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Kings of the Sun (also abbreviated K.O.T.S.) was an Australian hard rock band formed by Gold Coast’s native brothers Clifford and Jeffrey Hoad in Sydney in 1982. After 9 albums, couple of hiatuses and lineup changes, Clifford Hoad has finally let go of the reins in 2015.

Band's music was described in Metal Hammer magazine by renowned music journalist Chris Welch as: "Full-blooded, down-to-earth, bluesy rock n' roll that no U.S. band has been able to deliver in living memory!"

History

The Young Lions (1982-1985)

Initially called The Young Lions, the band was formed in Sydney in 1982 by drummer Clifford Hoad who recruited seasoned guitarist Bob Spencer (Finch, Skyhooks), whom he had met before in Brisbane in late 1981 during the making of his Drouyn drum kit. Clifford then sent for his younger brother Jeffrey, who took lead vocals & guitar duties and the original lineup was completed by bass player Marlon Holden. They scored support slots for The Angels and INXS the same year.

The band’s then image comprised 50’s American big band style outfits. During the first half of 80’s, lineup has changed several times. Bob Spencer left the band around late 1983 but later on (1984-1985) rejoined along with bass player John McKinnon, who replaced Marlon Holden. After Bob Spencer left the 2nd time, lead guitarist Tommy Poulter stepped in for him in 1985. The Young Lions did 2 Australian tours, intermittently supporting such established acts as INXS, Rose Tattoo, The Church, Kevin Borich, Sherbet, Dragon, The Angels, Eurogliders, The Swingers, Hoodoo Gurus, The Saints etc.

Kings of the Sun (1986-1998)

In mid-80’s, the Brothers Hoad renamed their band Kings of the Sun after seeing the movie of the same name starring Yul Brynner on daytime television in Sydney's Tamarama, where the band resided.

First single & contract with RCA

Another lineup change happened in the first half of 1986 when the KOTS were signed to Mushroom label and recorded their first single. Tommy Poulter left and John McKinnon was replaced by Anthony Ragg. During April and May 1986 several Hoad Bros. compositions were recorded in the studio by Hoad-Hoad-Ragg lineup (with Jeff recording both lead & rhythm guitar tracks in addition to lead vocals, what later become tradition). Bottom of My Heart was chosen as a single and subsequently released with B-side Bad Love (both songs were later re-recorded for the debut album). The rest of the songs from these recording sessions remain unreleased.

The accompanying video clip was shot featuring an appearance by Hoads’ younger sister Belinda and new acquisition on lead guitar Ron Thiessen (Uncanny X-Men). Also Clifford is playing his custom-made square drum kit built by Bill Buick and himself, especially for the clip. In Clifford’s own words: "They look sensational but sounded like wet cardboard. They met ill fate when they tore a hole in the hood lining of my beloved Valiant. Days later, I smashed them with an axe. Wish I still had ‘em!" The little known fact is that actually there were two videoclips filmed. The original one featured Tommy Poulter on lead guitar and was shot in complete darkness as opposed to the second one, although the concept is the same. Original clip stays in the vaults.

Single enjoyed chart success (made it to National Australian Top 20) and KOTS even appeared on the Countdown (popular weekly Australian music television show in the 70’s and the 80’s). Yet, the band wasn’t offered the full album recording.

One show left at the Sydney Cove Tavern in late 1986, before the band was to disband. KOTS got signed that night to RCA Records by Simon Lowe, A&R head of this New York’s label, who came to Australia for talent seeking visit. So in 1987 the Hoad brothers along with Anthony Ragg (Ron Thiessen left the band before it got signed) arrived in New York to start the work on their first LP.

Band got under the wings of Mark Eichner, who was band’s A&R representative with RCA for first 3 albums, and manager Freddy De Mann of De Mann Entertainment, who also managed high-profile artists Michael Jackson and Madonna among others.

Kings of the Sun album

The self-titled debut album Kings of the Sun released in October 1988 was produced by the legendary Eddie Kramer (Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, KISS, Ace Frehley, Rolling Stones etc.), who offered himself to the band after listening to their demo tape. Recordings took place in upstate NY in two studios. First half of the recording was done at BearTracks Recording Studio in Suffern and the rest at Bearsville Studios in Bearsville, just west of Woodstock. Album was mixed by Dave Thoener at The Record Plant, NYC. Glenn Morris subsequently joined the band to play lead guitar.

Single Serpentine placed on the 19th position of the U.S. music charts (in Australia it made it to position 48). Second single Black Leather made Billboard Hot 100 peaking at 98th position. Videoclips for both singles were shot, but Black Leather was banned on MTV for being "too risqué".

After the release of the album group toured the USA supporting Joe Satriani, followed by Europe, where they opened for KISS on their Crazy Nights Tour. They also played at the Monsters of Rock 1988 in Modena, Italy. At the end of 1988 they returned to Australia to open for Guns N' Roses along with local heroes The Angels. On the 3rd date of that tour, they were infamously kicked off stage in Sydney by Axl Rose, who apparently couldn’t bear Clifford Hoad’s remark in an interview for the Australian On the Street magazine about Guns owing much of their image to Rose Tattoo (Australian rock legends).

Full Frontal Attack album

Following year, Glenn Morris left the band to join The Screaming Tribesmen. He rejoined KOTS after the 2nd album was finished. Full Frontal Attack was recorded at Cherokee Studios in Los Angeles and released in August 1990. Produced by William Wittman and mixed again by Dave Thoener at New York’s prominent Electric Lady Studios & Battery Studios, it contains perhaps the biggest hit of the band called Drop the Gun (30th place in the Billboard charts). Videoclip features crashed Dodge Challenger and some stunt done by Jeff Hoad. Lock Me Up was released as the second single. In home Australia, Mushroom label released I Get Lonely as additional single.

Following the album release, RCA Records went through turbulent times and was taken over by BMG. KOTS lost label support and album didn’t get much promotion. Even without support, single Drop the Gun stayed 10 weeks in the charts and got some solid airplay thanks to demand of listeners. Full Frontal Attack was also the last album to be released on vinyl by RCA Records.

KOTS went on tour and opened for Bruce Dickinson in the US. The Australian tour with The Screaming Jets followed in early 1991, before Morris and Ragg left the band in 1992.

Resurrection album

After the band was granted a third album by BMG, Resurrection was recorded in Los Angeles again (Hoad brothers lived in Malibu Beach for couple of years) at A&M Studios and Paramount Studios. Most bass guitar tracks were recorded by Englishman Phil Soussan (Ozzy Osbourne, Billy Idol), additional 2 tracks were recorded by American Brad Spurr who joined the band afterwards. This time, the Hoad brothers produced themselves, except two tracks co-produced by Mark Dearnley, who also mixed the record. Album offered standard Hoad’s dose of dozen tracks, but in fact, there were recorded enough songs to make it a double album. These unreleased tracks still wait to see the light of the day. Also, during the recording of the album, Mötley Crüe invited Jeff Hoad to audition as a replacement for Vince Neil. He refused to even consider it.

Album was released in May 1993 in Australia only by Mushroom Records in print run of 1000 copies (nowadays, the original pressing is regarded as collector’s item). The band subsequently returned from the States to their native Australia, where they shot videoclip to the 2nd single called Road to Nowhere (released in July). Videoclip features Clifford Hoad speeding in his Roadrunner muscle car, which a few years later had almost fatal impact on his life & career. As the 1st single was released Trapped Inside Your Heart in April of that year. Now as a trio, KOTS supported Jimmy Barnes on his Australian tour the very same year.

Bombs Away single

After the touring, Brad Spurr went back home to the States and KOTS recruited Australian Dean Turner on bass with whom they recorded Bombs Away single in 1995. Clifford Hoad explains: "Recorded by Brett Johnson from Sea FM Radio in one night in 1995 . With a classic heavy riff and a sing along anthem style lyric, denouncing the French President Chirac's decision to bomb test in the Pacific." The accompanying video was shot with help of Miami State High School, Gold Coast, QLD. Single was released independently in limited volume and all proceeds went to the Gold Coast branch of the Australian Surfriders Foundation.

Final KOTS album

In wintersun of 1997, band went to Terry Stevens’ Studio One Sound Explosion and recorded an album called Daddy Was a Hobo Man. Clifford Hoad on recording process: "OK… the thing is with this album, we did not set out to record this album with the same intention as the first three. This album, we wanted to record with no commercial pressure what so ever, also, at the time we wanted to record as a 3 piece and live in the studio, this is what you’re hearing. The band playing live! Jeff’s singing and playing at the same time, it’s magnificent, ‘cause this is what we sounded like on stage!!! Especially when we came back from the States as a 3 piece. This is why I love the album so much. No harmonies, no over dubs, just raw singing & playing, first & second takes only..." Album remained shelved until 2011, when master tapes resurfaced and it finally got released independently.

KOTS continued touring Australia in 1997/1998. In May 1998 they opened for Sammy Hagar, now as a quartet again, featuring young Melbournian axeman Quentin Elliott on lead guitar and Chris Lewis on bass. This lineup played some new songs as Higher Power or Stagefright which have never been recorded in studio, but some live shows were bootlegged. Around this time, Clifford Hoad crashed his Roadrunner and completely wrote it off. After the touring, band went on hiatus.

On 13 April 2001 KOTS opened for KISS at Carrara Stadium in their hometown of Gold Coast, Queensland. Craig Pesco joined the Hoad-Hoad-Elliott lineup on bass. This was the last Kings of the Sun gig featuring this line up of band members.

The Rich & Famous (2001-2009)

Not long after, brothers Clifford and Jeffrey Hoad returned to the scene under the moniker The Rich & Famous – which allowed them to further explore their abilities as songwriters. Their self-titled & self-produced debut album was recorded at Stardust Studios and 3 Horn Studios in the (Australian) summer of 2002 and the winter of 2003. Clifford Hoad: "In the summer of 2002, Jeff and I went into the studio, hell bent on making a definitive classic pop rock album. This was an experimental journey, to places we had never ventured before musically. Far removed from the confines of our heavy rock legacy, with instrument swaps, Jeff playing keyboards and guitar, and me playing sax. You can hear the artistic freedom and self-discovery, meshed into this wonderful landscape of Hoad brothers song writing." The album was released independently in 2004. Dean Turner rejoined the band on bass and toured with R&F locally.

While the first R&F album was an experimental move by the Hoad Bros., the second album Like a Superstar meant their return to heavy rock roots. It’s aggressive, raw & loud with punk edge. It was recorded at Terry Stephens’ Sound Explosion studio and released independently in 2006. The album cover was inspired by a famous American picture called Nighthawks and was painted by Dean Turner, who is not only a bass player, but also a talented artist.

The third Rich & Famous record called Stand Back… Prepare to be Amazed!!! was released the following year (2007). Recorded again by Hoad-Hoad-Turner lineup at Lost Valley Recording Studios.Sound wise it picks up where previous albums left off.

Jeffrey Hoad (2009-present)

After taking time out to spend on his personal life (marrying his long term partner and together having two children) Hoad felt it necessary to announce that he continues with his career, despite reports to the contrary. In an interview with Hot Metal Magazine, Jeffrey Hoad was quoted saying, "I’ve never left my musical career behind, nor did I ever leave Kings of the Sun.".

In December 2014 Jeffrey Hoad was selected to be the feature high profile artist who would re-launch the return of live music the iconic Surfers Paradise venue of the world famous international rock brand Hard Rock Cafe. Jeffrey Hoad announced a residency at the venue throughout January and February 2015.

Jeffrey Hoad has continued to perform as lead singer and in 2014 entered the studio again to begin composition of new material and a brand new line up.

Jeffrey Hoad was interviewed by The Gold Coast Bulletin in January 2015 and was quoted saying of his song writing ″When I look back at some of the songs I've written I think, is it ever going to get any better than the best one I'd ever written? But I wrote a fantastic song the other day called ′Destiny′″

Clifford Hoad's Kings of the Sun (2010-2015)

In 2010 Clifford Hoad began with the composition of songs for the new album and formation of a new Clifford Hoads Kings of the Sun lineup – this time without Jeffrey.

2011 saw release of an experimental album called Airborn Love Spirits. It includes 3 tracks recorded in 2001 (2 previously unreleased) plus complete Resurrection album, which has been long out of print.

In March 2013, new Clifford Hoad's KOTS lineup entered Govinda Doyle’s private studio to record Clifford Hoad’s latest compositions. Quentin Elliott returned to play lead guitar and Dave Talon (Rollerball) joined on rhythm guitar. Drummer Clifford Hoad also took charge of singing, as he sang backing vocals on all previous albums and lead vocals on 2 tracks (shared with Jeff on Shot Me an Arrow & lead on I Wanna Rock). Bass tracks were recorded by Govinda Doyle who also engineered and produced the album with co-production by Clifford Hoad. Mixing was done by Govinda & Clifford.

New album entitled Rock Til Ya Die was released on 5 September 2013 via band's website and is return to classic Australian rock sound. Neil Rogers of 3RRR FM Melbourne radio said on record twice that the album is: "The best hard rock record out of this country in the last 25 years." Australian online magazine Hot Metal heralded it as #1 album of the year 2013.

5 promo videos were shot by Dan Jensen and Trudy Martin of Darklight Studios, combining music clip with documentary style interviews with Clifford Hoad, who tells a story behind each song. Switchblade Knife video clip was released in May 2014.

The band played 3 warm-up gigs during February & March 2014 (2 dates in Melbourne and one in Brisbane). On 6 June 2014, KOTS opened the 3rd day of the Sweden Rock Festival, the very same day that Black Sabbath were headlining. Kings of the Sun were amongst 3 bands which got the most votes from fans in a band competition and won a slot at the festival.

Not long after the Sweden Rock Festival gig, Clifford Hoad announced that Quentin Elliott, Dave Talon and Darren Marlow were no longer members of Kings of the Sun band.

On 12 January 2015, Clifford Hoad stated that Kings of the Sun band is over for him and he will pursue his career with a new band and a new name.

Post-K.O.T.S. (2015-present)

In April 2015, Clifford Hoad finalised the lineup of his new band called Clifford Hoad's Rock Til Ya Die. He recruited guitarists Rowie Riot and Mullet Fozz along with bassist Craig 'Wogo' Sutton and keyboardist & backup vocalist Shar RoXon.

Personnel

Past members

• Clifford Hoad - lead vocals, drums & percussions
• Quentin Elliott - lead guitar
• Dave Talon - rhythm guitar
• Darren Marlow - bass guitar & backing vocals
• Jeffrey Hoad - lead vocals, guitars
• Anthony Ragg - bass
• Glenn Morris - lead guitar
• Chris Lewis - bass
• Dean Turner - bass
• Brad Spurr - bass
• Ron Thiessen - lead guitar
• Tommy Poulter - lead guitar
• John McKinnon - bass
• Marlon Holden - bass
• Bob Spencer - lead guitar

Session musicians

• Gary Lee - bass *Full Frontal Attack album recording
• Phil Soussan - bass *Resurrection album recording
• Govinda Doyle - bass *Rock Til Ya Die album recording
• Craig Pesco - bass *KISS concert at Carrara Stadium in 2001

Discography

Albums

Kings of the Sun

• Kings of the Sun (1988)
• Full Frontal Attack (1990) US Billboard 200 #130
• Resurrection (1993)
• Daddy Was a Hobo Man (2011) *Recorded in 1997

The Rich & Famous

• The Rich & Famous (2004)
• Like a Superstar (2006)
• Stand Back… Prepare to be Amazed!!! (2007)
• Airborn Love Spirits (2011) *3 tracks recorded in 2001 plus Resurrection album

Clifford Hoad's Kings of the Sun

• Rock Til Ya Die (2013)

Singles

Kings of the Sun

• Bottom of My Heart (1986) AUS #39
• Black Leather (1988) US The Hot 100 #98
• Serpentine (1988) US Mainstream Rock Songs #19; AUS #48; NZ #49
• Drop the Gun (1990) US Mainstream Rock Songs #30
• I Get Lonely (1990)
• Trapped Inside Your Heart (1993)
• Road to Nowhere (1993)
• Bombs Away (1995)

References

1. https://itunes.apple.com/au/artist/kings-of-the-sun/id213787941
2. ^ http://www.billboard.com/artist/305940/kings-sun/biography
3. https://www.facebook.com/CliffHoad.KINGS.OF.THE.SUN/photos/a.155054924535381.28119.152568688117338/156535921053948
4. Mason, Darryl. "Kings of the Sun: Still Shining", HOT METAL, Issue 18, August 1990.
5. http://www.discogs.com/viewimages?release=4341170
6. ^ https://www.billboard.com/artist/kings-of-the-sun/chart-history/mainstream-rock-tracks
7. http://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Kings+Of+The+Sun&titel=Serpentine&cat=s
8. https://www.billboard.com/artist/kings-of-the-sun/chart-history/
9. "Throwing Down the Palms The 'Kings' Return", On the Street, Issue No 417, Wednesday 14 December 1988.
10. http://www.hotmetalonline.com/2012/07/31/guns-nroses-sydney-entertainment-centre-1988/
11. Walsh, Peter. "We Three Kings", 1993.
12. Cullen, Joey. "Sunrise", 1993.
13. http://www.discogs.com/Kings-Of-The-Sun-Bombs-Away/release/4340947
14. http://www.kingsofthesunband.com/index.php/hoboman
15. http://www.kingsofthesunband.com/index.php/richandfamous
16. http://deanturnerart.com/dean_turner/
17. http://www.hotmetalonline.com/2014/04/10/jeffrey-hoad-i-havent-quit-music/
18. http://magazine.100percentrock.com/news/201502/100069
19. http://theweekendedition.com.au/gold-coast/event-news/jeffrey-hoad/
20. http://www.moregoldcoast.com.au/live-music-returns-hard-rock-cafe/
21. https://www.facebook.com/jeffreyhoadkingsofthesunandtherichandfamous/photos/a.598183810270335.1073741828.583868235035226/781320635289984/?type=1&theater
22. ^ http://www.kingsofthesunband.com
23. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVnsSgVMBxU&t=33s
24. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Rnz2ukhRjc&t=13m35s
25. http://www.hotmetalonline.com/2013/12/31/hot-metals-albums-of-the-year-2013/
26. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWiO0d06ZYU&feature=share&list=PLTsffw7BaQ8M2juhWCyBcozuuJiVVTXZg
27. http://www.swedenrock.com/index.cfm?lg=2&pg=5&evnId=2
28. http://www.swedenrock.com/index.cfm?lg=2&pg=82
29. https://www.facebook.com/CliffHoad.KINGS.OF.THE.SUN

External links

• Kings of the Sun Discography
• Kings Of the Sun Official YouTube Channel
• The Rich & Famous Discography
• Clifford Hoad's Kings of the Sun - official FB page
• Clifford Hoad's Kings of the Sun - official YouTube channel
• - Jeffrey Hoad Kings of the Sun & The Rich and Famous - official FB page
• - Official facebook page for the band - The Rich and Famous

• Australian rock music groups