King’s Prophet: Harmonious Complexity That’s Simply Meant to Be
Oct 9, 2019
Rock and roll can be simple in many cases – mix the drums, bass and guitar together, then throw in some vocals and you’re set. The formula is simple, effective, and doesn’t need much more added to the recipe. But even complex can be extraordinary, especially if the puzzle pieces fall effortlessly into place. So is the case for Orange County-based rock band, King’s Prophet.
Members Calvin Anderson and Anthony Shih during a recent performance at the Continental Room on September 17.
Formed in 2016, the band’s relatively new to the music scene, but their chemistry will fool you into thinking the opposite. The connection was formed before King’s Prophet was even an idea, but it no doubt plays a major role in their success. Members Collin Campbell (drums), Alejandro Torres (guitar/synth), Anthony Shih (bass), and Josh Brazil (guitar/synth) were schoolmates before they were bandmates. And while their respective stories differ when it comes to music shaping their upbringing, music was the common factor that sparked the beginning of their careers as musicians.
From friends to band mates
During their last year of high school, the group utilized tutorial periods as “jam sessions.” It was during this time the decision to turn the faux-rehearsals into a reality was made. Once they graduated, the four friends knew it was time to create something concrete. Investing their talents into a band was an obvious route, but there was one problem: “None of us could really sing,” says Campbell. For almost a year the quartet went without an official singer, honing their skills, yet still incomplete. A Craiglist ad helped yield a handful of replies from would-be frontmen, but none fit seamlessly into the band’s mold. Not until a message from a vocalist named Calvin Anderson was received. After a promising meet-up at Starbucks, and the final puzzle piece was found in Anderson (vocals/guitar/synth) and the band was complete.
“So we just started rehearsing a lot,” the band stated, “and [we] got our first gig at an ice cream shop.”
Complex, but harmonious
The group’s hard work paid off and in 2018 they released their EP “No Strings.” The six track recording is a coherent blend of alternative rock and synth pop, injected with alluring melodies and affectionate lyrics. It’s a mix that takes listeners back to the early 2000s (think Angels & Airwaves and Reggie and the Full Effect) but is still a product of musical and technological advancements. It’s a complex treatment added to the basic equation of rock and roll, but it works. Each sound fits perfectly together, no instrument challenges the other.
Guitarist Josh Brazil on stage at the Continental Room.
“There [are] never enough sounds to use…” the band says, “We are always looking for new and exciting sounds to incorporate in our music. Some people might say having all the gear we have at once it overkill, but we always consciously layer everything with the purpose of serving the song.”
It’s King’s Prophet’s ability to reinvent the past uniquely that makes this form of indie all their own. But even through reinventions, the band remains true to themselves.
“Something that we always strive for is making the kind of music we would want to hear,” the band said. “The most important this for us is being happy with the songs we create. If we are, that’s all that matters.”
To keep track of future shows and events, follow King’s Prophet on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook; and stream their music on Spotify, iTunes and Amazon Music.