Billboard requires a JavaScript enabled browser to get the full experience

Shepherd Kings

Live Dates

No events scheduled.

Upcoming Releases

No upcoming releases.

Reviews

No recent reviews available.
Jason Elbogen, Jack Simpson, Johnny Breitzer, and Mike Kraus's Shepherd Kings started at Iowa's Grinnell College back in 1992, moved to Minneapolis, and had a five-year lifespan with a rotating cast of lame wavers including Julie Rowe, Sarah Quimby, Laura Waxman, Chris Valenty, Lisa Goldman, Mary Walz, and Heather Spear. They didn't own much of their own musical equipment, got fined every time they played, and were once even warned by the college president herself. Beat Happening fans descended from the Velvet Underground art rock lineage, the Shepherd Kings played some great indie noise, X-Ray Spex- and Pixies-style punk, and insane throwaways reminiscent of early Beck tapes like Golden Feelings. Their sound spans the gap between space jams and country, video game jingles, and punk. Jason Elbogen alternatively screams, yelps, shouts, and even sings. The Shepherd Kings recorded anywhere and everywhere on people's stereos, whatever four tracks they could get their hands on, and in the studio. In 1997, they released Rome Wasn't Built, a 39-track collection of their music from 1992-1996. ~ Charles Spano, All Music Guide

Connect with

More Features

All features

All of Billboard.com's Great Lists

Billboard chart app

Billboard archives

Thanks For Joining Billboard

Log in to create your profile, speak your mind and connect with listeners like you.

Why Join ?

Don't just hear it. Live it. Go deeper than a casual listen: Voice your feelings, build a profile around your favorite music, connect with people who share your passions and discover new ones. Sign up for free.

Complete Your Registration at Billboard.com!

Haven't Joined Yet ?

For the full Billboard experience, you need to be a member. Sign up. It's free.

Join Billboard

Forgot your password?

Enter the e-mail address you used to sign up and we will email you the password .

Email Sent !

Your password has been sent to the email address you provided. Please sign in below :

Log In

Forget your password ?

Action Successful

We'd love to hear your feedback on the new Billboard.com!

Whether it's a feature request or a bug

We want to hear from you. Please use this form to anonymously give us your input.