KING BLUES INTERVIEW
The King Blues have a commitment to politics and resistance culture, and are vocal supporters of anti-racism and anti-capitalism. Though they have played most of the UK’s major rock festivals they are just as likely to be seen playing Zapatista benefit gigs, squat shows and Love Music Hate Racism festivals as they are the more traditional touring circuit. They do however refuse to rigidly define their politics, instead pooling individual beliefs for a wider common goal. “Growing up in punk, politics was always an accepted part of music,” says Itch. “It was never a conscious thing. That said, we do have an agenda that’s quite simple: we want to unite people. We see a lot of dividing and conquering going on in society and that’s upsetting to us. We’re freedom fighters and activists. We want to cross all divisions.”
Far more than just posturing punks, The King Blues are also actively involved in a number of community projects in and around East and South London. It’s a scene fuelled by positivity that exists under the mainstream radar – but one where partying is as important as politics. It’s this spirit that infuses The King Blues’ music with a righteous sense of ire and fervour, frustration and celebration – check the heavy dub of debut single ‘Come Fi Di Youth’, the uplifting ode to the unabashed freedom of youth of ‘We Ain’t Never Done’ (acoustic Oi! with a whistling solo, anyone?) or the cheery East London punk patois of ‘Mr Music Man’.
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