Third Coast Kings

Playing funk, soul, and R&B in the classic style of the 1960s and ‘70s, the Third Coast Kings are a Michigan-based octet who have won an international following for their groove-intensive sound. Formed in 2008, the Third Coast Kings feature Andy Filisko on guitar, Nate Ayers on bass, James "Gemstone" Keovongsak on drums, Ryan Dolan on trumpet, Terry Kimura on trombone, Alec Cooper on tenor sax, and Brian Einstein Lassiter on alto and baritone sax. Initially, the group also included lead vocalist Michelle "The Belle" Camilleri, and after extensive live work throughout Michigan and the Midwest, the Kings developed a reputation as one of the state's leading exponents of classic soul and funk. In 2009, the band recorded an album, Heavyweight Funk!, which they released themselves. Word of the Third Coast Kings' live prowess and their debut album traveled to Italy and the offices of Record Kicks, a label specializing in new bands playing old-school R&B. The label was sufficiently impressed to offer the band a record deal, and their single "Give Me Your Love" b/w "Tonic Stride" was released by Record Kicks in April 2010. While Camilleri appeared on the single, later in 2010 Sean Ike, a former member of Michigan soul revivalists the Elevations, took over as the group's lead singer. More live gigs followed, and a seven-song EP from the band, simply called Third Coast Kings, was slated for release in April 2011.