This unassuming coastal town never ceases to surprise, consistently unearthing creative individuals who craft incredible things right here among us. And from this landscape emerges Kraken Waker, a dynamic three-piece heavy metal band that’s carving out a unique space in the music scene with their raw sound, energetic live shows, and undeniable camaraderie.
I sat down with Gav (bass and vocals), Scully (drum and vocals), and Ubes (guitar and vocals) at The Seven Stars to discuss their journey, their music, and what it’s like to balance a burgeoning music career with everyday life.
The band’s origins trace back a decade and a half, evolving from a previous project. “We were in a 4 piece band called Ten Ton Friday but our friend Mick had to take a step back for personal reasons.” Gav explains. They decided to carry on as a trio in the meantime.
“We thought we’ll just carry on as a three-piece, we’ll write loads of songs, and then when he comes back, we’ve got loads,” Scully elaborates. Mick never did return to the fold but they remain good friends.
Despite diverse musical tastes – Scully confesses to being “a sucker for the 80s cheese,” while Ubes admits to loving “jazz… cool, kind of stuff and weird things” – their collective sound remains cohesive. Whilst they acknowledge that all three of them have other musical influences, they are clear in what they are as a sound. There’s no denying their music is at the hard rock end of the music genre spectrum.
To provide a sense of their sonic landscape, Kraken Waker’s sound has been likened to a powerful blend of established heavyweights. Comparisons include the driving force of Red Fang, the bluesy swagger of Clutch, the raw energy of Planet Of Zeus, the heavy groove of Black Label Society, and the distinctive grit of Alice In Chains. One friend even playfully described them as “like Clutch, with Crosby, Stills and Nash. Plus wizards.”
But what makes Kraken Waker shine in the hard rock and metal scene isn’t just their powerful music, it’s also their often witty lyrics. They tackle relatable, everyday stuff like beards, booze, being broke, or even rich people acting silly in space (listen to the excellent ‘Space B*stard’ and you will understand what I mean), all with a satirical twist. This witty and down-to-earth approach makes their music really engaging and gives it a lorry load of personality. It’s a big part of their authentic brand and helps them connect with a wider audience.
It has taken some time but Kraken Waker are, at last, on an upward trajectory getting noticed and gaining some traction in the music scene. Last year, they entered, and won, the prestigious ‘Metal for the Masses’ competition in Newcastle. It is one of the UK’s largest unsigned band searches, providing a platform for new talent through regional heats with winners earning a gig at Bloodstock Open Air, itself one of the UK’s largest and longest running heavy metal festival.
Their slot at Bloodstock Open Air has allowed the band to believe in themselves. “It gave us the confidence to know that we can play on a big stage like that,” says Gav. “People liked us and we got a similar reaction when we went on tour and played places we never had before.”
Their debut album ‘Be Good’ was released shortly after in October 2024 to critical acclaim. They’re quick to point out though that whilst they wanted their album to sound perfect, their live gigs are something different.
“I heard a great quote from Lemmy,” says Ubes. “‘If you want to hear how it’s meant to sound, listen to the album. If you want to have an experience, come to the gig.’ It’s not going to sound perfect because we’re messing around.”
And their live shows are certainly an experience – their last gig at Trillians in Newcastle involved a bubble machine and their toy Octopus being let loose on the appreciative audience. This deliberate use of props fits in with their name. It is a direct nod to John Wyndham’s classic 1953 sci-fi novel, ‘The Kraken Wakes’. They chose it to reflect their identity as a “loud band,” evoking imagery of immense, powerful forces stirring from the deep.
“We’d come to the end of Ten Ton Friday and were bandying around names. I guess we were trying to convey some kind of heaviness like, you know, a sound that’s loud enough to wake the Kraken,” explains Ubes.
Their powerful DIY ethos and consistent, collaborative songwriting method, combined with their self proclaimed identity as “big riff hunters” and continuous jamming, suggest that we can expect a lot more from the band. The band continue to promote their debut album ‘Be Good’ but are already thinking ahead.
But balancing their music with day jobs is a constant challenge and the band acknowledge that a manager might be on the horizon as their momentum grows. However, for now, they are managing it all themselves.
Gav, Ubes and Scully are more than just a band; they’re a tight-knit group of friends with a shared passion. I point out that there’s an obvious bond between them. “It’s been absolutely fantastic, playing with these lads,” confirms Scully. The chemistry between them is undeniable and translates into a captivating live experience and a powerful, evolving sound.
Kraken Waker are undoubtedly a band to watch, proving that they’re ready to make a bigger splash in the music world.
You can catch them at Get Heavy Festival, Gateshead on August 16
The album ‘Be Good’ is available here;
https://krakenwaker.bandcamp.com/album/be-good
Photographs by Eye of the Tyne Photography
