This week’s local-music spotlight features Corey Bing and Bahb Branca, the key members of the massive all-star metal project King Travolta. When the two Medina lads aren’t composing harsh odes to dope and the devil, their idea of a good time is shooting holes in their records and blowing stuff up. (And we say that without judgment.)
The duo have done time in local brute-squads Rue and Sloth, but the prolific Bing is now the nexus of six bands that play variations of sludge-metal (imagine Black Sabbath, but way faster or slower). In increasing order of abrasiveness, his current rap sheet includes:
King Travolta
Son of Jor-El Fistula Ultralord Scumchrist Accept Death Mixed by Billy Anderson (High on Fire, Mr. Bungle), the King Travolta disc features members of Alabama Thunderpussy, Bloodlet, Rue, Diehard, Ultralord, and Bongzilla.
Bing and Branca have also released more records this year (eight) than they’ve played shows (two). Scatted all over the country, King Travolta’s members can’t play to promote the disc. But Branca says he’d rather record in a basement than play in a club, anyway.
“It’s all about recording,” says Bahb. “We’ve paid our dues, and we’ve toured. But shows last one night. Guys get high on the smoke and the lights, and they need it. It’s a waste of your time. Recordings last forever.”
This week’s Scenedidn’t have room for King Travolta’s full lineup. But the SceneMusic Department hereby presents the 17 strapping young lads who call themselves the King Travolta Kill Fuck Metal Players’ Club:
Scott Angelacos, vocals (Hope and Suicide, Bloodlet). Florida.
Charlie Beasley, vocals (Mugwart, Lunch), Virginia.
Bahb Branca, bass (Fistula, Ultralord, King Travolta), Ohio.
Corey “King Travolta” Bing, vocals/guitar/drums
(Fistula, Scumchrist, Ultralord, Accept Death), Ohio.
Mike Burns, guitar (Rue), Ohio.
Jason Corley, drums (16, Scumchrist, Trenchant, Maxmillion)\, California.
C.T., vocals (Rwake, Son of Jor-El), Arkansas.
Brian Daniloski, vocals (Meatjack, Darsombra, Trephine), Maryland.
Jeff Fahl, vocals (Rue), Ohio.
Benn Hogg, vocals (Beaten Back To Pure, Bird of Prey), Virginia.
Erik Larson, vocals (Alabama Thunderpussy, Bird of Prey, Kilara), Virginia.
Tyson Montrucchio, vocals (Scumchrist, Downspell), California
Robert, vocals (100,000 Leagues Under My Nutsack, Necrodamus), Ohio.
Matt Rositano, bass (Scumchrist, Accept Death, Hemdale), Ohio.
Brandon Smith, vocals (Deadman Circus), Arkansas
Scott Stearns, guitars, wizard stick, bass, wizard Solos (Ultralord, Die Hard, Scumchrist, Accept Death), Ohio.
Jamie Walters, vocals, guitar (Boulder, Midnight), Ohio.
Phil White, vocals (God’s Iron Tooth), California.
Mike Zilla, vocals (Bongzilla, Tsuki), Wisconsin.
They don’t call it sludge because you can dance to it. –D.X. Ferris

This article appears in Oct 11-17, 2006.