Nat Col and the Kings

Nat Col and the Kings

Blues, Roots and Rock'n'Roll

Nat Col and the Kings is the combination of master guitar player Nathan Cavaleri and former Screaming Jets Drummer Col Hatchman. After spending months in recording studios and rehearsal space they are ready to hit the road, kicking things off in Newcastle and moving onto shows in Melbourne and Sydney.

Separately these guys both have impressive resumes. Col Hatchman has well and truly cemented his reputation after years with The Screaming Jets and still holds the Guinness Record as the World's Loudest Drummer. Nathan Cavaleri has shared the stage with a list of artist that looks like a who's who of the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame including BB King, Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, Deep Purple, Jimmy Barnes and Diesel.

Having just returned from playing at the World Cup in South Africa and tour dates in Europe including the main stage at Hellfest as the guest guitarist for Electric Mary, Cavaleri has thrown himself straight back into work with Hatchman putting the finishing touches on their live show and have recently release their four track Debut EP.

Their sound merges Nathan's credible blues roots with the worldly variety of styles absorbed over the years, whilst Col injects the fiery rock'n'roll that is part of his energetic all or nothing style. Most people will be accustomed to seeing Cavaleri with a guitar in his hand but this project will also see him at the microphone providing sensational lead vocals. With a solid collection of muso's behind them, the guys can't wait to get back on stage!

Nat Col and the Kings is a slight departure from what Hatchman and Cavaleri have released separately in the past but both describe it as the most connected they have ever felt to their music. When asked about his new project Nathan says "We've spent the last year developing under the radar. We invite our friends to play with us when we want to jam. It's a great way for our guests to vent creatively but also a great way for us to keep true to ourselves. The cool thing about being in a band with that type of motivation is that it can only evolve. It's never ending. As long as you live life and stay in touch with yourself, there will always be something to write and play about. We're having a ball."

Nat Col and the Kings
The Espy, Melbourne
Saturday September 11 (with Electric Mary)
www.espy.com.au

The Annandale Hotel, Sydney
Saturday October 2 (with Electric Mary, Lust and Raise the Crazy)
www.annandalehotel.com.au

Interview with Col Hatchman

Guinness World Record Holder! Security Risk! Kick Ass Drummer!

Question: Can you talk a little bit about why you decided to start the project Nat Col and the Kings?

Col Hatchman: Nathan and I have been doing music for a long time and he basically contacted me, years ago, when I was in The Screaming Jets and we had a project together that was pretty hard core rock funk and this is the natural evolution of us, both, becoming more mature.


Question: Describe Nat Col and the Kings style in three words:

Col Hatchman: Energetic, Blues, Stomp!


Question: How does it feel to hold Guinness World Record?

Col Hatchman: It's pretty good; it's a great title 'the loudest drummer on earth'. It's not a bad introduction (laughing).


Question: Do you write your own songs? What's your inspiration?

Col Hatchman: Yes, absolutely! Nathan is the main songwriter, one of the tracks on the album, that is coming out at the beginning of next year is called Can't We All Get Along which is based on the craziness in the world at the moment, with people not getting along, the wars, the political views. Another We Have All Got The Same Sun Shine, we are all under the same sun shine is where we are all talking, quite broadly, about all getting along and that it's all going to be okay, it's all cool people, cruise!


Question: What music/artists do you listen to when you are not playing your own?

Col Hatchman: I listen to anything that is Dave Grohl, Crooked Vultures and Foo Fighters, we both love the energy that comes from that. Also, I listen to bands like Muse and 1930's and 1940's big bands, to balance out the equation. Nat listens to a lot more blues than I do an even more recently I listen to songwriters such as Daniel Johns, he is fantastic.


Question: What's next for Nat Col and the Kings? Tour/Album/Single?

Col Hatchman: We are heading out on tour and hope to make a big mess of things!


Question: Do you prefer performing live or recording?

Col Hatchman: At the moment I prefer performing live, I haven't done a lot of it, as much as I would like to, in the last four years. However, when you're on the road for a while, it is nice to get into the studio. I love both sides of things, but you are right on edge, every night when you are on stage, when you come off that is a feeling you can't get from recording.


Question: What/who was your inspiration to go into the music industry?

Col Hatchman: I saw KISS when I was about seven, on television and seeing all the theatrical stuff, that was one of the things that made me want to play, in a band. I really didn't know anything apart from what I could see in video clips, on Sunday morning, on channel nine. From there I put my hand up when the next music tuition lesson came around to the primary school class; I think I was in about grade five. I didn't know exactly what I wanted to do, apart from to play in a band and I started playing drums first and I have done it ever since, as well as other instruments along the way.

It was surreal when I got to go on tour with KISS in 2001. Unfortunately we didn't get into a deep conversation but it was surreal when Paul Stanley poked his head through the bandroom door, in makeup and said "Hey you guys! I know you guys faces, where you from?" Seeing all those boys and walking beside them, it was a great experience especially to see someone who had inspired me and then be on tour with them, unreal!


Question: What's a typical day like, for you?

Col Hatchman: At the moment it is quite extreme, in the fact that I have got a new born, a little girl, who is seven weeks old and I'm just about to go on tour, have been recording and doing shows; both are absolutely opposite ends. I get to be really, really loud when I'm with the band and when I'm at home I have to be very, very quite.


Question: What has been your favorite part of becoming a music artist?

Col Hatchman: Not having to join the system, being able to be a kid forever.


Question: If you could collaborate with another artist, who would it be?

Col Hatchman: I would love to collaborate with Dave Grohl, I'd love to be his drummer, for a tour, if he'd have me. In Australia I'd love to collaborate with Daniel Johns, his one of the greatest song writers and Nathan Cavaleri, of course!


Interview by Brooke Hunter