If you were to ask 10 fans what they think of the band Kottonmouth Kings, you'd probably get 10 different answers, according to lead vocalist Brad "Daddy" X.
"That's something we've noticed in the past 10 years," X said by phone from Los Angeles. "People like us for different things. They like our hip-hop roots. They like our acoustic-punk rock music. They like our stoner-rock music. Or they like everything we do.
"And that's encouraging to us, because we wanted to cross over to other styles and bring everyone together in a unified fan base."
The different styles have allowed KMK to hit the stage with Snoop Dogg, Pennywise, Green Day and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, just to name a few.
KMK, as it is known to fans, is comprised of X, drummer Lou Dog, DJ Bobby B, mascot Pakelika, MC Johnny Richter and MC D-Loc, and has made a name for itself by taking the initiative and doing things itself. "We have our own studio and our record label. That way we don't have to worry about arguing with anyone about our music.
"We have total artistic control, and when we go into the studio, we don't have to pay anyone because we're not renting space. So we can take all the time we want on an album to make sure it's up to our standards."
The band also likes to churn them out. "We put out a lot of albums. And it's because we can."
The latest is "Koast II Koast," which takes a different approach to KMK's style. "We don't have a set concept for any album when we go into the studio," said X. "This album wasn't any different. But as it progressed, we found that certain styles wouldn't fit.
"So we made an album that is probably our most accessible album to date. We made a conscious effort to do that, and we made sure it passed our own critical ears."
When the band members write songs, they usually start with the beats, said X. "Then we get the instrumentals going and then write the lyrics. It's an evolving process that takes everyone's help."
If you go
What: Kottonmouth Kings
Where: In the Venue, 219 S. 600 West
When: Tonight, 5 p.m.
How much: $20
Phone: 467-8499 or 800-888-8499
Web: www.smithstix.com
E-mail: scott@desnews.com