Kevin Lee is a former MCA recording artist who has left the major label system behind to do the indie thing with his band, The Kings, which is a bit of a Midwestern super group. Lee, himself, is a veteran solo artist with arena-sized credentials that include tours with Cheap Trick, REO Speedwagon, and Pearl Jam, bassist/vocalist Patti Prendergast toured internationally with Bitch and Tough Love, and guitarist/vocalist Michael Kurtz has been part of popular acts like Madfox, Bombs Away, and Dark Star Records artist Half Bitten Moon. Drummer Erik Strommer first made his bones on the East Coast in bands like Broken Arrows and Catfish Hunter but has been in Chicago since 1996 and with Kevin Lee since 2007.
In this interview spotlight, I chat with Kevin Lee and The Kings about the latest project (Lightning Strikes), surviving the pandemic, technology and more.
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
Where are you from and how do You describe your style of music?
I’m from Chicago, Illinois along with all the other members of Kevin Lee & the Kings except drummer Erik Strommer who’s from the East coast originally. The songs are classic rock influenced modern pop rock with an edge. The branding slogan for the band is Big Hooks & Chunky Guitars, we’re in the vein of Cheap Trick.
How did you get here? As in, what inspired or motivated you to take on this journey through music and the music biz?
I saw rock bands play on tv when I was a kid and loved the music and thought playing in a band was the coolest thing. I put my first band together at 12 years old and have been playing since. I wanted to be a songwriter so I always paid close attention to arrangements, different songwriting forms, production, ect. I couldn’t get enough of it and still can’t. It’s been the driving force of my life.
How does your latest project compare/contrast with your previous release(s)? Were you setting out to accomplish anything specific, follow a specific theme, or explore different styles of creation?
The Kings were the first solid band I’d had in some time so I wanted each member to really shine on the new EP “Lightning Strikes”. This is my 8th release, in the past I’ve used great players from the Chicago music scene if i didn’t have a steady band at the time. Mike and Patti for example are great backing vocalist’s so the harmonies on the new EP are fantastic. I always stick with a slammin’ rock n’ roll sound.
Name the biggest challenge you faced as a creative during these unprecedented? How did you adapt? How have you kept the creative fires burning during all this?
I always have my writers hat on looking for new ideas or an agle to a good lyric. So I took advantage of the first 3 month stay at home order here in Chicago because of covid. I wrote and recorded in my home studio everyday finishing the songs on Lightning Strikes and another albums worth of material we’re planning to start recording this fall. The song “Smashed to Pieces” on the new EP was inspired by covid. It devasted the whole world, we’d never seen anything like that in our lives.
What was the last song you listened to?
Hellbound by Buckcherry
Which do you prefer? Vinyl? 8-tracks? Cassettes? CDs? MP3s? Streaming platforms?
CD’s, I think it’s the most affordable merch for big and small artist’s. CD sales have gone up in the last year so I hope they come swinging back in fashion.
Where is the best place to connect with you and follow your journey?
All the main links for Kevin lee & the Kings are –
http://www.facebook.com/kevinleerock
I really appreciate Your time. Anything else before we sign off?
Thank you for the interview! Keep an eye out for the new Kevin Lee & the Kings EP “Lightning Strikes” available and streaming everywhere.
