King Louie Bankston

King Louie Bankston
King Louie Bankston 1993 @ Pendleton Manor
Background information
Birth name	Louis Paul Bankston
Born	Harahan, Louisiana,  United States
Genres	Garage Punk, Punk, Bubble Gum, Swamp Pop, Boogie Rock, Blues Rock, Rock and Roll, Cowbell Rock Power Pop
Occupations	Musician Amusement Park Ride Oporator Hardware Mogul/Honcho
Instruments	Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Percussion, Keyboards
Years active	1987 – present
Labels	Goner Records, Sympathy for the Record Industry, Dirtnap Records, Empty Records
Associated acts	King Louie One Man Band, Royal Pendeltons, The Loose Diamonds The Persuaders, Kajun SS, Kondor, Bad Times, Exploding Hearts, Black Rose Band, King Louie's Missing Monuments

King Louie Bankston (born Louis Paul Bankston ) is a prolific rock and roll musician from Harahan, Louisiana. Associated early on with garage punk, Louis abandoned the genre in 1998 and has focused on Louisiana swamp pop, boogie woogie, boogie rock and occasionally power pop. He is best known for his work in The Royal Pendletons, The Persuaders, The Exploding Hearts, and The King Louie One Man Band.^[1] Louis is a decorated elder statesman in the world of underground rock 'n' roll. Louis has toured Europe 9 times. He has constantly toured the United States since the very early 1990s. Louis has released 46 records in the Vinyl record format. He does not credit a compact disc or a digital download as an official release and does not include them on his official discography. Louis does not enjoy speaking publicly about his music or any of his unbelievable past capers and rarely grants interviews . Louie also has performed under the banners of The Boogie Lou, Loomis, Harahan Fats, The Punk Balladere and many other one-off's throughout the years. King louie has lived in Portland, Oregon, and Memphis, Tennessee.^[2]

History

The Royal Pendeltons

King Louie helped found the Royal Pendeltons in 1991 along with Michael Hurtt on guitar/vocals, J. Matthew Uhlman on guitar/vocals, and G. Thomas Oliver on organ. The band achieved in the pre-internet years what is now known as a " Buzz Band " status today. Not concentration on the studio or recording side of their set the band has little to show for there efforts. The RP's was know to have over 100 songs and usually played from open to close at New Orleans venues Checkpoint Charlie's, Benny's and Barristers (Memphis). The Pendeltons put out their first 7" out on Goner Records in 1995, and in 1998 put out a full-length LP out on Sympathy for the Record Industry with producer Alex Chilton entitled 'Oh, Yeah Baby. The band has never disbanded and still play. They occasionally record and a series of singles and full LP are done. No release date has been set. The RP's played their largest concert in 1998 as opener for then chart toppers Better Than Ezera in Baton Rouge in front of thousands of people at the Centroplex now known as the Baton Rouge River Center.^[3]

The Persuaders

King Louie Bankston formed the critically acclaimed and highly influential garage rock band, The Persuaders in 1996, along with Jason Panzer on guitar, and Shaggy on drums.^[4] In The Persuaders, Louie and Jason Panzer both sang and played Gibson Flying V guitars and were the first to use them visually with the crossed aerial view seen on record covers, stickers, and tattoos. They are also known for writing the original composition of the swamp pop anthem "Heart of Chrome". Highly covered by many young bands since its release in 1999 The Mistreaters, The Reatards, and The Shitty Beach Boys are just a few to have made it a staple of their live set list and to record it. Louis has often said "We sold metal records to the garage kids". The Reatards, featuring Jay Reatard opened for The Persuaders on the very first The Reatards tour.

The Bad Times

Bad Times were a one-off band which also included Eric Friedl and Jay Reatard. The band recorded an album’s worth of material after only one practice session in 1998, releasing a self-titled LP in 2001. After one live performance the band disbanded, the members returning to their respective solo commitments. The Bad Times later regrouped for a Mardi Gras show in New Orleans and an opening slot with The Pagans during the Blackout Music Festival in Chicago. This is generally considered their finest show. A warm up Memphis gig for the Chicago show ended in a brawl between Louie and Jay. Another Texas gig was planned and Jay did not show up for it due to a conflicting Spin Magazine interview. Billy Hayes, ironically of Jay's solo band played the show in his place with Louie learning Jay's songs on guitar and vocals and also singing and playing his own songs as well. Eric and Louie have been positive about trying to re-issue the out-of-print LP that has skyrocketed in price on the internet.^[5]

The Exploding Hearts

In 2000, Louie moved to Portland, Oregon and in 2001 joined the Exploding Hearts, where he co-wrote and played keyboards on their only LP, Guitar Romantic. After 11 months with the group, Louie declined to agree to move into a management lead booking situation and quit the band. The split was amicable and Louie and Adam Cox even did three sessions. "You Left Me Shattered" (later recorded under the name "Gypsy Switch" with Louie's Loose Diamonds) and the nuts and bolts of an old song Louie and Cox had worked on early in his tenure with the band "We Don't Have To Worry Anymore" came out of those sessions. Louis moved back to Louisiana. It was agreed that Cox, Louie and band wanted to carry on their songwriting and talked about arrangements for a new LP. On July 20, 2003 the band's tour van rolled off the interstate killing three band members and ending any chance of a reunion. Louie has stayed in touch with family members and after nearly a decade hiatus from the power pop genre has re-embraced the sound with his band the Missing Monuments and regularly plays his original penned number I'm A Pretender in his live sets. Louie and Terri Six plan on recording new material in the summer of 2013.^[6]

King Louie and the Loose Diamonds

In 2007, Empty Records released Memphis Treet by King Louie and the Loose Diamonds. The Loose Diamonds are: King Louie Bankston, Jack Yarber (Oblivians, Cool Jerks, Tearjerkers), Harlan T. Bobo (Viva L'American Deathray Music), Adam Woodard (Tearjerkers), and Chad Booth (Kajun SS). In 2012 the band agreed to a handshake deal with Dirtnap records for a new LD's full length and to re-issue of there out-of-print Empty records debut "Memphis treet". In 2013 it was announced that Julien Fried had replaced Chad Booth on guitar and Harlon T Bo Bo has gone missing in France, leaving the band with no bass player. Jimbo Mathus (Squirrel Nut Zippers) will be filling in the bass slot during album recording session. The LP is self titled as of now.^[7]

The King Louie One Man Band

King Louie started his One Man Band in 1999. In the King Louie One Man Band, Louie sings, plays drums, guitar, cowbell, and harmonica.^[8] The King Louie One Man Band has released several 7" records on various labels, and put out a full-length LP on Goner in 2004.^[9]

King Louie's Missing Monuments

In 2009, King Louie along with longtime friend and collaborator, revered lead guitarist Julien Fried formerly of Seattle, recruited drummer Aaron Hill and Bassist Bennette Bartley to form the power pop group King Louie's Missing Monuments. In April 2010, King Louie's Missing Monuments released their first 7" on Douchemaster Records. The Missing Monuments have toured the midwest and also have done a full West Coast US tour as well as a five-week trek across Europe. In August 2011 founding member and bass player Bennette Bartly left group and the debut album Painted White was released. Benny Divine (Wizzard Sleeve) was hired to fill the spot and the band set out on a Summer tour in support of Paul Collins ( The Nerves, Paul Collins Beat ). Armed with a new set and rougher sound the band set out for a month of shows across the East Coast and midwest including a live performance on WFMU in New Jersey. Singles by Hozac, Slovenly and Ghost Highway are in the works as well as new follow up self titled LP on Dirtnap Records in summer 2013.^[10]

Other Bands

King Louie Bankston has played in a number of bands in the past 20 years. These bands include the Intelligenitals (1987), The Lame Ones (1988) The Clickems (1990–1991), Dirt Boys/Harahan Crack Combo (1991–1992) Gerry and the bastard Makers (1992–1994), The Royal Pendletons (1991-1999/2003–present), Christies Paddad Toilet Seat (1992), Sun of the Caesar (1994), Funny Boys (1995), The Persuaders (1996–1999), Bad Times (1998), Head Wounds (1999), King Louie One Man Band (1999–present), 10-4 Backdoor (2000–2003), Exploding Hearts (2002–2003), King louie and the Loose Diamonds (2003–present), Hot Dog (2004), Kajun SS (2004–2005), Kondor (2003–present), Black Rose Band (2005–present), Lonely Knights (2007–present), Bipolaroid (2009-2013)... sang on an Oblivians record (199?).^[11]

Full Discography

(1) King Louie the 69th & The Harahan Crack Combo "Little Girl"//"Jailbait" 7" single RECORDED 1992 (Goner Records, 1993)

(2) Royal Pendletons "Smokin'"/"Sheep Suit"//"Losing Hand"/"Royal Blood, pt. II" 7" e.p. (Goner Records, 1994)

(3) Royal Pendletons "Guitar Crusher" split 7" single w/ Krontjong Devils (Knobbler Records, 1996)

(4) Royal Pendletons "Hot Rod Dissertation" on the Splitsville Confidential comp. 7" e.p. (Splitsville Records, 1997)

(5) Royal Pendletons "No Teasin' Round"/"(I'm a) Sore Loser" on the Sore Losers soundtrack 2xLP (Sympathy, 1997)

(6) Persuaders Rock Bottom 4-song 7" e.p. (Splitsville Records, 1997)

(7) Oblivians [guest vocals] "King Louie Stomp" split 7" single w/ Two Bo's Maniacs (Hate Records, 1997)

(8) Royal Pendletons "You Can Always Love Again"/"Keg Tapper"//"Hangin' on a String"/"Game of Love" 7" e.p. (Blood Red, 1997)

(9) Royal Pendletons "Boo's Bash" on the Hot Rods to Hell II comp. LP (Blood Red, 1997)

(10) Royal Pendletons // King Louie & The Lakeview Vikings "I Wanna Know"//"Mistreated" on the Blood Red Battle Royale comp. LP (Blood Red, 1998)

(11) Royal Pendletons "(I'm a) Sore Loser"//"Boo's Bash" 7" single (Sympathy for the Record Industry, 1998)

(12) Royal Pendletons Oh Yeah, Baby 14-song LP (Sympathy for the Record Industry, 1998)

(13) Royal Pendletons // Persuaders "King Bee"//"Revenge" on the Shine On, Sweet Starlet soundtrack LP (Sympathy, 1998)

(14) Persuaders "Van Ride"//"Dixie Buzzards"/"I'm a Fool" 7" e.p. (Royal Records, 1998)

(15) Persuaders Persuaders 17-song LP (Savage Records, 1999)

(16) King Louie One Man Band "She's a Big Big Bopper"/"One Man"//"Love Love Love" 7" e.p. (Solid Sex Lovie Doll, 2000)

(17) King Louie One Man Band "Walkin' and a' Steppin' in the Fire"//"Walkin' with the Light" 7" single (Therapeutic Records, 2000)

(18) Bad Times Bad Times 14-song LP (Goner/Therapeutic Records, 2001)

(19) King Louie One Man Band King Louie One Man Band 14-song LP (Kryptonite/Savage Records, 2001/2002)

(20) Exploding Hearts Guitar Romantic 11-song LP (Screaming Apple Records, 2002)

(21) Persuaders "See My Reason"/"Fuck You, Mr. Roboto" split 7" e.p. w/ The Blacks (Rockin' Bones, 2003)

(22) 10-4 Backdoor "I Fucked a Prostitute"/"Hot Box"//"Kick the Door Down"/"Bad Life" 7" e.p. (Solid Sex Lovie Doll, 2004)

(23) King Louie One Man Band Chinese Crawfish 16-song LP (Goner Records, 2004)

(24) Kajun SS Kajun SS aka Wop Bop Bam Bam 7-song, 1-sided 12" e.p. (Jeth-Row/Therapeutic Records, 2004)

(25) Kajun SS "German Kajun"//"Automobile" 7" single (Die Slaughterhaus/Shattered Records, 2004/2005)

(26) King Louie & The Loose Diamonds Memphis Treet 12-song LP (Empty Records, 2007)

(27) Black Rose Band "Hot Box"//"Hoochie Poochie" 7" single (Contaminated Records, 2007)

(28) Kajun SS Jazz Legends 7" single (Jeth-Row Records, 2007)

(29) Exploding Hearts Shattered LP (Dirtnap Records, 2007)

(30) Royal Pendletons "Double Shot of My Baby's Love"//"What a Way to Die" 7" single (Allons Records, 2008)

(31) Royal Pendletons Nites Along the Mississippi 14-song LP (Allons Records, 2008)

(32) Royal Pendletons "Tell Me" split 7" single w/ The Bo-Keys (Norton Records, 2008)

(33) Guitar Lightnin' Lee & His Thunder Band [harmonica] Call Up the Band 2x7" e.p. (Die Slaughterhaus, 2009)

(34) Missing Monuments "Black Rainbow"//"Tailspin" 7" single (Douchemaster Records, 2010)

(35) Brick War "Bonetrail"//"Silverado Sixpack"//"Deviled Oyster"//"Lonesome Shoes" 2x7" e.p. (Savage Records, 2010)

(36) BIPOLAROID "ILLUSION FIELDS" 10 song LP 2010 self released/non label affiliation

(37) MISSING MONUMENTS "PAINTED WHITE" lp 2011 Douchemaster Records

(38) MISSING MONUMENTS "I'm Gonna Love You Back To Life" // "Bleed" // "Another Girl" 7 e.p. ( Hozac Records, 2012 )

(39) KONDOR "Tombstone Barstool" // "Girl In The Holler" ( Loosey Goosey Records, 2012 )

(40) QUINTRON & MISS PUSSYCAT " Live at Third Man Records 3-31-2012 " LIVE lp / Guest harmonica appearance (third man records)

(41) CYCLOPS "Eye Can't Take It" EP: guest guitar and harmonica / (BATCHELOR Records)

(42) MISSING MONUMENTS "BLAST!" EP / BLAST! / GHOST HIGHWAY / COVERED IN ICE / (SLOVENLY Records)

(43) MISSING MONUMENTS S/T LP (DIRTNAP Records) !!PRESS PENDING!!

(44) BILPOAROID "TWIN LANGUAGE" lp (GET HIP Records)

(45) BIPOLAROID 7" 45 / SUPERNATURAL BEAUTY / BEAUTIFUL (IN THE MORNING) / (GET HIP Records)

References

• Lisle, Andrea. "www.memphisflyer.com". Accessed June 28, 2008.
• http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http://www.geocities.com/cavestoneage/royalpendletons/ROYALPENDLETONS.htm&date=2009-10-25+17:04:52] "www.geocities.com/cavestoneage". Accessed June 28, 2008.
• Maher, Dave. "www.pitchforkmedia.com". Accessed June 28, 2008.
• Tupica, Rich. Jay Reatard Interview "turnit-down.blogspot.com". October 15, 2007. Accessed June 28, 2008.

Persondata
Name	Bankston
Alternative names
Short description	American musician
Date of birth
Place of birth
Date of death
Place of death