Coventry Music Museum Curator Pete Chambers BEM writes for the Observer.
It’s all about the KING – Four Kings reform
Well it’s the month for Kings of course, so what better time to announce the reformation of one glorious Cov band The Four Kings!
I wrote this about them in 2004 in my first book Godiva Rocks: A current ‘one to watch’ band and part of the Coventry rock pack.
Formed in 2000, the band consists of Andy Beglin (vocals), Paul Hartry (guitar), Leigh Urquhart (bass), Dave Medforth (keyboards) and Chris Hartry (drums).
The band have been compared to various rock giants, I would prefer to I ignore such remarks and rejoice in the fact that they have a pretty original sound not obviously akin to anyone in particular.
It’s great to hear the keyboards and guitar working closely together with some superb bass/drum lines topped off with Andy’s great vocals.
They have supported the likes of The Darkness and The Cooper Temple Clause, and in 2003, became the first British band to play the Athfest musical festival in Athens Georgia USA. A return looks on the cards.
The band have a self-produced CD available entitled Life Through The Bottom Of A Glass.
So they are back, or they will be in an anniversary show on September 16, supporting The Session at HMV Empire – more about that nearer the time though (tickets nearly all gone).
Formed in the Spring of 2001, Four Kings would hit the ground running on the Coventry music scene and in no time at all would be considered by many as the most electrifying and popular band within the city.
Over the following three years, Four Kings would cement that even further as they gained an even more stronger following around Coventry and Warwickshire, whilst sharing the stage up and down the UK with popular bands at the time, including The Darkness, Kasabian, The Datsuns, Cooper Temple Clause, Biffy Clyro, Goldie Lookin Chain, 80s Matchbox B-Line Disaster.
In the summer of 2003, Four Kings were invited to be the first unsigned British Band to play at the Athfest Music Festival in Athens and Georgia in the United States, the hometown of REM, and The B52s. From there they gained strong friendship from American band (Left Front Tyre) who featured on the American Pie film soundtrack. Their manager at the time gave them the original invite to the festival, after they previously played with Four Kings in the UK in the winter of 2002.
Over the next two years up until 2005, when the band decided to call it a day, Four Kings toured up and down the UK being a force to be reckoned with headlining mini festivals and consistently playing the main stage at Coventry Godiva Festival, gaining respect and a very strong following of fans during this fast and short period of time.
Four Kings were a huge inspiration to all at The Session and an equal respect was born between the two bands as they shared stages with one another at the Jailhouse and the Dog amongst many other venues, in those formative years!
The September 16 gig promises to be something of an historic night.
More King Trivia
Speaking of King back in 1987 this week Paul King (ex King) was enjoying chart action with his first solo single ‘I Know’.
And Coventry born Dennis King, known for his musical success in the US in the 1920s, died in May in 1971.
