Future Kings of Spain

History

The idea to call the band Future Kings Of Spain came about when Wilson, "was reading two unrelated articles at once and lined up the words Future Kings on one side and of Spain on the other." McMahon confirmed this in a radio interview with the Irish state broadcaster RTÉ in August 2003.

In 2009 the band broke up with no reason given. Golden Plec wrote how it was "one of the great mysteries from the Irish music scene in the early noughties how Future Kings Of Spain failed to turn one of the best Irish rock records of the decade into chart success". On 4 September 2009, the State.ie website described how the band left a short history of themselves in a blog entitled ‘Future Kings Of Spain 2000-2009’ saying that they had in fact disbanded in June 2009.

Band statement 2009

Future Kings Of Spain started out in February 2000 as Joey Wilson, Anton Hegarty and Bryan McMahon. They rehearsed for 5 months until they had a set of songs long enough to play in front of people. Finally and with no name, in July 2000 they played to some friends in a nightclub in Dublin.

In December 2000, introduced as Future Kings Of Spain, they played their first real show. They were joined by Karl Hussey in late 2003 and remained a 4-piece until they brought things to a close in June 2009. The band recorded 2 LPs and 1 EP. The first LP and the EP for Red Flag Records; the second and last LP for their own label, What’s The Kim? Recordings.

From Dublin, Ireland FKOS toured, recorded and made friends in North America, Europe, the UK, Japan, Australia and Ireland.

Activity

In 2004 the band scooped Best New Band at the Meteor Music Awards, After signing with Japanese label GMT Records the band performed to 27,800 people at SONICMANIA 2004 in Osaka and Tokyo. They also toured and performed with many international acts including Biffy Clyro, Muse, Idlewild (band) and The Strokes. Hanging Around featured in the opening titles of the 2005 zombie comedy Boy Eats Girl. At the 2008 Meteor Music Awards, the band were the most nominated act, nominated in 3 categories - Best Irish Band, Best Irish Album and Best Live Act. On this occasion the band would come away empty-handed. The band continued to perform into 2008, though not as often as in previous years. During this time Anton married longtime girlfriend Alison Curtis. One of the band's final performances was at Oxegen 2008.

Interest in the band remains strong. In September 2015, Golden Plec reappraised the self-titled by debut Future Kings Of Spain, describing it as a classic. The "Future Kings Of Spain left behind one of the greatest Irish rock records of all time, and that should never be forgotten.", it concluded.

Personnel

Future Kings of Spain (2003)

The band's self-titled debut album was released on 4 August 2003 on CD & limited edition 12" vinyl. It was produced by Ted Niceley and recorded at Stratosphere Sound in New York City. Eli Janney from Girls Against Boys mixed the album, with Geoff Sanoff from Washington DC band Edsel engineering throughout. It was released through UK label Red Flag Records and Japanese label GMT Records and included the singles and live anthems "Venetian Blinds", "Hanging Around" and "Face I Know" (debuting at #9 in the UK's Rock Charts).

1. A Place For Everything
2. Your Starlight
3. Venetian Blinds
4. Hanging Around
5. One Look
6. Simple Fact
7. Meanest Sound
8. So Wrong
9. Face I Know
10. Traps
11. Upside Down

Les Debemos EP (2004)

Released in July 2004, this EP was recorded by Lenny Frankie at Jacobs Studio in Surrey and mixed by Darren Allison (Spiritualized).

1. Venetian Blinds
2. 1981
3. We Owe You

Nervousystem (2007)

The long-awaited follow up album Nervousystem was released on 28 September 2007, on CD and Download / MP3, on the band's own label, What's The Kim? Recordings. It was produced by Ian Grimble (Manic Street Preachers, The Fall), mixed by long term friend Joe Chester and recorded at 2 kHz, London & Temple Studios in Malta Although it was recorded late in 2005, the album achieves a timeless quality. In an interview with the Irish Independent Wilson said "We didn't want to sound fashionable, like the bands who were coming out at that time," says Joe. "You had Bloc Party,Kaiser Chiefs and Futureheads - bands that were sounding post-punk. We're not reinventing the wheel. We're just trying to write good songs."

"Guess Again", the first single, was released on 4 May, and was chosen by public vote on Phantom 105.2 The second single, "Kick In The Teeth", was released on 27 July. The third single from the album "This is the End" was chosen as the song of the week on The Ian Dempsey Show on Today FM and was number seven in the Irish airplay charts.

1. Guess Again
2. One More Mistake
3. This Is The End
4. Lost And Found
5. Syndicate
6. Kick In The Teeth
7. You Dream In Solid Gold
8. 1981
9. Chemical Burn
10. This Song
11. Disappear

Style and Reception

FKOS debut album contained a very guitar-based sound, with a heavy tone on many of the songs, such as the first single "Face I Know". The mood ranged from angst ("A Place for Everything") to melancholy ("Simple Fact").

Reviews of Future Kings of Spain

Reviews of Nervousystem.

Other Projects

Hussey and McMahon are currently playing with Dan Barry (ex-Bambi) in Badself (Band) The band recorded their debut album with producer Ronan McHugh at the home studio of Def Leppard's Joe Elliott. Entitled 'The Three Daughters of Mara', it was released in 2014. Hegarty continues to play in A Lazarus Soul and Tin Charm, whilst providing session bass for Danielle Harrison.