A reasonably brief lifetime ago, South African musician John Kongos, a veteran of bands including Johnny and the G-Men and Floribunda Rosa, concocted an infectious hit single propelled by a blazing tribal beat while striking all the proper melodic Pop chords. “He’s Gonna Step On You Again,” pulled from Kongos’ 1971 surname-titled sophomore album, proved to be his only potent contribution to U.S. chart history; the song remains a staple of any self-respecting Classic Rock playlist.
Forty-three years later, the Kongos name is again associated with a drum-heavy, gold-certified hit, the footstomping, accordion-and-slide-guitar-infused “Come With Me Now.”
This time, the single-spawning album is Lunatic and the band’s name is Kongos, logical considering its members are John Kongos’ sons, Johnny, Jesse, Dylan and Daniel. The ubiquitously genre-hopping “Come With Me Now” is a radio hit in several formats and Lunatic, Kongos’ sophomore album, features a batch of equally catchy tracks with hit potential.
Lunatic was actually released in South Africa in 2012 (the band’s eponymous debut came out five years earlier) and was self-released in the U.S. last year; the resultant radio/TV placement buzz induced Epic Records to sign the brotherly quartet and reissue the album six months ago. Kongos were to tour with Kings of Leon, but when KoL’s drummer reportedly broke his ribs, the headliners cancelled a string of tour dates, including their Riverbend show. Kongos quickly booked a Bogart’s show after the cancellation announcement.
From father to sons, Kongos is no mere family name, it’s a sound that moves your feet and soul. Come with them now, indeed.
KONGOS play Bogart’s on Friday, Aug. 22. Tickets/more info here.
This article appears in Aug 13-19, 2014.
