On June 30, 2015, the traffic flowed on a moderately warm night like always, I imagine. People were possibly heading home after running errands. Picking up the kids from any number of tertiary activities, or perhaps coming home from dinner at a local restaurant. Just off of Meachem Rd in Racine, Wisconsin in a nondescript strip mall next to a pizza joint and across from a Laundromat sat JJ Mc Auliffe's Pub. On this, the last day of June I watched King Washington perform to a crowd of approximately 100 lucky patrons. Many were there by choice, fans from previous encounters. Others were there by fortunate happenstance, perhaps for a postwork drink to wind down. Once there they were mesmerized by the talent on stage that once realized, was something not often seen on a Tuesday, or any night of the week for that matter.
King Washington is an unsigned band based out of Los Angeles that could be described as indie rock, alt folk rock, or plainly a great rock & roll band. Yet, there is so much astounding talent going on here. What really stands out are the two and three part harmonies, solid story- telling lyrics, and stellar guitar work of colead singer George Krikes. Founded by the other co- lead singer Tyson Kelly in 2006, the group is slowly building a rabid fan base one music residency at a time. The group harkens to a time of the singersongwriter, with strong harmonies, subtle chord progressions, and a fresh contemporary feel. Krikes seemingly effortless virtuoso guitar talent flawlessly melds the lost art of the guitar solo, but in a way that does not seem ostentatious or vainglorious. The solos actually add a depth, flow, and substance to these songs. Kelly's strong songwriting emotionally draws in the listener. Bass player Billy Lee rounds out the number three in threepartharmony and has added his musical skills to the songwriting bin. David Contreras is the newest member of the band hailing from Hamburg, Germany rounds out the rhythm section.
As of this writing, King Washington has two fulllength albums; The Gears and The Overload that were recorded at The Exchange Recording Complex in Milwaukee, WI and was produced by owner Grammy Awardwinning Joe Puerta. A new album is in the works and nearly complete. These two fantastic albums sound amazing. There are many songs that must be pointed out; "Animal", "4th of July", "Don't Expect My Love", and three of their better known and fan favorites "Bawl & Change", "Old Highway 9", and "Land Without Age".
Listening to their live performance, what stands out is that the music, melody, and harmonies filled every single inch of space. It was as if you were wrapped in a blanket of warm, emotive sound. I am not talking about volume here, for it was not too loud at all. Though the production value of their albums is fantastic, this is a band that is better off seen live. Some of the new songs that they presented that night live were; “Evelyn", "Superman", and "Hey Boy" a funky groove of a song which bassist Billy Lee composed and may be on this upcoming new album.
King Washington has a unique way to reach out to new fans. They have had a number of residencies throughout the U.S., particularly in the Milwaukee and NYC areas, in which they perform a set show one night a week for a month at a chosen venue. Then on off days pickup gigs in the surrounding region, often times coming back to smaller cities and venues not used to having such a quality and talented act performing in these middle size cities. By stretching out gigs months apart, it makes the return that much more special and fans bring more friends, and the fan base grows. It's quite brilliant really. With this new album the band promises to break new ground being released the summer of 2016, a fall tour, and an amazing live show, King Washington is a group that continues to grow in popularity, confidence, and hopefully a tour date soon near you. In a perfect world, it would be a band like King Washington that would on the radio or topping the charts and not the vacuous fluff that is assaulting our ears presently.
Show this up and coming band some love on their socials!
Official Site
About Hunter: Hunter is a freelance music writer that concentrates on finding outstanding, unsigned, unknown and under appreciated bands from around the world and unabashedly wields them onto the unsuspecting and the great unwashed. His work has appeared on music sites kilScene (NYC/Brooklyn), Mother Church Pew (NYC), and East of Eighth (Nashville). One of his writings has even been shared and press quoted by a Grammy Nominated artist (Do the Grammy's even matter anymore?!) After a particularly difficult and surreal week of work about five years ago Hunter decided to search the dark, dusty corners and obscure underbelly of the Internet. It was after hearing one of the same 30 songs that a so called "New Rock" radio station played yet again on his way home. That is what started him n his quixotic quest. Since then through many seasons of bleeding ears, anguish, and many neurotic episodes, he has learned well how to hone the power of the Internet in his search. Along with that, he has a vast array of concerts and music rouges throughout the US and around the world, and his goal is to find some of the most unique, fresh, and kick you in the ear hole artists and bands. You can follow him on Twitter or Facebook (if you can find him!) About Hunter: Hunter is a freelance music writer that concentrates on finding outstanding, unsigned, unknown and under appreciated bands from around the world and unabashedly wields them onto the unsuspecting and the great unwashed. His work has appeared on music sites kilScene (NYC/Brooklyn), Mother Church Pew (NYC), and East of Eighth (Nashville). One of his writings has even been shared and press quoted by a Grammy Nominated artist (Do the Grammy's even matter anymore?!) After a particularly difficult and surreal week of work about five years ago Hunter decided to search the dark, dusty corners and obscure underbelly of the Internet. It was after hearing one of the same 30 songs that a so called "New Rock" radio station played yet again on his way home. That is what started him n his quixotic quest. Since then through many seasons of bleeding ears, anguish, and many neurotic episodes, he has learned well how to hone the power of the Internet in his search. Along with that, he has a vast array of concerts and music rouges throughout the US and around the world, and his goal is to find some of the most unique, fresh, and kick you in the ear hole artists and bands. You can follow him on Twitter or Facebook (if you can find him!)
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