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NAT KING KONG began life in 2000 when Dan Lancaster and David Bragassa, long-time Richmond musicians, agreed over green pea soup in the latter’s kitchen that it was time to play only the music they loved, and boo-hoo to whoever didn’t like it.
Richmond legends Buzzy Lawler and Jimmy Catlett signed on, eager to launch a musical juggernaut capable of playing almost anything recorded from the 1950’s onward. Dan agreed to play bass while the others played guitar. Dan asked erstwhile Big Bad Wolf bandmate Kim Haynie to sign on as the band’s drummer. Two songs into the very next rehearsal, it was evident to all parties that something had happened that was bigger than the sum of the parts. At Lawler’s suggestion, it was agreed that Nat King Kong was the only name that could attempt to approach the scope of the far-flung song list and the huge sound of the five piece band.
Gigs came and went. The cover tunes just weren’t enough for the hungry behemoth so Jim, Buzzy, and David brought some of their own songs in. KONG OF THE JANGLE, released on Glass Tube Records, is the result. While critically acclaimed, it didn’t seem to wow the Richmond clubgoers. It didn’t take long for reality to reign in the naive enthusiasm. The 200 pound fork in the road could no longer be ignored. Jim and Kim left the band to pursue the development of Jim’s considerable songwriting talent. Not long after, Buzzy split to devote his energies to Loose Gravel.
Dan and David, undaunted, still wanted to play everything they liked. But they now realized that there was a difference between playing for an audience and playing at them. They realized that the audience wants to have fun, too. Digging that it was the hits that drove them to music to start with, the duo decided to narrow the anything goes approach of the previous iteration of the band. Rock and Roll would rule, supported by Blues, Rhythm and Blues, Soul, and Country. Nods of the hat to other genres were permitted, but the focus would have to remain on the beats, the rhythms, and the lyrics that are universally appreciated.
The ubiquitous Buz King was tapped to man the drum kit and share the vocals. He shared the populist point of view held regarding the song list, and had chops to spare. You can see Buz with The Taters and Spectrum. With the band’s new embrace of Blues and Soul, Bill Campbell was the logical choice for bass player. Bill agreed, and brought his harps along with his bass guitar. Dan, originally a guitarist, went back to the six-string with glee. The classic line-up of two guitars, bass, and drums proved its worth after only a few songs into the next rehearsal.
The newest addition to the band is Billy Thompson. Time demands on Buz’s schedule necessitated a search for a full time percussionist. Fortunately Billy, who had played with Dan and David before in Big Bad Wolf, was ready and willing. After a couple of jam sessions and a few gigs it’s evident that the groove is thicker and deeper than ever.
Nat King Kong is now a leaner, tighter, more focused outfit. The boys play the familiar grooves from yesterday and today with energy and drive, a desire to please the dancer as well as the listener, and a rollicking sense of fun. The band’s code seems to be “If it’s not fun, it’s not worth doing; and if you’re not sweating, you’re not doing it right”.
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gassa -
ncaster - guitar, bass guitar, vocals. Dan likes well written, well played songs with a catchy hook. Throw in a key change during the middle eight and his eyes roll back up in his head. This is due to having seen the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan show that fateful night. Tuning in again and again for the Rolling Stones and the Dave Clark Five had equally far reaching and indelible effects. 
mpbell -
rums, vocals. Tried piano, violin and guitar before being mesmerized by Zeppelin’s John Bonham. After rediscovering how Charlie Watts kept the groove locked in, made “Keep the Groove” his mantra. Has been drumming for more than 35 years. (Not 24/7, but almost…) Growing up in a suburb of NYC, made playing in many different types of bands and doing session work his main gig. His address book reads like a whos-who of Percussionists. Recent influences include locals Bill Ryder and friend Carter Beauford of Dave Matthews fame. 
