Little King interview  28.03.23

MM: Can you tell us about your Band and whos your biggest influences

 

Rush, Zeppelin, early Iron Maiden, Pink Floyd, Steely Dan, Tool, Megadeth, and reggae (Peter Tosh), 90’s Cali hip hop (Pac, Dre, Snoop, Cube) all work there way into Little King Tunes.

 

We record in El Paso, and having borderland roots and musicians on all of our releases since 1997 has an influence as well. We aren’t Latin Rock, per se, but there’s an undercurrent of that in most of what we do. This crazy amalgam of music influences makes us what we are, hopefully: An entirely unique rock and roll entity!

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MM: Where do you draw your inspirations and ideas from

 

Lyrically, each LK album is sort of a satellite dish for what’s happening at the time. Current events, whether global and abstract, or what’s happening personally in my life are always more than enough. Writer’s Block is for the weak…Seriously, the pace of the universe is breakneck, and if one can’t identify things happening that move the needle, what are you even doing as a writer?

 

The new single, “Silver Tongue,” reflects the 25th anniversary of Little King. We released the first album, Transmountain, back in 1997. It was a “nice effort,” but obviously we have grown immensely as humans and musicians. The new song pays homage to that journey, but I’d like to think to also serves as propulsion into the next 25 years. It’s got a little dab of everything, and I feel like the results, while cohesive, bring a huge variety of style and substance to the table. Hope you agree!

MM: What would you say is your Bands favourite song ?

 

Impossible answer! I do love “Silver Tongue” as a stand-alone statement. It’s the first time we’ve ever released a single without an accompanying album/EP, so it had to really be strong enough to justify that. 

 

The others that still resonate with me have mostly made it into our live set. In no particular order: 

Bombs Away (2021, from the album Amuse De Q)

Amuse De Q (title track)

The Skin That I’m In (2019, from Occam’s Foil)

Happy Home (2014, from OD1)

Hate Counter (2019)

Narcissus and Echo (2004, Virus Divine)

 

They all still move me, and they’re all challenging and fun to play. My hero Neil Peart used to describe playing a Rush show as “running a marathon while solving equations.” I can relate!

 

MM: Plans tour and festival wise for 2023

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We have just started to book a short tour October 7-15, and then we will go out again in December. Most likely west and southwest first…then over to the east coast. I’m finishing a live video edit as we speak, as we shot some awesome video from our show in El Paso last September. Once that’s done, I think venues and fans will be excited to see what we bring to the table live. I’m confident in our presentation, for sure.

 

MM: What can we expect from (Band Name) live

 

Musicianship aside, I think we offer some very moody and diverse soundscapes within an hour set. We don’t do one speed all the time…I love hardcore and thrash bands live, but my interest wanes quickly if there isn’t some variance. I try I to approach a line set like a movie…3 acts, pushing and pulling, with the big reveal at the end. 

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When you come see Little King, I’d hope that the experience brings you closer to the band’s message of thoughtfulness, inclusivity (of musical tastes and lifestyles), musicianship, and meticulous preparation.

 

MM: What do you like best and worst abt touring

 

We are so grateful people still care! Honestly, the gratification of knowing that when we throw our art out into the world that there is some return on that karmic investment is everything. 

 

Also, LK songs are HARD. So the challenge nightly of walking the tightrope and pulling it off is very gratifying. And scary. I’ve learned to laugh off the minor train wrecks and let go of the fallacy of perfection, though. After all…this is Rock and Roll, not physics.

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MM: Which three Bands would be your ultimate touring buddies

 

Tool/A Perfect Circle

Jerry Cantrell (former LK bassist Shannon Brady is his sometimes touring sound guy)

Porcupine Tree

MM: What's the most memorable concert you've been to (other than your own)
and why

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Huge Rush fan here, and I saw them 30+ times. That was kinda like going to church for me. But the one that has made the biggest lasting impression was David Byrne’s American Utopia tour. I took my son to Camden, NJ dor that show, and it was MAGNIFICENT! Of course, he later took it to Broadway and Spike Lee made a concert film that was wonderful. But the set design, costumes, musicianship, choreography, and songs…transcendent for sure.

MM: Which are your Two favourite Albums of all time

 

Jeez…Permanent Waves or Exit…Stage Left by Rush 

All Eyez on Me by Tupac

 

But there’s no way to pick just 2!

 

MM: Growing up which Bands posters did you have on your bedroom wall.

 

Definitely Iron Maiden from Number of the Beast, Zeppelin IV, Rush Hemispheres, and Pink Floyd. Later got Megadeth and probably like Grateful Dead and Pac up as well.

 

MM - Who do you think influenced the world of Metal / Rock more than any other
person

 

Kudos to Bruce Dickinson, James Hetfield, Ozzy, Lemmy, and Dime/Vinny in the metal world.

 

For rock, gotta go with Macca, Mick, Page, Hendrix, EVH, Kurt Cobain, and maybe Maynard (who’s so much more influential than the old heads give him credit for. Also partial to the Holy Trinity from Toronto as well, of course.

 

MM - What's the most important thing to the band right now?

 

Forward motion. Stagnancy is death. So touring, finalizing the live video, and prepping for a new album are where it’s at. “Silver Tongue” is out and it’s a hoot…but it’s one song. We have, as the song says, “So much more to give…”

MM:If you could do a cover of any song which one would it be and why?

 

We could cover anything musically, but what would make sense? Would have to be a faithful yet original interpretation of the track. “Don’t Take Me Alive” by Steely Dan or maybe “Black Tambourine” by Beck…love me some old weird Scott Walker, too.

MM: Four words to describe (band Name)

 

Dynamic, Heady, Progressive, Unbothered

Final Words for your fans and our readers

 

Give it a chance…your new favorite band has 7 albums of meat on the bone. If you take the time to slow down amidst this world of instant gratification, we might surprise your heart AND mind. I’d love that