GRAVEL KINGS
“We’re not really country and we’re not really rock, so it’s been tough explaining to people what they’re going to get at a show,” explains Zack Jones. “People these days can be very clique-y and want everything to be specifically labeled before they give it a try.” Jones, guitarist and vocalist for Fort Pierce’s Americana quartet the Gravel Kings knows that predicament all too well. Geographically sandwiched between Tampa’s metal and Miami’s dance scenes hasn’t done much to stifle their progress. If anything, it has helped the band focus and develop a solid sound.
Taking the better cues from American roots music, the Gravel Kings have conjured an almost hypnotic wave of mellifluous harmonies and storytelling that put them a step above comparable acts with enough charm and poesy to remind listeners that Florida is, after all, a Southern state. Jones is rounded out by multi-instrumentalist Joseph Johnson who adds banjo and Dobro to the mix, and the rhythm section of Douglas French on drums and Aaron Teems on bass.
“I think our sound is inspired by the good times, the bad times and the lessons that life teaches you,” says Teems. “We got into playing Americana from writing the more folky songs of our past record, then, adding a tele into the mix and playing songs that just felt right.” Their upcoming release, the Lure EP, is a product of evolution and hard work. Joining producer James Paul Wisner in the studio, the Kings have made an undeniable progression from their debut album Arrows and Maps without making aural sacrifices.
“Arrows and Maps came about a little more methodically, we had been playing the material for a number of years and had every little tweak figured out,” says Johnson. “With Lure we had a more relaxed approach. We loosened up the sound and the overall vibe, combined with previously unrecorded members getting the chance to give their effort really gave the EP a nice shine.” Wisner’s eclectic credits include Amy Winehouse and Dashboard Confessional among others and brought a discerning polish to the band’s cultured sound.
An American roots band is only as good as the work that it puts into itself and working the road is an integral part of the process. “Our EP release is three nights in a row at three awesome venues with some of the best musicians in South Florida,” says an enthusiastic French, “Then we’ll be hitting the road in October up to New York, over to Nashville, and a few places in between.” The Gravel Kings might not singlehandedly return Florida to the Americana conversation but their hard work and committed attitude is sure turning all the right heads.
Gravel Kings EP release shows Sep 9 at The Stillery w. Pathos Pathos, The Inverted and Myles Patrick and Sep 10 at Propaganda w. Pathos Pathos, The Helmsmen and Myles Patrick gravelkings.com. GET TICKETS
~ Abel Folgar
