Interview with Smeg of King Kurt

Interview by: Dod M.
Big Wheel Overseas Correspondent


After seeing King Kurt last year at Rebellion and again a couple of month’s later in Aberdeen, both were great gigs. I managed to catch up with singer Smeg, who is a great front man, jumps about the stage and pulls some of the best and funniest faces I’ve seen. With more shows lined up in 2011 this will be a good year for King Kurt.

King Kurt - What’s the origin of that name?
In 1980 the band was called Rocking Kurt and his Sour Krauts until they had some shows in North Wales during an hallucinogenic aside in the Snowdonia foothill it was decided to drop the rock, thus rendering it down to King Kurt and his Sour Krauts, after some debate it was decided to render it further thus resulting it in King Kurt.

How long have you all known each other? How did you meet?
We've all known each other now for 30 years, some a bit longer than that, I'm not sure about anybody else met, but I met the band because Paul was fiddling with a woman that I had fiddled with and went along to see them. A bottle of whiskey and the ruination of somebody's "happy" birthday, the course of history was set.

What originally attracted you to the music scene?
Drugs and women.

What has been your biggest challenge as a band?
Not killing each other, Drugs and women.

Your gigs were know for the fans taking food along and having massive food fights, how did this start?
At the 101 club in Clapham Junction, in maybe 1981 when Jeff Harvey left the band it was decided to make him a cake, literally, and it all kind of snowballed from there.

Do you still do it today?
After a while it became very difficult to play anywhere and when we could the cleaning bills were more than we were being paid; however, sometimes it still goes on but as long as the band don't do anything themselves we seem to get away with it.

What’s your favourite King Kurt song and why?
Wreck a Party. I think it kind of sums up the essence of the band. It's got it all. Relentless beat. The guitar riff and lalala.


What’s your coolest/funniest band story?
Really the funniest story is the fact that we've been going on and off now for 30 years and maybe, that's the coolest too.

How much do you think Punk/pyschobilly music has changed in the last 30 years?
The bands have got older.

There was reunion gig last year followed by some shows, what made you decide to get the band back together?
I wish I could say money but that was none of that. It was fun, though and cool to play with original members. It was Paul's fault.

Did you enjoy playing Rebellion Punk festival and what did you think of it?
Yes, it was cool; thought it was a great festival, nice to see some old pals and so many new faces, then WE'D LOVE TO DO IT AGAIN

I recently saw you in Aberdeen, did you enjoy playing café Drummonds, do prefer small intimate venues?
Yes, Drummonds was cool. Aberdeen has always been a lot of fun for us, it was nice to be back there after so long, and we're back again in June.

What makes a good crowd?
More than 4 people.

Are you still a fan and of Who?
Yeah, I like all sort of stuff but a huge of Strangy (King Kurt bass player) 'cos everybody wants to be him. He's like a God to us

Any last words?
Chop 'em out!

King Kurt MySpace: www.myspace.com/alcoholicrat