aKING
PHOTO BY: Adriaan Louw  l  WEBSITE: www.aking.co.za

Interview answered by Laudo Liebenberg (Vocals/Guitar)

FOR THOSE THAT DON’T KNOW; WHY DOES HUNTER NOT APPEAR IN THE CURRENT LINE-UP OF THE BAND AND IS THERE A CHANCE HE WILL RETURN TO AKING AGAIN SOMEDAY?

Hunter, being a man of many talents, became a very busy man in a very short time and it was mutually beneficial for us to part at this stage. I don’t think he will return, but maybe we’ll work together on something else someday. All I know for now is that there’s new energy in the project and that excites me.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST THING YOU’VE LEARNED FROM HUNTER AS A MUSICIAN AND A PERSON OVER THE YEARS THAT YOU’VE KNOWN HIM?

I’ve learnt a lot from Hunter over the years, more than I can ever explain. We’ve known each other for a long time and with writing songs it was always comforting for me to know he’s there with me. Legend

ANDREW DAVENPORT FROM THE BAND THIEVE IS HUNTER’S REPLACEMENT. WHAT MADE HIM THE IDEAL “CANDIDATE”, AND WAS IT A CASE OF PLEASE LEARN 12 SONGS, WE HAVE A SHOW IN THREE DAYS TIME; OR DID HE HAVE A BIT OF TIME TO GET SETTLED INTO HIS NEW ROLE IN THE BAND?

Automatically we knew that Andrew would be the perfect man for the job. We’re very good friends, he’s a great vocalist and has a natural knack for music. Luckily Andrew knew the songs quite well already, so he learnt the parts quickly and went on the road with us in a mobile nightclub to lose his footing and find his feet.

SOMETHING COOL TO LOOK OUT FOR FROM YOU GUYS IS THE NEW MUSIC VIDEO FOR THE SONG “AGAINST ALL ODDS” THAT RECEIVED A LOT OF AIRPLAY ON RADIO A WHILE BACK. WAS IT JUST A CASE OF WAITING FOR THE RIGHT OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A VIDEO THAT FIT WELL WITH THE SONG?

Yes, and a lot has changed in the last couple of months so it was important to portray a new angle of the band that’s not that serious.  With the song being a feel-good song, we searched long and hard until we found the right pitch for the video.

THE BAND IS ALSO RUNNING A COMPETITION ALONG WITH THE RELEASE OF THE VIDEO. DO YOU FIND THAT EVEN THOUGH AKING HAS BECOME ONE OF THE BIGGEST BANDS IN THE COUNTRY, IT IS STILL IMPORTANT TO GIVE SOMETHING BACK TO THE FANS OTHER THAN PLAYING A SHOW IN THEIR AREA?

It is always important to communicate with fans and get them involved in whatever you’re doing.

SNAKE APPEARS AS A GOTH IN THE VIDEO. I KNOW THERE PROBABLY IS NO MEANING BEHIND HIM DRESSING IN THE VIDEO THAT WAY BUT DO YOU THINK EACH ONE OF YOU HAS LIKE A “DARK SIDE” THAT YOU DON’T ALWAYS SHOW ON THE OUTSIDE?

I think everyone has a dark side and they know it.

MAKING THE VIDEO MUST HAVE BEEN A LOT OF FUN WHICH ADDED MANY NEW AKING MEMORIES TO THOSE THAT YOU ALREADY HAVE. YOU WOULD PROBABLY DIE IF YOU HAD TO WORK BEHIND A DESK EIGHT HOURS A DAY AFTER EXPERIENCING EVERYTHING THAT YOU HAVE?

I wouldn’t have seen the country in the light that I have and meet so many crazy people, but at the moment we have an aKING HQ where we clock in to write, almost as if we’re working at Checkers. The best Checkers ever.

CAN YOU PLAY ANY OTHER INSTRUMENTS THAN THE ONES YOU PLAY IN THE BAND AND IF NOT WHICH ONE WOULD YOU CHOOSE TO LEARN IF YOU HAD THE TIME?

I can play a bit of drums as well, but would love to learn how to play piano decently.

CAN YOU SAY FROM EXPERIENCE THAT THE MORE SUCCESSFUL YOU BECOME AS A MUSICIAN THE MORE PEOPLE ALWAYS WANT TO KNOW IF AND WHEN YOU ARE WORKING ON AND RECORDING SOMETHING NEW EVEN THOUGH YOUR LAST ALBUM WASN’T RELEASED TO LONG AGO?

Always, but that’s great. I don’t think you should ever stop writing, you should constantly be working on something or planning the next project.

THE BEST AND WORST STAGE DIVE YOU’VE EVER SEEN?

I think that was me, I was about 20. Dove off the stage straight into the floor. My teeth will never be the same again.

ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR ANYTHING ELSE FANS SHOULD LOOK OUT FOR?

Look out for the video for ‘AGAINST ALL ODDS’ screening on the 28th of July on MK-Kraakvars and there will be another video released in August.

INTERVIEW BY NEIL VAN ZYL