Driven by formative, familial experiences on their Arkansas plantation, born in Texas, and raised on the beach in southern California, brothers Scott and Joel Owen play the music of the American South with equal parts rock, gospel, country and pop. Their inspiration comes greatly from the melodic sensibility and purpose of the Staple Singers and Bob Marley atop the brilliant musical expanse of the Beatles. An early exposure to Southern black churches during their childhood fostered a deeper lyrical significance.
“Our songs come from the context of the people we love, the things we love and hate, and the experience that comes from all of it,” explains Scott. “Like anybody else, we write what we’re into and if we’re lucky, other people get it.” “The sound reflects back to the roots of American music we grew up on but adds a more
contemporary edge that those particular early styles lacked to my child ears,” adds Joel. “And we don’t sing about getting drunk and laid – so we probably won’t relate to the fan looking for that sort of immediacy. I’d like to think the music we’re playing has a longer shelf-life than that.”
Clearly, PawnShop kings’ musical identity defies easy description – and not only because of the amalgamation of styles. The lowercase “k” in the band’s name suggests a church-borne intentionality that keeps the brothers as friends and from straying too far from faith and family. “We love that pawn shops give people a second chance whether or not they use it,” remarks Scott. “Our music and the ability to build upon the gospel roots of our childhood plays as our voice to that spirit of reinvention.”
PawnShop kings released the short film/live CD, “brother’s keeper” in August of 2008. Their debut album “Locksley” is available online and at shows. They are currently in studio finishing their next 2 EPs. For more information, go to www.myspace.com/pawnshopkings, or contact [email protected].
The concert, the culmination of the School of Rock day camp hosted by Grace First, will be held on Friday, July 3, at 7:30 p.m., in the sanctuary of Grace First Presbyterian Church, at 3955 Studebaker Rd. at the corner of Los Coyotes Diagonal and Studebaker in Long Beach. Tickets for the concert, available at the door only, will be $10.
For more information about the Grace First Concert Series or the School of Rock High School music camp, please contact Stan DeWitt, Minister of Music, at 562-420-3393.