Hiya folks thanks for joining us in the virtual RGM lounge today, grab a brew and take a seat.
What made you decide to start the band?
There’s been a project for around 2 years that 3 of us have been messing around with. Then it suddenly turned into more than just a project when songs such as ‘Mary’ came along. Once we decided to take the step into playing live, we went on the search for a full time drummer, that’s when Matt joined us in May 2021.
Introduce us all to the members and your musical history?
Firstly we have Jacob on Vocals and Guitar. Jacob has played in bands in our local scene since he was a teenager. He’s also a trained Music Teacher. Then we have Jack on Lead Guitar and Backing Vocals. Jack has been a Music Teacher in secondary schools for about 12 years and also played in many bands during his time at the University at BIMM in Brighton. Next up we have George on Bass Guitar. George also played in a band in our local scene as a teenager and has managed school theatres and worked as a backstage crew in Kent-based theatres for the last 6 years. Then last but not least, we have Matt on Drums. Matt is a drum teacher and has toured and performed with bands over the last 15 years.
What’s your favourite song right now from another band currently on your local circuit?
It’s between ‘It’s Alright’ by SKIES or ‘Molotov Cocktails’ by Riskee & The Ridicule. Both are really strong songs from some great local bands.
What support is out there for new artists in Folkestone?
There’s a couple of great venues in Folkestone that are always happy to have local bands and give them the platform to showcase what they have. There’s also Academy FM, and Clayton Thomson’s Academy Alternative show. He’s been a great supporter of ours since the single releases and is constantly supporting local acts and helping them get some radio play. And a shoutout to ‘Cene Magazine too, who help showcase new music from Kent.
Who is inspiring you at the minute on the Folkestone unsigned scene?
SKIES are definitely one. They’ve got a sound and they’ve got a style. They’re just all-round great people and it’s awesome to see them playing so many shows up and down the country and being booked for some great gigs and festivals next year. Another band is Moon Hooligan. They have such a unique sound and everything they do is just really authentic. They’re just being themselves, playing music they love and it’s really refreshing to hear.
What would you like to see more of in Folkestone?
Probably a few more venues that will support local bands. There used to be more, but in recent times some of those venues have unfortunately closed.
What was the most fun you have had on stage?
Probably our first gig together. Only very few people had heard some phone recordings of us rehearsing, so everything was new on that first night, and looking up seeing people react, big smiles on their faces and dancing to our songs, definitely one to remember for us.
What was the worst experience on stage?
At our first gig, Matt accidentally locked himself onstage during another band’s set. Pretty embarrassing, he just about styled it out though! Also, Jacob threw in some one-liner jokes at another gig, just to ease the crowd. Only one person laughed, everyone else stayed silent. Real awkward.
Tell us something about a band member that you think people would be surprised about?
Jack once held up a sign saying “I LOVE YOU” when Kate Nash visited BIMM, he was swiftly asked to leave.
Do you sign up to any conspiracy theories?
Aliens, whether that’s the conventional idea of a ‘Martian’ or whether it’s just some sort of life out there. So yeah, just aliens really, not as hard as Tom DeLonge though…
If you had to describe your band to an alien how would you describe them?
Big, fat, catchy Rock n Roll. Then obviously show them some Rock n Roll so they know what we mean.
Which one of the band is the most unpredictable and why?
No one has surprised us with something totally crazy yet, but get a drink in them and we reckon it’s a toss up between Matt and Jack.
Which one of the band is the biggest nightmare? (Just a bit of fun)
Jacob, as much as we love him, he’ll be the first to admit he’s the biggest nightmare in the band. He even went to the wrong place for our first photoshoot together.
You have one phone call and you have been locked up for a crime you didn’t commit? Which member would you call first?
Anyone but Jacob, even though he teaches government and politics in a secondary school. Jack votes for George, so maybe George.
What makes you stand out as a band?
We all think we’ve got good music to show people and our live sound is very similar to what you hear on the recordings. It’s tight, it’s groovy, a big chorus that you can sing along with.
Tell us about a time when you had a proper reyt laugh while you were all together?
During the recording session for our two debut singles. Most of the takes had been done and it was down to the mixing stage, we were taking a break outside and just chatting about general shit… as you do. For some reason this one story had us in stitches, it was about someone’s bum crack. I know, weird, but basically they have a tiny bum crack and it was one of those where you have to be in the moment. It killed us though.
I hear you have a new single, what can you tell us about it?
Mary, is a straight up, balls to the wall Rock song. It’s a song that Jacob had written and we started going through it right at the beginning of the process. Throughout our rehearsals together it’s got tighter and just become a really strong song in our repertoire. The ending was also changed on the morning of recording it. Jacob came up with an ending that worked much better and it definitely helped the song overall.
Talk me through the thought process of the single?
When discussing what singles to record, Mary was a song that Matt was pushing for since day one. Whilst we were rehearsing for an upcoming show, we played through it again and all of us just felt something as we finished. We knew it would be a contender and when we had to decide on two tracks to release, Mary got a winning vote overall.
What was the recording process like?
The process was great overall. We recorded with Dan Lucas at Anchor Baby Recordings. Dan really knows his stuff, he has a wealth of experience as a producer and a musician. He’s got some incredible gear and some great stories too. We’re really looking forward to getting back in the studio with him in February 2022.
What was the biggest learning curve in writing the single?
Songs can take a while to get set and grow, the longer you have them the better they can become. We all think that’s the case with Mary. It was one of the first we went through and it’s gotten stronger and stronger. It was based on simplicity, 3 chords in the chorus, 4 in the verse. This makes it all the better when having a couple of beers and playing.
Would you change anything now its finished?
To be honest, no. We’re really happy with how it’s come out, it shows off who we are and what we really sound like and it’s had some great responses from fans, friends, family and lots of radio play too.
What are your plans for the year ahead?
To get in the studio again and release some new music. Play lots more live shows in as many new locations and venues as possible. Overall, to build The King Rooks’ brand as much as we can and to get people listening to our music.
Is there anything else you would like to share with the world?
Go listen to The King Rooks, and tell all your friends and family to do so as well. Go see The King Rooks at a live show next year as we need to keep music venues alive. And finally, stop fucking up our planet for future generations, thanks.
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