Formed in 1983 at a North London school by Tony, Jai and original bass player Brian Jarvis, the group were soon joined by Chris and started recording and gigging locally as Faster Pussycat Kill Kill. When Brian left in late 1984 the remaining trio became the permanent nucleus that survives to this day.
Their first LP, the frenetic psych/pop/garage collection 'Orange Mushrooms From Outta Space', recorded with the aid of occasional drummer and organist Ben Colomb, was released in 1985 and followed by the more experimental 'Adventures Underground' the next year. Shortly after, the band had a change of personnel. Keyboardist Gwyn Davies replaced Ben and Esther Hyman joined on vocals. This added an Acid-folk element to the sound of their next LP 'February Sunshine Revisited' which sadly remains unreleased.
They then took a short breather before re-emerging in 1989 as a five and occasionally six piece outfit The Raga Muffins. Gigging regularly around the London and Kent areas, the band built up a respectable following and their most poppy album to date, 'Teatime With...' appeared in 1990, becoming their last official release for many years.
The Raga Muffins called it quits in 1992 although individual members still performed together occasionally. Five years later, the central trio regrouped as The Candy Snatchers, becoming King Kandy in 2000. Still steeped in the garage/psych/B-movie sounds that had initially nurtured them, the groups musical palette had expanded somewhat by the time of their self titled LP in 2001. An assured, eclectic collection, the album reignited local interest and led to a series of well received London gigs.
After an aborted follow-up, they began work on their surf and psychsploitation concept 'Acid Beach Party’. An 'original notion picture' soundtrack, the album features surf, garage, beat poetry and B-movie psychedelia and was released on their own Gina Recordings imprint in September 2008. King Kandy remain available for weddings, barmitvahs and freakouts..
~ Band Members ~
Jai Rathbone - Lead Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards, Pcsn. ~ Chris Owens - Bass, Guitars, Keyboards, Vocals, Pcsn. ~ Tony Rich - Drums, Tabla, Pcsn, Vibes, Backup Vocals.
You've heard the news reports and seen the shocking pictures, but have you ever been to an ACID BEACH PARTY? Now's your chance!
ORIGINAL NOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACK (GLP 333) Released by GINA RECORDINGS on AUGUST 8TH 2008
After almost 3 years of behind the scenes negotiation, this swingin',surfin' psychploitation soundtrack is finally available on CD from the good folks at GINA recordings.
KING KANDY'S musical score takes in SURF, GARAGE, BEAT POETRY & B-MOVIE PSYCHEDELIA alongside dialogue excerpts and the original film trailer.
The CD insert also features colour reproductions of the movie's promotional artwork.
This soundtrack album is available to buy through www.kingkandy.co.uk and www.acidbeachparty.com
Read album review located under CD/Album Reviews located in main menu!!!
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