The Chesterfield Kings
Psychedelic Sunrise

HARP MAGAZINE

When the Chesterfield Kings first emerged in the late ’70s as the living embodiment of ’60s garage rock, they were a baker’s dozen years too late to be included on Nuggets but just in time to spark a much-welcomed revival of that raw sound. Influenced by the early Stones and every no-hit wonder band that knew its way around a snarl and a fuzz, the Kings eventually embraced glam, tough blues and acid-rock, and so it should come as no surprise that their new one is called Psychedelic Sunrise. Singer Greg Prevost and bassist Andy Babiuk are the only originals left, and if it’s taken them nearly 30 years to graduate from ’66 to ’67, so be it, because they’re the more accomplished band for it. Most of the all-original material (one track, “Gone,” was co-penned by garage advocate Little Steven) gnashes and bashes, and while the young Kings would never have considered a string quartet like that featured on “Inside Looking Out,” the older Kings are weathering better than, well, the Stones.

By Jeff Tamarkin
First printed in November 2007