Kong Kong: Oi Punk with King Kong DNA and swedish charm. Prepare for a journey to Gorilla City, a world where the DIY ethic reigns and three-chord anthems feature keyboards, saxophone, and organ! The Swedish band Kong Kong isn’t just any group of ugly middle-aged guys—they are gorillas with punk in their blood who genuinely entertain the scene with their humor and disarming honesty.
How did the idea for their unique image come about, what does punk mean to them in 2025, and why is releasing short, limited vinyl runs the perfect format for them? In this interview for your fanzine, they talk about their drive to always write a better song than the last one, the stress of creation, and the immense gratitude for their records constantly selling out.
Dive into the world of a band whose project is a firmly integrated part of their lives, and find out just how hideously ugly they really look underneath those gorilla masks. The answer might surprise you!
How did the idea for Kong Kong come about – was it something planned, or a spontaneous decision to do something different from your previous bands ?
We started over some leftover song ideas from earlier constellations that we’ve played with. In addition to that we had this vague idea to put a little effort into image. The gorilla theme came to us after a discussion about what King Kong is called in Norway since the word “Kong” is “King” in Norwegian. Logic has it that he should be called Kong Kong (spoiler: he isn’t) and we found that quite funny.
Was the idea of the “gorilla world” there from the start, or did it evolve gradually ?
After choosing the band name the rest of the imagery came naturally. I mean, we’re just as old and ugly as the next punk band and I guess a gorilla themed band is more fun than a group of middle-aged guys with kids and families and steady jobs playing three chord songs on their spare time.
What does making punk music in 2025 mean to you personally ?
Music in general and punk music in particular are some of mine, and our, biggest interests, and our common hobby. It gives us some kind of meaning, and a common thread in life.
Is Kong Kong more about fun, commentary, or a form of artistic expression ?
It’s a combination of all of the above, I guess. I might add the constant stress of coming up with new stuff and planning the next steps, while always being aware that you don’t have enough time for any of it. Kong Kong is great fun, but sometimes it’s also no fun.
What motivates you the most to keep going – the urge to create, to share, or simply the joy of recording ?
Probably just to write a better song than the last one. I mean, Kong Kong is a good band to be in, and it has become a somewhat important part of our lives. And even if I do like hanging around in the studio, I don’t really enjoy the actual recording. I’m always looking forward to wrapping the recording sessions up.
Do you feel your music comes more from frustration or from humor ?
I guess it’s a little bit easier to do the humor thing, but our ambition is indeed to work harder on being somewhat serious and more commenting, lyrics-wise.
If you had to describe the “spirit” of Kong Kong in one word, what would it be ?
“DIY”. That might actually be three words, but you’ll just have to read it out really fast.
Why gorillas? What draws you to that theme ?
All the Bulldogs and Middle Ages knights were already taken (real answer: see question 1 and 2 above).
Is the world around the band (Gorilla City, characters, etc.) part of your personal humor, or does it carry a deeper meaning ?
In a way the image kind of lives its own life nowadays, I think. The whole thing started with humor obviously, and then evolved into this image of sorts. Everybody involved in the band gets a Kong-name and some of them are quite hilarious. I love the name “Kong Diamond” for example. Does it carry a deeper meaning? Maybe.
What role do you think humor plays in punk ?
It’s a grateful way to tackle different topics and it’s always been there. I do tend to appreciate some kind of self-distancing humor within a band, especially when you’re being as macho-tough as only us punk-, hardcore- and oi!-bands can be.
Is it important for you that the visual side has its own logic and continuity ?
Well, as mentioned earlier, we had this unclear idea to put a little effort into image and visuals when we first started off the project. But I don’t know if any real “logic” was involved in the process, and I don’t know if it is now, either.
Where do you look for inspiration for artwork, titles, and lyrics – old movies, comics, nature documentaries, or the real world ?
We steal ideas from others. That’s what we do.
Do you have any visual or aesthetic influences ?
That would obviously be the original King Kong movie from 1933.
Would you say Kong Kong has its own “universe” ?
Nah, not really. That might be pushing it a little too far. It’s really just a band.
How does your creative process actually work – do you record together or separately ?
Usually, we just nick some melodies or hooks and make very lo-fi demos at home. When we’re happy enough with the rehearsed material we record it properly in Stephen Kong’s studio in the Old Town Quarters in Stockholm. This place is kind of the epicentre of the band.
Who takes the lead when it comes to songwriting and production ?
The songs are usually put together on guitars and keyboards and are normally a joint band effort. Production-wise, Stephen Kong has the final say.
Do you have your own home studio, or do you work with someone from the outside ?
I mean, Stephen Kong is part of the band, more or less, and he’s absolutely no outsider. He runs a professional recording studio for a living. He’s our go-to-guy.
What’s your approach to production – do you try to keep it raw, or do you like to experiment more with the recordings ?
We tend to experiment a little bit, trying new things and adding new stuff. I mean, since the recordings on the first EP we have since added female vocals, keyboards, organs, piano and saxophone. Stuff that nowadays all have become integral parts of our songs and sound.
How much of the final sound is born in rehearsal and how much in the studio ?
The songs are normally ready and well-rehearsed when we enter the studio, but everything just goes up a level or two in quality when recorded properly. Ideas and changes can indeed occur in the studio, but the songs were brought in in their entirety.
Do the lyrics come before the music, or the other way around ?
Oftentimes it’s just bits of music and pieces of lyrics being put together at the same time.
How do you know when a song is “finished” ?
The day before we go into the studio the songs must be finished. In theory, you really could keep working on a song forever.
Your releases tend to be very limited. Is that a deliberate choice or just a result of the DIY approach ?
The truth is it takes a hell of a lot of work and effort to write, record and release the songs. But I think we’ve released 22 songs in about five years, which I think is an acceptable outcome.
What do you enjoy most about small editions – control, exclusivity, or the community around them ?
We never thought the EPs would sell the way they have. The first two were pressed in 250 copies, and the latter three were pressed in 400 copies. They do tend to sell out, but I don’t think we would have sold much more than that. The “Gorilla Anthems” compilation LP was pressed in just over 600 copies and there are still some unsold. I think the demand for Kong Kong vinyls is around 300-400 copies/release.
How do you feel about vinyl and tapes – a stance against digital culture, or more nostalgia ?
I do love vinyls and tapes and I never stopped, or even paused, listening to music in that way. Neither did the punk scene ever stop releasing music physically. The physical releases today are just a continuation of how it always has been. It’s still a very important part of our scene, and a matter of course, I think.
What’s it like releasing music that sells out so quickly ?
Well, let’s not exaggerate. But it’s fucking unbelievable every time a Kong Kong release sell out. We’re very grateful.
Why did you decide to do a big compilation record, and what was the collaboration with the label like ?
It was Mark from (legendary US label) TKO Records who approached us with the idea, and since a lot of the Kong Kong records were already being exported to the US the idea made sense. Mark is a pro, and it was nothing but a pleasure working with him on the compilation.
Can we expect a full new album next time, or do you prefer the shorter format of EPs and singles ?
I don’t know really, but since writing and recording a full-length worth of material takes so much time and effort, my bet would be on a shorter format.
How would you describe the current state of the Swedish punk scene ?
Constantly good and always has been. Some ups and downs in different subgenres I presume, but overall, it’s very vital, I think.
Do you feel punk has changed in recent years – musically, visually, or in attitude ?
I believe any possible changes might be easier spotted in some of the more specific subgenres rather than in the genre as a whole.
Do you feel part of a specific scene (Oi!, power-pop, post-punk…), or do you stand completely outside it – or maybe a bit in all of them ?
All of us has been active in the Swedish punk- and skinhead scenes for ages (as concert goers, record buyers, studio workers, fanzine readers, record reviewers, screamers and drunks) and all members have been involved in other punk bands. And to a certain extent still are.
Do you keep in touch with other musicians, or does Kong Kong function more like a closed project ?
We started out as a regular four-piece, but as time goes by more and more people tend to get involved in the band one way or another, and that’s great!
What role do you think fanzines and small labels play today – are they still the driving force of the scene, or more of a nostalgic thing ?
I’d like to praise all of you guys putting the effort in making zines nowadays, and all the small labels in our community that keep on releasing new (and old) stuff. All play important roles in keeping the scene alive and healthy.
Which new bands do you enjoy and find inspiring ?
There are a lot of them. An Slua, The Chisel, Skinhead, Fool’s Errand, Bullshit Detector and Home Front. Just to mention a few.
And what about the classics – what first pulled you into punk, and what keeps inspiring you about it? How do you relate to classic punk – still an influence, or more of avlegacy ?
We’ve always been very influenced by stuff like “The Killing Dream”-era-Blitz and that somewhat synthy 80’s sound. And then of course French and Swedish 80’s punk, classic British oi! and other stuff like The Cars, Weezer, Therapy? and Transvision Vamp as well. The classics are all still influences.
I haven’t seen any info about you playing live – was that a conscious decision from the start, or just something that never happened ?
We’ve had quite a few requests to play live shows, both here and abroad, and that’s flattering of course. Here in Stockholm most of us do play live in other bands. But someday we might do it as Kong Kong, who knows.
Have you ever thought about doing a live show, maybe as a one-off or for a special occasion ?
Thought about it, absolutely! Taken the time to actually make it happen, we have not.
Does Kong Kong carry any inner meaning or message for you, or is it purely about fun ?
It does carry an inner meaning in the sense that the band is an integrated and important part of our lives. Both a fun, and sometimes a frustrating part of our lives.
Is Kong Kong, in some way, a commentary on how music and the scene work today ?
That’s a bit of a stretch, I think. We just make music that we enjoy and like ourselves.
What do you want listeners to take away after hearing your recordings ?
Hopefully they take away an earworm that will never leave.
And the last one – is there a question you wish I had asked? Go ahead and ask it yourself… and answer it too.
Q: Really, how damn ugly can you fuckers be behind your stupid masks?
A: Very, very unpleasantly ugly.
Discography:
Raw And Primitive EP (Gorilla City Records, 2020)
The Evils Of Kong EP (Gorilla City Records, 2020)
From Russia With Punk EP (Gorilla City Records, 2021)
Details Of War EP (Gorilla City Records, 2023)
Kong Kong Five EP (Gorilla City Records, 2024)
Gorilla Anthems – Collection: 2020 – 2025 LP (Gorilla City Records, TJKO Records, 2025)
Instagram: https://1url.cz/NJ4d0
Gorilla City Records: https://1url.cz/oJhJj
TKO records: https://1url.cz/cJhJd
