Fur King

Fur King's self-titled EP introduces this ferociously talented new band to the scene, as the paths of three seasoned musicians converge into a superhighway of funk, chunk, and dangerously nasty heavy rock. The EP itself has been skillfully engineered to retain the dirty quality of authenticity, as this cohesive unit, this mighty meld that is Fur King, serves up tasty good-time Texas-flavored rock that's been thoroughly marinated in the tradition of 70's rock, yet remains a true, incendiary original. My slow smile of recognition widens with each listen as Fur King gives an irreverent wink and a respectful nod to such bands as Grand Funk Railroad, Creedence, and Lynryd Skynrd (among others) as it ventures into new and unexpected territory. The result? An artery-busting musical signature all their own that's whip-smart and spot-on: a slug of napalm with a smooth whiskey back.

The Fur KIng EP has four cuts. Increasingly insistent riffs propel the ironic lyrics of Hokass Fokass ("The less I need the more I desire,'), a balls-out howl at the moon full of old school piss and vinegar. The album progresses into the snarl and attitude of Marked for Life. Russell Abbott's lead guitar rips powerfully through the swells and eddies of a dark river, and Andy Pfeiffer's bass is the dangerous undercurrent roiling beneath it all. Young blood Augie Arreola's dynamic percussion drives the mighty engine of Outta Touch, his deft drum work setting the tone as well as the beat. In the Middle is down-home funkified rock punctuated by a bright twang and bounce that says: git up off your ass and dance, awready!

Whether you like your lyrics smack-down literal if or you'd prefer to read between them, the cryptic words of Fur King make the tunes work on both levels. In fact, I'd like to hear the band perform a ballad or two, telling a story, as long as they retain the sense of mystery they evoke with the solid tunes on this album. Each player sustains the album from first cut to last with his own finely-honed talent. Abbott's vocals are clear and true, and his intelligent phrasing and impressive range reminds me of Steve Miller back in the day. He gives his guitar a supple and powerful voice all its own, one that runs the gamut of emotion. Pfeiffer's provocative bass freights each tune with substantial ballast and heft, giving the tunes presence and authority. Arreola's masterful drums are large and in charge, and suggest the mighty energy of the lion that Fur King has chosen as it's iconic emblem. Each tune is melodically complex enough to be interesting, yet hummable enough to crackle across your synapses long after you've given this album a listen or three.

Fur King is what happens when you leave music to the professionals. They don't try to dazzle you with bullshit. I am dazzled, however, by pure unadulterated musicianship, and the kick-ass fun of this EP is hearing the big boys come out to play.

Fur King's loose. And on the prowl.
- unlockaustin.com

Friday night I went to see Austin alt rock trio the Well-Dressed Thieves at Headhunters. Located kitty-corner from Stubbs, the home of BBQ and big-name acts, Headhunters gives stage space to lesser-known bands. They have two stages: a small platform in the corner of the first level, and the Cannibal stage. The latter is outside on the second level, with room for the audience on a porch-like deck and the loft above it. The bar decor is very eclectic--a mixture of skulls and tiki items. This hodgepodge reflects the vast array of musical genres that play there.

Upon my entrance I found myself lost in a sea of long hair and denim jackets, and at least one KISS t-shirt. Metal band Fur-King was filling up the tiny room with enough energy to fill a stadium. I rocked out to a few songs, and was impressed with how tight their sound was. That’s one of the great things about Headhunters, you can stumble upon great bands on your way to see a different one. - Live Music Capitol Radio

Although this column usually dedicates itself to the more extreme subgenres of heavy metal, such as death, thrash, black, and doom metal, sometimes it’s good to venture out to shows of varying subgenres, and on Thursday, May 12th, this reporter witnessed an absolutely killer show by three local Texas bands: Fur King, The Roller, and Dixie Witch. All of the bands put on a good show of differing degrees of heaviness, and the show was a good representation of how high-quality the Texas music scene is, regardless of the style of music played. The show took place in Austin, Texas, an hour-and-forty-five minutes from San Antonio, so anyone who came down for the weekend should have checked this show out.



The first act of the evening was a newer band by the name of Fur King (get your innuendos ready), who played a Southern-infused set that straddled between the lines of metal and rock, often bringing the sounds of ‘70's acts to mind. The key element that this reporter noticed in Fur King’s set was the strong presence of groove. Not in the chugga-chugga Pantera sense, obviously, but in the classic rock-oriented vibe of an entire band jamming out a great riff in unison. There was also a very strong presence of the bassist during their set, as he cranked out quite a few wild solos that were reminiscent of Geezer Butler’s playing on some of the more “rockier” Black Sabbath songs. Not to slouch on the guitar playing or drumming, obviously, as all three musicians in the band locked into each other to play off each other’s strengths, and the music was better because of it. Fur King hasn’t been around for very long, but judging from Thursday’s performance, they’ve got a bright future ahead of them, so if they come to San Antonio, checking them out would be highly recommended. - examiner.com

Although this column usually dedicates itself to the more extreme subgenres of heavy metal, such as death, thrash, black, and doom metal, sometimes it’s good to venture out to shows of varying subgenres, and on Thursday, May 12th, this reporter witnessed an absolutely killer show by three local Texas bands: Fur King, The Roller, and Dixie Witch. All of the bands put on a good show of differing degrees of heaviness, and the show was a good representation of how high-quality the Texas music scene is, regardless of the style of music played. The show took place in Austin, Texas, an hour-and-forty-five minutes from San Antonio, so anyone who came down for the weekend should have checked this show out.



The first act of the evening was a newer band by the name of Fur King (get your innuendos ready), who played a Southern-infused set that straddled between the lines of metal and rock, often bringing the sounds of ‘70's acts to mind. The key element that this reporter noticed in Fur King’s set was the strong presence of groove. Not in the chugga-chugga Pantera sense, obviously, but in the classic rock-oriented vibe of an entire band jamming out a great riff in unison. There was also a very strong presence of the bassist during their set, as he cranked out quite a few wild solos that were reminiscent of Geezer Butler’s playing on some of the more “rockier” Black Sabbath songs. Not to slouch on the guitar playing or drumming, obviously, as all three musicians in the band locked into each other to play off each other’s strengths, and the music was better because of it. Fur King hasn’t been around for very long, but judging from Thursday’s performance, they’ve got a bright future ahead of them, so if they come to San Antonio, checking them out would be highly recommended. - examiner.com