When it comes to infectious new music, you know you can count on One Stop Record Shop to produce the goods. So, when we got word that Yorkshire four-piece King No-One were in town, we wasted no time in grilling them more efficiently than George Foreman and his lean, mean – OK, so you get the idea…
Hot off their UK tour and having recently unleashed their latest cut, “Anarchist“, into the world, these northerners have got a twinkle in their eye. Blending melodic hooks with soaring, hip-pop inspired choruses, it’s the type of music your ears will thank you for. We took the opportunity to have a proper little chin-wag with frontman Zach (plus a few guest appearances from the rest of the boys).
Hey Zach! You’ve recently released your new track “Antichrist” and it’s definitely more of a mature sound than its predecessor. Can you tell us about the track?
We ended up bringing in that early 2000’s hip-hop era. We brought it forward into this indie-rock genre that people seem to want to stick us into. It’s mostly influenced by your early Dr Dre stuff so yeah, it’s great.
Do you ever find yourselves pigeonholed as an indie band?
I guess. We’re just all being slotted into that generic indie genre. There’s so much more to say! Other indie bands pretty much sing about the same sort of stuff, jangly guitars and what have you. Yeah, it can get quite frustrating sometimes. We just need the time for people to hear more of our back catalogue. It’s all just a matter of time isn’t it?
Time is a miracle worker. So, in terms of the band’s writing process, how does it all work?
Honestly? I’m quite a scramble headed writer. I’ve got the art of dyslexia which means things pop into my brain at the most awkward times. Some days I’ll write fifteen song edits in a day and other months I won’t even write one. I always get a feel of the direction I want it to go in and it’s always a question of what I’m going through at the time. Once I’ve got a template, we go into a practice room and ‘band it up’. Being dyslexic, it can be great sometimes but also frustrating – it’s frustrating for everyone else that’s for sure.
Can we expect any more new material from you guys? Could there be an EP in the works?
We do have a lot of material and we played 2 new songs on the tour. One of them was called “Two Islands“. We’ve got lots of plans, so there’s not too much we can give away, but we’ve got a big catalogue of songs that are unrecorded.
Are you a band that prefer to play live over being holed up in a studio then?
We love it all really. Everything has its pros and cons. I’m in Brighton, and as we speak, I’ve just set off a noise on this synth pad. I’m in a music shop – how typical – and I’ve set it off and can’t stop it. Ah shit. It’s all crazy! OK, all good, I’ve managed to stop it.
“…Mid-way through our set, there was a massive police raid. There were dogs everywhere and it was a massive drugs bust!”
What’s the weirdest thing to happen to you as a band?
We were in Hull – it was a couple of years ago, back when we were just starting out. It was an 18+ show in this venue and mid-way through our set, there was a massive police raid. There were dogs everywhere and it was a massive drugs bust! Hands down the weirdest thing to ever happen whilst on stage. At the time we were only 18, we were going through that rebellious smoking green phase and had a bag of weed on us. It was a tiny bag that was tucked away in my pocket and I was so scared – but obviously they were searching for something a little heavier than marijuana.
You know when you’re born you’re given a selection of emotions? I don’t really get embarrassed or awkward. Everything’s just funny to me. There was this one hilarious moment – that apparently should have been awkward but I found it funny as anything – in the early days where we played an industry show. I must have been 19. We had a light backing track of textures to beef out the sound and I disarmed it before we went on stage. What I did was record a message onto the backing track so only the drummer could hear it – it was a joke and he didn’t know I was doing it. So, when I went on stage, he would hear me shouting, “great performance on that one mate, that was absolutely excellent. It’s time for the next song!” and “This one is going to go brilliantly! It’s special so keep it hot!” So this backing track went into his ears – except unfortunately, I’d tracked it to the wrong song, meaning that instead, the sound went out to the whole audience. It was at The Garage as well so there were a fair few people there. I just couldn’t hold back the laughter. I was pissing myself. I had to play the rest of the set without a backing track.
So, what’s your take on this summer’s Festivals?
I refuse to look at festival line-ups because I wanna play them all. I really liked NOS festival in Portugal last year with Arcade Fire, Pixies and Radiohead. That was great. Glasto is always a big one.
Glastonbury have thrown in Ed Sheehan…
Ed Sheeran?
Yeah, he’s the latest headliner.
*tumbleweed rolls past* Oh, well I’m a little bit turned off by that. I’m not an Ed Sheeran hater or anything, it’s just I don’t fancy that.
I think we’re in the same boat there. But we do like supporting new bands, so who would you big up?
Yeah, there’s a band called POLO. They’re a Leeds-based band that are pretty cool. Their sound is really low key. Really colourful – a sort of dark pop.
Well, it’s time to end on a random note. Give us three items that sum up the band?
Gosh, I’m going to struggle. Erm… hang on, the guys are just upstairs, I need their advice.
*sound of hurried footsteps*
So, Jo, Alex, I need 3 items that sum up King No-One…. Rock, Paper, Scissors! Everything we ever do is determined by Rock. Paper. Scissors. Like, ‘Who’s going to be the frontman of this band?’ Rock. Paper. Scissors. So that’s technically 3 items.
Nice and technical! Well, best of luck and it’s great to meet you guys!
