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FeaturesYou are in: Suffolk > Entertainment > Music > Features > King Billy in London ![]() Lee Turner King Billy in LondonOne of Suffolk's happening bands, King Billy & The Marvelous, are about to release their first single 'Shakedown'. Alongside that, the hard graft continues as they try to reign in the capital - but that means playing for no money! Brothers Lee and Craig Turner (vocal/bass and drums respectively) formed the band in Ipswich two years ago with fellow Westbourne High pupil Ben Dorriety (guitar) and Jamie Woodhouse (guitar) who went to Chantry High. Related linksHelp playing audio/video What strikes you about the band is that they're a traditional working band - writing their own songs and trying to build up a live following. The antithesis of the manufactured boy bands - the lads cite their influences as The Clash, Parliament, The Beatles and Snoop Dogg amongst others. It's a heady mix of rock, soul, funk and a lot more - difficult to categorise, but definitely ploughing their own groove as all good tractor boys should. The proof is in the pudding - the first single Shakedown/Never Too Late comes out in April 2006 on the indie Sativa label. ![]() Having built up a following on the local scene the BBC met up with them at what they hoped would be a showcase gig at The Garage in north London in February 2006. Ben says it's the only way for them to get noticed "It's the only way to advertise ourselves. We haven't got a marketing scheme behind us." Craig says the Suffolk scene is too dominated by covers and tribute bands "Our fourth ever gig was in London because not many venues in Ipswich would put us on playing all original material. We've stuck by that, man, and now everyone's having to eat their words because we're coming up with some serious tunes." A good payday in Ipswich can mean nearly £300 a gig, but a trip to London means finishing early, driving down in the van and then playing for nothing except a chance to win new fans and impress a record company scout. Around 30 fans and family came down for the gig from Suffolk, but unfortunately there were no A & R men in evidence that night. They were probably at the NME Awards which were on the same night in another part of town. Starting off with the two tracks from the single they play a tight set (and this band is tight) the highlight of which is Two Of A Kind - probably their catchiest. ![]() Loading the van Playing a half-hour set in between The Rising Times and King Mob, they go down well with their own fans and attract favourable comments from people who've come to see the other bands but a clearly a bit wary of joining the Ipswich hardcore down the front. The crowd doesn't fill the venue, but that's not a worry for Lee "It's always about the music and if we get people dancing or even just get a few feet tapping then that's great. We are taking the business side of things very seriously with publishing and management and a whole back-up team in place and working hard. It's great when you get e-mails from someone in Liverpool telling you one of your songs has been stuck in their brain. That means the work is paying off. This year people are coming to us offering gigs and festivals." Manager Stewart Paterson is confident "When I first met them they were quite amateur in terms of organisation, but we got them together, got a bit of focus and over a short period of time they completely won me over. I've had some success with Towers Of London in the capital and King Billy, while not being mainstream commercial, but what we do have is technical ability and imagination to develop music." Catch them soon in Suffolk before they break-out. last updated: 17/11/2008 at 15:20 Have Your SayDestined for success? These boys are awesome! Tight, focused.Their destiny awaits them. SEE ALSOYou are in: Suffolk > Entertainment > Music > Features > King Billy in London |
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