King David's Knights hits the Uptown Lounge stage on Saturday.

Daniel King still has a tough time getting on stage with the other members of King David’s Knights. Guitarist/vocalist Daniel formed the band after his brother, David, was killed in a car accident on July 19, 2007. King David’s Knights will perform this Saturday at the Uptown Lounge and Daniel intends to keep hitting the stage for his brother despite how hard it might be.

“I quit playing altogether with another band after David died,” Daniel said, “He was always at our shows so it was hard without him. It isn’t a problem once we start playing, but just getting on the stage is tough at times.”

Daniel started King David’s Knights in memory of David and as a means to raise money for his headstone. The band truly got rolling in December 2007, and within three months they won a Battle of the Bands at The Handlebar in Greenville

The band was truly shocked, according to Daniel. The competition, which was based primarily on ticket sales and crowd response, earned the band studio time and a cash prize, bringing Daniel closer to his goal for David.

“We weren’t together three months before winning the competition,” Daniel said, “We all looked at each other on stage and couldn’t believe it; fans were so excited they were tearing the place down.”

Daniel is joined on stage by Zach Plyler on guitar and vocals, Jarrett Lucero on bass and Josh Lane on drums. Daniel describes the band as a combination of classic Southern rock and modern rock.

Ever since the Handlebar show, crowds and fans have likened King David’s Knights to Hootie and the Blowfish. Daniel and the band don’t mind this comparison, considering they enjoy Hootie and the Blowfish and both bands emerged from the same geographic area.

“People tell us we sound similar to them,” Daniel said, “But we like to think we branch out as well. We do our originals but we mix in some Allman Brothers and Marshall Tucker Band.”

The band’s originals come from a variety of influences, such as “Take Me Home,” a song that sounds like it came straight from a Carlos Santana album, according to Daniel. The Zach Plyler penned “Hey Girl” takes its cues from Maroon 5, showing just how versatile the band can be.

Daniel singles out “Time is Gone” as one of the band’s best songs. He wrote it while still in high school. He still appreciates the song’s strum pattern and believes the vocals are honest and have a great impact on everyone.

King David’s Knights will throw in covers to fill in their sets from the likes of Sublime, Weezer, Blind Melon, and Tom Petty. However, Daniel believes audiences these days look for more originals when they spring for live entertainment.

“People in general, and specifically college kids, are so interested in music they want to hear our unique stuff,” Daniel said, “In a way, they want to see what you’re made of.”