In today’s A-Z challenge we find out all about King Kraken with guitarist Adam Healey answering 26 questions!
A song that made you want to make music?
Voodoo Chile (Slight Return) – Jimi Hendrix
Best rider you’ve had?
We’ve had the occasional bottle of Kraken rum, which always seems fitting!
Craziest moment you’ve had in the band?
Myself (Adam) and Richard almost missed a flight to Ibiza for a gig, long story short, being allowed to skip the boarding queue and waltzing past hundreds of angry people was the closest we’ve so far felt to bona fide rock stars.
Deepest lyric one of your songs features?
Our lyrics are almost all related to Batman, the deepest of all the comic book heroes…
Easiest song you wrote?
Chainsaw Saviour. We had a band tiff, Mark left practice early, and the song was written in half an hour.
Favourite song in your set?
At the moment, it’s definitely March of the Gods, but I’m sure that will change after a year or so of relentlessly gigging it.
Guest you’d most like to feature on your record?
Nathaniel Rateliff, it wouldn’t make any sense musically, but I’d love to have a jam with the guy!
Hardest thing about being in a band?
Getting on with one another.
Interesting fact about one of your members?
All of Karl’s toes are exactly the same size.
Jokes you have in the band?
Honestly, there’s quite a lot of in-band jokes, but I really can’t think of a single one that would be remotely suitable to write down…!!
Key to writing a song?
That’s something that has varied in each band that I’ve been in. What works for King Kraken is elaborating on a riff as a starting point, jamming it out, and then ensuring that the verses don’t become too arduous.
Longest distance you’ve travelled to play a show?
Definitely Ibiza so far, although in terms of driving, Edinburgh.
Most inspiring musician you’ve experienced?
Vicariously, for me it’s always Jimi Hendrix. But in terms of being in their presence, I’d say Newton Faulkner.
New band you’d recommend?
In terms of new bands that we see out and about on the road, Zac and the New Men.
Opening for this band would be ideal?
We’d absolutely love to open for Clutch.
Place you’d most like to tour?
Europe or the USA.
Quote you’d like to pass on to our readers?
“Is it worth a life of less, for half a pint of happiness?’
Reason for the title of your recent/forthcoming release?
The album is titled after the centre piece of the album musically, March of the Gods, and broadly speaking it covers the themes encapsulated within the ten tracks.
See us live at?
April 2025
19 – Swansea, Hanger 18
25 – Bridgwater, Cobblestones
26 – Brighton, Waterbear Venue
May 2025
02 – Camden, The Dev
03 – Roxoff – Norwich, Brickmakers
09 – Bradford, Nightrain
10 – Leicester, Firebug
17 – Quarantune Rocks – Coalville, The Victoria
23 – Breaking Bands, Bromsgrove
24 – Crumlin, The Patriot
June 2025
06 – Coventry, The Tin Music and Art
07 – Edinburgh, Bannermans
08 – Glasgow, Audio
20 – Love Rocks – Dorset
23 – Stonedead – Newark
The old days of music were better than the current, do you agree?
I totally agree, I’m living in the past, only listen to records, and most of my record collection is from the 60’s and 70’s.
Unusual merchandise?
We’ve got hot chilli sauces, and Kraken jewellery.
Variations you’d like to do on any of your songs?
I’d like to make each of the tracks from the first album shorter by trimming out unnecessary verses and overly long sections of repetitive music.
What do your fans mean to you?
Our fans are the only reason that we’ve managed to get to where we are so far, they’re the most important thing that the band has really.
X-rays or any treatments needed for band related injuries?
Mark has a perpetual bad back, but despite this, occasionally develops a Gazelle like spring to his step.
You’re late for a show, whose fault is it?
Back in the halcyon days before we had a van, it would absolutely have been my fault, but these days it’s actually usually Karl that makes us late.
Zoo animal that next describes the personality of your band?
One the basis that you won’t be finding a kraken at a zoo any time soon, I’d have to go with a mongoose. Looks pretty crap, but occasionally capable of fending off a snake, if it must.