The Joe Kings

Having gained huge popularity with audiences in Perth and the South-West, The Joe Kings, with an average age of twenty, won the Western Australian Music Industry Awards (WAMI) for 'Favorite Newcomer'. It is notable that in recent years this award has been given to Tame Impala, Birds Of Tokyo, Little Birdy and The Panics, all of whose accomplishments speak for themselves.

When eighteen year olds Jack Stirling and Phill Leggett met by chance at a music store in Perth in 2008, it was their mutual devotion to old-school Blues that ignited their conversation. Albert Collins, John Mayall, Rory Gallagher, Muddy Waters and Robert Johnson along with other Blues legends were discussed, and their passion for the genre initiated early jam sessions that eventuated into ‘The Joe Kings’. Add young, in-demand drummer, Ryan Brewer, who cut his chops playing with the South West Blues Club house band and his friend, funky Blues bassist, Riley Watson-Russell and hey presto! The Joe Kings find their feet and start turning heads on the bustling and prolific Perth music scene. The band has great regard for the contributions of the Blues greats; it inspires their music and the¬¬ir thoughts. They can play a trad blues gig with as much gusto as a set on a hip festival, the lines blurring between the old standards and their brand of neo blues-rock. The band, seemingly transported forward in time from the late 60’s British blues-rock period, are poised to be a force to be reckoned with 40 years later as guitar rock emerges as the next big thing.

"Easily the best new act on the scene in years.” – RTR FM
“The Joe Kings are one of the greatest new acts of the year” – BEAT MAGAZINE
"Blues rock sensation… incredible natural talent …" – X-PRESS
“bluesy enough for the traditionalists, but fresh enough for a new generation of fans” – BEAT MAGAZINE
“…delivering loud and raucous blues rock along the lines of The Black Keys, but with more venom…” – DRUM MEDIA
“…it is 100% clear that Perth is about to birth a star” – FASTERLOUDER.COM
“The Joe Kings are a breath of fresh air on the aging Perth blues scene…” – THEDWARF.COM.AU
“The Joe Kings are set to make an immeasurable musical statement in 2011” – RHYTHMS MAGAZINE
“Calls In The Night is undoubtedly one of the year’s best new releases” – BEAT MAGAZINE
“…bringing to the fore everything that’s been great about rock for the past 50 years.” – TIME OFF
“Listening to THE JOE KINGS never gets tedious because loop-playing instantly reminds you of their amazing talent.” – SPACESHIPNEWS.COM.AU

In the original variation ‘Stirling And Leggett’, Jack, an acoustic blues solo artist prior to meeting Phill, assumed the rhythm aspects of the duo playing rhythm guitar, harmonica, mandolin, piano and bass drum, to accompany his soulful vocals and Phill’s virtuoso lead guitar. In mid 2009, soon after changing their name to ‘The Joe Kings’ they signed to local indie label, Session Records, having impressed as the ever-enthusiastic opening act for pretty much every band on Perth’s local scene. They finished recording their debut EP in November 2009 which was favourably reviewed by X-press Magazine and was ‘local release of the week’ on RTR FM, where it has remained on high rotation ever since. Needing a drummer and bass player for the upcoming Southbound and West Coast Blues and Roots Festivals, they stumbled across the much talked about Ryan Brewer at a night at Mojos in Fremantle when Ryan was playing a session with renowned Australian Bluesman – Glenn Terry. Ryan recruited good friend Riley Watson-Russell to complete the rhythm section, and with the addition of the band purchased, 1984 Toyota Tarago called Naughty Don Rogers (the oldest member of the touring party) the quartet began relentless gigging and regional touring. In late January 2010, they sold out the prestigious Fly By Night for their EP launch, an indication of the grassroots fan base they had developed in Fremantle, and in May 2010 they won the WAMI Award for ‘Favourite Newcomer’ having also been nominated for ‘Most Promising New Act’. In April, their EP was released to retail stores around the country prompting a national tour in October and November of the same year. Supports with acclaimed artists such as Jebediah, Ash Grunwald and Jeff Martin, and prestigious festival slots, such as The West Coast Blues and Roots, One Movement and Laneway Festival have ensured a bright future for The Joe Kings; their much anticipated debut album, to be released in early 2012, is sure to catapult them to national success.