Prepare Yourself for the Best Band You've Probably Never Heard: All Hail the Kings
Friday July 7, 2006
When was the last time you heard a song that made you do about a half-dozen auditory double-takes before resolving to research exhaustively like you never even did in college to find out what artist birthed this sound-wave nectar of the gods? Me? Well, it was back in the bleak midwinter, when one of my other primary obsessions aside from music (NHL and Carolina Hurricanes hockey) introduced me by sheer chance to the Kings' "This Beat Goes On"/"Switchin' to Glide".Once armed with this new information, that this power pop/new wave/joyous rock and roll band from Ontario kicks serious behind and not enough people know that, I quickly developed righteous anger at a world that could deny them some level of true notoriety. Well, here's my opportunity, and obviously I'm taking full advantage of my platform to use excessively hyperbolic language to let you '80s music fans out there know that there was so much more to the decade's music than MTV and Madonna, if you only care to look. Check out my review of The Kings Are Here and More, the band's quintessential collection, to find out why you should be spinning this disc right now... well, actually 10 minutes ago.
Album Cover Photo Courtesy of WEA Records
Comments
I can’t argue with your opinion of ‘The Kings are Here and More”. I must insist, however, that you also treat yourself to their more recent recordings, especially ‘Because of You’. As a loyal member of their KINGdom for over 20 years, I guarantee you’ll love this brilliant band even more!
Cheers
This was one of the first tapes I bought, and essential music for Canadians. However, I think their second album, Amazon Beach, was almost as good. Want to rock? Check out All The Way, the first cut on this album. That song cooks!
You gotta see these guys live. We used to follow The Kings all over Ontario. And, they’re still at it. Years before it was ever released, I believed Shoulda Been Me would be a big hit one day. Enjoy.
Simply put, two of the best songwriters (Dave Diamond and Zero) and pop/rockers in music history, get anything by these guys you can put your hands on!! Never a disappointment!
As a member of the KINGdom in the U.S., I must say the Kings are simply the best.
I have been a fan of The Kings ever since my brother bought “The Kings Are Here” back in 1980 when I was 10. A few years back I picked up a copy of “…And More” and wrote to the address on the back. It was great to have MIster Zero write back personally and then I found their website and have collected almost all of The Kings recordings. Their last two – Unstoppable and Because Of You – are simply great records. How many albums do people own with just a few good songs on it? Not so with The Kings – all their songs are great powerpop gems. I was glad to see The KIngs in May 2005 in Milwaukee and got to hang out with them after the show. The Kings rock and they put on a terrific show and their music is just damn good rock n’ roll which there ain’t much of these days.
Patrick Dempsey
Chaska, MN USA
Been a fan for about 10 years. Great article. The Kings are awesome. I like you had to do much research for info on the band. I’d love to get them to NY.
I have purchased at least 3 LP copies of “The Kings Are Here” and still have my last. I own an original cassette of “Amazon Beach” and I will be buying copies of every release they have put to Digital.
I saw these guys in Columbus at the “Agora” and they kicked ass! I don’t know if it was Diamond or Keyes, but one guy, was bangin’ the piano so hard, he was doing handstands on the keyboard.
Nothin’ matters but the weekend!!!
The most important band of the 80’s as far as I’m concerned. They blended pop with a little new wave and made it work. So many bands in the ’80’s tried this formula and failed. The Kings are the most underrated band of the decade, and I thank God they haven’t thrown in the towel!
You’ve said it eloquently – and I’m a year behind you in the research department. I “discovered” this band in late November of 2006, quite by accident. A local (and best) radio station always played “this beat/switchin’ to glide” at 5 pm every Friday. As you, I conducted a frenzied effort to research this elusive Canadian group. Actually, it’s easy, just google them and their website pops up.
They have more talent, harmony, hooks and ‘get down’ rock and roll than just about every other group of the era. And and if genuine appreciation of their art, beat, and ingenuity count; over finances, high end bookings, and high-brow Cow-Palace type event, I’ll place them way over The Eagles, The Police or Genesis. If all these 70’s and 80’s groups are making a come-back, The Kings are the only group I’ll be willing to pay $100 a ticket to go and see. I can’t say that for any other group that I know. And thank you for your article that so well articulates the same. Best Regards…….