Interview with SOiL bassist Tim King

As with numerous bands in the rock industry, SOiL has taken on its share of bumps and bruises. What separates this band from many others, however, is that their vivacious tenacity has once again aided them in persevering with their musical goals. When the group’s lead singer jumped ship a couple years back, all seemed lost. But this lot of super-dedicated musicians did not quit. They hooked up with AJ Cavalier, immediately began laying down new tracks, and consequently began shopping around for a recording contract. Equipped with a fat aural arsenal, SOiL knocked on many a door until record label giants DRT Entertainment (headed by Derek Shullman) got wind of the great SOiL-signing opportunity. Wasting no time at all, DRT and SOiL took care of all of the details and made the contract official. What’s even more impressive is that only a couple weeks after all of these contractual particulars were finalised, SOiL was already en route to the L.A.-based Bomshelter Studios. Heavy into recording their next album I managed to catch up with bassist Tim King and jam with him about many of these recent events.

Hey Tim. Thanks again for taking the time to answer some questions. So, how goes it in the crazy world of SOiL right now?
Tim: We are currently in Bomshelter Studios in Los Angeles with producer Ulrich Wild recording the new album. We have a UK and European tour set up for Jan/Feb. So things are steady as she goes.

SOiL recently inked an exclusive recording contract with New York-based DRT Entertainment. How did you guys get talking with DRT and more specifically what was it that drew you to this company in particular?
Tim: Well after we got squeezed out by various mergers with J Records and losing our former singer, we had to basically start over again. So we got AJ Cavalier in the band on vocals as recommended by Wayne Static and Pat Lackman (Damage Plan). Pat and AJ played in a band called Diesel Machine together years ago. We just wrote a mess of songs and started showcasing for labels. DRT had the most sincere commitment and excitement and seemed like the best place to begin the second coming of SOiL. Derek Shullman heads up the label and his track record speaks for itself. Having signed bands like Pantera, AC/DC (in America), and Bon Jovi, we knew he knew what he was doing.

Did it take long for you guys to come to some kind of agreement regarding the contract itself?
Tim: After we decided to go with DRT the contract was executed and negotiated rather quickly and 2 weeks later we left for the recording studio. We were ready to get to work and so were they. Yet another reason why we feel we made the right label choice.

When and how did you actually get the great news broken to you?
Tim: We actually got a phone call from our manager saying they wanted to make an offer and we weighed it with the others we had received and went from there.

More importantly, how did you celebrate?
Tim: We actually haven’t yet….lol….we went straight into the studio…so I guess that is probably the biggest celebration we could have…recording a new album.

What does it feel like to now be a part of the DRT team which boasts well-established heavy bands such as: Clutch, Blindside, GWAR, and American Head Charge?
Tim: It is great to be a part of it. Those are all well respected bands. And to finally be on a label that has other rock bands on it is a blessing to us. On J Records it was SOiL, Alicia Keys, Rod Stewart, O-Town, and Busta Rhymes….we didn’t really fit to well in that aspect….

SOiL is soon scheduled to hit L.A. and begin recording a new album. Where are you guys going to be working and is there anyone specific (or renowned) that will be helping you with this release?
Tim: I am actually answering these questions from the lounge at the studio. We are at Bomshelter Studios in Los Angeles. The studio is owned by Eric from Stone Temple Pilots. He has been here almost every day and is so cool of a guy. I have a feeling we will gain a great friendship out of it. The album is being produced by Ulrich Wild who has done projects such as Static-X, Pantera, Deftones, and Breaking Benjamin.

Being the super-dedicated musicians that you are, you wasted no time in setting up this recording session. Have you been anxiously waiting the chance to hit the studio again?
Tim: It’s been a year since we got AJ in the band and have been writings songs, so we were very “ripe” so to speak in the ready process. It was the right time to go in. Any later or sooner wouldn’t have felt right. Now we feel like it is the best time.

Speaking of which, do you guys have a lot (or any) material already prepared or are you going into the studio blind?
Tim: The whole album was written beforehand…we cut a lot of songs…I think we picked the best material for this album….

SOiL no doubt has a new dynamic ever since AJ Cavalier signed on as its new lead singer. As a result what kind of things can fans expect from SOiL on this forthcoming release?
Tim: I like to think of it as we got rid of a baby and got a real man on vocals. AJ is everything we should have had to begin with. He is dedicated, hard working, and passionate about this band. Live he is an absolute monster and his voice just fits perfectly with what we are doing. Not to mention just him as a person is more than I could have hoped for. In the short year he has been in the band, AJ has become one of my best friends in the world as well as with the rest of the band.

What is the average day in the studio like for you guys?
Tim: Well every day is different. We usually work from 10AM till 10PM. Start with drums. Then edit. Then move on to other instruments. It just varies from day to day. It is not an easy process like some would think. There is a lot of work and hours that go into this.

Your album is scheduled for a 2006 release. I know it’s early, but can you give us a more specific release time or any other details about the album?
Tim: In a perfect world we would love to see a Feb. or March release, so that is the goal as of now. It could change, but it won’t be too off the mark. DRT wants to get this album out just as much as we do which is a blessing.

Thanks so much for taking the time do the interview. I hope that you have an incredibly productive (and enjoyable) experience bringing SOiL into a whole new era. Do you have any parting thoughts or remarks?
Tim: Thanks!!! Parting remarks…hrmmm….thanks to all the fans for their support, it is the reason we are still alive and kicking. Look for the new album next year and get ready for what we feel is the best SOiL live show ever!