree.

Leading the charge is the aforementioned Alan, a frontman famed almost as much for his contagious energy as his dazzling guitar work. Widely known across the UK and Europe for his pivotal role with the award-winning Nimmo Brothers, Alan’s full-blooded style, technical brilliance and impassioned vocals combine to hit all the right buttons and reach spots that many others can only aspire to.

Bringing up the rear we have Lindsay Coulson. Don’t be fooled by the wry smile – beneath his unruffled exterior lurks a powerhouse of punchy, fat bass who’s musical career has seen him take to the stage with such well regarded blues acts as Aynsley Lister and Philip Walker. He has also been a regular in the Nimmo Brother’s lineup, and this history with Alan has resulted in a dynamic musical chemistry which is evident in both songwriting and performance.

New to the King King fold is Bennett Holland on keyboard. An excitable advocate of funky low-down blues, Bennett has worked with a plethora of names including Groove Armada and the critically adored Richard Hawley. A compelling and highly skilled player, rumour has it that there are no arms beneath Bennett’s sleeves – only more fingers.

Running with the King King ethos that more is always more when it comes to talent, this year’s audiences will also be treated to a special guest in the form of Craig Blundell, recently described by Drummer magazine as “one of the UK's most versatile and staggeringly talented players”. A hugely gifted and resourceful musician, Craig is also clearly a dynamo at juggling – aside from live performances, the last year has seen him in constant demand for worldwide drumming clinics, recording sessions, instructional books and even a documentary.

With this lineup of top-shelf musicians, King King could only draw their inspiration from the best in the business, ranging from legendary greats such as BB King and Albert Collins to the shining lights of contemporary blues like Joe Bonamassa and John Mayer.

Drawing on their combined talent whilst cherry-picking the hottest influences, the band has pushed boundaries to craft a fresh, powerful new angle on blues rock which is as infectious as it is accomplished.

Contact/Bookings

for U.K. & Europe: Alan Robinson Management
tel.+44 (0)1962 712123

email.arm@manhatonrecords.com

for Ireland: INTouch Management
tel. +353 (0)21 4852972
mob. +353 (0)86 1971953
email. lindaplover@yahoo.ie

http://www.kingkingblues.com/store.html

Exclusive: NEW CD!!!

Broken Heal (2008) SDRCD001

1. Broken Heal
2. Heart Without A Soul
3. Six In The Morning
4. (If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don't Want To Be Right

£5 (plus £1.50 P&P) (usually ships next day)

Coming soon... King King t-shirts

A new range of band merchandise!!

KING KING IN SESSION AT THE LEGENDARY MAIDA VALE STUDIOS...

Being asked to record a live session for Paul Jones' BBC Radio 2 'Rhythm & Blues Show' is always going to be exciting, but knowing that you will be taking a trip to Maida Vale Studios on Delaware Road, West London, is an honour! The studio's 75th anniversary has seen a number of one-off shows being aired to commemorate the occasion, so knowing that the band's first session recording for the BBC will be recorded within its hallowed walls could have proved daunting. Studio 3 has seen some of the most famous bands in the history of popular music pass through its doors - and now KING KING have added their own recording to the vaults for posterity.
There is a very special atmosphere within Studio 3. It's a large, expansive space slightly reminiscent of a school gymnasium, where the vaulting horse and springboard have been replaced with Hammond organ and Steinway grand piano. The walls could tell a story or two, and a plaque proclaims that Bing Crosby made his final recording in the studio during the autumn of 1977. KING KING weren't there to star-gaze, however, and set up the equipment ready to lay down their tracks and do the same professional job that they have been carrying out for the past 12 months. The sound check was quick, and the engineers soon got the levels they required to see the famous red-light go on to indicate that the tape was rolling! Each song required no more than two takes, with the band and producer Paul Long happy to sign them off as 'show-worthy'.
Alan played with the usual confidence that drove the band on to a series of strong performances under the pressure of a live recording session. Bennett was pleased to be using the B3 organ that many of his heroes may well have sat at in past sessions, while Craig and Lindsay provided the solid, and often explosive, rhythm section that underlies the KING KING sound.
December 14th sees Pauls Jones play four tracks from the band, including three originals and a great cover of Eric Clapton and Robert Cray's 'Old Love'.