Interviews: Interview with Karn8

by Gordon Tebbutt

• Who are Karn8 and what part do they play in the band?
  
  Kirst - Is the Sultry Siren
  Sammy Lee - Provides the pounding Beats
  Bones - Adds the chaotic guitars
  Kinghorn - Underpins it all with snarling synths

• How would you describe your music to someone who has never heard of Karn8?
  
  'Dirty Rock'

• What cartoon characters are you most like?
  
  Kirst - Catwoman
  Sammy Lee - The Incredible Hulk
  Bones - Captain Caveman
  Kinghorn - Superman

• What are your main musical influences?
  
  We all have far too many to mention. But the main ones are: Alice in Chains, Nine Inch Nails, Marilyn Manson, Motley Crue and The Doors.

• What was your most embarrassing gig experience?
  
  Haven't really had one...we just tend to deal with most things that get thrown at us. (What about head-butting an amp at a gig in Fleet Bones, eh? - Tee hee - Ed)

• If you could play alongside any other band (living or dead) who would that be and why?
  
  The Doors or Kiss (in their Prime)....because it fuckin ROCK!!!!!!!

• I understand that you are working on an EP at the moment. How is all that going?
  
  We have finished a number of home recordings. Which we'll probably release soon as an E.P.....we want to get into a pro-studio and really push our sound.

• What do you guys do apart from appearing as Karn8?
  
  Kirst - Teaches Drums
  Sammy Lee - Sells Drums
  Bones - Warps young minds
  Kinghorn - Surfs the web all day

• I've seen you live and heard the unique sound that Karn8 make, tell me more about it.
  
  The Birth of Karn8 wasn't very typical. The original line up was pretty standard : guitar,bass,drums,synth and vocals. But for certain reasons the guitarist left and we couldn't find a replacement. So we experimented, and had the idea of playing guitar through a bass amp, with an overdrive pedal. We then made the synth parts more bass heavy, then made the drums even bigger, and with the dark powerful vocals on top we had a sound which was Dynamic, heavy, melodic and groove laden.

• Everyone likes to name drop - go for your guns!
  
  Reuben share our rehearsal space ...on a farm

• Who is your favourite unsigned band at the moment?
  
  Soul Kitchen...they rock, and we love playing gigs with them.

• If you could play anywhere at any time, where and when would it be?
  
  Woodstock or Donnington Monsters of rock...

• What is the strangest gig Karn8 have ever played?
  
  We played a gig at the Plantation in Guildford...which ended up in a fight...so that was kinda wierd.

• ...and finally - thanks for the interview. Where can we find out more about you guys?
  
  You can find out more at our website, www.karn8.com. We have some sample sound clips from our recorded work, along with loads of other goodies, so come along and check us out, and keep your eyes open for our gigs in the local area!