KINGOFTHEHILL – Kingofthehill (1991)
As requested, let’s listen to KINGOFTHEHILL self-titled debut ”Kingofthehill” from 1991. While Kingofthehill born in the second half of the ’80s, they weren’t cut from the traditional hair band mold. Take some Extreme hard rock funkyness, some Poison easy rockers / power ballads, add Dan Reed Network’s musicality, and a dash of Living Colour groove, and you have ”Kingofthehill”.
A couple of ”Kingofthehill” singles did well on MTV, and with a strong backing from their record label the band spent much of 1991 on the road touring with White Lion, Trixter, Lynch Mob and Steelheart in the USA, and received a rapturous reception as Extreme’s guests on their autumn UK tour.
This St. Louis, Missouri-based four-piece began life on the local club circuit as a covers band, with the line-up settling when bass player George Potsos joined Frankie Muriel (vocals), Vito Bono (drums) and Jimmy Griffin (guitar).
Initially known as Broken Toyz, the band gradually introduced original material into their set, until the demand for their own songs allowed them to drop the cover versions entirely.
They signed a recording contract in 1990, and, having adopted the name Kingofthehill (all together), recorded their self-titled debut with Bang Tango producer Howard Benson.
Unfortunately it was a short lived band. Released in the early stages of the grunge depressive era, “Kingofthehill” earned a couple of minor hits on MTV, before fading away from the charts with the rest of the melodic hard genre.
“I Do U” was one these cuts, and a highlight, featuring a funky rhythm, Frankie’s flamboyant singing style (at places similar to David Lee Roth), and a brass section to give it even more of a funk edge. Added with a catchy, traditional hair metal chorus, “I Do U’ is fun.
The other of their two hit songs, “If I Say” is a traditional power ballad, with some Poison / Brett Michaels to it.
“Place In My Heart” is also a satisfying ballad that kind of remind me of Warrant, classic stuff from the era. Most of the other songs on the album are hard rockin’ funky songs like “Freak Show”, “Electric Riot” and “Take It Or Leave It”.
Kingofthehill’s funky, groovy, sleazy debut is one of the most unique albums from the late 80s / early 90s American melodic hard rock scene. Many acts at the time were experimenting adding the ‘funky factor’ to their rocking riffs, however Kingofthehill sounded quite distinctive.
Highly Recommended
01 – Party In My Pocket
02 – Freak Show
03 – I Do U
04 – If I Say
05 – Roses
06 – Take It Or Leave It (Kingadahill)
07 – Something ‘Bout You
08 – Place In My Heart
09 – Big Groove
10 – Electric Riot
Frankie – lead vocals
Jimmy Griffin – guitars, vocals
George – bass, vocals
Vito Bono – drums
BUY
www.amazon.co.uk/Kingofthehill/dp/B000008HC7
