Kings Of The Sun - Clifford Hoad

Clifford Hoad is best known for the international success of his band Kings Of The Sun in the mid to late 80’s. Clifford’s music has been praised worldwide and is acknowledged as one of Australia’s best drummers and showmen in the industry. He is the founding member of Kings Of The Sun. Clifford a highly experienced and sought after musician and has played with the best in the business and toured internationally supporting KISS, Guns N' Roses, Iron Maiden, Joe Satriani and Sammy Hagar. He has also shared stages with INXS, Jimmy Barnes, Rose Tattoo and The Angels (Angel City). Clifford has just released his 10th solid album called PLAYIN' TO THE HEAVENS 2017, following up on his groundbreaking 8th & 9th albums ROCK TIL YA DIE 2013 & RAZED ON ROCK 2016, uniquely playing double duty as lead vocalist and drummer. In 2010 Clifford Hoad began with the composition of songs for a new album and formation of a new Kings of the Sun lineup – this time without his younger brother Jeffrey, who at the time told Clifford that he had decided to leave behind his music career, leaving Clifford with the decision who would now sing lead vocals. In March 2013, Clifford Hoad entered a private studio, to record his latest compositions & took charge of the lead singing, as in the past singing as backing vocals on all previous albums and lead vocals on two tracks: “Shot Me an Arrow” & “I Wanna Rock.” Rock Til Ya Die was released on 5 September 2013 via band's website and is return to classic Australian rock sound. Neil Rogers of 3RRR FM Melbourne radio said on record twice that the album is: "The best hard rock record out of this country in the last 25 years." Australian online magazine Hot Metal heralded it as #1 album of the year 2013. On 6 June 2014, Kings of the Sun opened the 3rd day of the Sweden Rock Festival, the very same day that Black Sabbath was headlining. Kings of the Sun were amongst 3 bands which got the most votes from fans in a band competition and won a slot at the festival. Another New Album RAZED ON ROCK was released October 2016 Clifford locked in with his drumming expertise along with his melodies and riffs ripping through the air making it impossible not to rock with Clifford's signature sound. Still holding the torch for Australian rock n roll! Where it all begun... 14yrs young totally in love with his Drouyn drums! Playing at the Tallebudgera Fitness Camp Hall local dance. This was Clifford’s first band - a power trio called Liquid Space. Before spreading his wings and moving to Sydney Clifford spent his youth enjoying life on the Gold Coast, Queensland (Australia). Clifford formed his first band The Young Lions in Sydney in 1981. The band’s image comprised 50’s American style outfits. He recruited seasoned guitarist Bob Spencer (Finch, Skyhooks and The Angels) whom he had met in Brisbane in 1980 during the making of his Drouyn drum kit. Clifford then arranged for his younger brother Jeffrey Hoad who took lead vocals and guitar. In mid-80's, Clifford Hoad renamed his band Kings of The Sun after seeing the movie of the same name starring Yul Brynner on daytime television in Sydney's Tamarama, where the band resided. Early 1986, Kings of the Sun were signed to Mushroom label and recorded their first single “Bottom of my Heart” along with their new lead guitarist Ron Thiessen (Uncanny X-Men). The single made National Australia Top 20 and Kings of the Sun appeared on Countdown. One show left at the Sydney Cove Tavern in late 1986, before the band was to disband. Kings of the Sun got signed that night to RCA Records by Simon Lowe, A&R head of New York's label, who came to Australia for talent seeking visit. So in 1987 the Hoad brothers along with Anthony Ragg (Ron Thiessen left the band before it got signed) arrived in New York to start the work on their first LP. Band got under the wings of Mark Eichner, who was band's A&R representative with RCA for first 3 albums, and manager Freddy DeMann who also managed high-profile artists Michael Jackson and Madonna. The self-titled debut album Kings of the Sun released in October 1988 was produced by the legendary recording producer and engineer Eddie Kramer. Kramer, who has collaborated with several artists now in the Rock and Roll Hall of fame like Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, KISS, Carlos Santana or the Rolling Stones, offered himself to the band after listening to their demo tape.Single “Serpentine” placed at 19th position of the U.S. music charts and 48th of the Australian Music charts. Second single “Black Leather” made Billboard Hot 100 peaking at 98th position. Video clips for both singles were recorded. Black Leather was banned on MTV for being "too risqué". Kings of the Sun toured the USA supporting Joe Satriani, followed by Europe, where they opened for KISS on their Crazy Nights Tour. They also played at the Monsters of Rock 1988 in Modena, Italy. At the end of 1988 they returned to Australia to open for Guns N' Roses along with local heroes The Angels. Kings of the Sun's 2nd album “Full Frontal Attack” was released in 1990. First single from the album “Drop the Gun” placed at 30th position in the Billboard charts. In home Australia, Mushroom label released “I Get Lonely” as additional single. “Drop the Gun” stayed 10 weeks in the charts and got some solid airplay. “Full Frontal Attack” was also the last album to be released on vinyl by RCA Records. RCA Records was taken over by BMG. After the band was granted a third album by BMG, “Resurrection” was recorded in Los Angeles at A&M Studios and Paramount Studios. The Hoad brothers lived in Malibu Beach. Most bass guitar tracks were recorded by Englishman Phil Soussan (Ozzy Osbourne, Billy Idol) additional 2 tracks were recorded by American Brad Spurr who joined the band afterwards. This time, the Hoad brothers produced themselves, except two tracks co-produced by Mark Dearnley, who also mixed the record. Album was released in May 1993 in Australia only by Mushroom Records in print run of 1000 copies (nowadays, the original pressing is regarded as collector's item). The band subsequently returned from the States to their native Australia, where they shot videoclip to the 2nd single called “Road to Nowhere.” Videoclip features Clifford Hoad speeding in his Roadrunner muscle car, which a few years later had almost fatal impact on his life & career. As the 1st single was released “Trapped Inside Your Heart” in April of that year. Now as a trio, Kings of the Sun supported Jimmy Barnes on his Australian tour the very same year. After the touring, Brad Spurr went back home to the States and Kings of the Sun recruited Australian Dean Turner on bass with whom they recorded “Bombs Away” single in 1995. Clifford Hoad explains: "Recorded by Brett Johnson from Sea FM Radio in one night in 1995. With a classic heavy riff and a sing along anthem style lyric, denouncing the French President Chirac's decision to bomb test in the Pacific”. The accompanying video was shot with the help of Miami State High School, Gold Coast, Queensland. Single was released independently in limited volume and all proceeds went to the Gold Coast branch of the Australian Surfriders Foundation. Winter of 1997, band went to Terry Stevens' Studio One Sound Explosion and recorded an album called “Daddy Was a Hobo Man.” Clifford Hoad on the recording process: "OK… the thing is with this album, we did not set out to record this album with the same intention as the first three. This album, we wanted to record with no commercial pressure what so ever, also, at the time we wanted to record as a 3 piece and live in the studio, this is what you're hearing. The band playing live! Jeff's singing and playing at the same time, it's magnificent, 'cause this is what we sounded like on stage!!! Especially when we came back from the States as a 3 piece. This is why I love the album so much. No harmonies, no over dubs, just raw singing & playing, first & second takes only." Album remained shelved until 2011, when master tapes resurfaced and it finally got released independently. Kings of the Sun continued touring Australia in 1997-1998. In May 1998 they opened for Sammy Hagar, now as a quartet again, featuring young Chris Lewis on bass. This lineup played some new songs which have never been recorded in studio, but some live shows were bootlegged. Around this time, Clifford Hoad crashed his Roadrunner and completely wrote it off. After the touring, band went on hiatus. On 13 April 2001 Kings of the Sun reunited for a one-off gig, when they opened for KISS at Carrara Stadium in their hometown of Gold Coast, Queensland. This was the last Kings of the Sun gig. Not long after, brothers Clifford and Jeffrey Hoad returned to the scene under moniker The Rich & Famous – which allowed them to further explore their abilities as songwriters. Their self-titled & self-produced debut album was recorded. Clifford Hoad: "In the summer of 2002, Jeff and I went into the studio, hell bent on making a definitive classic pop rock album. This was an experimental journey, to places we had never ventured before musically. KINGS OF THE SUN ® is registered to Clifford Hoad. All rights to the name Kings Of The Sun are owned by Clifford Hoad. KINGS OF THE SUN ® Latest Album 2017 - out now www.kingsofthesunband.com http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kings_of_the_Sun_(band)