On SELLOUT, Los Angeles, CA King Shelter drive intricate, crystalline melodies headlong into swirling squalls of guitar noise. Born of the frustration inherent in navigating an uncaring industry, Sellout is both a meditation upon and a howling indictment of the entertainment business in the new millennium.
Taylor Hecocks grew up playing music in South Florida; yet like so many before him could not ignore the siren song of Hollywood. Together with David Noble they cut a few low-fi EPs that started to get some attention, put together a band, and dedicated themselves to the grind. “We played every house show and every venue we could find and slow climbed” says Hecocks. Word of their dynamic live performances started to spread, and soon they found themselves on marquee tours with bands including Sticky Fingers, The Frights and Hunny.
In 2018 they went into the studio with Trevor Brown (Alessia Cara, Kehlani) to track their debut LP, $HAME. “We poured ourselves into $HAME, trying to make something new and push alt-rock” says Hecocks. “It was ignored and misunderstood by the industry. My integrity, my dreams felt compromised.”
As is often the case with true creatives, Hecocks channeled his anger and disappointment into his art. Hecocks and Noble holed up in Redbull Studios in Los Angeles and emerged with the Sellout EP. Noble played all the leads, while Hecocks handled rhythm guitar, keys, bass, drums, and vocals. Catharsis put to tape, Sellout is as raw as it is pure. Imbued with a palpable sense of longing, the record is eminently human and relatable. “We always want more – but at what cost” ruminates Hecocks. “There’s a struggle between one’s integrity and dreams.” Sellout is an electric sketch of that eternal conflict.
Glide is proud to premiere the Sellout EP (below) which broadens King Shelter’s musical palette to that of rock misfits Parquet Courts and The Growlers. Blurring an electic mix of blurred genres that mix 90’s buzz bin and wholesome musical workouts, King Shelter prove fascinating.
“Sellout is a battle between ambition and integrity,” says Hecocks. “Although ambition won this round, everything comes full circle in its own time. I hope these songs shed some light and true perspective on the life of “that guy in that band”. This EP is a wink and a thumbs up from across the room.”
Bio and Photo by Blake Vallotton
