Punkabilly kings

Get a rise out of the Amazing Royal Crowns

by John O'Neill

The rise of Providence's Amazing Royal Crowns in the past four years has been nothing short of, well, amazing. They've gone from playing Wednesday "Rockabilly Night" at the Rat to playing to 15,000 people on New Year's Eve at the Worcester Centrum. But though their increasing popularity has caught many off guard, it is anything but shit luck that finds them where they stand today: on the verge of breaking nationally. The Amazing Royal Crowns, besides being the nicest bunch of lads you'll ever meet, are the hardest-working band in the area, and one who always deliver the goods live. A Crowns gig is a raucous event full of humor, honesty, and extremely catchy music. They are a band who, no matter what the size of the audience, can't be accused of phoning it in come showtime.

"Once you're on the stage, you give everything you possibly can," says frontman Jason "King" Kendell. "We all feel the same way about that. I've played with three broken ribs. We wound duct tape around my body and did the show. It was the Dogmatics' reunion, and we were just too honored to be asked, to not play."

It is this strong work ethic coupled with the Crowns' ability to avoid being pigeonholed that have propelled them from the underground rockabilly scene to regional prominence. "In the beginning, we tried to be more traditional," says bassist Jack "Swinger" Hanlon. "We quickly realized that we didn't fit that mold, and we were non-traditional enough to cross over." The Crowns began turning up on varied bills, playing alongside ska bands like Spring Heel Jack, the Pietasters, and the Toasters and garage revivalists the Lyres and Swingin' Neckbreakers, and punk outfits Social Distortion, Gas Huffer, and Bouncing Souls, and opening for like-minded forefathers the Cramps and Reverend Horton Heat. They also released two singles on their Kingdom imprint and a full-length CD for Boston's Monolith Records. As momentum developed, the band went out on the road more frequently, this year four cross-country jaunts alone, most recently with the Mighty Mighty Bosstones.

The real turning point, however, came when the band took top honors at the 1997 WBCN Rock & Roll Rumble. "It scared the shit out of us," says Kendell with a laugh. "I thought it was all political! It's really best to downplay it though, we don't want to follow other winners and go cut a major-label album."

"So far we've beaten `The Curse'," adds Hanlon, "but things have gotten so much better since [the win]."

One result of the Rumble victory is that their self-titled debut CD has been picked up for national distribution by industry giant BMG.

"They'll re-release it nationally and give it a good push," says Hanlon adding, "They'll also work under our terms, which is nice."

At the core is a reoccurring be-true-to-your-school (and yourself) punk ethic that seems to drive the Amazing Royal Crowns. It is a deep-rooted belief system, a major factor in any career decision, and a means of keeping the band well-grounded in regard to success. "I'm very aware of how we're perceived," Kendell declares emphatically. "We want to be community oriented, whether it be helping other bands or playing clubs that helped us or doing benefits. I also try to talk to kids about music because you can turn them on to other cool things."

Much like their former tourmates, the Bosstones, the Crowns are proud of their hometown roots and have started an annual "Providence Payback" slated for January 23 and 24 at the Met Café. Featuring five bands for five dollars each night, the series will allow local outfits a chance to play alongside touring acts as well as provide a forum for the Crowns to say thank you to the Providence faithful who initially helped launch the outfit.

As for playing venues like the Centrum? "It's someone's idea of a rock-star dream. We had a good time, but that's not reality," says Kendell. "Ralph's is reality. We did it 'cause of the Bosstones. We couldn't reach the audience, we like being closer to them. Why pay that type of money when you can see it closer and better for seven or eight bucks?"

The Amazing Royal Crowns return to the club circuit when they play the all-ages Espresso Bar this Saturday, January 17, after which they drive to Boston to play the NEMO Showcase that same night. Just another day for a band who never seem to quit. Then, in February, it's back on tour with the Bouncing Souls, followed by a West Coast spring tour and possibly some recording.

"A band comes to a crossroads, and you make choices," says Kendell when asked about the hectic schedule they maintain. "We've given up jobs and girlfriends and apartments. Some of us are sleeping on friends' sofas. But we decided this is what we're gonna do if we're gonna go for it." n