The Ultra Kings
Church of the Weak

I first caught a glimpse of the Ultra Kings and their retro brand of rockabilly at the Mobtown Greaseball several years ago.  Their ultra-hip, neo-billy forced me to invite them to the Rockabilly BBQ 06 for another night of hip-swinging rockabilly.  That is where I got a hold of their newest album, Church of the Weak.

From the first twag to the last clunk, Let’s Do It and Say We Did is an upbeat, sexed up ditty, where singer Rick Kuebler begs to change the wording of NO means NO.  This true 50’s meets the new millennium romp is a future classic.

  Church of the Weak is a bass driven masterpiece, with the mad Zoots Szmigiel behind the wheel.  It has a steady stream of doghouse crashing beats that rival a hard driving train running slightly ahead of schedule.  Kuebler’s clean-cut rockabilly guitar stylings really drives the traditional point home, while drummer Carl Von Ehst drives the last nail into the proverbial backbone.

  Church of the Weak opens its doors as a mid-tempo drinking tribute to those of us who visit the corner bars across America.  “There ain’t no preachers and there ain’t no sins,” Rick proclaims.  This bar hopping song let’s you know that it’s ok to visit your local fellowship establishment without feeling down.

Two Martinis and Spinning My Wheels are two of my favs where the Ultra Kings strut their stuff with self-depreciating euphemisms about drinking and going nowhere fast.  Two things that we all know too well.

  This album is a fabulous tribute to the good ol’ times and is a true, traditional rockabilly album that holds lots of frills.  It is dark, yet upbeat.  It’s lonely, yet energetic.  It’s classic, yet new.

By the time Afternoon in Paris arrives, I’m two beers and two cigarettes into the album and I’ve grown very fond of the laid back Ultra Kings vibe.  Paris keeps the tradition alive as it chases a red lipped, blacked haired, blue-eyed beauty around town.

Trailer Park Lolita, pulls into the church parking lot as a geared-downed love song to the white trash queens of America leaving a desolate, trailer park king without his ride to the bar. 

The Kings have a way with words, a way with traditional rockabilly and they had their way with me.  I feel dirty and violated, but I loved my visit to the Church and will be back every weak chance I get.

Pick up your copy of Church of the Weak at the King’s website www.UltraKings.com
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The Ultra Kings third release, and a must have.  by far the most diverse CD the boys have put out yet and one of my favorties.  If you like Rockabilly and American Made Rock and Roll, you have to add this to you collection...
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After weeks of listening to the Ultra Kings latest CD,
Church of the Weak, I would compare it to the likes of the
Frantic Flatops and the Legendary Shack Shakers.   Ricky
Kuebler's play on words in the title track are classic!
The traditional upright bass sounds from Zoots Szmigiel
and consistent steady drum beats from Carl Von Ehst bring
it all together.  You can tell  they are singing and
playing with smiles on their faces throughout the disc.
Filled with songs that make you laugh and feel good is the
best way to describe it.  A must have for this season's
summer backyard bar-b-q's! 
Mel Thiel, Development Director
and DJ 91.9 FM WNTI 
Public Radio
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