A Dirty Dozen with TIM KING from SOIL – August 2026

According to the bands bio: “Ryan McCombs (lead vocals) Tim King (bass) Adam Zadel (guitar) TJ Taylor (Drums) Formed in 1997, Chicago Heavy Rock band SOiL quickly took the scene by storm. The band has sold over 2 million albums worldwide and is best known for the hit singles “Halo”, “Unreal”, “Redefine”, “The Lesser Man”, and “Shine On”. With the song “Halo” gaining major radio attention, a major label bidding war broke out in an attempt to sign SOiL. The band would ultimately sign to J Records (BMG) by music indus try legend Clive Davis. Clive, responsible for signing such acts as Pink Floyd and Aerosmith, stated that “you’re gonna be my only rock band for now. You’re going to be a priority, and I want to break this band.” SOiL experienced mainstream success with the major label debut Scars which was released in September 2001. This achievement was aided by the popular singles “Halo” and “Unreal” which gained the band exposure on MTV. The success resulted in the band winning Metal Edge magazine’s 2001 Readers’ Cho ice Award for “Next Big Thing”. The band consistently toured in support of top name acts such as Ozzy Osbourne and Rob Zombie which propelled the group into arena sized venues and crowds.” We get bassist Tim to discuss new music, influences, and more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

We have a new release coming in 2027. It’s some of the best material we have ever recorded. Think “Scars” but recorded in modern times.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

Ever since I heard the Mötley Crüe Shout At The Devil album I wanted to be a musician and a rock star. Nikki sixx was my musical idol so that’s why I chose to play bass.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

Like I said in question 2 Motley Crue and Nikki Sixx made me wanna be a musician.

4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

I’d love to write a song with Nikki Sixx, Izzy Stradlin, or Steven Tyler.

5. What is your favorite activity when out of the studio and/or not on tour?  What do you like to do to unwind?

I love salt water aquariums. I have 2 coral reef tanks in my house. I’ve always been fascinated with the ocean.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

Heavy down tuned rock with lyrics based on real life experiences. I wouldn’t say I disagree with this comparison, but we are always called a nu Metal band when we really aren’t a nu metal band. But since we came out in that time we basically got lumped into that category. Which is fine.

7. When your band is hanging out together, who cooks, who gets the drinks in, and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

The drinks usually get make by our stage manager Scott. Adam is always noodling with a guitar which can be irritating when you want it to be quiet on the bus… lol. We do cook outs every once in awhile. Adam and I are the grill guys.

8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

Good question. It’s been awhile. I was just on a flight to Europe and Jacoby from Papa Roach was on it. But it wasn’t a star struck moment. It was more of a “hey bro it’s been forever. How are ya?” Type thing. Prolly the last star struck moment was hanging in the studio with Tommy Lee back in 2006.

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

The freedom to create and take your own path. Not clock in to a 9 to 5 work day. Being able to just play music is a dream come true. Dream job… I’m already living it. But I’d love to be a marine biologist.

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

I’ve been asked about just about everything you could imagine. So there really is no question. The question I HATE is when people ask for a history of the band. After 19 years that’s like a 100 page answer. Go look at Wikipedia.

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over,” even if it didn’t change your current situation?

I think after the re.define album we should have taken a 6 month or year break. Everyone was burnt out with basically 3 years of non stop touring and recording and touring and more touring. But we started pushing to get back in the studio and do another album. It was that tension (along with other things) that caused Ryan to leave the band. We really should have just chilled out and taken a break to let everyone get their heads clear. But instead we forged on with another singer for 2 more albums until Ryan eventually came back in 2011.

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

Hrmmmm. Probably Metallica Master Of Puppets. I just remember that album was so ahead of its time and so over the top at the time. It was such a perfect album. It’s what got me into the heavier side of metal.

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Category: Interviews