The Cash Box Kings keep the classic juke-joint jump of post-war electric blues alive in the 21st century, not just by reviving the over-saturated sound of Chess and Sun Records but by writing new songs that address contemporary concerns. Bringing the blues into the 21st century was the intention of Joe Nosek, who formed the band while he was teaching at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2001. The group found their stride with the addition of Chicago blues singer Oscar Wilson in 2007, and from that point forward, the pair led the Cash Box Kings through a series of lineup changes showcased on albums released by Blind Pig Records. When they moved to Alligator Records for 2017's Royal Mint, the band hit their stride, with the subsequent albums Hail to the Kings! (2019) and Oscar's Motel (2023) finding them reviving retro-blues songs in lively, witty ways.