The real King Khan

I don't get to attend as many concerts as I'd like to these days, but I couldn't miss last night's L.A. club debut of King Khan and The Shrines. Inspired by Sun Ra and George Clinton but channeling Bo Diddley, James Brown, and Ian Svenonious as well, they turned The Echo into a raging dance party. Imagine your favorite Nuggets albums played live and sweaty with a three-piece horn section and a cheerleader.


Here's a better view of Khan, earlier in the set without the mask and with more clothing. The press bio makes him sound like a wildman, but conversation revealed him to be a thoughtful family guy as well as a longtime GR reader. A real nice, funny, and interesting dude from Canada who loves his adopted country of Germany.


My friend Ben came along and snapped some nice portraits of Khan in one of the group's tour vehicles. Better concert photos, too. Don't miss the group when it stops by your town. You'll only regret it and wind up paying more to see them in a larger venue next time.