Killing For Company

So what do you do when your first band sold millions of albums, toured the world and performed with the biggest names on earth but you no longer get on with the pain in the arse/brilliant songwriter frontman? Buy a boar? buy a pub? Start a sandwich shop? f you're Stuart Cable and that band was the Stereophonics, you leave, get a new career on the TV and radio and wait until you find the right guys to form another, seriously rocking, band. Killing for Company, though, are more than just a vehicle for the wild-eyed Welsh poodle-permed stickmeister. Together with brothers Andy and Steve Williams on lead and bass guitars, Richie King on rhythm guitar and Greg Jones on lead vocals, KFC kick out a bucketful of classic rock with an up to date sound, like Audioslave channelling AC/DC or Janes Addiction belting out The Cult. It's a grown up, commercial sound that would sit easily on US radio, its melodic rock with bite. This, only their fourth ever gig, also happens to be the first time 'and' band has played Swansea's hug new Liberty Stadium. Despite a criminally early evening start (they're opening for legends The Who), they deliver an energy packed seven song set, including new single 'Enemies' and pounding rocker 'Say About Me'. the frontman shows no signs of being intimidated by the cavernous venue, slinking his way across the stage and flirting with the front row whilst Andy more than keeps up with the Joneses on the blistering solos. Most of all though, it's great to see Wales's very own Keith Moon back in action on a stage and delivering another truly hair raising experience.
- Review by Stuart Williams at KERRANG! Magazine.

It's somehow fitting that the first band to play a major concert at Swansea's new Liberty Stadium were a local band. It is however also tremendously brave when the band who takes that honour are making their live debut and opening for rock legends The Who as well!

Killing For Company, a new five piece outfit formed by ex-Stereophonics drummer Stuart Cable took to the massive stage at the unearthly hour of 6.15pm and for those lucky enough to be inside the arena produced a powerful seven song set of crunching classic hard rock. Well received, especially by the early assemblers at the front, this band wear their influences proudly and despite a sound mix typical of being the opening act turned in a tight and certainly enthusiastically delivered debut performance.
The four song opening salvo which included the new single "Enemies" demonstrated their power with plenty of no-nonsense crunch and an attitude that is pure rock 'n' roll. Superbly fronted by Greg Jones, who as well as possessing a great set of pipes had the confidence to really challenge the crowd to get going, they set about not just playing but providing a great visual live experience as well, using the stage (and the photographers pit!) to effect with guitarists pulling all the requisite shapes. The sound improved gradually as the set progressed and was pretty clear by the time they played the excellent "Secrets Of Empty Bottles". The first and only 'softer' track performed, it had the impact of many a great rock ballad of the 80s.
Already guaranteed some attention thanks to Cable's profile, it'll be interesting to see if "Enemies" breaks through to a wider audience upon release. If for some strange reason it doesn't, then set closer "Say About Me" may well become their first major seller. For me it's the bands' stand out track of the seven played, a superb heavier number which enable Jones to successfully bully the front rows to sing and left a lasting and positive impression on a band that will surely become Wales' next major rock act.
- Review by Bill Leslie Classic Rock Magazine

It must be a hard task to be Stuart Cable's new band. To always be compared and judged against the Stereophonics means that you'll have to put in that much more effort with people standing there saying, "Go on, impress me."
Killing For Company sound nothing like their drummer's predecessors and are probably more akin to Nickleback. Greg, the mild mannered front man flicks a switch and turns up the showman dial to full-on as he rules the stage and audience with a captivating performance that makes it difficult to tear your eyes away. Oh, and his singing — man, can he sing. No grunts and groans and inept screams, just a pure and perfect rock voice that doesn't falter, especially during my favourites Enemies and The Boy Who Saw Everything. And it's all backed by the outstanding guitar playing of Richie, Andy and Steve, and of course one of the best drummers in the world today. I can already see the question being asked in the future, "What band was it Stuart Cable used to play in?" Do not miss these guys — ever!
- Review by Darren Griffiths of Plugged In Magazine

Killing For Company take to the stage and blaze straight into She Would Wait - an excellent anthemic opener with its hook filled chorus, which won the crowd over straight away.

That ploughed into the download single Enemies before moving onto The Boy Who which is as near as dammit the perfect rock song. Steve Williams 70 miles an hour bass riff is eventually joined by Andy Williams and Richie King's clanging guitar chords as Greg Jones sings one of the catchiest verses ever --- followed by a real sing-along chorus. By the end of this song it was game over, as the band had successful wowed another set of loyal followers. For The Taking and Reasons saw the band continue in top form. The stylish playing of lead guitarist Andy Williams impressing all while Greg Jones in particular was growing in confidence and stature with every song. While hanging from the ledges or clambering across the front of the speakers, the singer made use of every inch of the stage in captivating style. His banter in between songs got longer as his confidence grew. His humour as enthralling as his stage presence.

For Secrets & Empty Bottles it was the turn of rhythm guitarist Richie King to step to the fore. His sparkling, chiming and hypnotic riff was the core of this song. It shimmers and shines as the rest of the band add layer by layer of melody to make this song the perfect future single.

Richie's style bears more than a passing resemblance to that of Pete Townshend in the way he throws his guitar in violent strokes around his tall thin frame while striking poses that wouldn't have looked out of place on a 70's Who tour. Richie's playing is at the heart of this band -- the framework for the break-neck bass playing of Steve Williams, the delightful guitar sketches of Andy Williams and the frenetic and powerful drumming of Stuart Cable. Stuart's drumming is starting to resemble that of John Bonham. And I don't say that lightly. But like the Zep legend, Stuart pounds his drums with a savagery and ferocity that looks like his life depends on hitting each note as hard as he can. Soon the band reach the final song Say About Me. Greg sings the chorus to the audience and tells them they have to sing along. When he's satisfied that the crowd know the words and when to come in, Greg announces "Bloody Hell! They're better than me!" and asks the sound guy to hand microphones to everyone in the audience. The song is the archetypal anthemic tune and a rousing way to finish the set.

It's amazing to think this was only Killing For Company's 6th gig. They play with a tightness and understanding that makes it look like they have been on the road together for years. Unbelievably they will get even better. When they play next, this is a band not to be missed.
- Jeff Collins Classic Rock Magazine