Louis Paul Bankston (December 18, 1972 – February 12, 2022), better known as King Louie, was an American

rock and roll Rock and roll (often written as rock & roll, rock-n-roll, and rock 'n' roll) is a Genre (music), genre of popular music that evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s. It Origins of rock and roll, originated from African ...

musician from

New Orleans New Orleans (commonly known as NOLA or The Big Easy among other nicknames) is a Consolidated city-county, consolidated city-parish located along the Mississippi River in the U.S. state of Louisiana. With a population of 383,997 at the 2020 ...

. Associated early on with

garage rock Garage rock (sometimes called garage punk or 60s punk) is a raw and energetic style of rock music that flourished in the mid-1960s, most notably in the United States and Canada, and has experienced a series of subsequent revivals. The style is ...

, he abandoned the genre in 1998 and focused on Louisiana

swamp pop Swamp pop is a music genre indigenous to the Acadiana region of south Louisiana and an adjoining section of southeast Texas. Created in the 1950s by young Cajuns and Creoles, it combines New Orleans–style rhythm and blues, Country music, countr ...

boogie woogie Boogie-woogie is a genre of blues music that became popular during the late 1920s, but already developed in African-American communities since the 1870s.Paul, Elliot, ''That Crazy American Music'' (1957), Chapter 10, p. 229. It was eventually ex ...

boogie rock Boogie rock is a style of blues rock music that developed in the late 1960s. Its key feature is a repetitive driving rhythm, which emphasizes the groove. Although inspired by earlier musical styles such as piano-based boogie-woogie, boogie rock h ...

, and

power pop Power pop (also typeset as powerpop) is a subgenre of rock music and form of pop rock based on the early music of bands such as the Who, the Beatles, the Beach Boys, and the Byrds. It typically incorporates melodic hooks, vocal harmonies, ...

. He was best known for his work in the Royal Pendletons, The Persuaders, The Exploding Hearts, and The King Louie One Man Band. Bankston toured Europe and the United States, since the early 1990s. He released 53 records in the

vinyl Vinyl may refer to: Chemistry * Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a particular vinyl polymer * Vinyl cation, a type of carbocation * Vinyl group, a broad class of organic molecules in chemistry * Vinyl polymer, a group of polymers derived from vinyl ...

format. Bankston later played music based out of

Oakland, California Oakland is a city in the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area in the U.S. state of California. It is the county seat and most populous city in Alameda County, California, Alameda County, with a population of 440,646 in 2020. A major We ...

. He lived in New Orleans,

Portland, Oregon Portland ( ) is the List of cities in Oregon, most populous city in the U.S. state of Oregon, located in the Pacific Northwest region. Situated close to northwest Oregon at the confluence of the Willamette River, Willamette and Columbia River, ...

, and

Memphis, Tennessee Memphis is a city in Shelby County, Tennessee, United States, and its county seat. Situated along the Mississippi River, it had a population of 633,104 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, making it the List of municipalities in Tenne ...

History

Royal Pendletons

King Louie helped found the Royal Pendletons in 1991 along with Michael Hurtt on guitar/vocals, J. Matthew Uhlman on guitar/vocals, and G. Thomas Oliver on organ. The band achieved in the pre-internet years what is now known as a " Buzz Band " status today. Not concentrating on the studio or recording side of their set the band has little to show for their efforts. The RP's were known to have over 100 songs and usually played from open to close at New Orleans venues Checkpoint Charlie's, Benny's and Barristers (Memphis). The Royal Pendletons put out their first 7-inch on Goner Records in 1995, and in 1998 put out a full-length LP on Sympathy for the Record Industry with producer

Alex Chilton William Alexander Chilton (December 28, 1950March 17, 2010) was an American musician, best known as the lead singer of the rock bands the Box Tops and Big Star. Chilton's early commercial success in the 1960s as a teen vocalist for the Box Tops ...

entitled ''Oh Yeah, Baby''.

Terry and Louie

Terry and Louie is a return to Louie's Exploding Hearts writing and playing with bandmate Terry. After over a decade of no communication the two had reformed and were making records and touring throughout the year. The band has been active since 2013. They are on the Tuff Break record roster and were based out of Oakland. It was Louis' only project of new music.

The Persuaders

King Louie Bankston formed the

band, The Persuaders in 1996, along with Jason Panzer on guitar, and Shaggy on drums. In The Persuaders, Louie and Jason Panzer both sang and played

Gibson Flying V The Gibson Flying V is an electric guitar model introduced by Gibson in 1958. The Flying V offered a radical, "futuristic" body design, much like its siblings: the Explorer, which was released the same year, and the Moderne, which was designe ...

guitars and were the first to use them visually with the crossed aerial logo.

Bad Times

Bad Times were a one-off band which also included Eric Oblivian and

Jay Reatard James Lee Lindsey Jr. (May 1, 1980 – January 13, 2010), known professionally as Jay Reatard, was an American musician from Memphis, Tennessee. He was signed to Matador Records. He released recordings as a solo artist and as a member of the Rea ...

. The band recorded an album's worth of material after only one practice session in 1998, releasing a self-titled LP in 2001. the members returned to their respective solo commitments. Eric and Louie have been positive about trying to re-issue the out-of-print LP.

The Exploding Hearts

In 2000, Louie moved to Portland, Oregon. In 2001 he joined The Exploding Hearts, where he co-wrote and played keyboards on their only LP, ''

Guitar Romantic ''Guitar Romantic'' is the only studio album by American rock band The Exploding Hearts; it was released both by Dirtnap Records and Screaming Apple Records in 2003. Reception ''Pitchfork A pitchfork or hay fork is an agricultural tool ...

''. After 11 months with the group, Louie declined to move into a management/lead role. Plans were in the works to continue as a writer only, while the band continued to play as a four-piece. After a show in San Francisco, the band's van overturned on the way home in the early hours of July 20, 2003. Three members of the group were killed, thus precluding any future work together.

King Louie and the Loose Diamonds

Formed in 2003 as Rat Tail, in 2007, Empty Records released Memphis Treet by King Louie and the Loose Diamonds. The Loose Diamonds are: King Louie Bankston (until 2022), Jack Oblivian (of the

Oblivians The Oblivians are an American garage punk trio that has existed since 1993. In the 1990s, their blues-infused brand of bravado, crudely recorded music made them one of the most popular and prominent bands within the underground garage rock sce ...

, The Cool Jerks, and the Tennessee Tearjerkers), Harlan T. Bobo (Viva L'American Deathray Music), Adam Woodard (Tennessee Tearjerkers), and Chad Booth (Kajun SS). In 2009 Julian Fried joined as guitar player.

The King Louie One Man Band

King Louie started his One Man Band in 1999. In the King Louie One Man Band, Louie sang, played drums, guitar, cowbell, and harmonica. The King Louie One Man Band has released several 7-inch records on various labels, and put out a full-length LP on Goner in 2004.

King Louie's Missing Monuments

In 2009, King Louie along with longtime friend and collaborator, revered lead guitarist Julien Fried formerly of Seattle, recruited drummer Aaron Hill and bassist Bennette Bartley to form the power pop group King Louie's Missing Monuments. Benny Divine (Wizzard Sleeve) later joined the band after Bartley's departure and the band changed their name to The Missing Monuments. Devine left the band and was replaced by Gary Mader (

Eyehategod Eyehategod (also abbreviated and referred to as EHG) is an American sludge metal band from New Orleans, Louisiana, who formed in 1988. They have become one of the better known bands to emerge from the NOLA metal scene. Their core lineup has r ...

). They have released two LP's and 4 singles/E.P.'s. They have toured the US and Europe. In February 2016 the band once again for the third time changed the name to reflect the latest lineup and ever changing sound to King Louie and The Missing Monuments. A new album BADFINDER is forthcoming with no set completion or release date.

Other bands

King Louie Bankston has played in a number of bands in the past 20 years. These bands include the Intelligenitals (1987), The Lame Ones (1988) The Clickems (1990–1991), Dirt Boys/Harahan Crack Combo (1991–1992) Gerry and the bastard Makers (1992–1994), Royal Pendletons (1991-1999/2003–2022), Christies Paddad Toilet Seat (1992), Sun of the Caesar (1994), Funny Boys (1995), The Persuaders (1996–1999), Bad Times (1998), Head Wounds (1999), King Louie One Man Band (1999–2022), 10-4 Backdoor (2000–2003), The Exploding Hearts (2002–2003), King Louie and the Loose Diamonds (2003–2022), Hot Dog (2004), Kajun SS (2004–2005), Kondor (2003–2022), Black Rose Band (2005–2022), Lonely Knights (2007–2022), Bipolaroid (2009-2013), Terry & Louie (2014-2022).

Death

Bankston died on February 12, 2022, aged 49.

Full discography

(1) King Louie the 69th & The Harahan Crack Combo "Little Girl"//"Jailbait" 7-inch single RECORDED 1992 (Goner Records, 1993) (2) Royal Pendletons "Smokin'"/"Sheep Suit"//"Losing Hand"/"Royal Blood, pt. II" 7-inch e.p. (Goner Records, 1994) (3) Royal Pendletons "Guitar Crusher" split 7-inch single w/ Krontjong Devils (Knobbler Records, 1996) (4) Royal Pendletons "Hot Rod Dissertation" on the Splitsville Confidential comp. 7-inch e.p. (Splitsville Records, 1997) (5) Royal Pendletons "No Teasin' Round"/"(I'm a) Sore Loser" on the Sore Losers soundtrack 2×LP (Sympathy, 1997) (6) Persuaders Rock Bottom 4-song 7-inch e.p. (Splitsville Records, 1997) (7) Oblivians uest vocals"King Louie Stomp" split 7-inch single w/ Two Bo's Maniacs (Hate Records, 1997) (8) Royal Pendletons "You Can Always Love Again"/"Keg Tapper"//"Hangin' on a String"/"Game of Love" 7-inch e.p. (Blood Red, 1997) (9) Royal Pendletons "Boo's Bash" on the Hot Rods to Hell II comp. LP (Blood Red, 1997) (10) Royal Pendletons // King Louie & The Lakeview Vikings "I Wanna Know"//"Mistreated" on the Blood Red Battle Royale comp. LP (Blood Red, 1998) (11) Royal Pendletons "(I'm a) Sore Loser"//"Boo's Bash" 7-inch single (Sympathy for the Record Industry, 1998) (12) Royal Pendletons Oh Yeah, Baby 14-song LP (Sympathy for the Record Industry, 1998) (13) Royal Pendletons // Persuaders "King Bee"//"Revenge" on the Shine On, Sweet Starlet soundtrack LP (Sympathy, 1998) (14) Persuaders "Van Ride"//"Dixie Buzzards"/"I'm a Fool" 7-inch e.p. (Royal Records, 1998) (15) Persuaders Persuaders 17-song LP (Savage Records, 1999) (16) King Louie One Man Band "She's a Big Big Bopper"/"One Man"//"Love Love Love" 7-inch e.p. (Solid Sex Lovie Doll, 2000) (17) King Louie One Man Band "Walkin' and a' Steppin' in the Fire"//"Walkin' with the Light" 7-inch single (Therapeutic Records, 2000) (18) Bad Times Bad Times 14-song LP (Goner/Therapeutic Records, 2001) (19) King Louie One Man Band King Louie One Man Band 14-song LP (Kryptonite/Savage Records, 2001/2002) (20) Exploding Hearts Guitar Romantic 11-song LP (Screaming Apple Records, 2002) (21) Persuaders "See My Reason"/"Fuck You, Mr. Roboto" split 7-inch e.p. w/ The Blacks (Rockin' Bones, 2003) (22) 10-4 Backdoor "I Fucked a Prostitute"/"Hot Box"//"Kick the Door Down"/"Bad Life" 7-inch e.p. (Solid Sex Lovie Doll, 2004) (23) King Louie One Man Band Chinese Crawfish 16-song LP (Goner Records, 2004) (24) Kajun SS Kajun SS aka Wop Bop Bam Bam 7-song, 1-sided 12-inch e.p. (Jeth-Row/Therapeutic Records, 2004) (25) Kajun SS "German Kajun"//"Automobile" 7-inch single (Die Slaughterhaus/Shattered Records, 2004/2005) (26) King Louie & The Loose Diamonds Memphis Treet 12-song LP (Empty Records, 2007) (27) Black Rose Band "Hot Box"//"Hoochie Poochie" 7-inch single (Contaminated Records, 2007) (28) Kajun SS Jazz Legends 7-inch single (Jeth-Row Records, 2007) (29) Exploding Hearts Shattered LP (Dirtnap Records, 2007) (30) Royal Pendletons "Double Shot of My Baby's Love"//"What a Way to Die" 7-inch single (Allons Records, 2008) (31) Royal Pendletons Nites Along the Mississippi 14-song LP (Allons Records, 2008) (32) Royal Pendletons "Tell Me" split 7-inch single w/ The Bo-Keys (Norton Records, 2008) (33) Guitar Lightnin' Lee & His Thunder Band armonicaCall Up the Band 2×7″ e.p. (Die Slaughterhaus, 2009) (34) Missing Monuments "Black Rainbow"//"Tailspin" 7-inch single (Douchemaster Records, 2010) (35) Brick War "Bonetrail"//"Silverado Sixpack"//"Deviled Oyster"//"Lonesome Shoes" 2×7″ e.p. (Savage Records, 2010) (36) BIPOLAROID "ILLUSION FIELDS" 10 song LP 2010 self-released/non label affiliation (37) MISSING MONUMENTS "PAINTED WHITE" lp 2011 Douchemaster Records (38) MISSING MONUMENTS "I'm Gonna Love You Back To Life" // "Bleed" // "Another Girl" 7" e.p. ( Hozac Records, 2012 ) (39) KONDOR "Tombstone Barstool" // "Girl In The Holler" ( Loosey Goosey Records, 2012 ) (40) QUINTRON & MISS PUSSYCAT " Live at Third Man Records 3-31-2012 " LIVE lp / Guest harmonica appearance (third man records) (41) CYCLOPS "Eye Can't Take It" EP: guest guitar and harmonica / (BATCHELOR Records) (42) MISSING MONUMENTS "BLAST!" EP / BLAST! / GHOST HIGHWAY / COVERED IN ICE / (SLOVENLY Records) (43) MISSING MONUMENTS S/T LP (DIRTNAP Records) (44) BILPOAROID "TWIN LANGUAGE" lp (GET HIP Records) (45) BIPOLAROID 7-inch 45 / SUPERNATURAL BEAUTY / BEAUTIFUL (IN THE MORNING) / (GET HIP Records)

References

External links

* Maher, Dave
Exploding Hearts' Bankston Cooks Up Memphis Treet , Pitchfork
"www.pitchforkmedia.com". Accessed June 28, 2008. * Tupica, Rich

"turnit-down.blogspot.com". October 15, 2007. Accessed June 28, 2008. * as Louie Bankston * as King Louie * as King Louie Bankston * {{DEFAULTSORT:Bankston, King Louie 1973 births 2022 deaths American indie rock musicians American punk rock musicians Garage punk musicians Musicians from Louisiana People from Harahan, Louisiana Goner Records artists