Archive: Kings Of The Sun hit back at Axl Rose, search for new singer (2012)

By STEVE MASCORD

AFTER finally responding to Axl Rose 24 years after the Gunners front-man kicked him out of the Sydney Entertainment Centre, Kings Of The Sun drummer Cliff Hoad is looking for a new singer – to replace his brother.

The Gold Coast rockers wrote themselves a little piece of Oz Rock history in December, 1988, when Axl apologised from the stage for having “a puny-assed band” like KOTS open for them. Cliff had said in an interview that GN’R had more than borrowed their tough guy image from Rose Tattoo, and Axl had them kicked out of the Haymarket arena in response.

Their PA support was pulled and their laminates were ripped from around their necks. Hoad has bitten his tongue over the affair for almost quarter of a century but tells Triple M Rock News: “History has shown anything that comes out of that guy’s mouth can be taken with a grain of salt – including (by) his own band members.

“If he was ridiculous and over-sensitive back then, it’s the same today and it doesn’t wash with people anymore. Leaving people out there for two hours and not showing up for gigs, doing things that are really disrespectful to his fans and his band members and even himself …

“So whatever he said about me, or Kings Of The Sun, is just water off a duck’s back. I never thought anything of it. When I said those things, I meant them. It wasn’t necessarily aimed at Guns N’Roses. It was aimed at the Australian press and public. ‘OK, make a fuss over Guns N’Roses but at least know that Rose Tattoo exists.”

Cliff believes the time is right to relaunch Kings Of The Sun, now that the Baby Animals, Cold Chisel and Nick Barker & The Reptiles are treading the boards once again. The only problem is that blond-maned singer – and Cliff’s brother – Jeffrey Hoad isn’t interested.

Jeffrey Hoad last September was convicted in a Brisbane court of drugs production charges and sentenced to a suspended 12-month prison term/

So Cliff is looking for an Aussie singer who looks flashy but is far enough from being a wanker to avoid Aussie crowds throw things at him.

“The magic of Jeff is a very hard act to follow but as you know I have been left with no other way to go but to follow your recommendations, fans!” Cliff says.

Think you’ve got what it takes? Check out the classic KOTS song “Serpentine” at the bottom of this page let us know. Send your videos to [email protected].
This story appeared on the Hot Metal website on August 12, 2012