Above: The wrath of Khan
That King Khan sure is a mysterious and prolific gent. Having recorded under/collaborated with numerous entities (The King Khan & BBQ Show, The Spaceshits, The Sensational Shrines, King Khan & His Lonesome Guitar, The Ciaoculos) over the years, the man who claims his legal name is Blacksnake will hit the road this summer for a series live shows.
What's the occasion? Why, King Khan and the Shrines' first ever North American tour dates, natch. The "massive 9 piece psychedelic soul big band explosion" will be out promoting the June 17 release of its Supreme Genius retrospective, which is also the band's first official U.S. release. For what it's worth, it's some of the best horn-heavy, new-artist-old-soul music we've heard in a while. But don't take our word for it. Jared Swilley of Black Lips has already been converted:
"The first time I crossed paths with King Khan and the Shrines was on a cold foggy day in London. The gloomy weather was fitting as I'd lost my passport, money, and most of my personal effects at the previous night's concert. My spirits were down and I was in desperate need of salvation. As I sat wallowing in sorrow outside of the club I suddenly felt a supernatural calling that drew me in like a rat following the Pied Piper. What followed was to this day one of the best shows I have ever witnessed. The scene inside was nothing short of insanity. Horns were blaring that could have taken down the walls of Jericho, the drums pounding a rhythm into my heart, guitars, bass and organ wailing and King Khan at the epicenter of it all commanding the stage like a soul-soaked shaman. I was spellbound, moved, shaken, stirred and cured - not unlike what I hear religious experiences are like. I left the show a saved and converted man. I had experienced Supreme Genius."
Are you experienced?:
June
27 - New York, N.Y @ Seaport Music Festival
28 - Philadelphia, Pa. @ Johnny Brendas
29 - Washington, D.C. @ Rock and Roll Hotel
30 - Chapel Hill, N.C. @ Local 506
July
1 - Huntsville, Ala. @ Flying Monkey
3 - Athens, Ga. @ 40 Watt
4 - Atlanta, Ga. @ Lenny's
5 - New Orleans, La. @ One Eyed Jacks
6 - Austin, Texas @ The Mohawk
8 - Phoenix, Ariz. @ Rhythm Room
10 - Los Angeles, Calif. @ Echo
11 - San Francisco, Calif. @ Great American Music Hall
12 - Portland, Ore. @ Dantes
13 - Seattle, Wash. @ Tractor Tavern
14 - Vancouver, BC @ Red Room
16 - Salt Lake City, Utah @ Urban Lounge
17 - Denver, Colo. @ Larimer Lounge
20 - Chicago, Ill. @ Pitchfork Fest
21 - Pontiac, Mich. @ Crofoot Ballroom
22 - Cleveland, Ohio @ Grog Shop
23 - Toronto, ON @ Horseshoe Tavern
24 - Toronto, ON @ Horseshoe Tavern
25 - Montreal, PQ @ La Sala Rossa
26 - Ottawa, ON @ Zaphod Beeblebrox
30 - Northampton, Mass. @ Iron Horse
31 - Cambridge, Mass. @ Middle East
August
1 - New Haven, Conn. @ Cafe Nine
2 - New York, N.Y. @ Mercury Lounge
Related links:
News: King Khan signs with Vice, offers free MP3
News: Mark Sultan AKA BBQ to tour with Clinic
King Khan & The Shrines homepage
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