Singing the Blues

2:08pm Thursday 21st August 2008

Channeling the sounds of the streets of London, The King Blues are the latest powerhouse punk band attempting to make waves.

Championed by Radio 1 DJs Mike Davies and Zane Lowe, the capital trio have made a name for themselves on the undergound circuit with their aggressive, hard-nosed style.

But with Reading and Leeds festival appearances in the bag, and with a second album on the horizon, this may be the launchpad for an all-out assault on the nation’s consciousness.

Formed back in 2004, Jonny Fox, Jamie Jazz and Fruitbag signalled their intentions early on with a stream of politically-slanted, hard-hitting offerings.

Early shows would be played at squat parties, political demonstrations, and queues for other band’s gigs as, in the words of Fox, “it’s easier to run away when you only have a ukelele.”

It was the release of Mr Music Man in 2006 that gave the band a break - played by Davies on his Radio 1 slot, the band then caused a stir at In The City where they garnered praise from the new music panel.

Album Under the Fog followed, stocked with more thought provoking offerings.

Fox explains: “For a war generation I think it’s ridiculous how little has been said by artists.

“People are scared but I can’t really work out what they’re scared of.

“When you’re recording songs you are recording your legacy and that’s far more important than being accepted by the ‘right’ people who supposedly control your career.”

A toxic mix of ska, street poetry, dub basslines and doo-wop melodies, the band may appear to be moving in different directions at the same time.

But, according to Fox, it is that air of the unknown that gives them the edge.

He reasons: “I think that mentality of not having any rules and allowing the collective to be creative through jamming without thinking of censoring anything is what unites us.”

The King Blues, New Slang, McClusky’s, Kingston, August 28, 9pm, £4/£5, 020 8549 5871