The music:

Expect uncompromising, focused energy.  Sing-along alternative country-inspired songs and Classic Rock anthems are at the order of the day. The tongue-in-cheek and cynical, yet sometimes sentimental lyrics are mixed with an infectious, positive energy to accurately describe the strange contrast of their unique socio-political situation. aKING is a band with unlimited aspirations, but totally aware and in-tune with where they come from.

The Bandmembers:

Laudo Liebenberg – Vocals and Lead Guitar

Hunter Kennedy –  Rhythm Guitar and Backing Vocals

Hennie van Halen – Bass

Jaco Snake Venter – Drums

Being members of Fokofpolisiekar, Hunter Kennedy and Jaco Venter need no introduction to the South African Music scene. Fokofpolisiekar has revolutionized Afrikaans rock music by challenging and shifting rigid Afrikaans mindsets. Controversial as they are perceived to be, Fokofpolisiekar has written themselves into the history books of Afrikaans Music with their fiery reign of excellent musicianship, relevant intelligent lyrics and larger than life live performances. FPK has won numerous awards including a SAMA for Best Afrikaans Rock album for “Swanesang” and they have opened commercial doors for Afrikaans rock music by being the first Afrikaans band to have tracks play-listed on national commercial radio station 5fm.

Hunter, who wrote most of the lyrics for Fokofpolisiekar, co wrote 8 of the tracks on the aKING album with vocalist Laudo Liebenberg.

Bassist Hennie van Halen has known the rest of the band since high-school. He studied for two years after school and worked in the sound industry for a while before leaving to spend some time overseas  as an English teacher in China. On his return from abroad he lived in the Fokofpolisiekar house while the band was away on tour – and it was in this time that he started jamming and writing songs with Laudo.

Laudo Liebenberg studied Drama at the University of Stellenbosch and is best known for playing the lead role in Marthinus Basson`s acclaimed productions of Romeo and Juliet and Broers.

Release date and media:

aKING`s debut album “Dutch Courage” (all the bandmembers are Afrikaans) was released on 1 February 2008. The album was recorded at BSharp Studios in Boksburg and contains 11 original English rock tracks. 

Delivering three no 1 hit singles, “Dutch Courage” has been hailed as one of the best rock releases in SA in 2008.

The first single “The Dance” was play-listed on 5fm and reached the no 1 chart position on the 5fm Hi 5 at 5 Chart, as well as the no 1 position on the following campus radio stations: Tuks fm, UJ fm, RMR, MFM, and Kovsie fm.

A video of “The Dance” rotated on MK, SABC 2, MTV Base and MNET. The video reached and maintained the no 1 position on MK Top 10 for seven weeks in a row.

The second single “Safe as Houses” was submitted to radio stations nationwide in June 2008. The track was playlisted on 5fm, Highveld Stereo, Jacaranda fm and OFM.  “Safe as Houses” followed on the chart-topping footsteps of “The Dance” by also reaching the no 2 position on the 5fm Hi 5 at 5 chart, as well as the no 1 position on 5 campus radio stations.

A video of “Safe as Houses” was on rotation on MK and selected DSTV channels. The video reached no 1 on MK Top 10 Chart on Sat 12 July.

A third single from the album “Guilty as Sin”,  is currently playlisted on 5fm, Highveld Stereo and national campus radio stations.  The track reached no 1  positions on Pukfm, UJFM, Tuks FM and RMR.

Since the launch of “Dutch Courage”, aKING has been receiving rave reviews* and extensive coverage in national newspapers and magazines.  They have been  invited for guest appearances on various television shows including Pasella SABC 2, Nicky Greenwall`s Showbiz Report on ETV, Artcha SABC 2, KADA SABC 2, Glitterati, kykNET and Noted, SABC 3.

Media quotes:

“AKING is going to be big. Like really big. Dutch Courage has more hooks than Dennis Rodman`s face. “Guilty as Sin” is a brave chest-slapper that U2 wouldn`t have the cajones to write.” Zane Henry, Argus Tonight.

“It`s unlike anything local we`ve heard before: A highly addictive mix of pop-rock sensibilities, alternative catchy vibes and cynically sing-along lyrics. How many good tracks? All of them!” Donnay Torr, heat magazine (5/5 star review.)

“Their music is of international standard.” Bryone Mc Cormick, Saltwater Girl magazine.

“It may just take some Dutch Courage to change the face of the SA Music Industry. Outstanding!” Natalie Egling, People Magazine (5/5 star review)

“I would highly recommend that you add this to your CD collection, maybe even having it signed because if this isn’t their breakout album, the next one will be.” Heanel Oosthuizen, Jacarandafm.com

“aKING, through their intricately spun stories of suburban survivalism, give profundity to blue collar life in a South African context. It doesn't hurt that they're brilliant at it.” Xavier vd Sandt, Cape Town Independent Newspapers.

“aKING is a band that has single-handedly changed the way in which rock music is ingested, digested and ultimately celebrated.” – Jason Curtis, New Media Publishing.

Riding the charts in top gear for the past few months hasn’t stopped aKING from exploring new territory and writing new material. They are currently producing new songs in collaboration with Cape Town based groups Ghetto Vibritions, United Khayelitsha Mambaso and the Thokozani brothers.

Expect a fusion of Rock and African traditional sounds as you have never heard before. These 3 tracks will only be released as downloadable tracks in February 2009.

The band will then return to the studio on the 23 February to record the second full length album due for release April 2009.

aKING have been nominated for three MK awards : Best group, Best hit and best Video. Results will be out in February 2009.

Festivals and Tours up to date:

Ramfest, Worcester – March 2008

KKNK MK stage. – March 2008

Oppikoppi Easter, Northam – April 2008

Newlands Street Party, Newlands April 2008

Straight into Benoni Rock Show, Benoni May 2008

Live on 5fm – Sat 28 June 2008

Dutch Courage Launch tour – March 2008

Lawwebantoer ( with Van Coke Kartel ) – April 2008

Volume Rock Fest, Potchefstroom  - July 2008

Fees van die Sewe Skape, JHB – July 2008

Oppikoppi Wildcard – August 2008

Pretoria Skou – September 2008

Witchfest, Durban – September 2008

Rocking the Daisies, Darling – October 2008

Oppiaarde, Potcheftroom – October 2008

ES Rockfest, Pretoria – October 2008

Cuervo Nation Festival – November 2008

Tuks FM New Years party – December 2008

Festivals and Tours planned for 2009:

Bloemfontein Rag – January 2009

MTV Campus Tour: TUKS Rag P.T.A - January 2009

MTV Campus Tour: Emmarentia - January 2009

Potch Rag – February 2009

MTV Campus Rag: Cape Town - February 2009

RamFest - February 2009

Kirstenbosch Gardens – March 2009

Ratanga Junction Rock Fest – April 2009

CokeZero Fest -  April 2009

Album Launch Tour – May 2009

www.aking.co.za

www.myspace.com/akingband

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=20293018184

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