King Cannons ride King Tides

How does life change after you've toured with a world-renowned and well-established band like Bedouin Soundclash? The answer is simple in the words of King Cannon (KC) bassist and resident tattooist, Rob Ting. “You take more time off work, have less money and get friend requests on facebook from people you don’t remember meeting on the road.” But what he humbly didn’t mention is that the band’s airplay on government funded Australian Radio Station, Triple J has dramatically increased, that they have recently filmed the video to Take the Rock, and that their fan base and exposure has grown to the point where small SKA bands are covering their songs, as done by Son of Dad (SOD) from Adelaide. It definitely seems that KC are finally starting to get the recognition that that they deserve, along side serving as a role model for other bands of their type.

“I think we turned a few heads on that tour. After those shows, we took a step back, listened and then focused a lot of attention to honing our live performance skills even more,” said Luke Yeoward, the bands vocalist and front man who is more excited than ever about the bands future. “We have really been finding our “groove” this year and I am really happy with the new tunes that keep surfacing! I think next year there will be some refreshing energy shining through our music, even more then this year!”

SOD first heard about KC when they played at Chopdog’s SKA Weekender in June this year. “All of SOD absolutely love King Cannons. Rarely do we have a practise when they aren't mentioned or played and they are a staple in all our road trips,” excites SOD saxophonist and singer, Craig Collins. “We played with them in Newcastle and then the next night in Sydney. We were blown away… They're just a cool bunch of laid back, friendly people. Its just a pity we live interstate,” he continued, also stating that Teenage Dreams is a regular in their set when they go busking.

Above: King Cannons

KC are constantly writing and jamming new tunes to, “keep things fresh and exciting,” as Yeoward puts it. Ting also stated that they are trying to make each performance better than the last and to make each person count within that performance, although visually with the bands uniform of black pressed trousers, shirts, dress shoes and seemingly compulsory tattoos, members Luke Yeoward, Jonno Smith, Josh Matthews, Rob Ting, Mike Ting and Lanae Eruera are standout pieces of artwork themselves, let alone in their performance presence.

Resident tattooist, Ting, has penned work on each member of KC except Mikey Ting, with Eruera and Matthews bearing most of his craft. “I wanted to tattoo, so I saved up and bought the gear. I then learnt through trail and error on my legs and a few close friends. I met my buddy Nick Agnew (www.kingslandink.co.nz) and worked under him in west Auckland until he gave me the thumbs up to start earning a living.” Ting has been working as an artist for five years now and currently works at “Riff Raff Tattoo” in Abbotsford.

Ting’s work has been published in “Tattoos Down Under Magazine,” and he is mostly influenced by the older generation of tattooers, enjoying the American traditional style. He also says that Frank Carter from British hardcore punk band the Gallows is particularly inspirational as he “paints flash tattoos, tours with his band and makes it work.”

There is currently a grey area in the tattoo industry about whether artists should tattoo hands, faces or craft symbols that are sacrilegious. Ting says that, “as a working tattooer in a busy street shop, we get crazy requests all day long. That said, if your of legal age, have ID, can pay me and your idea doesn’t offend me, then its not really my place to tell you that you cant get the tattoo you want.” Ting has also completed tattoos for members of SOD when they excitedly spent the day with him in Melbourne last October. "Rob was great. Very relaxed. He's a very nice guy... He likes doing quirky/funny tattoos so I got him to do a bowling pin (below) on my calf. He's done others along similar lines."

Above: "Spare Me" by Rob Ting

The band has recently filmed the clip to Take the Rock which was shot on a Sunday afternoon, at the abandoned Hoffman Brickworks in Brunswick West, Melbourne. “Quite the fitting location for the tune lyrically, I thought, with Industry playing a big part in the way the world is today,” said Yeoward. It was directed by Matt Weston, who has many mutual friends with KC. “He is such a great guy to work with and we all have common interests. We try to work with people that feel like friends and family. It helps inject a little more passion and soul into the work. In this instance, we produced a great video!”

Even more exciting for KC is that the limited edition 10” Vinyl EP will be available on the bands website and at shows as of Mid December and the CD EP will be released in January of 2011. The band will be touring again, in early 2011 and then they hope to be in the studio straight after that to record their album!

Despite the year quickly coming to an end, with KC’s last show for the year in Auckland, New Zealand at the Kings Arms on the 18^th of December, it is only the beginning for the band, who are looking forward to head back to New Zealand. “This is our old stomping ground, and we haven’t played back there in almost 3 years!! Its quite exiting,” enthused Yeoward.

Above: Take the Rock video.

KC will be playing at the Playground Weekender Festival in 2011,you can view the website for the 2011 Playground Weekender Festival here, http://www.playgroundweekender.com.au/

You can view the King Cannon website here, http://www.kingcannons.com

(If you are interested in the bands that I follow, please consider becoming a follower of my blog. It only takes a couple of clicks and is greatly appreciated. Also if you are in a band, or want me to check out a band, send me an email at leesh_drew@hotmail.com)

A Review – Bedouin Soundclash supported by King Cannon.

The Prince Hotel, St Kilda
Thursday 14th October 2010




Above: Bedouin Soundclash Supported by King Cannon.
Photography by Nic Bishop Photography



9:30pm and the support act graced the stage.
“I think they have an image problem.” Ironically joked a nearby man, referring to King Cannon’s (KC) uniform of crisp black dress shirts and trousers, complimented by stylish belts and shoes, as they opened for Canadian, Bedouin Soundclash at The Prince Hotel in St Kilda. There was no denying it. The group looked smart. Later a fellow gig goer would also say, “there is a famous quote from Anchorman that applies to KC, that they 'dressed so fine that they made Sinatra look like a hobo.’”
Heavily tattooed Lead singer, Luke Yeoward’s, alluring blue eyes peered out and met the gaze of many beaming folks as the band played through their set. Played titles included Time to Yourself, Smoked out City and Gasoline, the most notable being Teenage Dreams, which is worth checking out on the bands Myspace page. Luke later told me in a post show interview that everything from world music to early blues and rock and roll, SKA music in the sixties, to reggae, country and punk rock were influences on their sound.

After one passionately played song, Luke paused to pull out a hair comb that sat neatly in his back pocket. He combed his rockabilly style hair back off his face and then beamed into the audience once again. There is no doubt that he is a large personality of the band, but the performance of Mikey on Keyboard with his heart felt singing and enthusiastic keyboarding, and Johnno on bass, who bopped around stage with an appreciative innocence of a young child were also notable personalities in this performance.

10:30-10:45-ish. Bedouin Soundclash (BS) Emerged. The masses compacted.
It is Bedouin’s third time to Australia as a band, but for newest member, Sekou, it’s his virgin experience down under. “I love being here. I love it.” He oozed enthusiastically in a pre show interview. “I keep hearing about how dedicated the Australian audiences are to having a good time.”
Sekou played most of the show with his eyes closed, an act that in many other circumstances would be detrimental to such an intimate performance. But he played each beat whole-heartedly with his entire body, accenting the particulars of rhythms with his shoulders and used every aspect of his face. “Its like a life’s blood” he said before the show. “I definitely feel the music before I think about it. Some of my favourite music doesn’t even have lyrics in it. Some don’t even have drums in it!” He said with slight irony. Wearing a check red and white shirt, looking casually cool with a tooth pic between his teeth, Sekou soulfully felt every moment of his performance, which the audience shared by watching his own personal gratification.

Bassist and back up vocalist, Eon, must have worn hole in the souls of his black Adidas shoes as he strutted his stuff around his corner of the stage in a confident, self assured march. “There was a time when I used to get nervous.” Said Eon, pre show. “ But, I know what’s going to happen, no body else does. I am in control of the whole situation.” He laughed. Generally he favoured marching forward and back, with a little pause on the height of each leg, mixing it up with a little of the old, side to side step. “I also first feel the music too.” Eon added, pre show. “Getting my bass, using a sampler or the keyboard, can sometimes help me express things that I don’t know how to express with words or in any other way.”
He accented particular notes mostly with his eyes. Expressions ranged from quirky, “Uh-huh, damn, you felt that there didn’t you!” to honest responsiveness towards the crowds emotional participation in many of the songs, particularly towards the end of the evening.
“This guy here is the coolest customer you’ll ever meet, everything is just ‘ok, cool-bananas.’” Stated Sekou about Eon. Which shows during his quirky, jerky, kind hearted stage presence.

Jay, the band’s sweet heart and lead singer, in a black T-shirt, grey pin stripe waist coat, black pants and smart dress shoes, sung beautifully as his voice resonated around the room. He smirked in between songs and certain boyish high school charm oozed out over the first three rows at least. He also donned a delightfully worn in brown hat, “I love his hat. I have seen him wear it so many times and I was wishing and waiting for it to ‘accidentally fall onto my head.’” Said a fan post show. When items of clothing are tracked, that is a sure sign of a loyal fan. (Or stalker.)

The band began their set with Mountain Top,’ the first track of their newest record titled Light the Horizon, soon to be released in Australia. Followed by Jungle and St Andrews. With Jay airing inadvertent displays of sex appeal at random intervals.

Between song banter was scarce. “To everyone who had a birthday this year, Happy Birthday.” Jay said, in response to a drunken/drugged man in the front, which was followed by claps and cheers. Bedouin tended to let the music do all the talking. There were some initial technical difficulties with Jays guitar early on the set, causing the band’s tour manager, Nunya to hover like a hawk-eyed, mother ninja for the rest of the night, which payed off as Jay also broke another string later on, but continued to play out the song.

After a long basic drum and electric introduction, Jay sung Ben E. King’s, “Stand by me” flowing almost seamlessly into the bands own, When the Night feels my Song” as the final song of the evening, largely lead by the audience, whose attention to harmony was surprisingly and pleasurably good.

But after woman warrior cries, chanting and applause, the band returned to the stage to play a further two songs. “I’ve got nothing more to say. Thank you Melbourne.” Jay said sincerely, a perfect introduction to the song “nothing to say,” and farewell to chuffed lyric drunk Melbourne fans.



Edited version of this review can be seen at ttp://www.fasterlouder.com.au/reviews/events/25964/Bedouin-Soundclash-King-Cannons-The-Prince-of-Wales-Melbourne-14102010

An Interview – Bedouin Soundclash.

Above: Bedouin Soundclash, Photo By Nic Bishop Photography

Eon and Sekou of Bedouin Soundclash take time to speak to Miss Drew ahead of their performance at St Kilda’s Prince Hotel this last Thursday. They spoke about Jesus, the bands latest record and Milo bars…

“Street Soul.” If he could, that’s what Eon would brand the genre that Bedouin Soundclash currently falls into. Interviewers, reviewers and fans a like have been trying to classify the bands genre for years, bickering amongst themselves like dishevelled, screeching cats. Fellow band member, Sekou, nodded in agreement, “I could live with that.” He repeated twice, with a thoughtful tilt to his head. And so it would be that in the first five minutes that I talk with Eon and Sekou - two thirds of Canadian, Bedouin Soundclash, (BS) I would solve one of the biggest controversies surrounding the band’s existence.

The band have recently toured this sunburnt country of ours ahead of releasing their latest record Light the horizon. Bassist - Eon and guitarist and lead singer - Jay, have been to Australia twice already, but for newest member, Sekou, the bands drummer, it is all just a little too much. “You guys have the two step flush thing with your toilets here. We don’t have that. That’s brilliant.” He heartily laughed. “I love being here. I keep hearing about how dedicated the Australian audiences are to having a good time. In Canada, the audiences are what we call, ‘stoosh,’ they wait for you to entertain them.” He demonstrated by crossing his arms across his chest, feigning ‘sullen,’ in jest.

Light the Horizon, which will be released in Australia later this year, is the bands forth record, but first to be recorded “live off the floor,” rather than in pieces (tracking.) “You talk about thinking and feeling. When you’re tracking, you’re thinking, “Arrrgh! lets go back!” But there are mistakes on that record; I know I’ve made mistakes. But they’re not mistakes because the feeling of that moment was so strong that were like, “we’re putting that on!”

With no die-hard motto, honesty is something that that the band regards highly. Notable from the moment I shook the warm hands of the chatty pair.
“We want to be honest because at the end of the day, that is what the band is known for. Its what we are comfortable representing, its not like us to fake.” Said Sekou who replaced the bands former drummer Pat Pengelly, after difficulties within the band some time before the record.
Eon followed on, “When we first started, things happened really quickly. We began to grow really fast and our first real opportunity to sit down and look at what was going on with us was about two years ago. That’s when we decided to change it and having experienced that event, I know it’s something that we are going to do more regularly, because you can avoid a lot of issues going forward if you reflect.” He said. It is this honesty and reflection that has Light the Horizon, being hailed as the best work of BS so far, and the band looking the happiest they have been in a long time.

BS are not ones to air their dirty laundry, but before I rounded off the interview I tried my hardest to get the dirt and answer some of the oldest touring questions know to man. The first being, who of the band snores the loudest? “Jay is up there, but I think its Sekou.” Volunteered Eon.
“Oh me. It’s just gotta be.” Chimed Sekou, before also confessing, “I will say this. I will share anything… but I have a woman’s addiction to chocolate. I’m not playing,” He said, as I giggled. “It’s brutal, I will tell people when I am sharing stuff… ‘anything you need from me, money, cloths, food you got it, but this (chocolate) right here, this is mine.’” He laboured trying to convey the seriousness of his addiction, as Eon laughed louder along with me. The boys’ favourite chocolate in Australia, that they don’t have at home is the Milo Bar, which they tried two days before the Melbourne show.
“I was telling Jay about Milo and he was just laughing about the whole idea of it as a powdered drink, because he wasn’t familiar with it. Then first time I go into seven eleven, I was like WHAT? I used to take scoop fulls of the powder when mum wasn’t looking and just eat it.” Eon said as they both laugh. “And it’s like sticking to your teeth.” Eon points to his teeth, as the pair have a moment.

And if the pair could meet anyone in history, who would it be? “Probably Jesus.” Said Eon as Sekou erupts in laughter. “I’d like to see what that guy was really all about. We could go to the beach and play volley-ball and stuff. He seemed to have his finger on the pulse of life at the time and I’d like to know how he did that.”
I mention that he could also get a great pair of sandals. “Exactly. I’m sure he wore havaianas though.” He replied wittily.

As finished up the interview with Eon and Sekou from Bedouin Soundclash, each shook my hand once again, smiled at me warmly and thanked me for my time, seeming to have genuinely enjoyed the interview. We once more had a laugh over the ‘ambience’ of the interview location, which was out the back of the band room, where bar’s men were clanking empty bottles and opening doors. Then they pointed me in the direction back to the concert room, where I would see them perform one hour later.

Stay posted for full interview recording and also review of the gig.

Welcome.

Welcome to a little place in cyber space.
Work on the blog is still in progress, but please keep checking back, as it will be up and running and in full swing in the not too distant future.


You can look forward to interviews with:

-Perth hardcore band, Break Even, who in a recent interview with Miss Drew spoke about their tour with Alexisonfire and also their participation in the upcoming No Sleep Til Festival.

-Oderus Urungus from GWAR - earth’s only extra terrestrial Metal band, about their latest record titled, Bloody Pit of Horror, and their first time in Australia ahead of No Sleep Til. Oderus described the Australian accent as, “delightfully sexy.” He said, “I think it’s rad. I think it savage with the murmurs of the outback and the farting of blue whales.” It will definitely be an interesting read, so all you No Sleep Til fans stay tuned.

-Luke from New Zealand birthed, Melbourne adopted six piece, King Cannon spoke to Miss Drew from the back of a taxi on his way home from touring with Canadian Bedouin Soundclash. He spoke about first tattoos, his favourite place in the world and his mother, who gave him his first guitar when he was ten and was a large influence on his success as a musician.

-Eon and Sekou from Bedouin Soundclash spoke to Miss Drew pre gig last Thursday about Milo bars, Australian audiences and their admiration of the Australian “two flush” toilet system. Cool, calm and excited for the show, their down to earth honesty made for an interesting interview and a great write up.

You can also look forward to a review of the recent Bedouin Soundclash gig opened by King Cannon at The Prince Hotel in St Kilda this past Thursday.


Tired little rock’n’monkeys are currently chained to their laptops with headphones, leads and recording devices working very hard to get the blog on its gritty feet.

So stay tuned for the above promised and much more.

PEACE and DASIES