The band is now not a Three Piece as lovely Darren has returned from London via Thailand and Bromyard. Nearly very nearly finished recording the album!!! so we'll probably be playing a few more gigs to pay for it! Now some history. The band got together two years ago after the demise of Bigelow and feature David Godwin on vocals and guitar, Huw Rees on drums and Paul Battenbough guitar/vocals, joined by Darren Beale on bass. Paul says: ""We decided to change the name too as we felt that Bigelow had run its course. ""The name comes from a small clay figure I found in a junk shop. It was a crude, sad-looking king that was probably once part of a chess set. ""It made me laugh so I bought it for five pence. ""I carried it round with me for a couple of years and he quietly wormed his way into my consciousness and when a name was needed a small voice piped up. ""So the king became 'The King of Despair' and became our logo too. It's perfect really. Sums up our miserablist approach and adds a touch of humour."" The band are influenced by country rocker Gram Parsons as well as the grand-daddy of grunge, Neil Young. ""We're really a songs band and we're into harmonies. The sound can be country but we've also a harder edge."" They switch between acoustic and electric guitars, depending upon the mood required. ""Everything is subservient to the song,"" says Paul. ""I'm not into political rants or forcing opinions on the listener - but we are without doubt a political band if you pick up on the subtext."" David adds: ""I think people respond to us as a live band because of the different dynamics we have. ""The harmonies are really important to our sound and Paul writes some of the strongest songs I have heard. ""There is a lot of space in what we do, so the audience can pick up on the lyrics easily."" King of Despair work the Swansea scene and have just got back from playing the Nozstock Festival in Hereford last month. ""We're gradually leaving the nest, moving further afield."" The band have put down a 15-track demo and are due to start work on an album soon. ""After the last Bigelow album we wanted to go for something a bit more sophisticated so we've got the Super Furry Animals producer on board and as soon as we raise the cash we're going into the studio. We have plenty of songs and we want to make a killer album,"" says Paul. He is happy with the band's ever-tightening sound and the level of musicianship. And David and Darren are honing their skills, doubling up as part of another Swansea band that is tipped for the top. ""David and Darren are in The Caves so sometimes the King of Despair has to take a back seat. ""It's always exciting when we get back together, though, everything just slots back into place.""
Currently recording a new CD at Rhondda Street Studio, http://www.rhonddastreet.co.uk/ and you should too! Buy merch from King of Despair at www.zazzle.com/huwrees

Common Courtesy

Alternative Pop Rock

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