The Freaks' sound was a combination of folk and rock, and drew heavily from the blues and primitive Americana music. Their lyrics focused on race, religion, and life in the South, although Harvey was also adept at writing about more personal topics (the lack of success of independent bands, his sex life) using rich metaphors from these former topics, so that many of their songs could be interpreted in two entirely different ways. Bryan's obsession with southern gothic issues influenced his song writing. These sentiments can be heard in such songs as "White Folk's Blood", "Family Tree" and "Big Houses" from the album "Tantilla".
Harvey and Hott moved to Los Angeles for the release of the band's first album, Monkey on a Chain Gang, which received considerable critical acclaim. However, unsatisfied with life in L.A., they moved back east, where they recorded their subsequent albums and faded from the public spotlight. Fans of the band universally consider Cakewalk and Tantilla to be the Freaks's best work.
On March 13, 1988, House of Freaks performed at the legendary Fillmore Auditorium in San Francisco, California with The 77s and The Alarm. Audience members included Neil Young.
After the band's breakup, Harvey and Hott joined a Paisley Underground supergroup called Gutterball, headed by Steve Wynn, formerly of Dream Syndicate and also featuring Stephen McCarthy of The Long Ryders and Bob Rupe of The Silos. The group released two albums, Gutterball (1993) and Weasel (1995). Harvey co-wrote many songs on each.
Hott later joined the band Cracker. Harvey has guested on a number of other artists' albums, including September 67's Lucky Shoe, two albums by Shannon Worrell (formerly of September 67), and Magnet's Shark Bait. Both Harvey and Hott assisted Mark Linkous on the debut Sparklehorse record. Bryan Harvey played in a funk band, NRG Krysys, in Richmond, Virginia with Coby Batty of The Fugs. Johnny Hott has a jazz combo with Stephen McCarthy.
On January 1st, 2006, Bryan Harvey, his wife Kathryn, and their daughters Stella and Ruby were found murdered in the basement of their Richmond home.
King Of Kings
House of Freaks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Drive your engine
Sail me down the rivers of delight
Won't you turn on your lamp of beauty
I wanna see you crucified tonite
Speak to me on the Tower of Babel
Whisper words that only I can understand
And send me off into the promise land
I wanna hear the voices of Sirens
I wanna taste the blood of your King
I wanna see your idols in the cloister
And kiss your diamond ring
'Cause I'm the King of Kings
Thread on me in the Garden of Eden
Watch my snake crawl up your apple tree
Carve your name into my ivory hammer
Then take my hand and walk across the sea
I wanna see you lie across the alter
I wanna see the demonin you eyes
I wanna see the * *
And see the sacrifice
Raise my arc
And part your waters
Judas kisses in the candelight
Stay with me from "mountains"?
I wanna see a miracle tonite
The lyrics of "King of Kings" by House of Freaks are full of Biblical references, allegories, and metaphors. The singer of the song is addressing a lover who has otherworldly qualities and inviting her to take him on a journey of spiritual awakening. The first verse opens with a call to action to the lover to "blow" her "whistle" and "drive" her "engine," which can be interpreted as a metaphor for the lover's power to guide the singer towards transcendence. He implores her to take him down the "rivers of delight," which may symbolize the journey of the soul towards enlightenment. The singer's desire to see the lover "crucified" can be seen as a desire to see her relinquish her ego and sacrifice herself to a higher power.
The second verse continues with the Biblical imagery as the singer asks the lover to speak to him on the "Tower of Babel," where he can hear her words in a way that only he can understand. He wants to be consumed by the lover's "glorious obsession" and sent off into the "promise land," which is a place of ultimate fulfillment and happiness. The singer's desire to hear the voices of the "Sirens" and "taste the blood of your King" can be interpreted as an invitation to experience the divine feminine and masculine energies. The final verse invokes the story of Eden as the singer asks the lover to "thread on" him in the "Garden of Eden" and carve her name into his "ivory hammer." He wants to see the "demon in your eyes" and the "sacrifice" because he believes that is the only way to attain transcendence.
Line by Line Meaning
Blow your whistle
Give me a sign, catch my attention
Drive your engine
Take control and lead me on this journey
Sail me down the rivers of delight
Take me on a journey full of happiness and pleasure
Won't you turn on your lamp of beauty
Let your beauty shine upon me and show me your true self
I wanna see you crucified tonite
I want to witness your vulnerability, to be able to relate to you
Speak to me on the Tower of Babel
Communicate with me in a way only we can comprehend
Whisper words that only I can understand
Share secrets with me that you keep from others
Look at me with glorious obsession
Have an affection towards me that is all-consuming
And send me off into the promise land
Give me hope; show me a future full of possibilities
I wanna hear the voices of Sirens
I want to experience something dangerous and alluring
I wanna taste the blood of your King
I want to experience what you hold the most dear, even if it means causing pain
I wanna see your idols in the cloister
I want to experience your beliefs and traditions, even if they are different from mine
And kiss your diamond ring
I want to express my devotion to you
'Cause I'm the King of Kings
I am confident in my ability to take charge
Thread on me in the Garden of Eden
Come to me in a tempting and provocative manner
Watch my snake crawl up your apple tree
Witness my seduction as it unfolds
Carve your name into my ivory hammer
Leave your mark on me, become a permanent part of my identity
Then take my hand and walk across the sea
Stay with me even if it means venturing into the unknown
I wanna see you lie across the altar
I want to experience a deep, intimate connection with you
I wanna see the demon in your eyes
I want to witness your innermost fear and darkness
I wanna see the * *
I want to witness the ultimate expression of devotion
And see the sacrifice
I want to experience the ultimate act of giving up your most valued possession
Raise my arc
Elevate me to greatness
And part your waters
Clear the path for me, make it easy for me to accomplish my goals
Judas kisses in the candelight
Even though there is betrayal involved, I still crave intimacy and affection
Stay with me from 'mountains'?
Be with me through the highs and lows of life
I wanna see a miracle tonite
I want to experience something truly awe-inspiring
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Y, COREY WOODS, KEJUAN WALIEK MUCHITA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ingar Grev
Thanks for posting this - one of my favorite bands from the late 80s. First heard them when they opened for The Bangles at the Naval Academy and I was hooked.
Tracey Wells
I’ve been thinking of King of Kings since 1989– I lost track of this band and suddenly recalled this song tonight. 😎
MAMA'S CAFE BACI
I also heard them open for the Bangles, they had an original sound . great memories.