See the cut to download King Bee's Howl EP.
Back in January, local blues rock crew King Bee was partway through recording its fourth album and set to hit the road for a full national tour. But then founding member and lead singer Angel Suarez suddenly quit.
"Angel felt like he couldn't handle the workload that's coming our way," bass player Jaime Abigantus explained in an interview with Crossfade. "Now we're going to become a real band on the real road in the real world. His dream come true became his worst nightmare."
After years of slogging though the South Florida club scene and painstakingly building its rep, King Bee had reached a breakthrough moment, only to watch Suarez walk away, and see all progress slow to grinding halt. It was disheartening.
But immediately, the band began its search for a replacement. "We have songs, music, a full touring schedule, a studio, lyrics," Abigantus said. "We just need a guy to sing 'em ... We're looking for a guy who can sing songs, who's not into wearing tight clothes and skinny jeans," he joked.
Ultimately, it took a few months, but King Bee eventually found an appropriately anti-metrosexual singer. His name is Vic Kingsley. He doesn't wear ill-fitting pants. He's got a nice full beard. And any SoFla music observer will know him for his solo work, collaborations with Fernando Perdomo, and even his activism on behalf of Neil Young's Bridge School.
"I had just moved back to Miami and was looking to start a group, so I texted Jaime at around 3 a.m. and just asked him if I can audition, the rest happened pretty quickly," Kingsley explained in the band's official announcement. "For me, I felt and feel as if I joined the best band in town."
Download: King Bee's Howl EP
King Bee with the Auctioneers. Saturday, May 7. The Stage, 170 NE 38th St., Miami. The show begins at 10 p.m. Call 305-576-9577 or visit thestagemiami.com.
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