By Colleen Sparks
Managing Editor
People can rock to tunes a local band plays while enjoying the now-cooler weather in a Chandler park later this month.
Kings for the People will perform at the next Sonoran Sunset Series concert at 6 p.m. Nov. 15 at Veterans Oasis Park, 4050 E. Chandler Heights Road.
People can bring blankets, folding chairs and food to the park to listen to the band play at the free event alongside the park’s five-acre lake. In case the weather makes it too difficult for the group to play outside, the concert will move to the park’s Environmental Education Center.
Kings for the People bass guitarist and back-up vocalist Sean Paulson, who is also a recreation coordinator for the City of Chandler, described the band’s music as “catchy pop-rock songs that are true to country/rock and roll roots.”
“We are a very eclectic group of musicians with influences in R&B, alternative rock, punk rock, folk and country,” Paulson said. “Put that in a blender and you’ve got Kings for the People!”
The band’s sound is driven by acoustic rhythm guitar, passionate vocals, groovy distorted electric lead guitar and a rhythm section playing sounds ranging from country to punk to Latin.
Kings for the People has been together since 2013 and has experienced many line-up changes. Its sound has evolved much over time, Paulson said.
“We started out as a small semi-acoustic folk type band and have evolved into a true blend of catchy rock tunes,” he said.
“The variety and catchiness of the music is infectious,” Paulson said. “We pride ourselves on having music that is well received from everyone young and old. We tend to play a lot of large festivals and events since our sound is so unique and spans multiple genres. Also, our lead singer, Jacob Morales, is unbelievably talented and often leaves audiences in awe.”
Most of the tunes the band plays will be its original songs, but it will play one or two cover songs.
Paulson said his favorite part about playing in the band in the Sonoran Sunset Series is “the venue itself.”
“It’s so neat to be playing on the edge of a lake in an amphitheater setting,” he said. “We have played the event annually since 2013 and always joke that we play so close to the lake that sooner or later one of us is going to fall in.
“The sheer beauty of the park along with the community and family-friendly feel make this one of our favorite venues to play. We look forward to it each and every year,” he added.
Dexter Belling, recreation coordinator 1 at Veterans Oasis Park, said “everybody always likes to hear from them.” The Sonoran Sunset Series is popular, drawing a couple-hundred people typically, Belling said.
“We have just a really nice venue where people can bring their blankets,” he said. “A lot of families have been bringing dinner with them. It’s just a real good family-friendly atmosphere. We have people dancing at almost every concert.”
The Sonoran Sunset Series provides shows from October through March and most of the bands are local.
The next show will be The Real Thing Band on Dec. 20. Information: chandleraz.gov/eec.
