Knockout Kings (band)

Knockout Kings is a pop/rock band from Fort Worth, TX, USA. The band's music is heavily influenced by music from the emo and hardcore punk genres. The band's myspace page describes their music as "fearlessly poppy rock - comparable to that of Taking Back Sunday and Saves the Day." The band has released three EPs, the last two of which were put out on Doll House Recordings. While lyrics send a message of positivity and hope, and they do play to heavily Christian audiences on occasion, such as the Cornerstone Music Festival, the band says that they are not a Christian band. [1]

Current members

*Matthew "Klink" Clinkscales - vocals
*Austin Stout - guitar
*Cameron Phillips - guitar, backing vocals
*Jeff Goldin - bass
*Jason Merrell - drums

Previous Members

*Jared Abraham - guitar, backing vocals
*Brad Robertson - bass
*Jason Speed - drums
*Jon Burrow - drums

Early years

Formed in 2003, the Kings began to gain popularity in the Azle, Texas (home of 3 of the original members) music scene. The band soon gained popularity all over Fort Worth, and soon independently released the "Bleeding is the Motive EP". On this EP was the satirical song "I'm Hardcore and You Are Not." While the band has not performed this song in well over 2 years, it was a large factor in their quick rise in popularity. The Kings played shows with a group of local bands who called themselves the "White Funeral Family."

Record deal

Shortly after the release of The Lion EP in March 2005, Abraham and Robertson left the band due to personal differences and the fact they could not tour. After a few shows with friends filling on on bass and guitar, the Kings found permanent replacements with Cameron Phillips on guitar and backing vocals and Jeff Goldin on bass. Soon the band departed on their first national tour with Austin band Hundred Year Storm and Mississippi metalcore giants Fourtoomany, traveling as far as New York City. Upon returning from this tour, the band began to write for their next release. Following a performance on MTV's My Super Sweet Sixteen and a brief winter tour with Dallas hardcore act Bats and Knives, drummer Jason Speed decided to leave the band to pursue a ministry opportunity in Austin, TX. Jon Burrow, who had traveled with the band before to sell merchandise, eventually joined the band on drums. With the final line-up set, the band recorded the The Kid's Got Heart! EP at Jacketweather Studios in Austin, TX with engineer David Dreesen. The EP was released in June 2006 on Doll House Recordings. In the summer of 2006, the Knockout Kings completed a 60 day tour of the United States with labelmates widows&orphans. During that tour, they performed at Cornerstone Music Festival and were voted one of the top bands on the Decapolis showcase stage.

In spring of 2007, Jon Burrow (drums) left the band due to personal reasons. His fill-in replacement is Alan Summers, formally of the band In Theory. The band continues to write and travel on the weekends, and is expecting to tour in the summer of 2007.

In early 2007, the band recorded again with David Dreesen at Jacketweather Studios entitled "Question Everything" to be released on "The Emo Diaries Volume 11: Taking Back What's Ours" to be released on Deep Elm Records.

Discography

Bleeding is the Motive (EP) - 2004
1. It's Like Something Out of a Dean Martin Song
2. I'm Hardcore and You Are Not
3. The World Died When Lamonica Gave Up His Gift
4. I'll Give You Something To Bleed For pt. 2
5. Carry Moonbeams Home in a Jar

The Lion (EP) - 2005 (Doll House Recordings)
1. Set Fire, Dreamweaver
2. Rebel With Claws
3. Red-Headed Stranger
4. The Fearsome Foursome
5. It Was Always Easy Saying Yes
6. The Lion

V/A "Houses Volume Two" - 2006 (Doll House Recordings)
5. Red-Headed Stranger
6. Snake Eyes (demo)

The Kid's Got Heart! (EP) - 2006 (Doll House Recordings)
1. All Roads Lead Home
2. Snake Eyes
3. True Blue
4. He's A Hood
5. Road Warriors

V/A The Emo Diaries 11: Taking Back What's Ours - 2007 (Deep Elm Records)
4. Question Authority

Unreleased - 2007
1. Road Warriors (Ocelot Remix) - Ocelot Mthrfckrs

TBA (Full Length) - 2008 (Doll House Recordings)

External links

* [http://www.myspace.com/knockoutkings Knockout Kings Myspace]
* [http://www.knockoutkings.net Official Website]
* [http://www.dollhouseinc.com Doll House Recordings]

ources

1. [http://www.highwiredaze.com/knockoutkings.htm Knockout Kings Positively Rock It!] from [http://www.highwiredaze.com Highwire Daze. Retrieved 10/7/2007.]