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The King Blues
On Tour121,932 plays (3,860 listeners)
ska, reggae, acoustic ska, punk, folk… see all
The King Blues are one of the UK punk underground’s best loved bands, and they’re now primed for an assault on the wider world having signed to new label Field Recordings.
Their first break came in early 2006 when a demo of ‘Mr. Music Man’ made it into the hands of Mike Davies of Radio 1’s The Lock Up, who gave the band repeated plays. Support from Zane Lowe soon followed and The King Blues grabbed the attention of the UK’s biggest punk label, Household Name, who signed the band and released their debut ‘Under The Fog’ – recorded in their living room in the space of four days during June 2006.
A postcard of modern Britain sent from the street level, ‘Under The Fog’ created an immediate buzz through the UK punk scene and enabled The King Blues to morph into a full live band – though they prefer the term ‘collective’ - to describe their fluid line-up, which generally features Johnny Rich (vocals and bass), Jim Parmley (percussion) and Gumby (drums). Tours were undertaken with likes of Gogol Bordello, Bedouin Soundclash and Capdown, not to mention shows with scene mainstays such as Jerry Dammers and Attila The Stockbroker; The Streets’ Mike Skinner meanwhile confirmed himself as the latest King Blues fan.
Things stepped up a gear at In The City in September 2006 when ‘Mr Music Man’ was universally praised during a new music panel. This brought the band to the attention of Field Recordings, established by life-long reggae fan Rollo of Faithless and backed by Island Records. By the close of 2006, The King Blues ranked highly in numerous music polls including second biggest selling album in independent outlets and ‘Best Song of 2006’ for ‘Mr Music Man’, as voted for by listeners of The Lock Up.
Their first break came in early 2006 when a demo of ‘Mr. Music Man’ made it into the hands of Mike Davies of Radio 1’s The Lock Up, who gave the band repeated plays. Support from Zane Lowe soon followed and The King Blues grabbed the attention of the UK’s biggest punk label, Household Name, who signed the band and released their debut ‘Under The Fog’ – recorded in their living room in the space of four days during June 2006.
A postcard of modern Britain sent from the street level, ‘Under The Fog’ created an immediate buzz through the UK punk scene and enabled The King Blues to morph into a full live band – though they prefer the term ‘collective’ - to describe their fluid line-up, which generally features Johnny Rich (vocals and bass), Jim Parmley (percussion) and Gumby (drums). Tours were undertaken with likes of Gogol Bordello, Bedouin Soundclash and Capdown, not to mention shows with scene mainstays such as Jerry Dammers and Attila The Stockbroker; The Streets’ Mike Skinner meanwhile confirmed himself as the latest King Blues fan.
Things stepped up a gear at In The City in September 2006 when ‘Mr Music Man’ was universally praised during a new music panel. This brought the band to the attention of Field Recordings, established by life-long reggae fan Rollo of Faithless and backed by Island Records. By the close of 2006, The King Blues ranked highly in numerous music polls including second biggest selling album in independent outlets and ‘Best Song of 2006’ for ‘Mr Music Man’, as voted for by listeners of The Lock Up.
Similar Artists
Sonic Boom Six, Capdown, Frank Turner, Lightyear, Suicide Bid, King Prawn, Bandits of the Acoustic Revolution… see all
See moreVideos
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Play
The King Blues - Taking Over
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Play
The King Blues - The Sound Of Revolt
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Play
The King Blues - Mr. Musicman
Top Tracks
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Mr Music Man
full track
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| 2 |
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Blood On My Hands
full track
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| 3 |
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Come Fi Di Youth
full track
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| 4 |
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Taking Over
full track
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| 4 |
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The Sound Of Revolt
full track
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Duck And Cover
full track
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| 8 |
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Intro
full track
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| 9 |
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If I Had A Coin...
full track
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| 10 |
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Getting Out Of Here
full track
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| 11 |
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Chimp In A 3 Piece Suit
full track
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We Ain't Never Done
full track
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| 15 |
Top Albums
Shoutbox
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ReformatMe wrote:
I bought Under The Fog a few months ago. Seriously the best album I've bought in years. Just noticed they're playing Nottingham in a few months, gonna try really hard to get there!
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attilastockbrok wrote:
superb band, great people, their new album is brilliant
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jayneisaloser wrote:
Yeah they did open for Hard Fi... who are good at what they do, just depends if you like what they do... all subjective innit? Yeah GW and Nightcrawler What if punk never happened? is bloody awsome. Heard "My Boulder" yet? In fact all the new tracks I heard so far are shit-hot.
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strawberry_meth wrote:
on their wikipedia it says they opened for hard fi at wembley?! is that true, cos hard fi are easily one of the most mediocre bands around today...
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lauren140 wrote:
seeen these guys three times they really know how to get the crowd going! cant wait to see them at reading again this year they are truely amazing :D
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Nightcrawler81 wrote:
I did GW, first time I'd heard them and it's prompted me to check out their other songs.
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samxbam wrote:
love these guys!
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GW_Untitled wrote:
Anybody hear "What If Punk Never Happened" on mike davies show last week?
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jakesonaplane wrote:
i think its a tribute tbf. the song still sucks though.
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jackanory wrote:
Lets hang the landlord? such a rip off of dead kennedys, even down to the actual name!
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MDrako wrote:
I've also seen them 4 times now, one of my favourite bands, and easily THE best live band in terms of involving the crowd
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jayneisaloser wrote:
I've seen TKB about 4 times now and the NEVER let down the crowd. Be it an impromptu acoustic set in the rain or a full blown festival they are always amazing.
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LukeRohypnotist wrote:
One of the most important bands at the moment. Trying, and failing, to book them in Norwich.
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CAPSLOCKCAL wrote:
middlesbrough music live, these guys made it
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amy2790 wrote:
I saw these yesterday. They were bloody amazing :]
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ALEXSEXX wrote:
Really liking the new song :D can't wait for the new album. 'Let's hang the landlord' isn't really ska, it's more folky/punk, but still cool...
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nicbarber wrote:
Yeha, listened to the new song 5 times now, and I'm liking it. It sounds a bit different to the underthefog stuff, but sounds good all in all. New Alum due out in October!
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davidnsharpe wrote:
New song is pretty awesome! Sign up to their mailing list on their website if you want it, or get in touch.
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Battypenguin wrote:
Amazing band
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Scarius wrote:
mista muuuuuuuuuuusic man =D
Listeners
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CHL0
Listening now
to The Sound Of Revolt -
pickle_master
Top Listener
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Kyo666
Top Listener
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matts1900
Top Listener
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spencefunk
Top Listener
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elliott191085
Top Listener
Events
- Sep 6 Lands End Party Common Ground Community Garden, Reading, United Kingdom
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Oct
22
The King Blues
Carling Academy Islington, London, United Kingdom
Add shout
| 6 attendees -
Nov
10
Rancid
Rock City, Nottingham, United Kingdom
2 shouts
| 19 attendees
Recent Activity
- danatrono added The King Blues to danatrono’s library. yesterday morning
- braylord added The King Blues to the lineup of The King Blues at New Slang @ McCluskys. Friday afternoon
- Blackglasswar, PurpleBubbles, morganpunk76 and 1 other person added The King Blues to their libraries. Thursday afternoon
- williamsjk added The King Blues to the lineup of Lands End Party at Common Ground Community Garden. Monday afternoon
- chrisfishlock tagged The King Blues with ‘acoustic ska’ and ‘ska’. last month
- braylord added The King Blues to the lineup of The King Blues at New Slang at McCluskys. last month
- veryfastVD, Rosereay and xxmissbebexx added The King Blues to their libraries. last month
- punkchrist tagged The King Blues with ‘seen live’. last month
- jambon55 and lulalove added The King Blues to their libraries. last month
- Mr_Chris tagged The King Blues with ‘seen live’. last month
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More Information
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