In support of their new LP Listen (Virgin/ EMI) Brit-pop revivalists, The Kooks, will be returning to Australia for their most monstrous tour of their Aussie history.
Having released Listen in August this year, our writer described the album as “a leap into their previously uncharted territory of R&B and synth-pop, overflowing with a mishmash of soulful rhythms, infectious grooves and a whole load of funk.”
During the writing period of Listen there were “a couple of Ethiopian jazz records we were listening to”. Also influencing the band’s new sound was accord to Luke was “etherial, more thoughtful music, like Alt-J and Radiohead” all of which have inspired the band to “break out of straightforward rock n roll idea and bring forward more layers” within their sound. Following in that vein we chatted with the band’s vocalist Luke Pritchard about some of the artist that influenced The Kooks as a band.
Blur
“When I was a teenager I specifically remember getting Blur (1997) by Blur, I remember pretty clearly that being one of the CDs I listened to all the time. That was a pretty big album for me.
For the band it’s quite an interesting record, it’s pretty out there actually. I think in a way it’s the first non-pop album I really listened to.”
Everly Brothers
“Before Blur I used to listen to really old music when I was a kid, but it was all pop music like The Everly Brothers, Eddie Cochran, The Beatles – that kind of stuff.
My Dad passed away when I was a kid and what I had left of him was a guitar and a load of old records. Basically playing that guitar and listening to those records is something I did to reach him in some way.”
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Bob Dylan
“The first band I was ever in was called The Basement Band, that was when I was about 14-15, and we basically used to just get stoned and argue, and it was a great time.
I really got heavily into Dylan and it was around the time of The Strokes and The Libertines and all those great bands that were coming out. We [The Basement Band] did our own material, we were trying to do the Lennon Mccartney thing, and it wasn’t great, but it was fun.”
The Libertines
“Being young, in a band and listening to The Libertines made me think ‘yeah I could do this’ which was inspiring because at the time thinking about [making a career out of].
Being in a band felt a bit ridiculous, a bit like now really, the idea of being in a band seems crazy now.”
The Strokes
“If asked what my favourite Strokes record is, I want to say Is This It because it’s their first, but I think I’m going to say Room On Fire because it was the record I really listened to, a lot. it came out a bit later, when I was living in Brighton. You know those records you have major nostalgia for? For me that’s Room On Fire.
I remember listening to the track ‘Under Control’ and thinking that song was just so fucking brilliant. Even though it was The Strokes, I thought it was a bit underrated actually, like people were saying ‘it was the same as the first’ but I thought it was outstanding. ”
Lykke Li
Lykke li is someone I rate really highly. I actually think Youth Novels is phenomenal and Wounded Rhymes as well is like, just incredible.
You know when you get a certain artist that inspires everyone else around you? That is what she did basically. To me her newest album I Never Learn felt like it didn’t quite get enough gravitas, but its quiet a somber affair. It’s a break up album.
The Kooks Australian Tour 2015 Dates & Tickets
Saturday 17th January 2015 Belvoir Amphitheatre, Perth (18+)
www.ticketmaster.com.au 136 100
Tuesday 20th January 2015 Hordern Pavilion, Sydney (All Ages)
www.ticketek.com.au 132 849
Friday 23rd January 2015 Riverstage, Brisbane (All Ages)
www.ticketmaster.com.au 136 100
Saturday 24th January 2015 Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne (All Ages)
www.ticketmaster.com.au 136 100
