Worcestershire | Archive | 2005 | July | 29
From the archive, first published Friday 29th Jul 2005.
GIANT rodents will be letting themselves loose on Worcester's streets next month, but there is no cause for alarm.
The warning is not a heed for residents to lock their doors and get out the giant rat-traps, but a call for music lovers to head to the Marr's Bar in Pierpoint Street on Thursday, August 4, to watch London-based band King Rat in action.
The five-piece band play epic and upbeat rock songs harking back to the days of Pink Floyd, Queen and Led Zeppelin and also draw on influences such as Radiohead and Jeff Buckley.
Comprising Angus Hastie on lead vocals and guitar,
Matt De Bono on lead guitar and backing vocals, Sara Wax on keyboard, Guy Gladish on bass guitar and Garry Cappuccini on drums and backing vocals, the group formed in autumn 2003 as King Rat after various changes.
Their Worcester concert is part of the venue's Free Bands for Free Quid night, with performances from Bristol three-piece glam-punk band Figment and Australian contemporary electronic dance music band Loonaloop, who recently played Glastonbury. It will almost be a homecoming gig for part of the band as their singer Angus went to the city's King's School.
Angus almost missed out on becoming a fellow rodent as the group had someone in mind and he was on his way to Russia when he answered the call for a singer in the music Press. Lead guitarist Matt said: "We'd found someone with a great voice, but Angus phoned at the last minute and was really insistent we wait to audition him just as soon as he got back from Russia.
"There was just something about him that clicked there on the phone and we thought he was worth hanging on for."
Angus subsequently proved to be worth his weight in gold and joined the group, with King Rat going on to release their eponymous debut album - since snapped up by many an eager fan.
Contrary to popular belief, the group's name owes little to the James Clavelle novel about a Japanese prisoner of war and more to the Queen song, although Matt has since been given a copy of the book.
"None of us had even heard of the book, let alone read it. We just thought it was a strong name and quite visual."
Moving on from their debut album, the group has been working on new recordings, which are attracting interest from record labels.
And if their commitment needs any proof the band's keyboard player even juggles musicianship by night with the rigours of being a lawyer by day. "I think she's into her dual life. She loves her lawyer bit but she's also into her rock and roll - when the band get signed by some major label it might be a bit difficult, but hopefully she'll work it out!"
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