RIOT KINGS
Questions asked by Jon Wilde, added to Rock Realms 10th May 2010.
Riot Kings hail from Bridgeport in Connecticut. With a new rather spiffing self-titled album out, we thought it only right to catch up with them and find out more.
Vocalist Kent and bassist Keith answer questions on behalf of the band.
Hi Guys, thanks for taking a moment to answer these questions. Hope you are well?
Keith: Hello Jon, We are happy to answer some questions. We are fans of the ROCK REALMS website!
Could you tell us how and when Riot Kings formed?
Kent: I used to play bass and sing back-up vocals in bands but I always wanted to try singing lead vocals. I saw an ad on Craigslist that Bill (Bones) and Keith had placed looking for a modern rock vocalist. We got together in the summer of 2009 and wrote some very cool rough demo tracks. Keith played them for Marc, who had played drums in several musical projects with Keith. Marc really liked the material and quickly joined the band.
I’d just like to ask Keith what happened with Tango Down and what was behind his departure?
Keith: Tango Down are a great group of really solid musicians. We made an awesome Rock album together and played some great gigs! Some differences arose between the other guys which led to the departure of lead vocalist Alex Barbieri. Alex is my good friend and he was the one who recruited me for that band, so it felt kinda' strange without him in the band. At the same time RIOT KINGS were really starting to gain momentum so I wanted to focus more energy on this band. Tango Down have added some talented new members and they are still going strong! I wish them the best!
What is the music, more specifically the rock/metal scene like in Connecticut?
Kent: There is a very strong metal scene here in Ct., especially 80's style metal and heavy thrash metal. We have a more modern, heavy-groovin' style of rock but we are really starting to create a strong local following!
Was Riot Kings started with a definite vision of the sound you wanted to make?
Kent: Well, we knew that we wanted to make modern hard rock, but I don't think any of us could predict the mixture of styles we ended up with!
Who or what would you list as your musical influences, and how does that tie in with the band as a whole? Do you all have similar tastes?
Kent: There are so many musical influences in our band that the music jumps all over - from Rock to Metal to Funk and back again!
Onto the new album...Is this the band’s first release?
Keith: Yes, this album contains the first 10 songs that we wrote together.
When did you start work on it, and how long did it take to complete?
Keith: It took about six months for us to complete the album. The studio was pretty booked up so we were only able to record on one day every week or two. Originally we were only going to make a 5 song EP, but we kept writing new songs and we didn't want to leave them off the CD!
Did it feel special as you were creating it, or is it always hard to tell until the end?
Kent: We knew the material was very good and we liked it, but you never know how it will be received by other people. Luckily there has been a great response to the songs so far!
How does the writing process work in Riot Kings? Guide us through a typical song’s construction...
Keith: We create new songs many different ways. Some begin as a guitar riff or bass line. Some start as a vocal idea. Sometimes we have to work together as a team to scrutinize a song over and over again until we feel it is right. Other songs come together very quickly. There really is no typical way that we write songs.
Where do you look for your writing inspirations?
Kent: Mostly I look to real life situations that most people can relate to. I try to make people feel what I was feeling at the time I wrote the song. I try not to get too political, but sometimes I try to make people aware of something I see in the world that needs improvement or change.
Is there a particular concept or theme behind the lyrics, or are they all standalone tracks?
Kent: The songs on this album all have individual themes to them. As the music changes from song to song the lyrics also change with the feeling the music gave me at the time.
Do you use any special techniques or instruments to get your sound?
Keith: Our sound is mostly just Guitar, Bass and drums, played with attitude!! But we do sometimes add in keyboards or electronic sounds to create a certain vibe for a song or an intro.
Do you have any favourite moments on the record, or is it all awesome?!
Keith: We all have different favourite songs from the album. And sometimes they change from week to week!
Who did the artwork for the album, and what’s the significance of it? Is it as obvious as it seems, or is there some deep hidden meaning?
Keith: We came up with the concept of four playing cards, all kings to represent the four guys in the band . Pretty obvious, no deep hidden meaning. But if you play the CD backwards while drinking tequila and staring at the cover artwork something incredible and amazing might happen! Or you may simply get drunk...
Do you enjoy the creative process and being in the studio, or do you prefer being out on the road playing shows?
Kent: I love it all! Creating a song and then seeing it come to life in the studio is an experience like no other. On the other hand, playing shows and having the energy of the crowd showing you how your songs affect people gives me a high you can't buy!
What is a Riot Kings show like?
Kent: A RIOT KINGS show is a pure rock fury that hits you in the chest and lets you know that you have just been rocked! You will be surprised at the tightness and album quality sound!
Are you a band that likes to party after a gig, or are you far too sensible for that...?
Keith: Some members of this band have been known to party before, during and after a gig!
Tell us about the video for 'Weak and Divine'. How did that come about, who’s idea was it etc.?
Keith: We were contacted by Herzog / Sevigny, a team of video directors after they heard one of our songs played on WCCC, a radio station in Hartford, CT. They came up with a video concept which fit the song and did an awesome job!
Do you have any more videos in the works?
Keith: We certainly plan on doing more videos. It is really cool to add a visual element to a song!
What is the next step for Riot Kings? Are you already working on new material?
Kent: Although our debut album was just released, we have been writing steadily and we already have a few tracks ready to record for the next album.
Where do you see the band in 5 or 10 years time, or do you take each day as it comes?
Kent: One day at a time so far, but we hope to turn some heads with our sound!
What are you up to once you’ve finished answering these questions?
Kent: Probably checking out the local music scene.
Thanks again to Keith and Kent for their time. Check out the new self-titled Riot Kings album as soon as you get chance, and stay tuned to Rock Realms for a review!
http://www.myspace.com/riotkingsrock
