King Prawn (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1993 in London, England |
| Defunct | 2003 |
| Fate | Reunited in 2012 |
| Headquarters | London , England |
| Products | Music albums and singles |
King Prawn is a ska punk group originating from England, established in 1993. The ensemble disbanded in 2003 but later reunited in 2012.
History
The band was formed in London in 1993. Their debut significant release, First Offence (1996), was produced by Martin "Ace" Kent of Skunk Anansie. King Prawn toured widely, sharing stages with a broad spectrum of artists ranging from hardcore bands to traditional and 2 Tone ska performers.
Their initial period of activity concluded in 2003.
Hiatus
Following the breakup, bassist Babar Luck embarked on a solo path, launching Care in the Community in 2006 along with various other solo and collaborative efforts.
In 2007, lead singer Al Rumjen became a member of Asian Dub Foundation, making his debut appearance at The Womad Festival in Singapore and contributing to the album Punkara.
Reformation
The band reunited in 2012, performing at clubs and festivals with an expanded lineup including additional brass instruments and keyboards, though without Babar Luck.
In 2013, King Prawn appeared at Boomtown Festival and the Reading & Leeds Festivals, followed by a UK tour in November.
Two tracks were released on Bandcamp in 2014.
Their fifth studio album, The Fabulous New Sounds of ..., was launched in April 2019 via Cherry Red Records.
In 2020, the group released two singles and commenced work on their sixth album.
Awards
The band earned nominations from Kerrang! magazine for Best New British Band in 1998 and for Spirit of Independence in 2000.
Style
King Prawn's sound combines elements of punk, hardcore, metal, ska, dub, reggae, and hip hop, a fusion they describe as "wildstyle". Their influences include The Dead Kennedys, Crass, Public Enemy, Rage Against the Machine, and Bob Marley.
Current members
- Al Rumjen – lead vocals
- Nikolai Jones – drums
- Devil Hands – guitar
- Zac Chang – bass guitar
- Dr Nelly – cornet
- Alex Gordon – trumpet
- Matt Dowse – trombone
- Nick Horne – keyboards and trumpet
Former members
- Babar Luck (1993–2003) – bass guitar
Studio albums
- First Offence (1995; extended EP version remastered and reissued in 2001)
- Fried in London (1998; remastered and re-released in 2001)
- Surrender to the Blender (2000)
- Got the Thirst (2003)
- The Fabulous New Sounds of... (2019)
Singles and EPs
- Poison in the Air (1995)
- Felled/Depths of My Soul (1997)
- Not Your Punk (1997)
- Your Worst Enemy (EP, 1999)
- Day In Day Out (2000)
- Someone to Hate (2000)
- Done Days / A Solemn Man (2014)
- Rockas an' Them (2020)
- New Vibrations (2020)
Music videos
- "Depths of My Soul" (1997)
- "Day In Day Out" (2000)
- "Someone to Hate" (2000)
- "The Dominant View" (2003)