Justin King (guitarist)
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Justin King is a world-class guitarist from Eugene, Oregon. Justin was renowned for his percussive acoustic style which mixes elements of Flamenco, Jazz, Celtic, Classical, African, Mainstream and Rock Music.
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[edit] Background & Early Musical Projects
Born in Eugene, Oregon in 1980, on the same day as his twin sister, Justin comes from a family well known in the wine business under the King Estate name. (In fact, two of his songs appeared in television commercials for them.) He began playing guitar around age fourteen, having been influenced, like many adolescents growing up in the 1990s, by Nirvana and most likely, Jeff Buckley.
[edit] Le Bleu & Beyond
In 2001, King released Le Bleu. Named after the road on which he lived growing up, Le Bleu dramtically expanded on his acoustic instrumental abilities; out of the nineteen tracks, only one (Ashes) features vocals. The album, though independently released, would receive critical acclaim from many who heard it[citation needed] , and helped to expand Justin's fanbase. However, the biggest boon to his music was the release of live videos on the internet; Albinoblacksheep still hosts the infamous video of Le Bleu track "Phunkdified", which served to introduce younger, web-savvy players to King's music. His live performance of "Knock on Wood" at the Hult Center in Eugene, OR., introduced the notorious double-neck acoustic, further exposing his music.
Following the release of Le Bleu, Justin set his sights upon several projects: including an electronic remix of Le Bleu by the Raging Family, and another instrumental project with Carlos Vamos and Michael Manring. His primary focus, however, was a songwriting-based rock album. Justin assembled a new band with longtime friends Ehren Ebbage (lead guitar) and Drew Desman (bass.) In 2005, drummer James West, uncomfortable playing in a rock band, departed and was replaced by Los Angeles native and delinquent Berkeley Physics PhD student Nadir Jeevanjee. Somewhat reminiscent of modern bands like Coldplay, Death Cab for Cutie, and The Fray, his new music also features him playing piano on several songs. Although more mainstream sounding than his previous efforts, Justin's newer music maintains his complex musical style. Although King had travelled worldwide during his solo years, he embarked on long US tour to promote his new music. Touring almost exclusively for over a year, his official web site was not updated for many months, causing some fans to wonder what had happened to him. In summer of 2005, King announced that he had been picked up by Epic Records, and that his major-label debut would be released in 2006. His album has been in progress for nearly four years, and most likely because King wanted to sign with a major label. Recently he finished a brief tour on which he opened for Mat Kearney, following a successful tour in the western and northeast United States. Currently the band is back in Eugene, Oregon, recording the last tracks for the album. His major-label debut album, Bright and Dirty Lights (tentatively titled), is scheduled for release sometime in early 2007.
[edit] Guitars
Justin has admitted to have spent "more than his means" on his gear. The following list includes some of his acoustic guitars, as well as the electric guitars he has in his possession.
Acoustics
- 12 string Taylor (serial # 564!) spruce/rosewood (main acoustic)
- Taylor 714-CE (main guitar)
- 1952 Martin 00 spruce/mahogany
- 1957 Martin D-28 spruce/rosewood (main acoustic)
- 90's Martin 00 spruce/rosewood
- Lowden 0-25 C cedar/rosewood
- Lowden 0-25 C cedar/rosewood, fingerboard extension
- Collings SJ spruce/flamed maple
- Goodall OM spruce/rosewood
- Melville Guitars of Australia spruce/rosewood, fingerboard extension, wide neck
- Breedlove custom 7-string spruce/rosewood
- Custom Larrivee Jumbo cutaway cedar/roosewood
- Custom Larrivee Jumbo cutaway spruce/rosewood
- Daryl Perry Flameco spruce/ash
Electrics
- 25th anniversary Fender Telecaster
- Buck Owens model Fender Telecaster
- Parker Fly Classic
- Bigsby Gretsch
- Fender 'Sub-sonic' baritone
- Godin Glissentar
- Fender Telecaster (assembled from other parts) with Suhr pickups (main electric)
- Gibson ES-125 (main electric)
The Doolin Double Neck
Justin first approached Mike Doolin, reputed luthier, to build a doubleneck steel-string with two identical DADGAD-tuned necks to support his unique two-handed tapping style. The challenge was to design an instrument that could handle 340 lbs of string tension and yet still be acoustically responsive. Justin and Mike agreed that the instrument is an unqualified success. This sound sample was recorded directly from the two B-Band pickups to DAT, with no reverb, equalization, editing or overdubs.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Solo albums
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