In a newly uncovered video, Common Kings put their unique spin on the Gnarls Barkley classic “Crazy.”
Recorded in 2018, the performance was part of an intimate series of backyard sessions hosted by The Pier. For years it had been lost within our archives, only to be rediscovered recently.
The cover stays true to the original, while still allowing Common Kings to showcase their distinctive style. Frontman Jr. King delivers soulful, pitch perfect vocals, while guitarist Mata and Uncle Lui set the vibe with a funky melody. In the absence of a drum kit, drummer Big Rome pounds out the beats on a cajon.
The performance also offers a glimpse of Common Kings in a surprisingly casual setting. Most fans are only used to seeing the group play to thousands of people, but here they’re seen in a totally laid back atmosphere – no lights, no backdrop, not even a stage, just incredible talent and a palpable joy for music.
According to setlist.fm, Common Kings have never officially performed “Crazy” in concert, making the footage below even more exclusive.
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Common Kings will be playing throughout the summer, with shows scheduled across America. The band also has a handful of festival gigs lined up, including Midnight Sun Music Fest in Fairbanks, Alaska, and appearances at the San Diego, Sacramento and Tacoma editions of the Holo Holo Music festival.
The band’s most recent album, Celebration, was released in 2023. They’re also no strangers to reinterpreting other artists’ material, having covered Sublime, Panic at the Disco and Dr. Dre in the past.
