Kings of Karma at The Whisky – Live Review

Kings Of Karma, The Whisky, West Hollywood, CA., May 6, 2026

On May 6th, Kings Of Karma took the stage at the Whisky-A-Go-Go for an explosive and soulful set. Frontman Chris Gates warmed up the crowd before the band launched full-force into a series of anthems off their latest album, Bite the Bullet. Composed of Gates, bassist and vocalist Joe Berry, lead guitarist Jacob Simon, drummer Christian Ruth and Josh Lomeli on the keys, Kings Of Karma are a celebratory and powerful bunch. Influenced by such legends as the Black Crowes and the Rolling Stones, the band nonetheless has cultivated an ambiance all their own: authentic and sincere, calling to mind rock ‘n’ roll’s solemn ancestry, yet not too self-serious that it forgets to be fun. It’s a tricky balancing act that Kings Of Karma has mastered beautifully: Aretha or Joplin by way of Faces, heartfelt blues sung through a wry, mischievous smile.

That winking sincerity was apparent at the Whisky from their opener, “Something I Can Use,” an epic, bluesy ballad wearing a colorful coat of hard-rock paint. Their setlist displayed a mastery of style and tone, yet remained admirably wide-ranging at the same time. The band swung from from the aching intensity of “Giving Cup” to the hard-rocking righteous fury of “The Tempest” without skipping a beat. A personal favorite was “Sugar Mama,” a playful ode to a certain kind of lady. All the while, frontman Gates kept a close watch on the crowd, keeping the energy high and the atmosphere welcoming. They closed with Bite the Bullet’s title track, a thunderous, cathartic that didn’t so much bring the curtain down as yank it from its hooks and tear it to glorious pieces.

The band was even generous enough to treat the crowd to a preview of their new single, “Again and Again,” coming May 29th. To say it’s one to look out for is an understatement; the single blends the high-octane showmanship of Aerosmith or Guns N’Roses at their best with the gyrating soul of old-school R&B. In other words, it’s a showcase of everything Kings Of Karma brings to the table: the intimate made grand, the sweltering heat of the Southern California desert from which the band was forged coexisting with the cool roar of the surf. Their set, crisp and smooth without sacrificing the edge and the bite, went down like…well, like good whisky.

(Review by Joaquin Waters – Photos by Scott Waters)

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