Biography
An indie rock outfit drawing from pop, hard rock, and progressive rock while featuring breathy vocal harmonies, King Washington originated in Los Angeles, California. Tyson Kelly launched the group in 2005; his father Tom Kelly ranks among songwriters whose credits include major hits for Cyndi Lauper, Madonna, and Whitney Houston. Handling guitar, keyboards, and vocals himself, Kelly first collaborated with Aaron Weisbuch, a vocalist and songwriter, and the pair selected the band name during a conversation about the persistent yet false notion that George Washington was offered the choice between kingship and the presidency after the American Revolutionary War. Weisbuch soon departed, leaving lead guitarist and singer George Krikes as Kelly’s steadiest creative partner. Following stints with bassist Dylan Cronin and drummers Kyle Turek and Jacob Shearer, the lineup stabilized with Billy Lee on bass and vocals alongside David Contreras on drums. King Washington issued their debut EP, Grenadine, in 2009 and backed it with widespread road work. Beyond frequent local performances in Los Angeles, the band pursued a pattern of “regional residencies,” basing themselves in a key city—New York City, for instance—and repeatedly performing there plus nearby markets such as Brooklyn, Washington, D.C., Boston, and Philadelphia over ensuing weeks. As their reputation grew, a major-label contract appeared imminent, yet when negotiations collapsed the group instead recorded and self-released their debut full-length, The Gears, in 2012. Receiving favorable notices from independent outlets, King Washington quickly reentered the studio and delivered their follow-up, The Overload, the next year. Further touring and residencies ensued, encompassing opening slots for an eclectic range of artists including Collective Soul, Ambrosia, and the Arctic Monkeys, after which the band inked a deal with the indie imprint the End Records. Their initial single for the label, “My Reflection,” surfaced in February 2017, with the album Potential arriving that May.
Albums
Live
