The King Of France

I don't normally do these posts, but The King Of France were one of my favourite new bands of 2005, I was especially happy to just stumble across these guys at the Mercury Lounge in New York while on holidays earlier this year.

The King Of France consists of vocalist/guitarist Steve Salad and drummer Michael Azerrad (who literally wrote the book on indie rock, Our Band Could Be Your Life) plus an irregular, identity changing keyboard player. The guys are gearing up to take to the road in February with Nada Surf.

I think everyone should check these guys out if they like their indie pop quirky and their pretensions left at the door.

But don't take my word for it .... what do the critics say??

"More lovable with every listen … celebratory, instantly engaging"
Nylon

"The King of France writes catchy, intelligent, highly melodic pop-rock songs with a strong and welcome dose of Midwestern angst"
The New Yorker

"With plink-plonking keyboards, vocals that waver between Leonard Cohen smooth and Jeff Mangum frantic, plus the occasional lap steel, this New York trio are such blithe troopers that they'll even whistle to win you over"
Spin Magazine

"In an age of overwhelmingly derivative rock music, the King of France is simply a great rock band, one that draws extensively and subtly on the great rock bands of the past without ever allowing the weight of history to overwhelm its singular vision"
Salon

So here are the The King Of France Tour Dates:-

Wed 2/8/06 Eight By Ten Baltimore MD
Thu 2/9/06 Starr Hill Music Hall Charlottesville VA
Fri 2/10/06 Cats Cradle Carrboro NC
Sat 2/11/06 Loft Atlanta GA
Sun 2/12/06 Exit / In Nashville TN
Tue 2/14/06 Blue Note Columbia MO
Wed 2/15/06 Granada Lawrence, KS
Fri 2/17/06 Trees Dallas TX
Sat 2/18/06 Emo’s Austin TX
Mon 2/20/06 Clubhouse Tempe Az
Tue 2/21/06 House of Blues San Diego CA
Wed 2/22/06 Henry Fonda Theater Los Angeles CA

Sadly they aren't coming to Australia, yet. So I'll just have to make do listening to their their debut album (that is if you don’t count the previous release “Salad Days” which is a selection of some of front man Steve Salad's pre-band recordings), “The King of France”.

And just in case you need more incentive to go see these guys, here are some mp3's


The King of France - White Confection

The King of France - Mexico