Who Are the Chesterfield Kings

During the late 70's and early 80's while most bands were trying to ride the New Wave, Rochester New York's Chesterfield Kings set their own course into the past... destination 1966. Since their first single ("I Ain't No Miracle Worker" b/w "Exit 9" Living Eye Records, LSD-1), released in 1979 on their own Living Eye label, the Chesterfield Kings main objective has always been to record their own collectible garage 45's. With a repertoire recognized by only a handful of 60's garage-rock-fanatics, and by keeping the early pressings small (only 500 of the first single, a mere 50 of the third), the Kings not only have achieved their goal, but in the process became the pioneers of the then flourishing garage rock revival, and continue to this day to raise the bar on the once again reborn scene.

The first release was followed in 1981 by a track on Greg Shaw's Bomp Records compilation Battle of the Garage (1981 Bomp Records). Walking away with the "Battle" crown the Kings traveled from Rochester, for what would be a series of dates at the Peppermint Lounge in New York City, where they would carve out their statue, educate the next crop of bands, and draw the praise of rock journalists and New York "hipsters" alike.

With a partnership spanning over 25 years, the song writing nucleus of Greg Prevost and Andy Babiuk have led the Kings through a dozen LPs, countless singles and a trail of legendary live performances, then and still now, the stuff of legend.

The first two albums Here are the Chesterfield Kings (1982 Mirror Records MR-9) and Stop! (1985 Mirror Records MR-10) are considered benchmarks in the genre and hold the same status to collectors as many of the original-invasion bands that they so perfectly emulated.

Perhaps soured by the trappings of the music industry, and the fact that nearly every new garage band was now using the Kings set list as their text book, the boys recorded two harder-edged rock albums. Don't Open Till Doomsday (1987 Mirror Records MR-12) and Berlin Wall of Sound (Released 1989 Mirror Records MR-15) found the band renting a garage from the likes of the New York Dolls.

Night of The Living Eyes (1989 Mirror Records MR-13) was a round -up of some early singles and rarities while the limited edition Drunk On Muddy Water (1990 Mirror Records MCD-16) found the band exploring the voodoo of the acoustic blues.

Seemingly forgotten by the "scene", the boys once again reared their heads with the stunning Let's Get Stoned (1994 Mirror Records MR-19) arguably the best Stones album that Mick and Keith never recorded. King originals such as "Johnny Volume" proved to be spot on Stones-sounding while adding an adrenaline rush that Mick and Keith had not offered up in years.

The two following releases continued to mine the bands vast roots and appreciation of everything cool in the 60's. The double dose of Surfin' Rampage (1997 Mirror Records M-23) showed the bands prowess at tight pop-vocal-harmonies and crunching, reverb-soaked surf guitar, while Where the Action Is (1999 Sundazed LSD 13) through a mix of stellar originals and heartfelt remakes, pays homage to the Kings garage heroes and some of their signature songs.

In September of 2000 the Kings premiered their full length feature film Where is the Chesterfield King? A comedy/drama in the vein of the Bowery Boys, Batman, The Monkees Show, A Hard Day's Night, Hawaiian Eye and the Munsters, with a little Three Stooges slapstick to boot, it became an instant cult classic.

The Chesterfield Kings have performed and recorded with many legendary figures including: Bo Diddley, Johnny Thunders, Jorma Kaukenon, Mark Lindsay, Dee Dee Ramone, Stiv Bators and most recently garage rock champion Little Steven.

In 2003 Andy and Greg, along with drummer Mike Boise and newfound guitarist Paul Morabito are poised to unleash their most ambitious effort to date with The Mindbending Sounds of... (2003 Sundazed 11131). The album consists of 14 new original songs. This will be their second full length release in association with 60's reissue specialists Sundazed Music.

Paul is a former member of Rochester short-lived but much loved the Moviees whose 1999 long player Become One Of Them (2000 Sundazed SC 1099) was produced by Andy & Greg.

The Kings love of music and 60's culture stretches far outside of the band. Greg Prevost is a world renowned 60's record and television show collector and also writes his own fanzine Outasite.

Andy Babiuk is an authority on vintage musical instruments and is a staff consultant for Rock & Roll hall of fame as well as consultant for many of the major auction houses in London. His critically acclaimed book Beatles Gear ( 2001 Backbeat) is the bible on every instrument ever touched by the fab-four. Working directly with the Beatles, his extensive research and colorful text has garnered him rave reviews from not only the media, but musicians of the highest caliber.