05/09/2025
THANK YOU Ian Davies International Music Journalist and Stargazer Music Magazine for the amazing review on KINGS COUNTY and their new single and video for, "The Beautiful People"!
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KINGS COUNTY are rewriting the rules of modern Rock with unapologetic energy and a flair for reinvention. Now based in Orlando, this quartet melds razor-sharp riffs with sweeping melodies, drawing on an eclectic set of influences – everything from Arena-Rock Legends to unexpected left-field inspirations. Their sound is fierce, modern Hard Rock laced with hook-driven precision and an unapologetic edge.
Frontman and bassist Rob Dexter leads the charge alongside guitarists Steve Bell and Bill Kania, with Joe Lopez behind the kit – a lineup forged in grit and honed through years of sonic experimentation. Their cover of New Order’s “Blue Monday,” featured here in April 2024, doesn’t simply pay tribute – it redefines. With scorched-earth guitars and visceral vocals, it’s a bold, full-throttle reinvention that signals their refusal to play it safe.
Beyond the amps and adrenaline, the band’s history runs deep. Rob and Bill once served as part of the live act for illusionist Criss Angel, bringing a theatrical flair to their already commanding presence. While the band traces its origins to New York, Joe – the lone Floridian – adds his own flavour to the mix, injecting a southern pulse into their northern-born sound.
Now, the boys have turned their attention to a stone-cold '90s anthem – Marilyn Manson’s “The Beautiful People,” featured below. Their version doesn’t just rework the track – it thrusts it into the present day, amping up the intensity while preserving the raw DNA that made it iconic. The result is a brutal, cinematic statement backed by a jaw-dropping visual, helmed by acclaimed director Jon Vulpine, with whom they’ve now collaborated on five standout videos.
In a recent interview with Rob, I asked him about the song choice and how it came to be, he told me:
"We've always been fans of Shock Rock even going back to the days of Alice Cooper and all of his antics. Marilyn Manson was just an extension of this except he rose out of the 1990's. In the end, it really comes down to the song. 'The Beautiful People' has this raw tribal feel to it that was quite infectious. Our whole idea was to throw on some modern ripping guitars and some great screams, and there ya go, the making of a great remake."
And that brings me nicely to the featured single "The Beautiful People."
This track is a fierce, full-throttle reinvention that channels the track’s original aggression through a fresh Hard Rock lens. The band amplifies its themes of societal decay and power dynamics with thunderous drums, shredding guitars and searing vocals, adding a sharpened edge to Marilyn Manson’s already abrasive classic. It’s not just a tribute—it’s a transformation, bringing raw urgency and a modern bite. In all, this is a version that demands attention and refuses to pull any punches.
As they continue to write, record, and tour, KINGS COUNTY show no sign of slowing down. The mission is simple: deliver Rock that resonates, visuals that mesmerise, and performances that leave a lasting mark. For this band, the stage isn’t just a platform – it’s a proving ground, and every show is a challenge to outdo the last.
To close, this single won’t gather dust in any collection, and will keep heads bouncing and feet tapping from sofa to stage. So why not clear a space, and give KINGS COUNTY a try for 2025.
Ian Davies International Music Journalist – Stargazer Music Magazine.
Star Rating – 10/10
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VIDEO: https://youtu.be/5CvT_E2HDJw
SINGLE: https://open.spotify.com/album/2dnJro2TcOeYxXMIXSResk
KINGS COUNTY was brought to Stargazer Music Magazine by Gina Juliano of Unleashed Music, Los Angeles, California.
