Reverend Henry Kane
Metal 4 Africa’s metal minded Darkfiend joined us as a guest writer to interview a couple of MotherFUDD’s most talented bands. Reverend Henry Kane are one of them!
Interview by: Darkfiend (from the all inspiring Metal 4 Africa.com)
DF: Hi Guys. It’s a pleasure to be having this opportunity to chat a bit to Reverend Henry Kane, just prior to the mighty MotherFudd Festival. Are you all excited?
RHK: Thanks so much for the opportunity, much appreciated! Yeah we’ve all heard it’s an epic festival and we’re beyond stoked to be a part of it and share the stage with so many talented bands!
DF: Please excuse my rudeness! How about a round of introductions before I go blundering ahead?
RHK: On vocals is Ryan Kietzmann, lead guitar is Cameron Smith, rhythm guitar is Lloyd Beckett, on bass is Iain Cook and our ‘’old’’ drummer is Chris Graham.
DF: Ok, so MotherFudd is just around the corner, and you are joining a pilgrimage of metal bands to perform up North. Can you tell us who else from your neighborhood is going up?
RHK: As far as we know we are the only Durban band that’s on the bill, so we will be flying the Durban metal flag high for all to see during the show. There are some really talented bands in Durban, so it is a privilege for us to perform at such a prestigious event.
DF: It’s always nice to play in front of new people, but sometimes it can be daunting if people don’t know your music. Do you expect that many of the Durban punters will go along to MotherFudd as well – to represent a united front of sorts?
RHK: We’re hoping there will be a few familiar faces to represent the Land of the Long Green Leaf, but we love playing to new crowds and people, that’s what gives us the motivation. Getting a good response to our music is the best feeling as musicians. It gets boring playing to all the same people time after time, as is sometimes the case.
DF: It looks like your band is really gearing up to join the ranks of those bands who enjoy national recognition. We’ve seen you in your home stomping grounds of Kwazulu Natal, and in Gauteng, and even as far off as Cape Town for Whiplash at the end of last year! Where else has Reverend Henry Kane toured that we’ve missed?
RHK: Nowhere else as yet, but we’re always looking for new venues to play around the country. We want to play some shows in PE and Bloemfontein, heard good things about the venues and crowds, and we’re always up for a thrash afterwards! We said when we started the band that we don’t want to sit in our home town all year and play once or twice in Gauteng or Cape Town. Getting away is the best for us!
DF: Have you been making this all happen yourselves, or has there been some help along the way?
RHK: There’s been a shit load of help from various parties in the scene, and we really wouldn’t have come as far as we have without them. Our biggest help has come from Barry and Delia Drewett and we want to give a big shout to them for all they’ve done for us and the rest of the bands! A special mention to Azrail (RIP) who’ve always hosted and organised for us in the Cape. However we do make a lot of it happen ourselves, applying to festivals, organizing travel arrangements, studio time, merch, etc. and generally managing the band ourselves.
DF: The road is a fun and different lifestyle that most people will never know. Can you fill us in on your single greatest triumph and pitfall that you have experienced whilst touring?
RHK: Our single worst moment was our first ever show in JHB at Asylum. We were plagued with gear issues (our own gear and venue gear) and we were a three piece for 80% of the show, added to that we were playing to about 5 people, it was the worst show we’ve ever done so far. Our greatest triumph was doing a couple of kick ass shows in Cape Town last year in July, surviving the party, flying back with the worst hangovers of our lives and seeing all our gear come back in one piece!
DF: Have there been any bands that you saw on your travels that you would like to take home to do a show, assuming that you are currently holding a winning Lotto ticket and can afford to have “friends” over?
RHK: We’d love to have Azrail, Mind Assault and Day Turns Night from CT; All Forlon, Warthane, Bile of Man and Erebus from JHB. From Durban, Contrast The Water, Theatre Runs Red and Pledge Defiance. That would make for one crazy pit!
DF: Let’s hear a little more about hometown, Durban. How long has Reverend Henry Kane been active in the Durbs scene, and what bands share a similar timeline?
RHK: We’ve been around for two years now, our first gig was March 2008. A band that shares a similar time line are our good friends and bunch of crazies Theatre Runs Red (sick band), although they did start about 6 months before we came along, they are the closest band that is still around today.
DF: Would you say that the Durban scene is unique, if compared with what you experienced in Cape Town and Joburg during you travels? Please go into a little detail about your views.
RHK: We wouldn’t call it unique, as the metal scene in general is pretty unique in its own twisted way. Durban is a lot smaller than the other two major centres, but the scene shares more in common with Cape Town than Jozi. There are a load of bands in JHB and from what we’ve seen and heard, there are big divides in what is ‘’scene’’ or ‘’core’’ and what is ‘’metal’’. We’ve heard of gangs, fights and other crazy shit that goes down in JHB that just doesn’t happen in Durban. There is always going to be some rivalry between bands, but that can be a good thing as it pushes bands to progress, but there can be bitterness and jealousy that does come up every now and then, we’ve been on the receiving end of some of it. It’s a pretty mellow scene generally, and everyone knows everyone, so there is a good camaraderie between the bands. The support at local gigs could be much better for all the bands though.
DF: Since about 2007, we have picked up on 
a growing buzz about metal, especially after years of living in a wasteland of nothingness in the late 90’s and the first half of the 2000 decade. What has cropped up in the South African metal scene excites you the most at present?
RHK: One thing that has grown are the amount of festivals, venues, shows that are geared towards metal, the support for metal is growing slowly around the country. Although there are still those fucking morons who petition against our ways, we will overcome that and metal will continue to grow as far as we see it. All the kids are getting into whichever shape or form you want to call the scene now, which is always a positive. Start them young the lil’ ones!
DF: Most local metal bands seldom survive 
longer than approximately 3 years, we’ve noticed. Obviously, there are huge challenges that need to be surmounted and many just don’t have what it takes to persevere. In taking a look at the current situation, do you feel optimistic and confident that Reverend Henry Kane will be making music for a long, long time yet?
RHK: There are a few things that we feel optimistic about currently. We’ve had no line-up changes since we started, so it’s a close bond we have in the band, but it’s very important because we don’t keep changing members and playing the same songs all the time. Our music has progressed dramatically since we started and we’re writing music that we never thought we could a year ago, in our band it’s all about progress and forging ahead and trying new things. Our support base is growing day by day; we’re seeing more people in front of us at each show which is a good sign.
DF: Have you have any recorded material available as yet?
RHK: We are currently putting the final touches of our debut album entitled “Baptised in Blood”. It’s been a big learning curve for all of us, they’re lessons we’ll take into our next endeavor. We have two unmixed tracks from the album on our myspace and facebook pages to give a taste of what can be expected. Go listen! www.myspace.com/rhkband
DF: When can we expect a release? Tell us about what you have in mind and how you plan to overwhelm your followers and convert the masses of unsuspecting hordes?
RHK: We’re looking at a mid-year release. We’ll keep the plans close to our chest!
DF: What else would you like to say, now while 
you have the spotlight attention? Choose any topic close to your hearts.
RHK: Just wanna say thanks to our sponsors, Bavaria Beer, Skintrade Tatoos, Elixa energy drink and Marshall Music Hillcrest. They’ve all helped us out in our various times of need! Also, to all our fans for all their support and belief in us as a band, and a big thank you to Yvonne for what should be a brutal festival. Shot for the interview DF, hope to see you all at the Fudd!
