Interview with James of Kyshera

Global Metal Apocalypse caught up with James, vocalist of Welsh rockers Kyshera on their past, present and future whilst we interrogated them with our pincers and Katherine Jenkins bondage restraint.

First off what does Kyshera mean, who came up with it and were there any other band names drafted?

Kyshera is a word that I created out of thin air to be unique only to us. It doesn't have a meaning as such, as it was only created to be a name - turns out that there are actually quite a few real Kyshera's around the world! 

Is the album going to be released independently or via a label (if label how did you managed to achieve this?)

Sensitive subject haha! The album will be released independently through our own Konic Records & will be available in all the main stores. It was originally to be put out through  Rising Records. But after our brief experience with a record label, we will most definitely be staying independent for a long time to come. (P.s. James was referring to a record label we know well and for the purpose of the interview we removed the label name).

Your upcoming album 'Made In China', what is the concept behind it and why that particular album title?

Each song deals with one of what I consider to be the things making our world a worse place - such as political corruption, organised religion, celebrity culture, media, consumerism, prejudice etc etc & on the last song 'Ants', I try to convey the positive message that all of these things can be changed if we want to, as all power really lies with us. The title & the title track is to do with how in this age of mass produced, cheap, plastic rubbish that no-one really needs but that we keep ourselves in a constant tail chase to acquire - that even we, the consumers & producers of those products, are actually products ourselves, bred to work, spend, buy, sell & serve a purpose for the masters of the world.  

It seems that South Wales is becoming a breeding ground for acts from Wales, but North Wales seems quiet, what can you say about this?

Hmmm, I can't say really. We're pretty detached from the Welsh scene, we've always had a lot more love from everywhere else, so we tend to play away a lot. There's quite a rigid criteria for what makes an 'acceptable band', in Cardiff most definitely & it has more to do with clothing & how friendly you are with any of the 2 promoters there, than the music. 

What makes 'Made In China' different to your past releases?

Its bigger in scope, bigger in ambition & better produced haha. I'm really proud of it but it was a bitch to put together, 4 months of hard labour which resulted in me losing several stone in weight & having black outs, where I would just pass out randomly ha ha.   

What plans do you have for 2012 and beyond and are there any special announcements coming soon?

We've got a UK & EU tour through November & December, plus a new, free song, not on the album, a new video in the works & possibly a special 'unplugged' event if we get the time! 

Are there any young bands in your area you wish to give shout outs too?

Ha ha, I'm definitely going to get in trouble whoever I mention as there will always be someone I haven't, so I'm gonna play it safe & just say Colours of One, great band, lovely guys, go check them out. 

You call your music 'Konic', why is this and what does it mean without using genre-tagging or cliches?

Konic is another word that I made up out of thin air, like Kyshera. It begun as just being a name for our 'sound' that was unique to us, but has grown into something much more - we now have a Konic manifesto which promotes rebellion to the mainstream in all of its forms, whether it is mainstream music, art, fashion or whether it's mainstream media politics or mainstream small mindedness. We want to see a Konic movement where the mainstream is challenged & the alternative celebrated across the board.  

Finally do you have anything to say to your fans?

Come & join our pages on Facebook & Twitter. They're the best way to keep up to date with what the band is doing - and always challenge the mainstream / celebrate the alternative, in all forms :)

https://www.facebook.com/kyshera/info