Not My King

ABOUT

Funk / Metal / HipHop / Reggae project based in Naarm (Melbourne)

We’re an original band working in the crossover between funk, metal, hip hop and punk, with an interest in branching further into reggae rhythms as the project evolves. Groove driven, rhythm section first, with a strong focus on pocket, feel and message.

Our sound aims to lean on both drums and bass for percussive rhythm foundations, with guitars and vocals stacking on top.

You can hear our first recorded release here;
https://open.spotify.com/track/0XPdPcy1yUBIoC6hZzyUqL?si=eGT3Gkm1TXmYJxGGAy5Z-w&context=spotify%3Aartist%3A5mnUvTlEuhkuEeHtApjkfZ

We’ve got around 10 other original songs written so far that aren’t recorded yet, with plenty of room for collaboration and shaping parts together.

We rehearse regularly in Footscray and Brunswick, with a gameplan for acquiring gigs and festival slots once all the pieces are in place. We appreciate band members balance work and other projects, so expectations are realistic, but commitment, communication and creative input are essential.

Live performance clips and general vibe are up on insta @notmykingmusic

If you’re into groove, pocket and heavy music with purpose and you want to help shape something that can move between funk, metal hiphop, punk and reggae influences, hit us up.

Screen name:: Not My King
Member since:: Nov 18 2023; Active within 24 hours
Level of commitment:: Committed
Years together:: 3
Age:: 40 years

Influences

At its core this project sits in the lineage of Rage Against The Machine, Infectious Grooves and 24-7 Spyz.

Drums draw from funk and hip hop break traditions, blending Clyde Stubblefield style pocket with the loop-driven funk-metal approach of John Otto.

Bass is treated as rhythm, percussive, melodic and conversational rather than just holding notes. The long-term aim draws from the elastic, groove-driven language of Victor Wooten and Marcus Miller, where bass actively shapes the groove and interacts with the kick.

Guitars are approached as texture, colour and attitude rather than constant riffing. Influences come from players who use space, tone and experimentation to serve the groove, particularly Tom Morello and Wes Borland.

Vocals lean closer to hip hop and spoken word than traditional metal. Rhythm, cadence and message lead the delivery, influenced by Kendrick Lamar, Zack de la Rocha and Immortal Technique.

Looking forward, we’re also interested in branching into reggae and ska-informed songwriting in the lineage of Sublime, approached through the same groove-first lens as our heavier material.