ARTICLE BY GREG CARUSO
PHOTOS BY JAMES HUDDLESTON
JULY 10 | ECHO PARK—...And on the eighth day, He created King Khan & The Shrines. This is what came to mind upon walking out of the Echo after King Khan’s performance Thursday. Rock? Check. Funk? Check. Punk? Check. Psychedelic erotic gospel? A resounding check! Fearless frontman King Khan is of Indian descent, but originally hails from Montreal. His current band, The Shrines, is an outfit from Germany, where King Khan has been cultivating his musical stylings for close to 10 years. To say that the group is unique would be a gross understatement. Aside from Khan, who boasts a James Brown on LSD-like appearance and frequently changes his wardrobe, the group consists of a raucous four-piece horn section, a nutty organ player, drums and percussion, guitar and bass and one flailing, go-go dancing cheerleader named Bamboorella—Gogo Queen of the Underworld.
The Shrines appeared on stage to give their leader a proper opening jam as an introduction, which then launched into “Land of the Freak,” one of many amazing songs from What Is?!, the group’s 2007 release on Hazelwood Records. “Freak” is an infectious organ and guitar-driven number that was perfect to kick this night off. “Le Fils De Jaques Dutronc” was introduced by Khan as being a French song he wrote in Montreal. With ’60s-flavored guitar licks, the song translates to “The Son of Jacques Dutronc,” a French actor/songwriter who defined “freakbeat” in the late ’60s. After a nice Iggy Pop reference by both Khan and his guitarist, “I Want to Be a Girl” was performed, which was quite fitting for its Iggy Pop flair, making you smile at the band’s versatility and ability to pay such tribute to music they absolutely adore.
Some friends from New Orleans joined the band on stage to bang on things and shake their asses. Khan then spoke about Arthur Lee and his band Love, saying, “If you don’t know who Arthur Lee is, you’re 98% asshole.” That statement brought chuckles of pride from those in the know (my own as well, of course), but there was mostly laughs of embarrassment. Hopefully, folks will educate themselves. The song “I See Lights” was dedicated to Mr. Lee, and the spit that flew from Khan’s mouth before the song was dedicated to the audience ... multiple times. “Every time I look deep inside the darkness of your mind/Every time I feel/Every time I blast through the glory of your eyes” are some of the lyrics from “Lights,” which was a real crowd favorite. The New Orleans friends, who turned out to be just married, helped out with some vocals on the next tune, which I could not identify, but was envious of them nonetheless.
Things simmered down a bit during “Shiver Down my Spine,” a slower number that showcased a soulful, Motown side of the band, but that didn’t last long; “Welfare Bread” was just around the corner. “You don’t have to pay your bills anymore now/You just have to eat my welfare bread.” You have to love the tongue-in-cheek snipe at America here. Done in ’60s pop fashion, the track is a standout on What Is?!. “Burnin’ Inside,” from Mr. Supernatural, the band’s 2004 release with Hazelwood, tore up the crowd with its burning organ hooks. Now seemed the time for Khan to ask the crowd if we liked gospel music, and at this point of frenzied happiness, if he asked us to have sex with him, we’d scream, “Yes!” “Well, we’re gonna do a little psychedelic erotic gospel for you,” he said. They then launched into more of a performance than an actual song. With screaming saxophones, droning organs and writhing body movements, Khan & The Shrines preached about climbing into his girl’s vagina one body part at a time. Upon arrival inside, he saw “a bright light” and then re-birthed himself. The band carried on in a more psychedelic fashion that killed! It made me very glad that Khan embraces LSD in his life.
After name dropping The Spits and dedicating a song to them, The Shrines launched into a punk bender that had everyone smiling at their presentation. For the encore, the band was back on with a shirtless Khan who was wearing what seemed to be a cheap knock-off of a Darth Vader helmet. No one expected them to bust out a cover of David Bowie’s “Jean Genie.” Hands were up and asses were shaking, as King Khan sang directly to the crowd, and The Shrines unabashedly threw down their grooves. At long last came what would be their finale, filled with funk, soul and heart. As sweaty as the crowd, The Shrines beat and bopped through their last tune, as King Khan and his sax player plunged through the crowd, playing and walking all the way to the Echo’s soundboard, where they concluded the evening.
As a lover and respectful admirer of all musical genres, I can honestly say that King Khan & The Shrines is a group that is simply not to be missed in a live setting. The amount of energy and style that’s exuded between all participants and the bond that’s formed from singing and dancing together is really magical. Vice Records recently released a compilation called The Supreme Genius of King Khan & The Shrines. Once this sentence is over, whether it be by hook or crook, you should have this album in your collection, and them in your upcoming show radar.
For more photos from the show, check out The Scenestar’s photo gallery.
