With two members of The Kooks having just turned seventeen, it’s no surprise to learn that it was The Strokes ‘Reptilia’ that first inspired them to form a band.
The Kooks' first album was a million-selling sensation. As they unleash the long-awaited sequel, frontman Luke Pritchard talks about the death of his father, his feud with television presenter Simon Amstell and much more...
Stepping out with Katie Melua has provided ample inspiration for Kooks frontman Luke Pritchard, who isn’t above sending himself up in song or indeed chronicling embarrassments in the bedroom. words Ed Power
If it’s on B-Unique, home of the Kaiser Chiefs and The Automatic, it’s likely to be okay-to-amazing, and Alterkicks don’t disappoint. ‘On A Holiday’ is, oddly enough, a hybrid of The Kooks and Morrissey, taking the former’s retro sensibilities and the latter’s veiled mournfulness. Thus, all the stops are in place for these Liverpudlians to be huuuuge.
There’s something so cathartic about listening to a noisy, shouty single. And Christ knows we haven’t had many of them for a while, as anyone with cool hair turns their attention towards The Kooks, Babyshambles or other indie, swing-your-pants bands. Whilst keeping their mosh-factor to the fore, Norwich’s Cord layer on the guitar generously, and vocalist James Leeds doesn’t even care whether he sings precisely in tune, such is their desire to rock out. The downside? It may have a touch of the mid ‘90s about it, but you can’t have everything.
If political philosophers needed proof that man is inherently prejudiced, they need only consider about how one would expect a band called The Chakras to sound. The mental image of skinny white hippies whipping out a guitar to show appreciation to rainclouds and nature-at-large is all too compelling.
But it takes all of the first two notes of their debut single to throw that idea out the window and litter the street with it. In fact, it’s as indie as they come, sounding like Ireland’s take of The Kooks. No bad starting point.
With the sound of The Prodigy’s Marmite-esque set still ringing in our ears from last night, we arrive back on site to be greeted with some much needed Sunday morning sunshine.
A case of food poisoning in the Keane camp was Welsh band The Automatic's golden ticket to a Jools Holland performance. Next stop, a UK top five hit in the form of ‘Monster’.
Razorlight are one of the best bands in the world, or so reckons their dapper frontman Johnny Borrell. In an exclusive interview, he talks about heroin addiction, his troubled friendship with Pete Doherty and explains why Arctic Monkeys are also-rans.
From piano-plonking crooners to nihilistic electro-pop duos, the UK and US are bursting at the seams with fresh talent in 2007. Could there be a new Arctic Monkeys out there somewhere?
Razorlight have catapulted to superstar status with their No. 1 single 'America'. As they prepare to wow Oxegen this weekend, we talk to mainman Johnny Borrell about cricket, saving the planet and dating Kirsten Dunst.
Following his Man of the Match performance against the Czech Republic, Paul McShane has been hailed as one of the finest young Irish players of his generation.
Never mind pressies and OD’ing on cranberry sauce, the important thing about Christmas is that it signals the return of the HP-10 Summit. Absolutely no blushes are spared as Ireland’s rock ‘n’ roll elite dissects the musical year that was 2006. Keeping order: Stuart “Paxman” Clark. Taking photos: Graham “Paparazzi” Keogh. Taking the piss: Eyebrowy
Never mind pressies and OD’ing on cranberry sauce, the important thing about Christmas is that it signals the return of the HP-10 Summit. Absolutely no blushes are spared as Ireland’s rock ‘n’ roll elite dissects the musical year that was 2006. Keeping order: Stuart “Paxman” Clark. Taking photos: Graham “Paparazzi” Keogh. Taking the piss: Eyebrowy.
Heralded britpoppers arrive with surprisingly nuanced debut, awash with yearning psych rock plaintive guitar chimes and lashings of damp-cheeked wistfulness.
This is a fairly bland, but nonetheless charming and inoffensive album that’s bound to sell in massive quantities to the same people who bought the last Dido record.
Oxegen is ready to kick off properly in the next half an hour, and with the first act due on stage, we've got the first report from our reporter in the field – literally – including a full weather report!
Sodding everything else, the debut album from Welsh wonders The Automatic is worth buying for the single ‘Recover’ alone, possibly the best indie dancefloor anthem since ‘Song 2’ by Blur shattered eardrums everywhere.
The first batch of acts for Scotland's T In The Park Festival have been announced, giving a strong indication of who'll be coming to Punchestown this year.
The organisers of Oxegen '08 have revealed that the three day festival is now completely sold out. Plus, they've announced the day by day line-up so far...
There’s no shortage of showcase events vying for the attention of young acts these days, but IMRO’s tried and trusted model remains refreshingly free of bells and whistles.
All the action from Sunday at Oxegen '08, caught on camera. Including top acts Kaiser Chiefs, MGMT, Rage Against The Machine, The Kooks, The Raconteurs, Roisin Murphy and Republic Of Loose.
Think you've got them all right? Or maybe you fancy a sneaky peak (you're only cheating yourself you know!). Either way, you've got the questions – we've got the answers....
