On seeing LOUIS XIV up close on the Jonathon Ross show a few weeks ago, I must admit I was like who?? But then intuition got the better of me, and I thought they will be alright, as Mr Ross is usually a fine judge of music... well bar Starsailor. They played the new single "Love is Blind", and buy the end of it, I was considering reaching for some eyeliner. I was thrilled to see a a Glam Rock cum Rhythm'n'Blues outfit.
They are such an interesting band, inviting and captivating, the more they play, the more they allure you. As you may have guessed, the group take their name from a King of France, an effective ruler who established an absolute Monarchy. His reign was hailed as a golden age of French literature and art. Now this band are neither French or Kings, but they are definitely worthy of being effective rulers in their own musical genre.
The quartet is made up of the haunting, Lou Reed-sounding vocals of Jason Hill who also plays guitar, James Armbrust on bass, Mark Maigaard on drums and Brian Karscig also a guitarist. Together they hail from San Diego in California.
They take to the stage impeccably dressed along with their impeachable make-up. Messy, overpriced haircuts in tow, all except the lead singer Hill, who sports what seems to be an emerald green satin highschool baseball jacket. It shimmers very brightly when lights deflect onto it and it doesn't quite fit the Glam me up n'Koko look. But I was there for the music, if I had wanted a fashion and catwalks I would of sought out Kate Moss and pals. Er, or maybe not.
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The difference in style of their songs is something I was immediately drawn to. I found myself stomping my cubans to a dirty blue infused Led Zep sound. Other people in the crowd were smacking their own hides by way of appreciation.
To add to this bluesy glittering cocktail, the lyrics just fall ideally into place, like the hog-stomping "Pledge of Allegience" with the lyric "milkshake milkshake, love to feel you sweat, we dont have to go to the pool if you want me to make you wet" .
These really are disciples of Bowie and T-Rex. You better believe it.
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