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Borrowing liberally from their favorite musical styles: 70's rock, indie-pop, gospel, blues, and country, these local lads spend their time writing songs to please themselves, their friends, and their fans; a continually burgeoning base at Seattle's many clubs. With three critically-acclaimed albums under their belt and about to release a fourth, these three are poised to steamroll the tired alt-country scene like an armadillo on speed.  |
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The last few years have been good to these city boys. The year 2003 saw them in Austin at SXSW, and at the top of the roots heap in Seattle, being named Best Americana Band by readers of the Seattle Weekly. 2004 Had them playing Seattle's Bumbershoot Festival and working with Gregg Williams (Dandy Warhols) to put out, in one reviewer's words "...the best alt-country record of the year, hands down", The Devil's Dutchman. 2006 brings new sounds, textures and approaches to familiar forms. Stay tuned...
take me back...back to the top... |
MEMPHIS
RADIO KINGS are wine and bullets. They are melody, hooks,
rhythm and enthusiasm, aggression and restraint. They are thought
provoking lyrics, sweaty live performances, and quiet moments that
make you cry, or laugh. They are 3 + 1 = 4 guys who donÕt care about
record labels, genre labels or the other things that most bands
care about. They are perfect pop songs, a Telecaster that cuts you
in half, and rhythms that make you want to dance, fight, or both.
With two full-length albums, an EP and hundreds of live shows, they
are experienced but never jaded, always grateful. They are also
changing. In 2004, they offended the MRK purists by adding a Òbass-playerÓ,
and recording with Gregg Williams (Dandy Warhols). In 2006 they
will shrug off the notion of Òalt-countryÓ by releasing an album
full of perfectly crafted pop songs played on guitars, drums, synthesizers,
pianos, and other stuff. This album will be produced by Martin Feveyear
(Mark Lanegan, The Epoxies, The Briefs). YouÕll want to listen closely,
youÕll want to sing along, and youÕll want to do these things over
and over again. Memphis Radio Kings are Charlie, Tim, Tony, and
Jon. They sing and play guitars, drums, and keyboards.
Fronting
the band on lead vocals and rhythm guitar is Charlie Beck,
a contender who wears his bruises and losses deep within his heart.
With a crackly tenor, Charlie's aggressive energy and emotional
edginess takes the listener on a road full of hooks, jabs, and a
pain that only a shot and a nod can cure. A prolific songwriter,
Charlie keeps the band fresh and the audience's toes tappin'.
In
the dark, off to the side is the mysterious, enigmatic Tim
Jones on lead guitar. A musicians musician, Tim doesn't
steal the spotlight, as much as slowly, deliberately draws the audience's
ears in his direction with his inventive sounds and elegant technique.
Whether he's sending out a soaring blues on his trusty telecaster,
or bringing you down home with a Dobro that you'd swear was torn
from the bumper of late 50's Ford, Tim plays with an authority that
can only come experience, or a really good lie.
Laying
down a foundation for his boys in the front is Tony Leamer.
As drummer, percussionist, and back-up singer, Tony takes his place
behind the skins and sets forth on a mission to rock. Constantly
pushing the band past formulaic pitfalls and pop-culture regurgitation,
Tony's relentless beats, Moon-esque enthusiasm and fearless honesty
drives the band onward and upward. 
The
newest member of the Kingdom is Jon Goff: player
of bass, creator of keyboard drenched soundscapes and harbinger
of rock. The fact that Jon can play every note of Iron Maiden's
Killers with one hand while whipping up a tasty tofu scramble with
the other made him an obvious choice. Jon has endured a hazing period
that would have made Jason Newstead cry like a little baby, so you
know he's got the stuff.