We are the Dark City Kings.
Music that says - love is punk.
Dark City Kings on Instagram
Our music is heartbreaking love songs, rowdy drunk sing-a-longs, and make-out songs for the dark end of the bar.
We use traditional instruments like fiddle - but our music references the smart art pop of The Cure, B-52s, Duran Duran, INXS.
We write songs every day, we practice together, we play live shows, and we record - most recently for the first time at the historic Asheville Citizen Studios with famed producer Kevin Moloney - Love Is Punk.
“'Love Is Punk' is a defiant declaration of love, a celebration of the human spirit, and a testament to the enduring power of punk rock.” Broken 8 Records
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“There is this common thread of playfulness, jollity, and intellectuality, too. It’s as if Irish music, pop, and rock all met in a classroom at Berkeley and decided to form a trio.” Jammerzine
We are happy to be a part of this rich mountain music community.
Based in Black Mountain, Dark City Kings started as a group of friends and musicians who were looking for a way to play live music together in 2020. We met and played outside on the Black Mountain Brewing balcony, crafting a mix of originals and covers. Our first album, Porch (2023), was written in those early brewery days. Since then, we’ve grown and changed our lineup, instrumentation, and sound. Our second album, Love Is Punk (2024), produced by Kevin Moloney and featuring violin, reflects our new direction.
“I’m compelled to say that Dark City Kings are not merely a band; they are a cultural movement. Their music is a clarion call for anyone who believes that love is not confined to quiet whispers but is a loud, defiant force that challenges norms and breaks barriers.” Indie Rock News
