APOLOGIES ACCEPTED

What probably should have happened last year when he was still with Sony finally occurred Oct. 16 via the independent route: the release of Justin King's first studio album with his three-piece band, The Apologies.

The Oregon-based King, a singer/songwriter loaded with guitar chops, had been working on what he called a "sonically diverse" album that was to be released on Sony's Epic imprint in summer 2006.

But Epic dismissed the A&R people who had signed King, leaving him and The Apologies "without a champion," he says. Then label execs told him they didn't hear a radio single on the album. More back-and-forth discussions about a single followed, leading to what King calls an amicable split from Sony that became official in March.

The self-released, 12-track album by King and the Apologies – which contains versions of songs previously intended for release on Epic -- is available via CDBaby.com.

King and his band will perform Saturday and Sunday (Oct. 27 and 28) at The Tank, 279 Church St. in Manhattan. Visit www.thetanknyc.org/music for more information.

Justin King’s official site is www.justinking.com.