The Kings of Nuthin'

The Kings of Nuthin'
Company type	Band
Industry	Music
Founded	1999
Founder	Torr Skoog, Liam Crill, Chris "Necro" Wilkinson
Defunct	2013
Headquarters	Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Products	Music albums and singles

Adapted from the English Wikipedia article The Kings of Nuthin', available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 30 November 2025

The Kings of Nuthin' was an American punk rock ensemble from Boston, Massachusetts, consisting of seven to nine members. Established in the late 1990s, they achieved international acclaim in the early 2000s, especially across Europe, due to their unique fusion of street punk, rock'n'roll, and swing, complemented by dynamic live performances featuring instruments such as piano, double bass, washboard, and horns. After producing four albums, the group dissolved following the passing of their lead vocalist in 2013.

The Saturday Night Specials (1996–1998)

The origins of The Kings of Nuthin' trace back to founders Torr Skoog (upright bass), Liam Crill (drums), and Chris "Necro" Wilkinson (washboard). Initially a trio with a shifting lineup composed of punks, bike couriers, and squatters, they began rehearsals in 1996 within a warehouse equipped with skate ramps in Jamaica Plain, Boston. Between 1996 and 2001, amid a resurgence of local rockabilly, the band grew to include a vocalist and up to two guitarists, performing under the name Saturday Night Specials.

The Boston Blackouts (1998–1999)

During 1998 and 1999, the group mainly operated as Boston Blackouts, undergoing several personnel changes: Slick initially took on second guitar duties while bassist Spike Katz joined after Torr Skoog transitioned from bass to vocals. This formation quickly earned recognition within rockabilly and psychobilly communities.

The Kings of Nuthin' (1999–2000): Demo Tape; EP Get Busy Livin' or Get Busy Dyin'

In the summer of 1999, as their reach extended beyond Massachusetts, they adopted the name The Kings of Nuthin', drawing inspiration from Orlando’s jacket club Kings A' Nuthin'. Some musicians participated in both ensembles. Their inaugural demo tape was recorded that year at Boston’s 7A West Studio and featured Torr Skoog (vocals), Justin Hubbard (guitar), Zack Brines (keyboards), Spike Katz (upright bass), Danny Edge (saxophone), Liam Crill (drums), and Chris Wilkinson (washboard). Their initial sound was characterized as ’50s roots rock infused with punk elements.

In October 2000, their debut EP Get Busy Livin' or Get Busy Dyin was released via Reckloose Records. Critics praised its urban jump blues style blended with punk vigor, likening Skoog’s vocal delivery to Tom Waits and Dicky Barrett from The Mighty Mighty Bosstones. The band’s music was noted for merging influences between Stray Cats and Brian Setzer Orchestra and delivering robust, fast-paced rock'n'roll distinct from neo-swing or traditional rockabilly acts.

Following the death of saxophonist Danny Edge in November 2000, Tommy Bellevue joined on tenor saxophone alongside Slick on baritone saxophone. That December, the band performed at Boston’s annual Hometown Throwdown festival.

The Kings of Nuthin' (2001–2004): Fight Songs for Fuck-ups

After their initial label folded in 2001, they unsuccessfully sought a contract with Hellcat Records. That same year saw them sharing stages with Joe Clay and reaching the finals in Boston’s Rock & Roll Rumble hosted by WBCN-FM.

In 2002, they featured prominently at major U.S. events such as Heavy Rebel Weekender and Oneida Rockabilly Festival—the latter considered the largest gathering for rockabilly—performing alongside icons like The Comets and Wanda Jackson. Their debut studio album Fight Songs for Fuck-Ups, released on Disaster Records, combined vintage roots instruments with punk intensity and gritty lyrics.

Recommended by Dropkick Murphys in 2003, they supported The Monsters at CBGB's Zombilly Weekender and embarked on their first European tour noted for high-energy shows that included instrument burnings.

Early 2004 saw three tracks featured in the PC game Crazy Taxi 3, followed by a split release with The Briggs and participation in the tribute album Dear Johnny...A Tribute to Cash, which received acclaim for elevating Johnny Cash within punk circles.

The Kings of Nuthin' (2005–2009): Over the Counter Culture & European tour

December 2005 brought the release of Punk Rock Rhythm & Blues on People Like You Records for European audiences; it reached U.S. listeners in April 2006 under the title Over the Counter Culture through Sailor's Grave Records. Critics acclaimed this album as a vigorous blend of ’50s rock & roll, swing, big band sounds, and street punk influences, highlighting its innovative genre fusion.

A scheduled "Bad Boys for Life Tour" set for April 2007 was canceled due to lineup complications; however, they toured Europe later that year. During a technical delay at a Spanish festival, their impromptu acoustic set was met with enthusiasm.

The Kings of Nuthin' (2010–2013): Old Habits Die Hard & disbandment

May 2010 saw the release of Old Habits Die Hard on Sailor's Grave Records. Recorded at Outpost studio alongside other notable Boston musicians, this album showcased greater compositional complexity with tempo variations and prominent horn arrangements. Although recorded five years prior, the band ceased live performances after their 2007 European tour despite plans to continue activities in 2010.

In June 2013, lead singer Torr Skoog died by suicide, prompting the band’s official dissolution.

Artistry

Musical style and genres

The Kings of Nuthin' combined mid-20th century roots music with punk vitality, marked by Torr Skoog’s distinctive vocal style. Their sound integrated early R&B, swing, rockabilly, rock'n'roll, and punk rock elements. Initial recordings were grounded in urban jump blues and ’50s rock'n'roll infused with raw punk energy.

Their debut album leaned toward rhythm and blues with an amplified rockabilly approach; subsequent releases merged these influences into a unified "punk rock rhythm & blues" style. Old Habits Die Hard demonstrated enhanced musical sophistication while preserving their hallmark blend of ’50s rock’n’roll and punk.

Influences

Skoog cited inspirations such as Stray Cats and The Mighty Mighty Bosstones; other members referenced artists including Tom Waits, Slapshot, The Kids of Widney High, Young Jessie as well as drummers Earl Palmer and Scott Pittman. Bassist Zach Brines identified foundational influences through covers on Over the Counter Culture, mentioning Anti-Nowhere League, Peter and the Test Tube Babies, Blitz, Stiff Little Fingers, Eater, Hank Ballard, and Young Jessie. Thomas Lorioux highlighted figures like Willie Dixon’s collaborations with Memphis Slim along with various psychobilly performers emphasizing technique and stagecraft.

Legacy

Although their career ended prematurely due to Skoog’s death in 2013, The Kings of Nuthin’ left behind a solid discography and a reputation for energetic live shows featuring dramatic elements such as instrument burnings. Their enduring impact stems from merging ’50s rock’n’roll rebelliousness with punk aggression enriched by unconventional instrumentation including double bass, piano, washboard, and saxophones.

Members and session/touring musicians

According to bassist Spike Katz—who once gained admission to Juilliard—and Slick, approximately half the members attended Berklee College of Music. Session musician Jon Natchez contributed baritone saxophone on their final two albums; touring musicians included Matt Murphy (upright bass), Tom Quartulli (tenor saxophone), and Anant Pradhan (baritone saxophone).

Former members

Torr Skoog – upright bass (1996–1998), lead vocals (1998–2013)
Liam Crill – drums (1997–2013)
Danny Edge – tenor saxophone (1998–2000)
Zack Brines – piano (1998–2013)
Chris Wilkinson – washboard (1998–2002; 2004–2008)
Slick – rhythm guitar/vocals (1998), tenor/baritone saxophone (2001–2003)
Justin Hubbard – electric guitar (1998–2004)
Spike Katz – upright bass (1999–2004)
Tommy Bellevue – tenor saxophone (2001–2002), baritone saxophone (2003–2004)
Hayden Cummings – tenor saxophone (2003–2005)
Thomas Lorioux – upright bass (2004–2005)
Trafton Waldrop – electric guitar (2004–2005)

Former session musicians

Jon Natchez – baritone saxophone (2005)
Dana Colley – bass saxophone (various tracks)

Former touring musicians

Jon Natchez – baritone saxophone (live: 2000)
Matt Murphy – upright bass (live: 2003–04)
Tom Quartulli – tenor saxophone (live: 2003–07)
Anant Pradhan – baritone saxophone (live: 2005)

Discography

Studio albums

Get Busy Livin' or Get Busy Dyin' (2000)
Fight Songs for Fuck-Ups (2002)
Punk Rock Rhythm & Blues / Over the Counter Culture (Europe/U.S., 2005/06)
Old Habits Die Hard (2010)

Singles

Shit out of Luck (2001)
Split with The Briggs (2004)

External links

(Archived May 31, 2008 via WayBack Machine)