Cool Manchester - Hello Robert. Your new band 'Opium Kitchen' are now signed to theManchester label Eromeda Records. What's different about this new band sound wise for 'Scars'?

Robert King - None of the other Scars are in the band.

Cool Manchester - You reformed Scars in 2010 and we were told there was talk of a new album with them. That didn't happen but the gig was eagerly well received, did that make you consider doing more with Scars?

Robert King - It did. We also did a Marc Riley session which went very well. After that we swapped some musical ideas for possible new songs with the possibility of recording and performing them live.

Cool Manchester - Paul Research said online on YouTube that he couldn't work with you because you were unreliable, but when we spoke to Eromeda Records they say the new music is coming thick and fast, so was it just a case of a clash of ideals musically with Paul?

Robert King - No. Paul requested that certain topics I might write about should be left aside for new Scars material. So, I reminded him by means of a one word message that such an eventuality was not possible. As for reliability, I missed a rehearsal the day before the reunion gig because I had a bit of a cold and sore throat, and therefore concluded that a day in bed would not risk cancelling the show. Opium Kitchen are currently choosing from 30-35 demoed songs for the first album.

Cool Manchester - The debut single 'We Will Be' is expected to be released soon, what can fans expect from this new single and will there be an album to follow?

Robert King - It is an up-tempo number. A love-song actually. Guitar, bass and drums, with some keyboards and saxophone. We are, as I said, choosing the songs for our first album, to be called Hommagination. Hopefully ready for release around summer of 2014.

Cool Manchester - Gig wise do Opium Kitchen have any plans in the near future?

Robert King – Yes. We are playing at The Star and Shadow Cinema inNewcastle with Subway Sect on Nov 29, perhaps a support with The Fall at the beginning of December also. But we also plan to play gigs on our own and also with Gabrielle's Wish and Dub Sex.

Cool Manchester - Mark E Smith once described Scars as his favorite band because in his words ''they are everything The Fall are not", he's not known for his complementary side, do you get on well with him?

Robert King - Mark and various members of the Fall, such as Marc Riley, Martin Bramah, for example, have never been anything but extremely nice to myself and the other members of the Scars. We were and still are enjoyers of their music also. Favourite band is a category i would posit in that respect.

Cool Manchester - We were shown some photos for the new Opium Kitchen music video and it's all looks suitably moody, can you tell us anything about the video?

Robert King - I have not seen it, but we play poker and I win. That is all I know about it. Also, i think you might see the tile mural of Mark Smith that is in the window of Butterfly studios in it also. So... A nod to Mark.

Cool Manchester - Your label mates with some quite well known and respected artists such as Honey Bane, AAAK etc. Was it this that drew you to Eromeda Records and if not, what made you choose to work with them instead of a larger label like say, Domino Records?

Robert King - Our manager Kelvin Knight (ex Delta 5) of NMB management attracted their attention with some demos. We never knew who was on the label until after we signed. We were impressed by the enthusiasm and straight-forwardness of Andy Barclay from Eromeda quite simply.

Cool Manchester - Will there be any Scars music in the Opium Kitchen set lists? Akin to when Ian Brown started to play Stone Roses tracks before he reformed his band?

Robert King - No. Why should there be?

Cool Manchester - What are your interests outside of music Robert?

Robert King - Ancient languages, literature, art. My lady, our family and my son's band The Merrylees.

Cool Manchester - Robert thank you for chatting with us, we wish you every success with all your future projects.

Robert King - Et Tu Cool Manchester.

Opium Kitchen can be found online at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Opium-Kitchen/191415960897691?fref=ts