aKING In Studio With Third Album

aKING is currently in studio recording their third full length album with acclaimed local producer Theo Crous at Bellville Studios in Cape Town. The highly anticipated album, due for release in early 2011, is rumoured to be influenced by the pop-rock sounds of the late 70s and 80s, while new member Andrew Davenport (Thieve) is also credited with injecting a new dose of melody into the musical partnership. Said drummer Snake Venter, "The songs are quite varied - we have an upbeat pop-rock number, a heavier rock number, a ballad, an African-inspired rock track and a dark-sounding 80s track. There's a lot of variation in sound and it should be quite interesting to see which songs will make it onto the album."

The band, who has recently recorded an appearance for the M-Net Variety Show - to be broadcast in 2011 - will also be featured in two major advertising campaigns next year, one for Engen Wimpy and one for Woolworths.

During December, aKING will perform a number of gigs along the coast, as well as the Just Plain Christmas Up North - Down South Party with Die Heuwels Fantasties, Die Tuindwergies and Frankie Fire at Menlyn Shopping Centre in Pretoria on December 10. Said bassist Hennie Van Halen, "We'll be playing a few shows up the East Coast and further North in Joburg just before Christmas. Our East coast fans can expect a repeat of the nightclub Van tour we undertook a few months ago. There's also a show in Swakopmund, Namibia in the pipeline close to New Year's Eve, but peeps who are spending New Year's Eve in Cape Town can expect a show at the Waterfront. Our set will definitely incorporate a couple of new songs and the addition of a keyboard on stage."

For more info and gigging details, visit their Facebook page.