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Artscene By Tina Depko OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF · FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2009 29 The Kings still reign over local music scene Many people probably know the words to This Beat Goes On/Switchin' to Glide. Everyone was singing and dancing along to the song when it was a breakout hit in 1980. The mastermind behind the mega-single was Canadian band The Kings, which included three musicians who had gone to Oakville Trafalgar High School. Their name and faces were everywhere, with the musicians even making an appearance on Dick Clark's American Bandstand. Despite their talent and enthusiasm, like so many bands before them, The Kings were not immune to the fickle nature of the music business. While the single from their first album, The Kings Are Here, was an undisputed hit, their follow-up album, Amazon Beach, in 1981 did not fare as well, and the band was dropped from their label, Elektra Records. Although they never again achieved the level of fame they enjoyed in 1980, The Kings are still rocking today. The band has never broken up since they formed in the late 1970s. Two original members -- guitarist John Picard (Mister Zero) and lead singer David Diamond -- are still in the group. While the remaining two founding members, Sonny Keyes and Max Styles, are no longer playing with them, the relationship between the four musicians remains strong. Drummer Todd Reynolds and keyboardist Peter Nunn now round out the band, which meets for weekly rehearsals at Diamond's house in Burlington. The Kings have toured extensively over the years, but currently mainly play regular gigs at venues across Ontario. "People still gravitate towards us because the music is still good," said Picard. "We will always find new people to enjoy it. I think music is one of those things that has a timeless quality. If you put out something that is good, it will stand the test of time." The Kings have released several more albums over the years, with the latest, NIKKI WESLEY / OAKVILLE BEAVER LONG LIVE THE KINGS: John Picard (right to left), Todd Reynolds, David Diamond and Peter Nunn jam at last weekend's Ribfest in Burlington. Picard said the band still gets fan mail, even though their biggest hit took the airwaves by storm almost 30 years ago. Because of You, coming out in 2003. They also released Anthology One, which includes more than 60 songs that date back to the 1970s, available exclusively on iTunes. "We had all these tapes and they were starting to deteriorate, so I catalogued the old songs for our own sake and put them in the digital world," Picard said. "Some of them were good enough that people might actually want to hear them, so we put them out under that banner. There are people out there that do buy online. It is the modern way of getting music." Picard calculates The Kings have written more than 100 original songs, with originality being something the band is known for, over the years. The group is planning to release their new album next year through their own label, Dizzy Records. One possible title of the disc is The Longest Story Ever Told. "We've been rehearsing new songs and we probably have enough to make a new album," said Picard, who calls Oakville home. The Kings were included in a Canadian music history documentary that aired on CBC earlier this month. The title of the documentary -- This Beat Goes On -- was based on their hit single. The band recently released their own documentary, created through Dizzy Records. Anatomy of a One-Hit Wonder: The Kings This Beat Goes On/Switchin' to Glide took three years to create and features a 40-minute documentary that includes interviews with all four original members. The DVD also has more than 70 minutes of music, including music videos and obscure, never seen before live footage. Picard said he is proud of the project and is working towards having it aired on a Canadian television station. "The reaction (to the DVD) has been really great from friends and fans," said Picard. "What I think is good is that people find it funny, because I wanted it to be funny. With all the airplay we've had all over Canada and the United States, we knew there was people who would want to watch this." As Oakville is filled with young bands hoping to make it to the big time, Picard has words of wisdom to share with up-andcoming musicians. See New page 32 TRAFALGAR GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB Resident & Associate Memberships Available TRAFALGAR GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB! Join for 2010 & play the remainder of 2009 FOR 2010 If you love golf, you will love 905-878-2303 www.trafalgargolf.com GREAT DEALS 2010 Membership Sale: Sept. 1 - 25, 2009 · · · · 18 New Greens Family Oriented Practice Facilities No Capital Assessments Call 905-878-2303 or visit www.trafalgargolf.com