Biography

July for Kings are a melodic post-grunge and alternative pop/rock outfit that formed in southwestern Ohio in the late 90’s.Within a few short years the band had released several independent albums and amassed a large following in the Cincinnati, Ohio area. July For Kings ultimately signed with MCA Records and had several songs on radio stations across the country. The band toured frequently performing with bands including Collective Soul, Counting Crows and Muse. July for Kings were dropped from MCA upon the label’s dissolution in 2003. Despite this, the band moved ahead with Hedges at the helm releasing several independent albums and enduring several line-up changes including a stint with Amos Heller on bass, who now plays with Taylor Swift. In 2015 July For Kings released their most recent album Middletown, a return to JFK’s signature sound, complete with crushing distorted guitars, melodic hooks and vignettes of midwestern life. Guitarist/recording engineer John McGuire oversaw the completion and mixing of the record as executive producer, bringing in two Los Angeles-based mixing engineers Michael James (L7, Hole, Jane's Addiction) and Paul Pavao (Breaking Bad, Marilyn Manson). The ballad "Kite" features original JFK member T Miller on cello. Fortunately for July For Kings, the grunge rock zeitgeist seems not to have totally disappeared; the guitar heavy sound of Middletown, grounded by Hedges’ thoughtful and personal lyrics, remains surprisingly potent.