Uploaded October 2018 | Updated September 2026, 4 days ago
Current King Crimson vocalist and guitarist, Jakko Jakszyk, talks to Andy Rawll (for Record Collector Magazine) about the latest incarnation of the band first founded by Fripp and friends in 1968 and the forthcoming 'Uncertain Times' UK tour in October and November 2018. He also talks about his family background and musical influences, as well as revealing details of little-known projects and collaborations.
dgmlive.com recordcollectormag.com
@kingcrimsonofficial @DGMHQ @JakkoJ @RecCollMag
#KingCrimson #RecordCollector #Jakko #UncertainTimes '#RadicalAction #Fripp
This interview took place in October 2018. A more recent follow-up video interview took place in May 2019: youtube.com/watch?v=JcgAf_3pTxU
INTERVIEW TIMELINE
00:00 - Start
00:28 - Comments on the forthcoming tour. Repertoire (around 45 possible songs). Rehearsals.
02:45 - Eight-piece line-up, including Bill and Jeremy
03:50 - Jakko's history with the Crimson extended family since 1997 and how he subsequently joined as a full member in 2013
06:15 - Latest albums, including 'Meltdown' live release
07:18 - Release plans for new studio material in current music industry climate
08:57 - Thoughts on the chosen title of the tour 'Uncertain times'. Reflections on current malaise and discontent in society, particularly associated with Brexit and shocking personal experiences.
12:26 - 'The road to Balina' - auto-biographical work commissioned by BBC, that traces Jakko's family background of both his adoptive parents and his birth birthday
13:52 - Thoughts on the last five years as a full member of the band
14:56 - Recent projects include remixing artists as diverse as Chris Squire, Bruford, The Moody Blues and Jethro Tull.
15:50 - Jakko also had unsung roles in Fleetwood Mac and the Kinks
16:40 - Level 42
17:48 - Songwriting tales, including turning down Whitney and courting the Nolans
20:47 - Activities during the countdown to the UK tour. (rehearsals)
22:00 - Less pressure during this tour cycle, compared to long-awaited return three years ago. Repertoire provides the ability to perform at least one song from almost every KC album
23:10 - Adrian Belew as 'resting member'. Current stage configuration is inverted, with three drummers at the front and the remaining ensemble players at the back.
25:10 - Wrap-up
25:42 - End
KING CRIMSON - 'UNCERTAIN TIMES' 2018 UK TOUR
Mon 29 Oct – Pavilion, Bournemouth
Wed 31 Oct – St David's Hall, Cardiff
Fri 2 Nov – Palladium, London
Sat 3 Nov – Palladium, London EXTRA DATA
Tue 6 Nov – Symphony Hall, Birmingham
Wed 7 Nov – Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham EXTRA DATE
Fri 9 Nov – Bridgewater Hall, Manchester
Sat 10 Nov – Empire Theatre, Liverpool EXTRA DATE
Mon 12 Nov – Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow
Tue 13 Nov – Playhouse Theatre, Edinburgh EXTRA DATE
SOURCE: dgmlive.com/tours
CURRENT 'DOUBLE QUARTET' TOURING LINE-UP
Robert Fripp – guitar (1968–74, 1981–84, 1994–present), Mellotron, keyboards (1970–74, 1994–present), Frippertronics (1981–84), soundscapes (1994–present)
Mel Collins – saxophone, flute (1970–72, 2013–present; studio: 1974), Mellotron, backing vocals (1971–1972)
Tony Levin – bass guitar, electric upright bass, Chapman Stick, funk fingers, synthesizers, backing vocals (1981–84, 1994–98, 2003–present)
Pat Mastelotto – percussion, acoustic and electronic drums (1994–present)
Gavin Harrison – main drums (2007–present)
Jakko Jakszyk – lead vocals, guitar, flute (2013–present)
Bill Rieflin – drums, percussion (2013–2015), keyboards, synthesizer, Mellotron, backing vocals (2013–2015, 2017–present)
Jeremy Stacey – drums, keyboards, backing vocals (2016–present)
(Adrian Belew – remains part of the KC extended family and inactive 9th man)
Current King Crimson vocalist and guitarist, Jakko Jakszyk, talks to Andy Rawll (for Record Collector Magazine) about the latest incarnation of the band first founded by Fripp and friends in 1968 and the forthcoming 'Uncertain Times' UK tour in October and November 2018. He also talks about his family background and musical influences, as well as revealing details of little-known projects and collaborations.
dgmlive.com recordcollectormag.com
@kingcrimsonofficial @DGMHQ @JakkoJ @RecCollMag
#KingCrimson #RecordCollector #Jakko #UncertainTimes '#RadicalAction #Fripp
This interview took place in October 2018. A more recent follow-up video interview took place in May 2019: youtube.com/watch?v=JcgAf_3pTxU
INTERVIEW TIMELINE
00:00 - Start
00:28 - Comments on the forthcoming tour. Repertoire (around 45 possible songs). Rehearsals.
02:45 - Eight-piece line-up, including Bill and Jeremy
03:50 - Jakko's history with the Crimson extended family since 1997 and how he subsequently joined as a full member in 2013
06:15 - Latest albums, including 'Meltdown' live release
07:18 - Release plans for new studio material in current music industry climate
08:57 - Thoughts on the chosen title of the tour 'Uncertain times'. Reflections on current malaise and discontent in society, particularly associated with Brexit and shocking personal experiences.
12:26 - 'The road to Balina' - auto-biographical work commissioned by BBC, that traces Jakko's family background of both his adoptive parents and his birth birthday
13:52 - Thoughts on the last five years as a full member of the band
14:56 - Recent projects include remixing artists as diverse as Chris Squire, Bruford, The Moody Blues and Jethro Tull.
15:50 - Jakko also had unsung roles in Fleetwood Mac and the Kinks
16:40 - Level 42
17:48 - Songwriting tales, including turning down Whitney and courting the Nolans
20:47 - Activities during the countdown to the UK tour. (rehearsals)
22:00 - Less pressure during this tour cycle, compared to long-awaited return three years ago. Repertoire provides the ability to perform at least one song from almost every KC album
23:10 - Adrian Belew as 'resting member'. Current stage configuration is inverted, with three drummers at the front and the remaining ensemble players at the back.
25:10 - Wrap-up
25:42 - End
KING CRIMSON - 'UNCERTAIN TIMES' 2018 UK TOUR
Mon 29 Oct – Pavilion, Bournemouth
Wed 31 Oct – St David's Hall, Cardiff
Fri 2 Nov – Palladium, London
Sat 3 Nov – Palladium, London EXTRA DATA
Tue 6 Nov – Symphony Hall, Birmingham
Wed 7 Nov – Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham EXTRA DATE
Fri 9 Nov – Bridgewater Hall, Manchester
Sat 10 Nov – Empire Theatre, Liverpool EXTRA DATE
Mon 12 Nov – Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow
Tue 13 Nov – Playhouse Theatre, Edinburgh EXTRA DATE
SOURCE: dgmlive.com/tours
CURRENT 'DOUBLE QUARTET' TOURING LINE-UP
Robert Fripp – guitar (1968–74, 1981–84, 1994–present), Mellotron, keyboards (1970–74, 1994–present), Frippertronics (1981–84), soundscapes (1994–present)
Mel Collins – saxophone, flute (1970–72, 2013–present; studio: 1974), Mellotron, backing vocals (1971–1972)
Tony Levin – bass guitar, electric upright bass, Chapman Stick, funk fingers, synthesizers, backing vocals (1981–84, 1994–98, 2003–present)
Pat Mastelotto – percussion, acoustic and electronic drums (1994–present)
Gavin Harrison – main drums (2007–present)
Jakko Jakszyk – lead vocals, guitar, flute (2013–present)
Bill Rieflin – drums, percussion (2013–2015), keyboards, synthesizer, Mellotron, backing vocals (2013–2015, 2017–present)
Jeremy Stacey – drums, keyboards, backing vocals (2016–present)
(Adrian Belew – remains part of the KC extended family and inactive 9th man)
