King Prawn (band)

King Prawn were a prominent band of the UK ska punk scene during the 1990s and early 2000s. The band re-formed in 2012 without original bassist Babar Luck.

King Prawn
Promo Photo of the new line-up of King Prawn
Background information
OriginLondon, England, UK
Genres
Years active1993–2003 2012-present
Labels
Associated acts
Websiteking-prawn.co.uk
Members
  • Al Rumjen
  • Zac Chang
  • Nikolai Jones
  • Devil Hands
  • Dr Nelly
  • Alex Gordon
  • Matt Dowse
  • Nick Horn
Past membersBabar Luck

History

The band's formation was in London, 1993. The first major recording was First Offence three years later, produced by Martin "Ace" Kent of Skunk Anansie.[1] They were nominated for a Kerrang! award in 1998 for Best New British Band, and in 2000 for Spirit of Independence. King Prawn toured regularly with a broad range of bands, varying from hardcore to traditional and 2 Tone ska bands. King Prawn songs often contained political lyrics that, along with the band's blending of genres, led to comparisons with bands such as Rage Against the Machine.

King Prawn played their penultimate concert on 20 December 2003 at The Forum in Kentish Town which was recorded for their live DVD.[2] Their final gig followed the next night at the Pitz club in Milton Keynes and members have since moved on to other projects: drummer Nikolai formed Left Step Band, an eclectic four piece Hip Hop groove machine; Babar Luck performs as a solo artist and also in a variety of collaborative projects including his rock band East End Trinity.

In the summer of 2007, Al Rumjen joined Asian Dub Foundation as their new vocalist. His first performance as a member of Asian Dub Foundation was at The Womad Festival in Singapore and his first album with the band was Punkara.

In 2012, the band confirmed they will be playing festivals and a club tour afterward featuring a brass section but without Babar Luck.

In 2013, the band played at Boomtown Festival[3] and Reading & Leeds Festivals[4] and competed a UK tour in November 2013.

The band released two tracks on the Bandcamp platform in 2014.[5]

Style

King Prawn blend elements of punk, hardcore, metal, ska, dub, reggae, and hip hop into their music,[1] which they dub "wildstyle". In 2016, Jones stated that The Dead Kennedys, Crass, Public Enemy, Rage Against the Machine, and Bob Marley all influenced the band.[6]

Members

Current members:[7]

  • Al Rumjen - vocals, guitar, bass, melodica
  • Zac Chang - bass guitar
  • Nikolai Jones - drums
  • Devil Hands - guitar
  • Dr Nelly - cornet
  • Alex Gordon - trumpet
  • Matt Dowse - trombone

Former members:

Discography

EPs and LPs

Singles
  • "Poison in the Air" - 1995
  • "Felled/Depths of my Soul" - 1997
  • "Not Your Punk" - 1997
  • "Day In Day Out" - 2000
  • "Someone to Hate" - 2000
  • "Done Days / A Solemn Man" - 2014[5]

Music videos
  • "Depths of My Soul" (1997)
  • "Day In Day Out" (2000)
  • "Someone to Hate" (2000)
  • "The Dominant View" (2003)

References
  1. Biography by Mario Mesquita Borges. "King Prawn | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
  2. "King Prawn - Live at the Forum [DVD]". amazon. Retrieved 26 January 2014.
  3. "BoomTown Fair 2016 Line up". Skiddle.com.
  4. "Line up". Reading Festival. Archived from the original on 14 April 2014. Retrieved 21 September 2013.
  5. "Done Days | King Prawn". Kingprawn.bandcamp.com. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
  6. "Not Your Punk – An Interview With Nikolai Jones Of King Prawn". Thenorwichradical.com. 10 April 2016. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
  7. "King Prawn Fansite". Kingprawn.info. Retrieved 26 January 2014.
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