Bernie King and the Guilty Pleasures represent an original swinging take on Americana roots based music. Whether you are listening to them live or on their self-titled album you are bound to be energized by the bands upbeat blend of blues, bluegrass, and acoustic rockers. In a live setting, the bands impressive mix of Bernie King penned originals and diverse covers by the likes of Johnny Cash, David Bowie, Bob Dylan, or Chubby Checker are guaranteed to have the whole house rocking.

The lineup consists of Bernie King on vocal and rhythm guitar, John Kurtis on mandolin and lead guitar, Matt Smith on upright bass, and Julie King on washboard and snare drum. This acoustic configuration provides a perfect pallet for the band to create the swinging rhythmic signature that Bernie King and the Guilty Pleasures are known for. One that allows for everyone to find something new in a musical genre that fits like a pair of well worn shoes.

The band has been and continues to be featured in many Twin Cities main stay music venues such as Hells Kitchen, Amsterdam Bar and Hall, Palmers Bar, and The 331 Club. In a lead up to the release of their self-title CD the band has also extended their live performances to include in-studio sets on Twin Cities radio programs such as KFAIs long running House Party.

As word of the Bernie King and the Guilty Pleasures ability to appeal to a broad base of listeners continues to grow they have been performing on the same stages with notables such as Charlie Parr, The Brass Kings, The Hobo Nephews of Uncle Frank, and Tom Vandenavond. And on another exciting note the Bernie King penned song Unafraid was recently included in the John Waters narrated documentary movie Of Dolls and Murder.