King Kananga have enjoyed a busy ‘Rocktober’ in the run up to the release of their new EP.

The Holme Valley based grungers made up of frontman Joe Gallagher, Rob Taylor on bass and ex-Nex drummer Mike Garlick have upped their efforts this year and rocked their socks off at pubs and clubs across the country in a bid to get signed.

Bassist Rob said the band had known each other for years but had only decided late last year that 2009 was the year to get on with some recording and gigging.

He said: “Things are going really good at the moment, there’s been a lot going on.

“This year we’ve played some decent venues including the Academy in Manchester and the Cockpit in Leeds.

“Next year we will be looking to get some low level festival slots.”

The hard working lads have so far done it all themselves, including recording their first self-titled EP in Leeds and getting it on iTunes.

And Rob said he had even convinced his girlfriend to go on a fact finding mission whilst they were on holiday in Los Angeles in a bid to boost his industry knowledge.

Music wise KK reckon they’re pretty hard to pigeon hole but what’s not in doubt is they love to rock out.

Rob said: “It’s usually a case of banging our heads together and coming up with something we think everybody will like. We take influences from loads of different bands including QOTSA and Silverchair.

“What we play is pretty random as far as alternative music goes.

“I wouldn’t like to put a tag on it other than ‘dirty hard hitting hooks’.

“We’re not the type of band that just stands up there and stares at the floor.

“We’ve got some quite groovy tracks so we like to see people dancing.

“I’m all over the place and Joe pulls probably the funniest faces since Jimi Hendrix.”

With their first EP getting a rave review from a Roadrunner Records scout the trio now have plans to release another.

But first up is a number of gigs closer to home, a scene that KK definitely rate.

Rob said: “Huddersfield’s live scene is pretty decent with the uni doing so well it’s getting a lot of people coming out.

“People still need to get out to more gigs but it’s down to the bands I guess to give them a reason.”

King Kananga are playing a special gig at Coffee Evolution this Friday, November 6 and then Bar1:22 on Friday, November 20.