King Khan & The Shrines

King Khan & The Shrines

King Khan & The Shrines is a Berlin-based garage rock and psychedelic soul group, active since 1999. The line-up includes King Khan, Fred Bourdil, Till Scholze and Simon Wojan. The band is sometimes referred to as King Khan and His Sensational Shrines.

Background

The group forms in Germany after King Khan does not return from the first Spaceshits European tour in 1999. Khan, a Canadian musician, leaves Montreal in 1995 after playing bass for the Spaceshits, a band associated with producer Mike Mariconda and a guest appearance from Andy G of the Devil Dogs. He also forms the KUKAMONGAS before later establishing the Shrines in Germany.

The first incarnation of the Shrines features Ron Streeter, a percussionist who has worked with Curtis Mayfield, Stevie Wonder and Al Jarreau, along with a horn section of teenage players and a rhythm section described as a German/French version of the Freak Brothers. Fredovitch, later presented as Freddy “Mr. Ovitch” Rococo, joins shortly before the group records its first album in London.

Recordings and releases

The Shrines record their first album, Three Hairs & You’re Mine, at Toe Rag Studio in London, with Liam Watson producing. The band later expands into an international line-up and performs widely across Europe. In 2003 Khan works with the Hazelwood producers Gordon Friedrich and Wolfgang Gottlieb, who oversee the second album, Mr. Supernatural, released in 2004.

Live work and collaborators

The band’s early London concert is stopped by the police, after which the group leaves through the back door. Further performances follow across Europe, including shows with Demolition Dollrods and Mr. Quintron and Ms. Pussycat, an after-party for 50 Cent, and a performance at Roskilde festival.

Named members and contributors mentioned in connection with the Shrines include Mr. Speedfinger on guitar, Riddiman on bass, John Boy Adonis on drums, Ron Streeter on percussion, Freddy “Mr. Ovitch” Rococo on lead organ and piano, Sam Fransisco on trumpet, Ben Ra on tenor saxophone, Bid Fred Rollercoaster on baritone saxophone, and Bamboorella on go-go dance.