Local band KOI launch debut album
Kings Of Improg (KOI) launched their debut album, Henosis, on May 20 at Railways Café in Irene.
The band members – Byron Muller (bass/guitar), Lloyd Mckeen (bass/guitar), Chad Snell (guitar) and Slade du Randt (drums) – are all linked to Benoni.
“Chad and Lloyd stay in Benoni,” said du Randt.
“I am from Benoni, but now reside in Fourways, and Byron hails from the ‘Pan’ (Brakpan, although he’s a Benoni High alumni).”
Although the band members live in different areas, they are united by their love for music.
“The band formed in 2012 when Byron invited a whole bunch of us around for a jam session at his place in Brakpan,” Mckeen added.
“The inspiration was purely just wanting to play some music together, no specific goal or sound, just whatever transpired organically.
“After about a year there was eventually only the same four guys rocking up to what we called the KOI sessions (an acronym for the Kings of Improv) – Byron, Chad, our founding drummer Stefan Roodt and myself.
“And before we knew it, songs were forming and we were ready to gig.”
Du Randt joined the band in 2015, due to Roodt exiting the fold.
“We decided to change the Improv to Improg, just because it rolled off the tongue so nicely, and is an amalgamation of ‘improv’ and ‘prog’,” Mckeen said.
Together the guys composed their debut album, which consists of an eclectic blend of melodic and progressive instrumental rock.
But this is the start to many great things for the band that has many goals in mind.
“The goals are to keep on gigging and playing bigger and better venues as we go. We would love to get onto the local festival circuit -playing festivals like Oppikoppi or Splashy Fen or Krank’d Up would be dreams come true for us,” band members said.
“Benrock has been a staple one for us this past year and we would love to be a part of the most local of festivals for us.
“So keep a lookout for the next Benrock festival as we will be writing new material soon and getting back into studio as soon as possible to lay down some new tunes for your listening pleasure.“
To learn more about KOI, check out their page at www.kingsofimprog.com
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