The Killingtons

The Killingtons were a power-pop and punk rock band from Long Beach, California, formed in 1995 from the ashes of three bands in the local scene - Emission, Cambria, and Treadwell. The group was built around vocalist and guitarist James Killington alongside bassist Chris Muench and drummer Daniel Hennessy. Rooted in the Southern California punk tradition but more melodic and emotionally direct than many of their peers, the band blended simple sounds with complex emotion set to a faster beat - a sound one reviewer described as rock that overshadowed the pop-punk fads of the era with genuine hooks and feeling. They placed songs on compilations, released the American Made EP in 1999, and followed it with their self-titled full-length album in 2000. The band went through several lineup changes across their decade-long run, at various times adding a second guitarist and keyboards to expand their sound. Despite the instability they shared stages with At the Drive-In, Jimmy Eat World, the Get Up Kids, New Found Glory, Reel Big Fish, and No Knife, and played the Lollapalooza festival. Reviewers consistently praised their melodic sensibility and live energy. The band disbanded in 2005 with James Killington as the sole original member remaining by the end.