Louis Paul Bankston (December 18, 1972[1] – February 12, 2022), better known as King Louie, was an American rock and roll musician from New Orleans.
[3] King Louie helped found the Royal Pendletons in 1991 along with Michael Hurtt on guitar/vocals, J. Matthew Uhlman on guitar/vocals, and G. Thomas Oliver on organ.
The RP's were known to have over 100 songs and usually played from open to close at New Orleans venues Checkpoint Charlie's, Benny's and Barristers (Memphis).
[citation needed] King Louie Bankston formed the garage rock band, The Persuaders in 1996, along with Jason Panzer on guitar, and Shaggy on drums.
[5] In The Persuaders, Louie and Jason Panzer both sang and played Gibson Flying V guitars and were the first to use them visually with the crossed aerial logo.
The band recorded an album's worth of material after only one practice session in 1998, releasing a self-titled LP in 2001. the members returned to their respective solo commitments.
[7] Formed in 2003 as Rat Tail, in 2007, Empty Records released Memphis Treet by King Louie and the Loose Diamonds.
The Loose Diamonds are: King Louie Bankston (until 2022), Jack Oblivian (of the Oblivians, The Cool Jerks, and the Tennessee Tearjerkers), Harlan T. Bobo (Viva L'American Deathray Music), Adam Woodard (Tennessee Tearjerkers), and Chad Booth (Kajun SS).
[9] The King Louie One Man Band has released several 7-inch records on various labels, and put out a full-length LP on Goner in 2004.
These bands include the Intelligenitals (1987), The Lame Ones (1988) The Clickems (1990–1991), Dirt Boys/Harahan Crack Combo (1991–1992) Gerry and the bastard Makers (1992–1994), Royal Pendletons (1991-1999/2003–2022), Christies Paddad Toilet Seat (1992), Sun of the Caesar (1994), Funny Boys (1995), The Persuaders (1996–1999), Bad Times (1998), Head Wounds (1999), King Louie One Man Band (1999–2022), 10-4 Backdoor (2000–2003), The Exploding Hearts (2002–2003), King Louie and the Loose Diamonds (2003–2022), Hot Dog (2004), Kajun SS (2004–2005), Kondor (2003–2022), Black Rose Band (2005–2022), Lonely Knights (2007–2022), Bipolaroid (2009-2013), Terry & Louie (2014-2022).
(Blood Red, 1997) (9) Royal Pendletons "Boo's Bash" on the Hot Rods to Hell II comp.
w/ The Blacks (Rockin' Bones, 2003) (22) 10-4 Backdoor "I Fucked a Prostitute"/"Hot Box"//"Kick the Door Down"/"Bad Life" 7-inch e.p.
(Die Slaughterhaus, 2009) (34) Missing Monuments "Black Rainbow"//"Tailspin" 7-inch single (Douchemaster Records, 2010) (35) Brick War "Bonetrail"//"Silverado Sixpack"//"Deviled Oyster"//"Lonesome Shoes" 2×7″ e.p.