Stats
Biography
Formed out of the remnants of Spaceshifts, The King Khan & BBQ Show started life at the start of the new millennium, featuring Mark Sultan (lead guitars) and Blacksnake (vocals, guitars, percussion). After the demise of Spaceshifts, Sultan initially tried to establish himself as a solo act, yet before long he brought in former band mate Blacksnake to expand their sound.
They began writing songs whilst at Blacksnake’s German home, eventually having enough material to release their self-titled debut album in 2004, on Goner Records (US) and Hazlewood Records (Europe). Subsequently, they embarked on an international tour, gaining many new fans of their distinct brand of garage punk that blended elements of doo-wop and soul. “Whats For Dinner?” followed in 2006 (Red Records), whilst they continued to gain a reputation as exciting live performers.
Their third record, “Invisible Girl,” arrived after three years in 2009. The following year, Laurie Anderson and Lou Reed selected them to play at the festival, Vivid Live at Sydney Opera House, an honor for the musicians. After the show, the band went on a year-long hiatus, reforming in 2011 to begin making new music. Regular touring followed yet little new music emerged until “Bad News Boys” was dropped in early 2015.
Live reviews
The brain child of Mark Sultan, The King Khan & BBQ Show was born following the demise of previous band Spaceshits. The Canadian garage/punk ensemble is a bizarre and eccentric operation yet remains one of gradual growing popularity since the formation in 2002.
Perhaps the madness is one of the things that draws fans and newcomers alike to the shows as there are very few live outfits you can compare The King Khan & BBQ Show to. They create something really different and in a world of countless thousands upon thousand bands and performers sometimes you feel the need for something of extreme differentiation. They have released three albums and line up all the tracks side by side in complete consistency, well as consistent as their shows come. It is always unexpected and enjoyable and leaves the crowds wanting more as they know the next time it'll be completely different.
King Khan and BBQ Show are one of those comedic but credible bands that make a pretty big sound when they play live, in a strange sort of atmosphere, which marries elements of psychedelic music with a sort of folk rock music played on electric guitars. The audience is a little bit inebriated to say the least, as they dance around this room, beer spilling everywhere. It’s almost got that free love atmosphere that was demonstrated in Hair the musical from the sixties, it’s almost bizarre that it’s happening right now in the present day and people are really getting behind it! It would almost be rude not to join in and dance along which when I do makes me feel as though I am a part of a cult, which is on stage, but in an off Broadway musical. I bet their first album is only available on vinyl too!
King Khan and BBQ Show at The Casbah, San Diego. This was an amazing show. I've been a huge fan of King Khan and BBQ for years now but have never seen them live. They had on the black spandex with sparkle trim and colorful wigs with robber mask. They sounded great and kept up the energy the whole time. The played most of their biggest songs and a few new ones. You could tell BBQ was in a bad mood and was making passive aggressive comments which seemed to be aimed at King Khan. I've heard they don't get along but the good news was it didn't affect the music at all.