The Kooks want a pat on the back from their peers
THE KOOKS have topped the charts and sold out tours — but they still want the stamp of approval from the industry.
In an exclusive chat with Guilty Pleasures, frontman Luke Pritchard told us the band don’t get the credit they deserve.
‘We’ve never really been totally accepted by our peers. That would be a lovely thing, to have some support,’ he admitted.
‘Everyone wants that… if they say they don’t, they’re lying. You don’t need it, you don’t need to win Brit awards but, of course, it’s your peers giving you a pat on the back — “We think you’re good”.’
The Naïve singer reckons their fifth album, out next year, could be the one. ‘I hope it makes a real impact and becomes an important record,’ he said.
Since forming in 2004, the indie rockers have had their share of ups and downs — indeed, 32-year-old Luke has not-so-fond memories of throwing an onstage strop.
‘My most diva-ish moment was walking off-stage after 20 minutes in Houston, Texas, when we’d been on the road for three months straight after our second album,’ he recalled.
‘Our drummer, Paul [Garred], had left, I was drinking too much, I couldn’t deal with being on stage.
‘I thought, “book a flight to the nearest place with an ocean” and I went to Miami, then the boys came and joined me.’
Fresh from a storming set at Wembley’s SSE Arena earlier this month, Luke says he’ll be mixing business with pleasure at Christmas.
‘I’ve got some family in the countryside in the Isle of Wight,’ he added. ‘I have a studio there, so a little bit of work and mince pies.’
The Kooks — completed by bassist Peter Denton, guitarist Hugh Harris and replacement drummer Alexis Nunez — recently released their greatest hits collection, called The Best of… So Far.
Author: Tom Stichbury
