The King Blues
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2004 |
| Headquarters | London , United Kingdom |
| Products | Punk rock music, albums, singles |
The King Blues are a London-based British punk rock ensemble recognized for their fusion of punk and hip hop elements with ska and spoken word styles. Political activist Tariq Ali characterized their music as "raw, radical sounds designed to disrupt the establishment," emphasizing their opposition to warmongering authorities. Their inspirations include Public Enemy, The Clash, and The Specials. Vocalist Jonny "Itch" Fox describes their genre as 'rebel street music.'
History
Initially, The King Blues started as a solo endeavor by Jonny "Itch" Fox, who recorded the first EP, All Fall Down, performing all vocal and ukulele parts himself. The lineup grew from two acoustic guitarists and a bassist to incorporate two dedicated percussionists, cultivating a style often called "soulful ska infused with raw folk and punk energy" or "conscious rude boy ska."
In 2004, they independently released the demo EP All Fall Down, which contained five tracks accompanied by cover art hand-sprayed by Itch.
On 25 November 2015, The King Blues announced their reunion through their official Facebook page with the statement, "Guess who's back and pissed off again."
Under the Fog (2006–07)
Their debut album, Under the Fog, was launched in June 2006 via Household Name Records, coinciding with an uptick in touring activities. Recorded over five days in their Hackney flat, the album achieved underground acclaim. In November, they released the single "Mr Music Man," featuring an enhanced video chronicling the band's record-setting accomplishment of seven gigs within 24 hours—surpassing Status Quo’s previous record of four. This single was voted Best Punk Song of 2006 by BBC Radio 1.
A special 12-inch vinyl edition of Under The Fog appeared in 2007 on Tartan Records, including the bonus track "If Genghis Khan, then Why Can't I," pressed on robust 180g vinyl with hand-printed sleeves.
In 2007, The King Blues signed with Field Recordings, co-owned by Rollo Armstrong and supported by Island Records. They partially re-recorded and re-released Under the Fog in March 2008, preceded by singles "Come Fi Di Youth" and a revamped version of "Mr. Music Man."
That year also saw frontman Jonny "Itch" Fox lending vocals to Faithless's album To All New Arrivals and And Now We're Even's single "Youmii, Hawaii."
Taking Over (2007)
In 2007, they issued an EP containing four tracks, including a refreshed rendition of "Taking Over" originally from their debut album.
Save the World, Get the Girl (2008)
In May 2008, they released the single "Let's Hang the Landlord" from their forthcoming second album via email distribution to subscribers. The autobiographical song recounts Itch’s experiences as a homeless punk youth and was also pressed on a split 7-inch alongside Flobots’ UK debut single "Mayday."
Save the World. Get the Girl was officially released in the UK on 20 October 2008. Produced by Peter Miles (also responsible for Under the Fog) alongside esteemed producer Clive Langer, known for collaborations with Elvis Costello, Madness, and Morrissey, the album received favorable reviews.
The single "My Boulder," which came out on 13 October 2008, received extensive airplay on BBC Radio 1 and endorsements from DJ Zane Lowe to Noel Gallagher. It features an excerpt from Robert Browning’s poem The Pied Piper of Hamelin. Other tracks such as "What If Punk Never Happened" were also broadcast on Radio 1 shows hosted by Rob da Bank, Mike Davies, and Zane Lowe, as well as on Xfm’s punk program. The band gained notable exposure in Australia through Triple R’s punk segment Bullying the Jukebox.
"I Got Love," released as the album’s final single on 4 May 2009, premiered on BBC Radio 1. In June 2009, they performed a cover of Dizzee Rascal’s "Bonkers" live on Radio 1's Live Lounge.
Exemplifying creative promotional tactics, the band redirected their poster advertising budget to rent a billboard in London’s financial district where they spray-painted an open letter addressed to then Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
Post Save the World, Get the Girl / revised lineup (2009–10)
During late 2009 and early 2010, The King Blues supported their sophomore album with a tour that incorporated songs such as "Headbutt," "Sore Throat," and "Five Bottles of Shampoo" into their performances.
By mid-2010, the group parted ways with Field Recordings, coinciding with the exit of Fruitbag alongside session musicians Johnny Rich, Al Gunby, and Jim Parmley. Fruitbag posted a contentious statement regarding these changes on the Punktastic forum, which prompted a response from Itch. Shortly thereafter, The King Blues secured a deal with Transmission Recordings and unveiled new band members. Within weeks, the refreshed ensemble toured as support for Enter Shikari.
On 23 March, Zane Lowe debuted "Headbutt" on Radio 1, dubbing it his "hottest record in the world." Itch disclosed that five or six new tracks had been completed. During their UK tour, it was announced that "Headbutt" would be released on 16 May 2010, featuring a remix by Enter Shikari's Rou Reynolds available as a free download.
The band launched their "London Brawling tour" from 10 April to 5 May, supported by Mouthwash, Moral Dilemma, The Meow Meows, and Dirty Revolution. Their shows included speakers such as the mother of Sophie Lancaster for the S.O.P.H.I.E. foundation and appearances at Love Music Hate Racism events. On 8 August 2010, they performed at the Hevy Music Festival near Folkestone. During this time, they previewed material intended for Punk & Poetry; however, much was set aside as new compositions inspired by UK anti-austerity protests, riots, and the Arab Spring surfaced—these included "I Want You," "We Are Fucking Angry," and "Set The World On Fire."
On 29 August, The King Blues released the single "Holiday," accompanied by B-sides "I Got Hate" and an acoustic rendition of "Headbutt." That same day saw them perform on the main stage at Reading and Leeds Festivals.
Additionally, the band disrupted one of Tony Blair's speeches using their "Lil Bast*rd" sound system.
Punk and Poetry (2011)
On 21 January 2011, The King Blues debuted "We Are Fucking Angry," which received airtime on Mike Davies' Radio 1 Punk Show; it was subsequently made available as a free download.
"Set The World On Fire" premiered on Mike Davies' show on 7 February and later gained additional exposure through Zane Lowe’s program. Its official video was released on 26 February. The single became available digitally on 10 April, including a Dr Meaker remix as its B-side. On 1 March, Itch co-hosted Mike Davies' Punk Show to preview further tracks such as "The Future's Not What It Used to Be" and "Five Bottles of Shampoo." The tracklist for Punk and Poetry was revealed on 5 March; the album launched on 18 April to favorable reviews and entered the UK Top 40 Albums chart.
On 12 February 2012, the album’s fourth single, Does Anybody Care About Us?, was digitally released alongside a live version of Five Bottles of Shampoo as its B-side.
Long Live the Struggle (2012)
At the Leeds Festival in 2011, The King Blues announced they were working on a follow-up to Punk & Poetry and introduced "Power to the People," which featured during their inaugural European tour. In November 2011 at The Roundhouse venue, they premiered the track "Modern Life Has Let Me Down."
Recording sessions for the album took place in Los Angeles with producer John Feldman, who was attracted to their unique British sound and lyrical content. The song "Can't Bring Me Down" includes guest vocals from Jason Butler of Letlive. On 6 March 2012, Itch co-hosted Mike Davies' Radio 1 Punk Show where he previewed the track "Tear Us Apart."
Off with Their Heads (2016)
Issued on 27 February 2016 through their own label Meatball Records (with physical copies distributed by Speech Development Records), Off with Their Heads marked the band's return to the music scene. The music video for the title track, directed by Scroobius Pip, amassed over 250,000 views within its initial day. The controversial cover art, created by Oh Bones, depicts vocalist Itch holding a severed political figure’s head. Facebook prohibited the video from running advertisements, and Apple limited its availability on iTunes during the first week.
"The Gospel Truth" (2017)
Released on 11 April 2017 under Cooking Vinyl Records, The Gospel Truth was their first studio album since 2012. It achieved the number one position on the cassette charts, reached the top 20 in vinyl sales, and placed within the top 40 overall.
"Tory Is a 4 Letter Word" (2017)
This digital single was launched through Cooking Vinyl Records coinciding with the UK general election period.
"38 Minutes" (2019)
Serving as a soundtrack album, this release accompanies Jonny Itch Fox’s punk puppet opera inspired by Hawaii's false missile alert in 2018, which lasted for 38 minutes before being corrected. The Camden show in London sold out several months prior to the performance. The album broke into the UK Top 40 and marked the inaugural release on Itch’s Meatball Records.
Politics
Political activism and resistance remain central themes for The King Blues. Itch has contributed writings to Last Hours magazine, a publication recognized for its focus on protest politics. Tracks like "Chimp in a 3 Piece Suit" and "Duck and Cover" from Under the Fog openly address political issues, while Save the World, Get the Girl presents a more intimate reflection on societal concerns. Songs including "Going to war to prevent war..." reference Indymedia and Tiananmen Square, underscoring their political engagement. The band’s website predominantly links to politically driven causes. Itch openly identifies as an anarchist.
In February 2012, while promoting their newest single, Itch voiced strong criticism of social disparity and government actions: "There’s no future except for the privileged few... Banker bonuses alongside politicians claiming expenses for duck ponds while homeless people are removed from the streets... We are products of a fractured Britain being torn apart... we are furious – is anyone prepared to resist?"
During their 2016 tour, The King Blues organized food collections at every show to donate canned goods to local soup kitchens.
Breakup and reformations
On 3 April 2012, Itch publicly declared that The King Blues had disbanded, explaining that they had reached their creative limits and planned to release a final album titled Long Live The Struggle in July 2012. This separation followed accusations directed at Itch regarding manipulation and dishonesty toward other band members.
Jonny "Itch" Fox embarked on a solo path under the moniker "Itch," releasing the online EP Manifesto Pt. 1: How to Fucking Rule at Life in November 2012. He subsequently put out a mixtape produced by Dan The Automator featuring Kid Koala, followed by his full-length album The Deep End, produced by John Feldmann on Red Bull Records. This album included collaborations with Taking Back Sunday, Matisyahu, Less Than Jake, and Rancid. Its lead single "Another Man" attained platinum certification in Australia and remained within the top 40 charts for five months.
Jamie Jazz formed Bleach Blood alongside guitarist Paul Mullen. Signed to Transmission Recordings, they released the EP The Young Heartbreaker's Club in 2012 and their album All The Sides of a Circle in 2013 before disbanding.
On 6 May 2014, Itch reunited briefly with Jamie Jazz and Fruitbag for a three-song encore at London's iconic 100 Club.
The King Blues announced their comeback on 25 November 2015 via Facebook alongside coverage in Kerrang! magazine with the message "Guess who’s back and pissed off again." They followed this with the February 2016 EP release Off With Their Heads, supported by a new music video.
They joined Enter Shikari as support during February 2016’s Mindsweep Tour, concluding with a sold-out performance at Alexandra Palace in London. Subsequent tours promoting The Gospel Truth have consistently sold out and incorporated food drives benefiting homeless charities. Despite ongoing controversies, Itch has participated in only select press interviews since reforming.
In 2019, The King Blues released 38 Minutes, a punk rock puppet opera crafted by Jonny Itch Fox. Performed to sold-out audiences in Camden, this work is based on Hawaii's mistaken missile alert incident from 2018. Its soundtrack was the first offering from Fox’s Meatball Records and secured a place within the UK top 40 charts.
Band members
- Jonny "Itch" Fox – lead vocals, ukulele
- Tom Loffman – guitarist
- Angus Mcburger – bass guitar
- Andy Mckenzie – drummer
- Marianne Canning – violinist
Past members
- Jack Emmings
- Mike Moore
- Peter Jolliffe Thomas
- Jamie Jazz – guitar, vocals
- Fruitbag – guitar, vocals, keyboards
- Jack Usher – drums, percussion, backing vocals
- Kat Marsh – bass, backing vocals
- Josie Dobson – keyboards, vocals
- Ade Preston – guitar, backing vocals
- Louis Bennett – lead vocalist
Guest musicians
- Johnny Rich – bass guitar
- Al Gunby – drums
- Jim Parmley – percussion instruments
- Chris Goodman – bass guitar
- George Lindsay – drums
- Perkie – keyboards, vocals
- Charlie Wilson – guitar
Studio albums
| Year | Title | Record Label |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Under the Fog | Household Name Records |
| 2008 | Under the Fog (Re-release) | Field Recordings/Island |
| Save the World. Get the Girl | ||
| 2010 | Punk & Poetry | Transmission Recordings |
| 2012 | Long Live the Struggle | |
| 2016 | Off With Their Heads | Speech Development |
| 2017 | The Gospel Truth | Cooking Vinyl |
| 2019 | 38 Minutes | Meatball Records |