Perfect Songs – “Goldilox” by King’s X
There are any number of reasons why King’s X were never as huge as the bands they influenced (Pearl Jam, Soundgarden) went on to become: Christian themes, a mohawked black guy for a lead singer, a sound too heavy for pop and too poppy for metal (Vocal harmonies and stratocaster crunch? Who wants that in their metal?). So their appeal was left primarily to the only groups of people who really care deeply about pure music: nerds and musicians[1]. Unlike hair metal, King’s X weren’t selling a lifestyle to the bored; unlike thrash or death metal, they weren’t selling a sense of strength to the powerless; unlike punk or alternative rock, they weren’t reactionaries against a mainstream. They were just another band from Texas, that vast crossroads where musical outlaws run roughshod across the borderlines of genres. Perhaps the primary thing, though, that made them so unmarketable was the simple fact that there has never been anything cool about sincerity.
Their painful sincerity is in full flower on “Goldilox,” the second cut on their debut album. It’s immediately recognizable to every nerdy boy who can’t talk to girls as their Theme Song. “I can’t believe summer’s
almost here / I made it through another year even if alone” is, in some shape or form, written in the diary of every socially awkward teenager. Couched in different timbres, it would be twee indie rock. But sung by a soul singer (did I mention the mohawk?) fronting a heavy rock trio on an album named after a C.S. Lewis book, it has some barriers to entry for normal folks. But that’s who they were: three misfit Christian kids (who met each other in Springfield, Missouri!) who liked the Beatles and hard rock.
The King’s X Marketing Predicament continues to the present day. They are forever the best kind of cult band, though: still making records, still accessible to their fans (Doug signed my bass!), still writing honest songs. It should also be noted that “Goldilox” is the closest thing to a conventional love song the band has ever written. After 15 albums, they’ve managed never to write anything resembling a ballad. They got it out of the way early on side 1 of their first album.
Buy Goldilox (LP Version)
1.) Strip away all theatrics and fashion from popular music and you generally won’t find most teenagers. You’ll just find nerds, musicians and adults.
August 2nd, 2011 at 9:03 pm
HoldaseconddidyousayChristianthemes?
August 2nd, 2011 at 9:10 pm
Yeah, check ‘em out. Their first album is called Out of the Silent Planet, their third is called Faith Hope Love. They met at Evangel College in Springfield when a couple of them had been playing in Phil Keaggy’s band and another with a guy from Petra.
August 2nd, 2011 at 9:12 pm
Out of the Silent Planet is a C.S. Lewis book, you may or may not remember but you gave me his Space Trilogy boxed set when you had your free garage sale
August 2nd, 2011 at 9:13 pm
I will check them out, I actually saw them in concert in 90 or 91 (they opened for AC/DC) but I had no clue who they were…
August 2nd, 2011 at 9:16 pm
Indeed I recall. I remember thinking Perelandria would have been a much better album title.
August 2nd, 2011 at 9:21 pm
Some other great Christian acts (secular and non) from my teenage years: Magdallan, Ken Tamplin, Lanny Cordola, Guardian, Atomic Opera, Galactic Cowboys…all hard rockin stuff.
August 3rd, 2011 at 6:54 pm
I still love King’s X and remember getting to sing on stage with them in Springfield! Do you remember Colter? You were there. Doug had his arm around me when he said goodnight to the crowd. I have always wondered why they were not more popular in the mainstream. I just figured it’s because mainstream is usually dummy pop. Great you mentioned another great band Galactic Cowboys! We saw them too and all got our pic taken with Monty.
August 3rd, 2011 at 7:26 pm
http://www.flickr.com/photos/plog/4101498631/
August 3rd, 2011 at 8:51 pm
OMG! You did remember and still have a pic! I have to steal that for my page now.
August 3rd, 2011 at 9:51 pm
I have the stage pic somewhere; maybe I didn’t scan it, though. What song did y’all sing on? I finally found a Faith Hope Love t-shirt here in NYC a few months ago.
August 4th, 2011 at 5:27 pm
I think it was Goldilox we sang on. I have the pix in an old album but don’t have a scanner.
August 4th, 2011 at 9:05 pm
Who needs a scanner with digital cameras being what they are today? Just take a photo of the photo :)
August 5th, 2011 at 4:28 pm
Oh good idea!
December 15th, 2011 at 4:53 pm
I stumbled across this site while searching for the domain “pointedstick.com” on a whim and happened to click on the Colter link. Imagine my surprise on reading posts on a couple of my favorite musicians- King’s X and Neil Finn. Serendipity is great stuff.
I like your writing and will be following your posts.
A couple of quick recommendations if you’re looking for more great “acquired tastes” that will instantly transport your soul: Pat Metheny and Lyle Mays’ “San Lorenzo” and “September 15th” (maybe my favorite song ever written)
Also, check out The Yellowjackets if you’re not familiar with them already. Virtuosos that also happen to be some of the nicest guys on the planet. I’ve been a follower and friend since the 80′s (saw them with Larry Carlton and have been spellbound ever since). Weather Report is also in my pantheon of all-time greats. Let me know what you think of any of them.
Mark
December 15th, 2011 at 5:11 pm
I meant to include “First Circle” by Pat Metheny in that previous comment. Any of the live versions, particularly the one from “The Road To You”. Pedro Aznar’s voice is amazing. Check out YouTube for some great performances of this.
February 23rd, 2012 at 1:47 am
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February 23rd, 2012 at 1:47 am
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