King Kong

Not him...

But them...

Kong
Genre: Punk
From: Manchester, United Kingdom

Kong (not to be confused with Holland's Kong) are from Manchester of that there is no doubt whatever about that. Their myspace site confirms that Manchester is their home but you wouldn't know it if you listened to them. They just don't sound like your typical Manchester band, fucking Northside they ain't. This is a band who don't just play music they launch it like an exocet which detonates on impact.

To celebrate the release of their new album 'Snake Magnet' on 13th July the band's Jon Lee Martin indulged the Devil by answering a few questions in his own inimitable style...

The Devil - Why Kong? What other names did you ponder before deciding on Kong?

Jon Lee -We just wanted something small in print but big in idea. The only other name we had was toilet (thank god that sense prevailed - The Devil)!

The Devil - Who are your biggest influences?

Jon Lee - Wrestlers, phychos, maniacs, anybody with issues or roid rage!

The Devil - What was the first record the band member owned and what was the first record you each bought?

Jon Lee - My first 45 was Musical Youth "Pass the Dutchie" The first one I bought with my own money was "Paradise City" by Guns n Roses. Fuck knows what the other 2 bought, they probably just skipped the records, got some ketamine in and watched Neighbours.

The Devil - What makes Kong stand out from the millions of other bands in the world? What makes you unique?

Jon Lee - I suppose we're unique to the lazy and the dumb but we're just a band the same as any other band . Maybe the red pajamas? i don't really know how to answer that as Kong is too familiar to me to think of it as stand out or unique. I hope that makes me sound like a big head like Bono (maybe a little - The Devil).

The Devil - What's the strangest place you've ever played and would you go back there?

Jon Lee - We played a freaky old fella's venue in Nottingham , some art center place. The owner is a by-product of the psychadelic era of the early 70's , his brain is fried and he can be very scary but we all loved him ..in fact i wanted him in the band for a hot minute but then he started talking to spirits in the walls and he freaked me out.

The Devil - Other than Kong who are the most exciting bands on the UK music scene at the moment?

Jon Lee - We like That Fucking Tank , Ox Scapula , my friend Sam (Forrest of fellow Manc noiseniks Nine Black Alps) just made two records as The Sorry Kisses too and I can't stop playing them!

The Devil - If you weren't in Kong how would you keep yourself occupied?

Jon Lee - My plan was to become a professional wrestler, but being only 5' 8" and 11 stone piss wet through i was left to rot in this game! I'm actually being targeted for a mexican midget wrestling company but I've gotta shave my legs down a touch and squash my face in.

The Devil - What are you doing to beat the credit crunch? Any tips on saving money for the Devil's readers?

Jon Lee - Just go out robbin innit! I actually used to shop lift quite a lot ...silly shit like spuggy (chewing gum I think - The Devil) and pop but you just apply the same techniques for the bigger stuff...This country just keeps taking from us and pushing us into owing money ...fuck that just take what you can...(these represent the views of the artist and are not representative of the views of the Devil. Or are they?)

The Devil - If you were interviewing yourself what would be your killer question and how would you answer it?

Jon Lee -Q - What would you rather bee or a wasp? A - Errrr

The Devil - Anything else you'd like to say the the Devil's readers?

Jon Lee - Get off your computer and go steal snake magnet from hmv (he's only joking - The Devil)!

Go Try

MP3 - Kong - Sport
If anyone from the IFPI is reading this track is published with the permission of Brew Records so please refrain from alleging infringement of copyright.

Go Visit

Kong - Myspace
Label - Brew Records

Go View

Kong
Leather Penny


Kong - 'Leather Penny' from Brew Records on Vimeo.

Check out this track from one of Kong's favourite bands...

MP3 - My Fucking Tank - Making A Meal For Beethoven
If anyone from the IFPI is reading this track is linked direct from Jealous Records and is therefore already freely available so please refrain from alleging infringement of copyright.