King Khan and the Shrines, sometimes referred to as King Khan and (His) Sensational Shrines are a Berlin-based garage rock and psychedelic soul band.
History The band was founded in 1999 by then 22-year-old King Khan, formerly of Canadian garage rock outfits The Spaceshits (where he operated under the pseudonym Blacksnake) and Kukamongas. The band is noted for its impressive stage antics. Typically King Khan is scantily clad, and the overwhelming frontman. His performances feature cheerleader/go-go dancer Bamboorella and a mixture of instrumentation including, but not limited to: keyboard, baritone saxophone, guitar, bass, and drums.
Khan formerly played with fellow former Spaceshit member, Mark Sultan, in the King Khan & BBQ Show, a doo-wop and punk inspired two-man band and is currently with Sultan and the Black Lips in a garage gospel super-group called Almighty Defenders. Sultan mentioned in 2010 that he and the Shrines have "bandied about" recording and singing some songs together.
The original lineup of the (Sensational) Shrines consisted of King Khan on vocals and guitars, Mr. Speedfinger on guitar, Boom Boom Jennes on bass, John Boy Adonis on "big beat," Sam Cook on trumpet, percussionist Ron (a.k.a. Rahn) Streeter (who formerly played for Ike and Tina Turner, Bo Diddley, Curtis Mayfield, Stevie Wonder, and Al Jarreau), Ben Ra (the IT guy) on saxophone and Mr. Tom Bone on trombone. Eccentric French organist Fredovitch joined the lineup a week before the group recorded their first album at Toe Rag Studios in London.
Discography
Albums YearTitleLabelOther information2000Spread Your Love Like Peanut ButterSounds of SubterraniaFirst full-length 10"; Catalog No. SoS 0112001Three Hairs and You're MineVoodoo Rhythm RecordsSecond full-length LP/CD; Catalog No. VR12 08/VRCD 082003Smash HitsVicious Circle RecordsBest of old Stuff Catalog No. Reverb 8882004Mr SupernaturalHazelwood RecordsCatalog No. 2004Billiards at nine thirtySounds of SubterraniaSplit full-length LP/CD with The Dirtbombs; Catalog No. SoS 055/SoS 0562007What Is?!Hazelwood Records(Europe) Vice Records (North America)Catalog No. HAZ0482008The Supreme Genius of King Khan and the ShrinesVice RecordsCatalog No. VCA 80005-22013Idle No MoreMerge RecordsCatalog No. MRG486
Compilation albums YearTitleLabelOther information2000Motormania 2000"Sounds of Subterrania2XLP, Catalog No. S.O.S.-0102003VR Home Of Primitive Rock'n'RollVoodoo Rhythm RecordsCD; no Catalog No.2005Live Vol 2 At SubsonicLola Product/Speed RecordsCatalog No. SRLP 010
References
External links
King Khan and the Shrines on Myspace Video: Exclusive live video on Punkrockvids.com King Khan and the Shrines page at Hazelwood Records