Eclectic six-piece outfit King Cannons.
THOSE who caught King Cannons’ first Warrnambool appearance late last year will attest that the six-piece are a genuine blend of so much that live music has to offer.
Much like seminal punk band The Clash, King Cannons have found ways to fuse international music genres into their raw and soulful style of rock as they aim to deliver a truthful message.
Those who see the group launch their latest album The Brightest Light at The Loft on Wednesday will hear strong reggae, blues and folk flavours, as well as African drum beats behind multiple songs.
But frontman Luke Yeoward said despite the wide influences, their songwriting formula was simple.
“We’re not reinventing the wheel; the music we play isn’t exactly rocket science,” he said.
“We’re just putting a truthful message into a big mash up of genres, so it’s got to come from the soul and heart.
“Even though we’re a rock band, we think it’s really cool to be able to broaden the palette by incorporating music from Africa, Jamaica, New Zealand, with rhythms and different instruments.
“All we’re doing is taking different musical walks of life, being influenced by different time periods and genres, putting it together and battling it out in our own special way to make it sound unique to us.”
Yeoward said the six-piece looked forward to their Warrnambool return, recalling a hospitality close to their experience on a recent European tour.
Despite making Melbourne his home, the tattoo-covered singer-songwriter and guitarist told Offbeat he felt more at home performing in country towns similar to those he grew up in as a young New Zealander.
“We loved playing (at The Loft) and we’re really looking forward to going back,” he said. “There was great hospitality. That’s one thing I remember about that place. I felt at home.
“Venues (in Europe) offer you food, drink, showers, whereas over here you’re usually struggling to get a dozen beers from the bloody pubs. It’s a different kettle of fish over there.
“People like to sit down and have a meal together.”
With early music experiences rooted in the punk rock scene, Yeoward’s reverence for the DIY ethic was a clear influence when it came time to record The Brightest Light.
Instead of laying down each track individually, he said King Cannons took the “old-fashioned” route of recording together.
“These days guys have all these tools and computer tricks to make music really easy.
“We try and utilise what we can with those tricks but we keep it so when we start and finish the song it’s still us playing the song on our track.
“That’s becoming less and less apparent in modern music and I don’t like that.
“When the magic happens … you’ve saved yourself a lot of time.”
King Cannons will be supported by All the Young.