King's X
Biography
Few hard rock bands are as widely respected yet criminally overlooked as King's X. The trio (bassist/vocalist Doug Pinnick, guitarist/vocalist Ty Tabor, and drummer/vocalist Jerry Gaskill) seemed destined for the big time with their irresistible blend of melodic Beatlesque harmonies, metallic riffing, and prog rock detours, yet for reasons unknown, never truly broke through to a mainstream audience. Pinnick (b. September 3, 1950) first met Gaskill (b. December 27, 1957) when the duo was touring with the Christian rock outfit Petra, and soon after, met up-and-coming guitarist Tabor (b. September 17, 1961). The trio joined forces in 1980 with the Top 40 cover band the Edge and thoroughly played the Missouri bar scene. By 1983, the band had changed its name to Sneak Preview and was now completely focusing on original compositions -- resulting in an obscure and very hard to find self-titled debut album released around this time.
Sneak Preview were offered a recording contract in 1985 if they relocated to Houston, TX, which they did, but the deal failed to materialize. Undeterred, the trio continued on and perfected its sound and songwriting further, catching a break when ZZ Top video producer Sam Taylor took the group under his wing, helping it secure a recording contract with New York's Megaforce label in 1987, and suggesting that the band change its name to King's X (the name of a local outfit that Taylor was an admirer of back in his high-school days).
Selected Discography
XV
2008
Tapehead / Please Come Home...Mr. Bulbous / Manic Moonlight
2005
Ogre Tones
2005
Black Like Sunday
2003
Manic Moonlight
2001
Been my favorite band since I heard Faith Hope Love way back when. Seen them a multitude of times live which is an amazing thing...don' t miss them if you ever have the chance. These guys never got the recognition they deserve but continue to be admired and recognized by musicians. Someone mentioned the Galactic Cowboys -- out of Texas and friends of the King's X guys. Jerry played on their last (and final) album, Let It Go. Also, check out Jelly Jam and Platypus, projects with Ty Tabor plus memb
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I've loved them since they first came out and they just get better-they are one of those bands that set the trends and supersede them, but don't make the big time like they deserve. I hope they get their million dollar pay-day some day-they deserve it!!!
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The albums are great, but if you want to catch the essence of King's X, you must see them live. I've had the pleasure of seeing them many many times over, and I'm going to the chance in poughkeepsie ny this sunday to see them again. Come join me if you live in ny, you won't regret it.
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"Ear Candy" is out of print, but extremly common for sale used on the major sites. Well worth your $$$ if you like melodic rock. "Gretchen Goes to Nebraska" was listed as the #24 greatest Rock album of all time in Rolling Stone awile back. They said "greatest album you've never heard" -- because so few people know it even exists. Please check out the song "Pleiades". One of the the best Rock songs of all time.
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These guys are great. Been listening for years. "Gretchen Goes To Nebraska" is a Masterpiece. "Ear Candy" is great. Most other albums are very good. "Faith Hope Love", "Black Like Sunday", "Ogre Tones" and "XV" are very good. Grunge and hard rock fans will like "Dogman" best. TY's best solo album is "Moonflower Lane". King's X often sounds nothing else like anyone else except vocally like The Beatles mixed with Jimi Hendrix (but only sometimes).
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I first heard these guys in '98 when Tapehead came out (the first time.) Assessable music, with a great groove; I was floored, and wondered why the band wasn't huge. I was just a kid then, 11 years later there's still no good reason for this band to be so overlooked. Looks like many other commenters feel the same way, here's to hoping the band realizes the impact it's made...
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Definitely more praise should be given to their last two albums. They tried to hit more of the main stream yet, still maintaining their individualit y . "XV" had some great leaps back to their old style production with drums as clear as ever and guitar and bass ringing out in true form. Their are some great cuts on that CD ie., "move", "broke" great for the times now, "all right", "stuck"...Th e CD has a great flow from one song to the next...
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The have an awesome sound for a 3 piece band. Reminds me of Grand Funk Railroad. Good in the studio and incredible in concert.
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Galactic Cowboys was something of a King's X clone - they should be in the similar artists list.
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This band deserves so much more of an audience. King's X is just positively fabulous!
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King's X defintely rocks! I already have tickets for the KC show in June. It's a small venue, but they play and sound like they are in a Stadium, which is where they should be.
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I have all of there cd's and all of them rock.Damn good band that never got the exposure they so deserve.
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These guys have always been good and I agree that they are definitley one of the most underrated bands of all time. Lets be real the racial divide had alot to do with these hard rocking mizzou boys not getting the respect they deserve but luckily today race has absolutley nothing to do with whether or not your apart of the metal scene. I think Byron Davis, Lajon Whitherspoon and Vernon Reid (just to name a few) answered all questions. Metal knows no limits or colors. Kings X kills it every show.
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blind melon sucks. They couldn't hold a tune, if it was lip snyched for them.
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The best band that too many people haven't heard of...if you get a chance to see them live, do it. You won't be let down.
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I've seen them live 3X. Looking forward to a fourth time, perhaps this upcoming september in Philadelphia , opening for Porcupine Tree. My fav CD is "Out Of The Silent Planet" followed by "Dogman" ...O do they sure know their hard-rock, not unlike Dream Theater knowing their prog-rock/me t a l .
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Caught the December show at the Blender in NYC...my freakin' chest was vibrating from the bass!! AWESOME! I wish they played about 4 more hours. Ima loyal follower from 1988 when i heard them on WSOU (Seton Hall radio). Great groove metal, incredible harmonies. Highly underrated in this BS MTV world...
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a great band that has is a cross between kings x and alice in chains is Odd Logic. They don't show up here but google them or on myspace.
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Awesome band... still. Saw them live about 5 years ago, and they rocked Pittsburgh.
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Awesome band. Here's Pandora's ten most common descriptors: a subtle use of vocal harmony, major key tonality, electric rock instrumentat i o n , electric guitar riffs, hard rock roots, minor key tonality, electric rhythm guitars, an electric guitar solo, demanding instrumental part writing, vocal harmonies. Those are the ingredients, but the result is definitely more than the sum of the parts.
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Kings are pretty good from what I heard, but I thumbed-down almost all of Ty's solo crap....
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Excellent form, projection, and dynamics. Copied many times by other known, and unkown bands and artists who indeed incorporated this refreshing(a t the time) new sound into there own material. There first album(which isn't listed here,("OUT OF THE SILENT PLANET") is arguably there best, with "FAITH HOPE AND LOVE" in a close second or visa versa. These two albums in my opinion truly show the essence of "who" and what KINGX are about. Not trying to compare anyone(bands ) I think like so many great
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Kings X, Static X... what's the difference? Jusssst kidding. No, really, who are Kings X again?
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I also just saw them with King's X...man these guys stole the show!!! A truly powerhouse heavy rock band...I just interviewed their bassist/sing e r Dug Pinnick...a truly humble human being.
All hail the Kings! |
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Great review. I just saw them play a club opening for Extreme. They brought the house down. They are simply one of the greatest rock bands EVER. I know that sounds like a stretch to some, but they are truly regarded as heroes in the musical community. No one sounds like King's X. I hope they keep going for a long, long time.
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These guys are true musicians in a world full of Clear Channel rehash.I've followed them since Faith Hope Love in 1990, and they've yet to disappoint me on any of their many releases. This is a power 3 piece in the same way that RUSH is a power 3 piece. Each one of the guys has proven their awesome musicianship with standout performances by Ty on songs like It's Love & Repeating myself. Doug on Over & Over, Jerry on 6 Broken Soldiers and all 3 on the shredder Moanjam. They ROCK...perio d .
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Leave your judgement at the door. Sit back and relax. There is more than just notes and words and rhythm. There is soul
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Highly underrated band and it is a true shame that they never got their commercial due. Definitely a "power trio" that has been continuously been pumping out soulful, thoughtful, well-orchest r a t e d hard rock for nearly 20 years! Do yourself a favor and "discover" them if you already have not.
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Mr. Taste loves Kings X. Kings X and Living Colour at the Bronco Bowl in Dallas. Those were the days.
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Their new disc rocks!!!! they will be on tour with Extreme which is horrible but they will indeed put on a great show!
All Hail the Kings!!! |
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Great band that has been around for years. Ty Tabors guitar sound and style is awesome to hear. One of my favorite guitarists for that classic rock sound. There newest album in 2008 is pretty awesome.
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I'm still in the process of checking out King's X even though I've known about them ever since their 1st album. I'm usually more into heavier & darker music, but these guys are really good. By the way, what's wrong with Iron Maiden T-shirts? For that matter, what's wrong with King's X album artwork? There's nothing wrong with sharing your opinion - that's what these comment sections are for - but let's all try to be un-biased about it.
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