Re-mastered at home from excellent
quality cassettes.
Illinois Hotel 01/05/1982
01-11 all titles unknown
Wollongong University 04/05/1982 12-24 all titles unknown
I only ever went to see Kill The King once or twice. Their combination of
jazz and punk elements left me cold at the time and that's still fairly
true, even today. But, once again, these excellent recordings by Tim V.
(in lamentably uncrowded rooms so that the space and depth of the live
sound shines through) have made me re-assess the band's worth to some
extent.
There are obviously elements of the Laughing Clown's take on jazz
throughout, especially in the vocal lines which have a distinct Ed Keupper
flow, even if they're more twisted and faux-crooner. There are also the
influences of overseas bands like Rip, Rig and Panic and, more
importantly, James Blood Ulmer's distinct, raw assaults. But the punk d-i-y
ethic really adds another element to Kill The King's sound, no matter how
3rd or 4th generation that may be.
I still have problems with the trumpet which tries desperately for a free
jazz, Ornette Coleman style but falls short almost every time through lack
of ability or length of time playing the instrument. And there are other
elements of the sloppy playing that makes for, sometimes, uncomfortable
listening.
But the overall effect of listening to these gigs is that this was a band
who were willing to experiment within the field and who could overcome
their liabilities to, sometimes, click and make fantastic music.
