An exclusive interview with band leader Mr. World
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – IT is no secret that the Small Axe Band has gathered a huge fan base not only in the Federation but also regionally and internationally. But as they get ready for yet another year of travel and fame, SKNVibes Entertainment spoke with Mr. World about this one of a kind group.
Band Leader, lead singer and writer of the popular ‘We got the Hardware’ song that won last year’s Road March, Royston ‘Mr. World’ Wigley told this publication that the band was birthed back in 1980 but he went on board in 1985.
“The guys that basically formed the band were Livingston Samuel, Vandyke Sullivan, Elwin Lucas, Cecil Otto, Godfrey Humphrey, Vincent ‘Stickle’ Clarke and a guy named Everette who is from Challengers. We had a few others but those guys migrated,” Mr. World said.
He added that most of the founding members are no longer with the band and only four of them are still there, including Sullivan.
Mr. World further explained that currently the band has three lead singers, himself, Vishon Lucas and Kelvin Kelly who also plays the keyboard and deal with the composing aspect of the band.
On their 2013 album for Carnival, Wigley told SKNVibes Entertainment that it comprises 13 songs; the one that made the Road March and the remainder sung by the other two lead singers.
“We keep strong you know, and the band travels extensively to countries like Belgium and England. We also do shows in St. Thomas and St. Croix and we do Carnival in Saba, Statia, Antigua, St. Maarten and the United States of America,” Mr. World said.
When asked about the band tying with the Grand Masters Band for the most held Road March Titles, Wigley explained that Small Axe had won the title three times in a row back in 1988, 1989 and 1990.
The wining songs in those days, according to the leader, were ‘Big League’, ‘De Dan’ and ‘Pan Man’ respectively. He added that a number of their hits such as ‘Shub back pon de Iron’, ‘The creep Up’, ‘The DCH’ and ‘The Swag’ were all songs that made a name for themselves.
The band also has back to back wins in both 2012 and 2013. But can they do it again?
“Small Axe is a band that will keep going. In the entertainment scene we are always out there. I wouldn’t like to blow my own trumpet, but I think we are a force to be reckoned with in the Caribbean region and worldwide,” Wigley said.
When asked about the new rules set by the National Carnival Committee which will now have bands submitting their materials as earlier than in previous years, Mr. World had this to say: “It’s a plus! You know we usually try to come out early because when you do that you market yourself in Carnival and you going to be a force to be reckoned with because you are then early.
“When you set the musical trend the others will follow, but I think people should do likewise like the other band leaders because this is the only way you can jump start Carnival.”
Wigley explained to this publication that on the day of the competition he felt that the team already had the title in its bag.
“It’s a competition and it depends on how you see the atmosphere you will then know that you had a tune that is competing and it can actually send out a challenge to the other guys,” Wigley said.
In response to airplay for the band’s new album during the Carnival season, Mr. World said that he believes it has been played throughout the Federation and also the Caribbean.
