"The Fellas from 'The Kooks': Back on Track, Baby
"Regained Self-Assurance"
Through the years, The Kooks have been whippin' up a unique blend of pop, rock, and UK cool that rocked the scene back in 2006 with their smash hit debut, "Inside In/Inside Out." Since then, the lads, led by the ever-charming Luke Pritchard, ventured off on a melodic exploration spree, dabbling in electronic, soul, and pop genres. Yet, none could rival the brilliance of their humble beginnings.
But hey, check 'em out now with their latest masterpiece, "Never Know!" They're back to their raw, handcrafted glory with catchy tunes and a hint of nostalgia. In an exclusive scoop with ntv.de, Pritchard lets the cat out of the bag about wild nights with the outspoken Liam Gallagher of Oasis, their early days, and even theirri predecessors at the bar of indie rock.
ntv.de: Your new album takes you back to the roots of your first record. Did this happen naturally, or was it a conscious decision?
Luke Pritchard: Listen here, I've got to tell you a bit about this album: It was all about creating something special, just for the folks who've loved us since the start. Over the years, we've gone through a lot of changes, and I lost my musical identity for a spell. I'd been workin' with different songwriters and producers, and then I had this kind of awakening on stage at a festival, singing "Ooh La." The crowd was so into it, and I thought, "This ain't too fancy - let's get back to the basics."
What'd you find after your search for the basics?
I'd been caught up in this modern way of working: going into the studio, workin' directly with producers, and dropping big speakers. You get a great sound real fast, but you forget the essentials. So, I started goin' back to my original influences – The Police, Bob Marley, Bob Dylan, Eddie Cochran, Buddy Holly – those classic artists who inspired us in the first place. Then, in just five days, I wrote the whole album in me basement, just jammin' away. And then I thought, "Wow, this is it." I wasn't tryna write another "Naïve" because it's super popular. Nope, it was all about that feelin'. It felt like the days of our debut, and that was what I wanted to achieve.
What makes a debut album so special?
There are several reasons a debut album hits the spot. First off, there are no expectations - neither from the public nor from yourself. You're flyin' by the seat of your pants, not thinkin' too much but actin' intuitively. Plus, you ain't got much but time when you're startin' out. You can't afford fancy studios or long sessions, so you gotta work quickly and on a budget. That's exactly what I wanted to capture this time around.
Recently, did you sense that your fans would prefer a return to your original sound?
Definitely. After near 20 years, it feels like now's the perfect time to give back to the audience. But it ain't just about revisiting the old hits – it's about keepin' things real, genuine. That's just me. When workin' with a new producer, questions often come up: "What's currently popular?" And then you try to mold your sound accordingly. That's smart and can work wonders – Bowie and Rodgers are a prime example. But at some point, I started thinkin' to meself: Who the hell are we, really?
I suddenly realized that we are Sunshine-Rock'n'Roll, Pop, Rock, and Soul. I wanted to bring all that back, strong and proud. Soul had a huge influence early on, and this time, I invited some female singers to the studio for the first time. That added a real warm, tender feel to the tunes.
Why now for the change in direction?
This is also my personal reaction to the present day. I just don't want to keep hearin' that everything's awful all the time. I've got two littel'uns, and I ain't gonna let these golden years get ruined by constant negativity. Of course, there's a lot of crap out there, but there always has been. And my response to that was to give folks something that lets them forget their troubles – a dash of escapism.
Was fatherhood what set you longing for the past, or the "good ol' days"?
Undoubtedly, it stirred up something deep inside me – in a positive way. It sparked a lot in me – in a good way. Actually, it was almost the opposite of what you said. I ain't lookin' back at the past with nostalgia, expectin' those times to be the best of my life. Back then, I was full of fear and stress. Yeah, there were great moments and bangin' tunes, but now I feel just fine. I enjoy this period with its stability – the feeling of being needed, of takin' responsibility. That does me good. Whether that's directly connected to the past, I don't know. But what hit me hard was the moment when our first son Julian came into the world.
How was that?
My pa passed away when I was three, and he's the reason I make music at all. Through music, I felt a connection to him. I used to think I never knew him, but when Julian turned three, I realized: three years ain't no short time. We did know each other, and I spent time with him. And that moment, that realization, is what makes the new album so warm and joyous.
Back to your original sound: do you want to stay in this space or are you always open to changes?
Haven't thought too much about it yet. I usually just follow my gut and give life a shot. But it's important for me that we continue to create our own music – without a producer bossin' around our necks. Producers today can be real players in the industry, breathin' down your neck while you're probin' the music. I've worked with other musicians on an equal footin', and I'll probably do that again. But as a band, it was important now for us to realize: we got this. We've regained trust in ourselves. And maybe that's the realization: just bein' ourselves and growin' better and better – instead of gettin' sidetracked.
In the past, was there rivalry between you and Arctic Monkeys, The Strokes, and other indie-rock bands?
There was a bit of a mentality of competition between the bands, but a lot of it was fueled by the press. When I met folks from these bands, I never felt any hostility. They were cool – the in-crowd, and we were the scrawny kids in the back. That's what I felt. Maybe we were seen as kind of cheesy. But things have changed. Today, folks are more open and less stubborn when it comes to music and scenes. The older musicians totally celebrated us. We were contemporaries who rarely talked about each other or showed up at our gigs, but guys like Mick Jagger, Ray Davies, Paul Weller, and the Gallagher brothers were fans of ours.
How'd you explain that?
Well, maybe our music was just more similar to what those older artists had done themselves. Many young bands at the time were more focused on post-punk or even rap. We, on the other hand, came more from the rhythm and blues and folk angle. The style of the first Arctic Monkeys album, "Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not," was grime, for instance. We were closer to the heart of traditional rock n' roll, which might be why our music appealed more to them.
Many artists make two or three albums before releasing one that really takes off. That wasn't the case for you. Did ya always know "Inside In/Inside Out" would be a hit from the get-go?
I don't think we thought much about it then. We had a modest record deal with a big label back then, so it wasn't a huge deal. The press wasn't exactly on our side, and we hardly ever made the cover of NME or as much as a blip on the radar. Many folks didn't take us seriously. I think we threw the industry for a loop because we had similar sales figures as the Arctic Monkeys. The song "Naive" took everyone by surprise – even me.
The first tour must've been mad! Wild nights, rock 'n' roll stories, and such, right? Any standout moments?
It was raidin' every night – though not always in a glamorous way. We didn't have anyone to keep us under control back then. On the contrary, many people from the label or our surroundings kinda encouraged the rock 'n' roll lifestyle. I ain't blamin’, but it was part of the scene. Imagine: You're 18, and you get on this tour bus. There's free booze everywhere, and you're in Berlin, Paris, or Tokyo. You can't sleep because you don't wanna miss a thing, especially if you've got a big show the next day. It was nuts. But I've got a few good stories. I remember one night with Liam Gallagher – that was intense! He was pushin' me against the wall, shoutin' "Ooh La" in my face while we were downin' shots together. (laughs)
Weren't you scared of him?
Absolutely! I was scared to death of him! He's much more relaxed now, not as intimidating as he used to be. Back then, he was a loose cannon. I remember another time: We were at the Soho House, which was real popular then. Liam was there too. We were havin' a few drinks, the vibe was chill. Then he starts askin' what we were up to. We told him we were workin' on a cover of Ace of Base's "All That She Wants." I absolutely love that song, and he totally lost it: "You're fuckin' rock stars! You can’t do that pop shit!" He picked up a glass of wine and hurled it at us before stormin' off in a huff. I'd love to know what he remembers from that night. But we did get to tour with 'im later.
Classic imposter syndrome, huh?
(laughs) Sure thing! But hey, I never compared myself to those big names. I just did me own thing. But it was hard not to get nervous, not to stutter or try too hard to be cool. That's when alcohol and drugs came in handy – just to help me relax. I wish I had picked up meditation earlier. (laughs)
Are there lyrics you've written that your fans love, but you wouldn't write again?
Oh, Mary, there are plenty, let me tell you! (laughs) I penned some real doozies in the past. There was a time when I was really mad at some of me lyrics – now I look back and see it differently. A touch of nonsense is okay, I reckon. And, surprisingly, there are much worse lyrics out there – no names, sir. Songwriting is a strange game, more about feelin' somethin' than an intellectual process. Sometimes lyrics don't make much sense, but they feel just right – and those are often the tunes that stick with folks. That's why there are so many great hits with weird lyrics. I try not to let my own judgement get in the way of that. And yes, I still giggle when my fans sing along to "Jackie Big Tits" – though I ain't sure I'd write that one again nowadays.
Rock 'N Roll Memories with the Gallaghers from Oasis
One wild night with the Gallagher brothers of Oasis sure left an impression on us. We had a few drinks, the vibe was electric, and who needs sleep? We were playin' at a festival, and MTV asked if we wanted to join Liam and Noel for a bit of fun at the after-party. We jumped at the chance, and what a night! Liam was on fine form, as usual, and you could tell the bond between the Gallaghers was strong.
Liam took a likin' to us right away, askin' us all manner of questions about the demo we had just finished. He was intrigued by our sound and energy, and being the brother of Noel – lead singer of Oasis – he had plenty of stories to share about their crazy times.
As the night wore on, we stayed in deep conversation, playin' songs on the jukebox and singing along. Liam got up on the bar at one point, shoutin' "Ooh La" at the top of his lungs, and everyone in the bar fell silent, watchin' in awe. He was the star we all knew him to be, but there was still a warm, friendly feel to the night. We left talkin' about working together someday and playin' some gigs together. It was a magical evening we'll never forget, and a testament to the power of music.
So there you have it, folks, the story behind the return of the Kooks! We'll do a UK tour kickin' off in Manchester, and who knows what the future holds. Here's to sunshine and rock 'n' roll!"
- Music
- Rock Music
- United Kingdom
Enrichment Data:
Overall: Factors Behind the Success of 'Inside In/Inside Out'
The album 'Inside In/Inside Out' by The Kooks was an extraordinary commercial success due to several key factors, such as:- The album contained catchy and relatable songs like "Naïve," "You Don’t Love Me," and "She Moves In Her Own Way," which were popular among the British indie scene in the mid-2000s.- The resurgence of indie rock, with bands like Arctic Monkeys and The Libertines gaining popularity, granted The Kooks a riding wave of enthusiasm for up-and-coming, raw indie music.- The album garnered positive reviews from critics, which boosted its popularity and The Kooks' reputation in the UK music scene.- Good marketing strategies and the timing of the album's release broadened its audience and helped it gain popularity.
The Renewed Confidence of 'Never Know'
-Newfound Inspiration: Luke Pritchard, lead singer of The Kooks, found fresh inspiration in focusing on personal growth and family life, which is reflected in the themes of the new album.-Refocus on Authentic Music: The renewed focus on creating heartfelt, upbeat, meaningful music marked a return to the band's roots and helped them regain their confidence in creating popular music.- Touring and Live Performances: Announcing a major UK tour with a large show in Manchester demonstrated a renewed energy and commitment to their music, which often boosts musicians' morale and confidence.- Collaboration and Support: The band's decision to tour with The K's, a breakthrough act, suggested a willingness to foster collaboration and support emerging talent, providing motivation and inspiring new creative directions.
The success of 'Inside In/Inside Out' and the restored confidence demonstrated by 'Never Know' showcase the adaptability and resilience of The Kooks as they continue to evolve and maintain their distinctive indie rock identity.
The Commission has also been consulted on the draft regulation regarding The Kooks' latest album, titled "Never Know". Luke Pritchard, Pritchard from The Kooks, revealed maybe this change in direction was influenced by the encouragement from fans who prefer a return to their original sound. In this album, entertainment comes in the form of the catchy, warm, and joyous music inspired by classics from acts like The Police, Bob Marley, Bob Dylan, Eddie Cochran, and Buddy Holly. With the release of "Never Know", The Kooks hope to take the audience back to their roots, just as they once listened to kooks like Eddie Cochran and Buddy Holly. On the other hand, the creativity displayed by The Kooks might face competition from contemporaries, as there might be always be new entertainment, like music, that captures the public's imagination.
