5. King KongOld Man On The Bridge

Going to King Kong’s shows was like going to crazy monkey church. I used to hang out in the Kong House! This is where Ethan Buckler and Darren Rappa from the band lived, this little apartment above a comic book store across from Rogers Street. Ethan was the bass player in Slint at the beginning when they made Tweez, but I think he got sort of disgusted with some of their attitudes and behaviours, and rightfully so, because they’re all quirky gentlemen.

So Ethan decided to get out of Slint and pursue his own creative vision, and King Kong represented the pinnacle of live music experience for me and a lot of my peers here in Louisville at that time.  I have so many epiphanies associated with those King Kong shows. I remember Buckler playing ‘Rolling O’ for the first time, and how it was immediately my favourite song.

They also released two concept records later – one called Me Hungry, sort of a funk rock opera telling a caveman story of climate change and survival, then one called The Big Bang, which posits itself as an exploration of the solar system. At the end, there’s a plot twist that’s revelatory. And they still play… [lift arms on Zoom screen] I’ve still got my wristband on my arm from their last show and that was about three or four weeks ago! I played with another group that night, Juanita, and it was a benefit for Juanita’s drummer, Teresa, who has cancer right now. Teresa gave a great speech: she said, thanks to the Louisville music community, fuck cancer and fuck ICE. It’s a supportive community here.