SOiL - The Rockpit talks to founding member Tim King about the latest album 'Whole' ahead of SOUNDWAVE 2014

INTRO

Hi Tim, happy holidays and thank you for taking the time to talk to the Rockpit. The big news of course for fans Down-under is that you are coming back to see us for SOUNDWAVE 2014. Are you looking forward to reconnecting?

WE CAN'T WAIT!!!  IT'S BEEN 4 YEARS SINCE WE WERE THERE LAST!

Are there any chances of some headline dates whilst you are over?

WE WILL BE DOING SIDEWAVE SHOWS. PROBABLY NOT HEADLINING BUT MORE INTIMATE FOR SURE.

It’s always hard I guess with shorter Festival sets – but what can we expect from the show as far as set-lists go?

SOME 'SCARS', 'REDEFINE' AND 'WHOLE' MATERIAL. 

I’ve always been intrigued by the way the band’s name is represented as SOiL – can you help me with that one?

THE SMALL "i" CAME FROM ADAM PLAYING WITH THE LOGO. THE NAME ITSELF CAME FROM THE ENTOMBED SONG 'ROTTEN SOIL' OFF OF THE 'WOLVERINE BLUES' ALBUM.

How was the recent US Tour with All That Remains and Motionless in White?

AMAZING. WE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT OPENING FOR HEAVIER BANDS, BUT THE REACTION WAS GREAT.

You’ve also got a UK and European Tour lined up with Skindred before you come down to see us – pretty busy times?

YES. WE HAVE A NEW ALBUM TO PROMOTE SO WE HANG MUCH TOURING YET TO DO!

You’re also personally involved in the Rock Against MS show at The Whiskey in LA in March, how did you get involved in that very worthy cause? It looks like a great night and how can people help out?

MY DEAR FRIEND NANCY SAYLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH IT AND PUT TOGETHER THE BENEFIT. WE WERE IN TOWN RECORDING THE 'WHOLE' ALBUM SO SHE ASKED ME TO COME PLAY THE SHOW.  IT WAS AN AMAZING NIGHT FOR AN AMAZING CAUSE.

You released your first DVD back in 2012 which featured the first show back with Ryan - "Re-LIVE-ing The Scars" is an amazing show to watch were you happy with how it came out and being such a pivotal moment in the history of the band were there a lot of nerves?

IT DEFINITELY FELT LIKE "SOIL' AGAIN. THAT WAS THE FIRST SHOW, SO TALK ABOUT A TRIAL BY FIRE.  I'LL ADMIT, I WAS NERVOUS AND YET EXCITED AT THE SAME TIME.

Now that Ryan is back in the band will there be room for any material from ‘True Self’ or ‘Picture Perfect’ in the set-list?

POSSIBLY IN THE FUTURE. WE ARE FOCUSED ON TEH NEW ALBUM AT THE MOMENT AND ALSO PLAYING SOME OF THE OLD CLASSICS THAT WEREN'T PLAYED DURING THE NON-RYAN TIMES.

You released your sixth album – “Whole" on August 16th this year have you been pleased with the response to date?

IT HAS BEEN FANTASTIC.  WE WERE HOPING THE REACTION WOULD BE GOOD, BUT IT TURNED OUT BETTER THAN EXPECTED.

The album sounds like you are getting ‘back to the roots’ of the SoiL sound, but more muscular and updated is that a fair comment?

I WOULD DEFINITELY AGREE. IT HAS A 'SCARS' FEEL BUT MORE MODERN.

After the Tour to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of ‘Scars’ with Ryan back in the band was it always the intention to record new music?

NOT AT FIRST, BUT IT WAS SOMETHING WE ALL DECIDED WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

Was it an easy process or was there a period of reacquainting with each other?

IT WAS ACTUALLY. WE JUST JUMPED IN AND STARTED HAVING A BLAST.

What did you want to achieve with the new release? Were there particular themes that the band wanted to explore?

I THINK WE MAINLY JUST WANTED TO PROVE WE COULD STILL DO IT AND DO IT BETTER THAN EVER.

The first track we heard – the video and single "Shine On" was an amazing statement – were you happy that that particular track summarized was SoiL 2013 is all about?

IT IS A SONG FOR THE FANS.  A THANK YOU FOR STANDING BY US FOR SO LONG, SO YES IT IS A TRACK THAT CAN SUMARIZE OUR CURRENT SITUATION.

One of our favourite tracks on the record is ‘The Hate Song’ where did that one come from – it has it all!

THAT IS GOING TO BE THE SECOND SINGLE AND VIDEO! COMING THIS JANUARY!

‘Amalgamation’ has a killer riff and I’ll bet it sounds amazing live?

WE DON'T PLAY IT LIVE, BUT IT WOULD BE A FUN ONE TO DO.

What are your favourite from the new album to play live?

'WAY GONE' IS MY FAVORITE TRACK.

What are your plans for 2014 and beyond?

AFTER AUSTRALIA WE WILL DO THE STATES AGAIN, THEN THE EUROPEAN FESTIVALS, THEN THE STATES, THEN EUROPE HEADLINING, THEN I DON'T KNOW....HOPEFULLY AUSTRALIA AGAIN!

What have been your greatest challenges to date, and your favourite moments musically so far?

JUST KEEPING THINGS TOGETHER BOTH PERSONALLY AND FINANCIALLY ALL THESE YEARS HAS BEEN A CHALLENGE. IT'S NOT AS EASY TO BE IN A BAND AS ONE WOULD THINK. LOTS OF WORK AND SACRIFICE

With technology changing so much over the last few years and seemingly not slowing, and TV force-feeding us the lowest common denominator, what hope is there for rock music?

WHO KNOWS...TO BE HONEST I'M SICK OF THINKING ABOUT IT.  JUST GOTTA SEE WHAT HAPPENS AND ROLL WITH THE PUNCHES.

Thinking back to your early memories of music, what was it that firs made you decide you needed to be in a Rock and Roll band?

I HEARD MOTLEY CRUE 'SHOUT AT THE DEVIL' AND SAID 'THIS IS WHAT I WANNA DO'

From what you’ve learned so far what is the most valuable advice you’ve been given so far as a musician?

GIVE IT UP. THAT STATEMENT ALONE HAS MADE ME WANT TO KEEP GOINGA ND PISS EVERYONE OFF. LOL.

Can music change the world?

IT ALREADY HAS.....

If you could have been a ‘Fly on the wall’ for the creation of any great album from any period, just to see how the magic happened and it all came together, what would it have been for you any why?

ANY MOTLEY CRUE ALBUM

What is the meaning of life?

DO THE BEST YOU CAN AND TRY AND BE THE BEST PERSON YOU CAN BE. THE REST IS ALL UP TO LIFE ITSELF.

Tim spoke to Mark Diggins December 18 2013

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