Future Kings of Spain

Alternative rock four-piece Future Kings of Spain, in spite of their misleading title, formed in Dublin, Ireland, in 2000. Their eclectic, though not groundbreaking, style ranges from secure, cathartic indie pop to virulent hardcore punk, taking in shades of noise experts Sonic Youth and Jesus Lizard as well as grunge forerunners Dinosaur Jr. and Pixies. Their cultivation of the best of '80s alternative made them critics' darlings in their home country and they garnered a healthy following in the difficult to reach foreign markets, but contract wrangling has limited their output to just two full-length albums since their formation. Bassist Aaron Hegarty (not to be confused with the Antony and the Johnsons frontman) and drummer Bryan McMahon grew up together in Dublin, meeting guitarist Joey Wilson at age 19. Several years later, the three came to form the core of a band under the moniker Medium Wave. Having tried out a succession of singers and guitarists, they finally reverted to a power trio in 1999, with lyricist and chief songwriter Wilson assuming singing duties by default, having realized nobody but himself could properly vocalize the meaning behind his music. Medium Wave spent eight solid months refining their sound in a rehearsal space in an old Georgian building in Dublin, and in February 2000 renamed themselves Future Kings of Spain. Their first gig was as eye-catching as their unusual name: that December, they supported former Dinosaur Jr. figurehead J Mascis + the Fog in Dublin's Temple Bar. Support slots with JJ72 and the Fall, as well as a short stint in L.A., further boosted their profile in the year that followed. Soon to be labelmates Ten Speed Racer tipped London's Red Flag Records off to the band's rising star, and the former group's Joe Chester...