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KINGS OF HELL
TATS AND TUNES
Interview by Lisa Sharer
Group photo by Jim Arbogast
Live photo by Chuck B.
From the July 2008 issue of PRICK Magazine
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The Kings of Hell are a Jacksonville, Fla.
based rockabilly/rock ‘n’ roll band that
was formed in the fall of 2004. Over the
years the band has had several members, but the
most recent lineup is: James "Fish" Alcorn (lead
vocals and guitar), Allen "Sarge" Paulsen (stand
up bass), Sebastian “SeaBass” Stutto (drums),
and “Chaci” (lead guitar).
The band is not only influenced by the car culture
and motorcycle scene, but also involved
with the hands on building of many of their own
cars, trucks, and bikes. Over the years they have
built, bought and sold many projects from choppers,
bobbers, and stock motorcycle restorations,
to late sixties cars, custom trucks, and late
twenty's hot rods. The scene itself is one of the
main influences on their music.
In both 2005 and 2006 the band released two
five song demos; however it wasn't until the winter
of 2007 that they finally took the time to
record what will be their first full length LP, which
will be released sometime early spring. The band
has toured extensively over the southeast and
toured Iceland in the fall of 2005 and spring of
2006.The band is also planning an extensive tour
of Italy and several other European countries in
support of their new LP in the summer of 2008.
Recently Fish sat down to tell us a little about the
workings of Kings of Hell.
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How would you describe your music?
Our music originally started as traditionally rockabilly
with a little more upbeat country, then
gradually changed and became more rock ‘n’ roll.
In the beginning,we were experimenting with different
styles of music deciding what we really
wanted to do. Right now we are doing a lot of
cow punk kind of stuff with a rockabilly twist -- a
little less traditional.
What makes Kings of Hell different
from other bands?
I would say we're different from other bands in
that, I think we bring a bit of a rougher edge to a
style of music that is normally played very traditionally.
We obviously have a stand up bass in the
band, and that alone makes you different because
it keeps you somewhat grounded to certain
musical styles when writing.We touch on a lot of
forms of rock ‘n’ roll, sometimes punk, sometimes blues. It's a combination of a lot of
different influences.
What has been the biggest
challenge for the band so far?
I would say the biggest challenge for us so far
has been trying to keep up with the momentum
the band has had. From day one, this
band has been traveling and writing music at
a pace that we didn't initially foresee being at.
We gradually were forced to make changes as
a band, and as musicians. It's been a lot of fun,
but there were times when it wasn't easy.
What has been the most rewarding
experience for the band so far?
We had a great time when we toured Iceland
for the first time in 2005, but what we didn't
know was that we were having a hand in
exposing those people to rockabilly music
and some of the culture that goes along with
it. When we returned in 2006 we were
shocked at how quickly there was a scene
developing. There was a DJ spinning a rockabilly
themed night, girls and guys were starting
to dress the part. It was crazy to have
been there for that.
Any crazy road stories?
Crazy stuff that happens on the road is probably
half the reason why we do this. We had
a day off at a water park one time where we
pretty much got accused of being convicts
the whole time. We've got more than a
handful of stories of swerving to avoid
major collisions on the highway. Every
single one of us slipped on ice in Iceland
and almost broke an arm.
Why did you choose the
tattoos that you have?
Early on it was maybe just whatever
looked cool, or whatever you could
afford. Later on they started having
more meaning, which kind of sucks because
as I got older I ran out of room and the tattoos I really like are the older ones that came
after my arms were done and you can’t see them. Maybe it’s better that way so you can
keep the personal stuff to yourself.
Do you regret any of them?
I've had a lot of my earlier tattoos fixed or covered. You get what you pay for. I never
really regretted any of them; it's just several styles that I found appealing years ago don't
really appeal to me anymore. I did keep a lot of my older ones, I think they build character.
For example, punk band logos from the ‘80s are generally a lot different looking than
say if you were to get one nowadays. You can't walk in some shop and get a full sleeve
and have that kind of tattoo somewhere in the middle of that had it not been there
before.
Who are some of your favorite tattoo artists?
Jason Harms at Live Wire here in Jacksonville, Shay Cannon at Liberty in Atlanta, Mike
Wilson, and Pepe in Naples, Italy.
What are your plans for the future?
The main thing we are concerned about at this point is getting this full length LP out.
From there we'll be getting out on the road as much as possible. Two weeks in a few
European countries in late summer, starting with southern Italy then working north.We
have several big dates planned here at home, North Carolina, Philadelphia, and around
the southeast.
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