Plan to make an evening of it when you go to the Kottonmouth Kings show.
Frontman and founder Daddy X still plans two-hour-plus shows during which the band reaches deep into its 13-year catalog, much to the delight of its fans.
“We know we are blessed to make a living do this,” said Daddy X. “To us, we are the luckiest guys in the world to write songs, make records, tour and just keep it going.”
Although other bands might rely on major labels to keep boosting their fan base and appeal, Daddy X and his band mates have eschewed all corporate labels. The system clearly works as the band put out its ninth full-length studio album last year — “Cloud 9” — to positive reviews.
Critic David Jeffries of All Music Guide notes the band’s latest album leans a bit toward California alt rock but still offers plenty of classic Kottonmouth Kings’ sound to satisfy loyal fans.
“There are still those punk numbers that sound like the Beastie Boys if they never grew up and some good, hard-hitting hip-hop,” wrote Jeffries.
The band’s music and performances are highly collaborative efforts with Daddy X and Johnny Rich sharing lyrical duties and all members signing off before a song is recorded. The current political climate makes the band’s writers more prolific than ever, said Daddy X.
“With all the craziness going on, if an artist can’t find something to write about, he must be numb” he said. “That’s when some artists will step up and write meaningful songs and lyrics. … I think there is a collective consciousness; that is what fuels an artist’s passion.”
Plus, Kottonmouth Kings are famously independent, eschewing the major label tags that has pigeonholed many artists.
“I think the secret is … that when some bands get on major labels, they work to please them,” said Daddy X. “We work at the pace we want to work at; We are not at the mercy of some major label, some corporate release schedule.”
IF YOU GO
Kottonmouth Kings, Strange Noize Tour 2008 with (hed)pe, Dirtball and Prozac, and X Clan
Venue: Rams Heads Live, 20 Market Place
When: 6 p.m. Friday
Tickets: $27.50 Adv., $30 DOS
Info.: 410-244-1131
