Palace of the King Rock Out With “Tear it Down”

Australia has a proud tradition of Aussie pub rock acts. You know the type: big crunchy guitar riffs, bold drums, singers with powerful vocals and an “I don’t give a fuck” attitude. It’s a classic recipe, but one that always worked. And we don’t have enough of it these days. That’s why I’m so excited to hear “Tear it Down,” the latest track from Palace of the King.

I saw these guys supporting the Screaming Jets a few years back, and if this song is any indication, they’re making even better music today. I appreciated their artistry back then, but this track is much more accessible than the psychedelic numbers they performed in 2018. Keen music fans might recognise those vocals, as singer Tim Henwood fronted The Androids back in the day. You might also know him as The Superjesus’ guitarist back in the 2000s or Jon Stevens’ current axe man.

If you love this song, there’s more where that came from Palace of the King will release their new album in December. They’re also wasting no time heading out on the road to promote it. Here are all the dates you need:

14 December 2023 – Mo’s Desert Clubhouse, Yugambeh Country/Gold Coast
15 December 2023 – King Lear’s Throne, Meeanjin/Brisbane
16 December 2023 – The Duke of Enmore, Eora/Sydney (FREE ENTRY)
17 December 2023 – The Basement Canberra, Ngambri/Canberra
18 December 2023 – Shotkickers, Naarm/Melbourne

Image used with permission from Australian Radio Promotion

The Screaming Jets @ The Factory Theatre, Marrickville – 14 December 2018

December always seems to fly by in the blink of an eye. It’s a seemingly endless stream of deadlines, family obligations, and parties that can all leave you feeling fatigued. Somewhere in all of that I found a little time for me, for indulging in my passion for music. I’m glad I bought tickets for The Screaming Jets at The Factory in Marrickville some time ago. Locking the show in made sure exhaustion and terrible weather couldn’t talk me out of attending.

The rain did see me arriving a little later than I’d like. Palace of the King were already in full swing when I walked through the doors, but it didn’t take me long to become enthralled by their set. They were the young guns on this bill, established just six years ago rather than in the ‘80s. However, their psychedelic rock sound was a hit with the older crowd. These lads from Sydney can really play. I hope I get to spend more time with them at another show.

The Poor burst onto the stage next, taking me right back to my teenage years. I remember buying their album Who Cares? on cassette while I was shopping with my grandma. I was just 14, so I remember frantically trying to peel off that explicit lyrics sticker before she spied it. That cassette didn’t leave my stereo for months. I worried every time my parents walked in that they might cotton on to those choice words. I was too young to catch The Poor play live in their hey day, but watching frontman Skenie bounce around, it was like no time had passed. They delivered a high-octane set punctuated by tracks from that album I adored all those years ago. It was bold and ballsy, and I lapped it up. The banter between songs was every bit as colourful as my inner teen hoped for.

As a girl from Newcastle, I’ve seen The Screaming Jets countless times. This band is part of my DNA, one of the first acts I remember seeing as I started to see shows without my parents. But this set might have been one of my favourites simply because it was so fresh.

The Jets are no stranger to touring a new album. But ordinarily they try not to push the new material too hard. They don’t want to alienate the punters who are there to see them play the hits. The beautiful thing about releasing an album like Gotcha Covered though is the level of familiarity the audience already has with the songs. It’s genius really. The Jets could play a bunch of new material, delivering a set that felt totally fresh, while keeping everybody on side. They seized the opportunity with both hands, treating us to classic rock bangers like “Rain,” “Razor’s Edge,” “Wedding Ring,” and the Radiator’s cheeky hit “Gimme Head,” a suggestion from “the wheel.”

The wheel was another inspired idea, a chocolate wheel that The Jets trotted out with glee throughout the set. Frontman Dave Gleeson picked excited punters to come up and spin the wheel, which displayed the titles of tracks from the new album. We got another great track, the spinners got T-shirts, and we all had a lot of fun. Win, win, win.

Dave told us that new music was on its way, but the lads simply released their latest album so they’d have an excuse to tour again. The joy they get from playing live is evident. This band is so tight; despite many line-up changes since their 1989 inception Dave and fellow founding member bass guitarist Paul Woseen keep things ticking along. They’re a generous band too, one that gives the punters exactly what they came for, a big rock show peppered with hits. Age shall not weary them. I was feeling ready to call it a night after “Shiver” came out in the encore, but the Jets had other ideas, treating the enthusiastic crowd to some Johnny Cash even though it was nearing 1 am.

Most tours are winding down for the year, but The Screaming Jets aren’t nearly done yet. Their Gotcha Covered tour will hit the following venues throughout the festive season.

21 December 2018 – The Governor Hindmarsh, Hindmarsh
22 December 2018 – Corner Hotel, Richmond
28 December 2018 – Kingscliff Beach Hotel, Kingscliff
29 December 2018 – Aussie World, Palmview
4 January 2019 – Wyong Leagues Club, Kanwal
5th January 2019 – Laurieton United Services Club, Laurieton
11 January 2019 – Matthew Flinders Hotel, Chadstone
12 January 2019 – York On Lilydale, Mount Evelyn
17 January 2019 – Shoal Bay Country Club, Shoal Bay
18 January 2019 – The Bridge Hotel, Rozelle
19 January 2019 – Pittwater RSL Club, Mona Vale
25 January 2019 – The Basement, Canberra

Mahalia Barnes Adds Soul to New Palace of the King Single

Mahalia Barnes has one of the most soulful voices in the country. So I was pretty sure that when she lent her vocals to “Black Cloud,” the new single from Palace of the King, I was going to love it.

This track is so funky, an irresistible combination of blues, soul, and straight-up rock and roll. It comes from Palace of the King’s sophomore album Valles Marineris.

Fresh from supporting the Baby Animals, Palace of the King will play shows around the country kicking off in Young tonight. Once these dates wrap up, the band will head to Los Angeles to showcase at MUSEXPO.

24 March 2017 – Young Services Club, Young (with The Angels)
25 March 2017 – Home Tavern Wagga Wagga (with The Angels)
29 March 2017 – Cherry Bar, Melbourne (with Nik Oliveri)
30 March 2017 – Peli Bar, Frankston (with Nik Oliveri)
31 March 2017 – Villa Noosa Hotel, Sunshine Coast (with The Angels)
1 April 2017 – Racehourse Hotel, Ipswich (with The Angels)
6 April 2017 – Frankies Pizza, Sydney
7 April 2017 – York on Lilydale, Melbourne (with The Angels)
8 April 2017 – Gateway Hotel, Geelong (with The Angels)
13 April 2017 – Bendigo Hotel, Melbourne
15 April 2017 – Baha, Rye
16 April 2017 – Barwon Club, Geelong (with Endless Boogie)
21 April 2017 – Crown & Anchor, Adelaide
22 April 2017 – Whalers, Warrnambool

Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute

Palace of the King Release Rocking Debut Album

Melbourne rock act Palace of the King take me back to the 70s with their new track “Another Thing Coming.” It’s got a great classic rock feel, with chunky guitars and a chorus that just begs you to sing along.

The song comes from the band’s debut album White Bird/Burn the Sky, which was released today. They’re currently touring it around the country before they head to Europe for shows in October. Those international dates are yet to be finalised, so keep your ear to the ground if you’re living abroad!

19 June 2015 – Crown and Anchor, Adelaide
4 July 2015 – Cherry Bar, Melbourne
12 July 2015 – Frankies Pizza, Sydney