Arish “King” Khan is a French-Canadian Indian living in Germany and used to go by the name Blacksnake. He’s also the leader of King Khan and the Shrines; a 10-piece retro-soul
rock n’ roll band. Khan puts on one of the most exciting live shows I’ve ever seen and he has over a decade of solid records under his belt. His career started with the garage punk-rock band The Spaceshits, playing alongside his partner in crime Mark “BBQ” Sultan – they weren’t afraid to strip naked and wreak havoc in every town they performed in.
I caught up with Khan by phone in Montreal last week, which was a tough feat considering he doesn’t own a cell phone – he bummed his brothers for the interview. When I called, he was heading out to catch the death-metal band, Mayhem. We discussed his upcoming gospel project with the Black Lips, stage head and his family.
R&G: When did you get back to Montreal from Los Angeles?
Khan: I got back about a week ago, and after that last Shrines tour, me and BBQ were invited to go play in South America, so we played in São Paulo and Buenos Aires, and then flew back to Montreal.
R&G: Do you own a cell phone?
Khan: No, I don’t.
R&G: Will you ever?
Khan: No, I won’t.
R&G: Do you see it as a hassle to own one?
Khan: Yeah, I’ve gone so far without a cell phone. I’m notorious for borrowing people’s cell phones, but I think it causes brain and testicular damage. It’s too powerful a thing for it not to do something to your balls – if it’s right next to them. I choose life.
R&G: You live in Berlin, right?
Khan: I do.
R&G: What are you doing in Montreal?
Khan: My brother’s getting married this summer, and I also just got a bunch of invitations to a host of festivals in Canada that me and BBQ have been invited to play. I figured I’d hang out here. This is where I’m from – there’s plenty of stuff to do.
R&G: Will you sing at your brother’s wedding?
Khan: Actually, yeah. The Black Lips are coming down for it too. We’ve got a musical family, so there’ll be some rocking going on for sure.
