The Future Kings of Nowhere

If you walk downtown on a night that The Future Kings of Nowhere are playing, it wouldn’t be a surprise to hear them loud and clear before you duck inside the venue. You might be surprised, however, to discover that they are unplugged, eschewing rock distortion for the warmth of an acoustic guitar. That acoustic intimacy, coupled with their frenetic style, creates a belly-up raw passion that, from the moment you walk in, makes you feel like you are an extension of the music that they play. Like a manic Billy Bragg or the Clash in a blackout, their music falls somewhere between punk and folk. If pressed, this Chapel Hill trio (Shayne O’Neill on vocals and guitar, Dan Streib on bass, and Mike Hacker on drums) will tell you that they play "acousticore," music for people who are angrier than Peter, Paul or Mary, but nicer than Henry Rollins. Recently, they have started to incorporate additional instruments into the mix (trumpet, saxophone, accordion and saw to name a few), adding to the overall sound without detracting from the stripped down aesthetic that makes them unique. Though The Future Kings seem unassuming on stage, when they explode into their first song, you had better be ready for something more than simple coffeshop heartbreak. With their catchy songs and their infectious energy, The Future Kings of Nowhere are ready to bring their raucous tenderness to your town.

"[Their] song writing really surprised me. There are not a lot of people who can pull off a depth of emotion in such a frantic way without sacrificing the things that glue a listener to the song in a personal relationship."
Chris Wimberley
Producer at NightSound Studios - Carrboro, NC