Voodoo Kings
Band Story
Voodoo Kings: Fuel-Injected Americana with a Funked-Up Twist
Strap in, crank the dial, and let the Voodoo Kings take you on a high-octane joyride through the backroads of American music. This Chicago-based powerhouse delivers a genre-bending hybrid they call “American Roots Music painted with the colors of the blues and dipped in funk.” And believe it—they mean every word.
Led by the firebrand Michael Kranicke on lead vocals and electric guitar, the Voodoo Kings are a six-man rhythm machine fueled by groove, grit, and unapologetic soul. Doug Iha (bass), Rick Deja (sax), Xazavian Valladay (drums), Chris Gould (keyboards), and Andy Strode (trombone) form the molten core of a band that doesn’t just play music—they ignite it.
Their sound is rich, rootsy, and undeniably infectious. Think the swagger of the Stones on a Southern detour, the punch of Tower of Power funk, and the storytelling soul of the Allman Brothers, all fused into a raw, live-wire experience. The result? A musical hotrod that runs on high-voltage performances and a relentless backbeat that steamrolls audiences coast to coast.
From Chicago to Cleveland, from the smoky intimacy of legendary clubs like House of Blues, The Note, Czars 505, and RIBCO, to the open-air buzz of outdoor festivals, the Voodoo Kings have built a grassroots army of sweaty, loyal fans who show up ready to dance, shout, and testify. No matter the size of the venue, their live show delivers pure, unfiltered adrenaline—and leaves crowds hungry for more.
The band’s rising profile has been amplified by television features on WGN-TV Chicago, Metromix/CLTV, and ABC's 190 North, while digital airwaves via internet radio stations have taken their sound global. The Voodoo Kings aren’t just regional favorites—they’re musical evangelists, spreading their funk-laced gospel one fiery performance at a time.
Their third studio album, American Lights, is the band’s most fully realized work to date. It captures the evolution of a group that’s mastered their craft and found their voice. From the city-street swagger of the title track to the swampy seduction of “Animal” and the Mardi Gras mayhem of “Funked Up,” the record serves as a musical road map of the American soul—each track a pit stop packed with flavor, fire, and feeling.
This is more than music—it’s a movement. And the Voodoo Kings are at the wheel, pedal to the metal.
Strap in, crank the dial, and let the Voodoo Kings take you on a high-octane joyride through the backroads of American music. This Chicago-based powerhouse delivers a genre-bending hybrid they call “American Roots Music painted with the colors of the blues and dipped in funk.” And believe it—they mean every word.
Led by the firebrand Michael Kranicke on lead vocals and electric guitar, the Voodoo Kings are a six-man rhythm machine fueled by groove, grit, and unapologetic soul. Doug Iha (bass), Rick Deja (sax), Xazavian Valladay (drums), Chris Gould (keyboards), and Andy Strode (trombone) form the molten core of a band that doesn’t just play music—they ignite it.
Their sound is rich, rootsy, and undeniably infectious. Think the swagger of the Stones on a Southern detour, the punch of Tower of Power funk, and the storytelling soul of the Allman Brothers, all fused into a raw, live-wire experience. The result? A musical hotrod that runs on high-voltage performances and a relentless backbeat that steamrolls audiences coast to coast.
From Chicago to Cleveland, from the smoky intimacy of legendary clubs like House of Blues, The Note, Czars 505, and RIBCO, to the open-air buzz of outdoor festivals, the Voodoo Kings have built a grassroots army of sweaty, loyal fans who show up ready to dance, shout, and testify. No matter the size of the venue, their live show delivers pure, unfiltered adrenaline—and leaves crowds hungry for more.
The band’s rising profile has been amplified by television features on WGN-TV Chicago, Metromix/CLTV, and ABC's 190 North, while digital airwaves via internet radio stations have taken their sound global. The Voodoo Kings aren’t just regional favorites—they’re musical evangelists, spreading their funk-laced gospel one fiery performance at a time.
Their third studio album, American Lights, is the band’s most fully realized work to date. It captures the evolution of a group that’s mastered their craft and found their voice. From the city-street swagger of the title track to the swampy seduction of “Animal” and the Mardi Gras mayhem of “Funked Up,” the record serves as a musical road map of the American soul—each track a pit stop packed with flavor, fire, and feeling.
This is more than music—it’s a movement. And the Voodoo Kings are at the wheel, pedal to the metal.
Band Members
Michael Kranicke – Lead Vocals, Electric Guitar, Doug Iha – Bass, Rick Deja – Saxophone, Xazavian Valladay – Drums, Chris Gould – Keyboards, Andy Strode – Trombone
Michael Kranicke – Lead Vocals, Electric Guitar, Doug Iha – Bass, Rick Deja – Saxophone, Xazavian Valladay – Drums, Chris Gould – Keyboards, Andy Strode – Trombone
Location: AMERICA NORTH: USA: Illinois (IL)
Genre: Rock