Knockout Kings are a band from Forth Worth who will rock your world in a positive way. Their latest EP The Kid’s Got Heart has several super groovin’ track that will jangle within the memory of many a music fan. An appearance on MTV’s My Super Sweet 16 has gained them a bit of underground notoriety. As the band started yet another cross country tour, we caught up with guitarist Cam and this is what he had to say…
Introduce yourself, tell me what you do in Knockout Kings, and how long the band has been together.
Well, we're the Knockout Kings from Fort Worth, Texas... and we like to have fun - end of story. I'm Cam - and I play guitar and sing a little bit. I'll be answering a few questions, and Klink, who sings, will be giving his two cents as well.
Where is the band from and what is the music scene like there?
We're from Fort Worth, Texas... and we are so proud of how loyal the kids are out there. We're always amazed about how many kids come out and show support for local bands of every genre. We're really blessed to be involved in such a great scene. The credit doesn't belong to us at all, but the kids who keep the community alive.
Where did you come up with the idea for the EP title The Kid's Got Heart?
It represents the passion left out of music from our genre. The Kid's Got Heart is us summed in a few words. It represents a band overcoming as well as a message for kids, etc. We all do this for the passion we have for what we love, as well as a belief in duty and doing the right thing. "Heart" is what inspired us to do what we do.
In writing your lyrics this time around, what ideas inspired you for some of the songs?
We strayed away from girls and stuff this time around. The main focus was overcoming, friendship, and staying positive.
Tell me about your experience on the MTV show My Super Sweet 16.
No…just kidding. It was a fun time, and Dominique (the hostess of the party) is such a sweet girl. MTV hasn't gotten around to airing the next season, though. It was the biggest audience I'd ever played for in my life... and I was really glad that our chance to be on a TV show was with a lot of our loyal fans and friends singing along.
Have you ever played out here in the Los Angeles/OC area or plan to do so in the future?
We are supposed to soon, maybe early August. We have some friends out in Cali. Shout outs to our boys in Final Fight and The Warriors.
What can one expect from a live Knockout Kings show?
One of the most intense shows of a band from our genre will bring. It's very inspired by hardcore bands and the sincerity of emo bands. I guarantee it will be a good time. I know we have a good time, because that's why we do this.
Since you've been on two national tours so far (and about to go on a third), do you have any road horror stories you could share with us?
New York City = No bueno. We also had a rough night several months back when the van broke down about 6 hours from home; and in the course of figuring out how to get the van and trailer home, our drummer got his hand slammed in the van door, breaking his fingers. All in all, half of us ended up sleeping in the van on the side of the freeway (10 miles away from the largest prison facility in Texas, mind you) overnight; while the others stayed up, rode home with another band, came back in their own vehicles, and towed the van and trailer home separately, which totaled about 15 hours of non-stop driving. One of the worst nights of our lives. Actually, that night kind of influenced the lyrics in the song Road Warriors.
I noticed you will be playing at Cornerstone this year. Would Knockout Kings be considered a Christian band and have you ever played Cornerstone before?
Knockout Kings isn't a Christian band. This is a touchy subject that I could probably talk for days about. We are Christians in a band. I don't think we're ready to grow up that much and live with the responsibility of being labeled a "Christian band." I have some ethical problems with the whole concept of "Christian music." I think we're all kind of lost with the problem of religion vs. Christianity right now. Art in any form reflects who you are, and if you're a Christian - it will come out in your music. If you want to really get my gist - go out and read Donald Miller's "Blue Like Jazz"... It will get you along the same mindset I believe we're on. There's a positive message in our music, and we just try to love on everyone we can no matter where we are. This will be our first year at Cornerstone. I'm really looking forward to seeing a lot of good friends from all over the country there.
Are any of you guys boxing enthusiasts or PlayStation 2 fanatics?
Haha, we did not get the name from the game; though our singer is quite the gamer and our bass player is a big UFC fan, which is practically like the new boxing. Boxing is old news.
Is Myspace the great Satan of the 21st Century and how often are you guys on Myspace?
Our drummer lives there, he gets off it to play shows.
Why should someone run out right now and buy the new Knockout Kings EP?
We are so proud of this CD. It is our heart and soul captured on a digital disc (if that's possible??).
If there was one thing you'd like a listener to get out of your music, what would it be?
Heart, and a true interest in showing people true intensity and a sense of positivity. To quote a band that's been on my I-Pod lately: "At least we know that if we die, we lived with passion."
Any final words of wisdom?
Sheetz gas stations are the best things ever. Papa John's pizza with extra sauce is an acquired taste that hits the spot. Avoid Chinatown (NYC) at all costs. What's inside someone's heart is what matters... and no one's perfect - especially not us.
