The Joe Kings was started by Jack Stirling and Phill Leggett, two energetic young lads with a passion for blues and rock music. Jack, an acoustic blues solo artist prior to meeting Phill, assumed the rhythm aspects of the duo playing rhythm guitar, harmonica, mandolin, piano and bass drum, to accompany his soulful vocals and Phill’s virtuoso lead guitar. They finished recording their debut EP in November 2009 which was favourably reviewed by X-press Magazine and was ‘local release of the week’ on RTR FM, where it has remained on high rotation ever since.

Needing a drummer and a bass player for the upcoming Southbound and West Coast Blues and Roots Festivals, they were recommended the much talked about, young, in-demand drummer, Ryan Brewer, who recruited good friend Riley Watson-Russell to complete the rhythm section. In late January 2010, they sold out the prestigious Fly By Night for their EP launch, an indication of the grassroots fan base they had developed in Fremantle, and in May 2010 they won the WAMI for ‘Favourite Newcomer’ having also been nominated for ‘Most Promising New Act’. With a national tour imminent, the future looks bright, if not busy for The Joe Kings; their much anticipated debut album, to be released in May 2011, is sure to catapult them to national success.