Not to be confused with a 1990s Swedish band of the same name, the four members of the The Kooks came together as students at the Brighton (England) Institute of Modern Music. They take their name from a song featured on David Bowie’s 1971 album Hunky Dory and saw their debut album, Inside In/Inside Out sell more than a million copies in the U.K.
Stateside, the garage rock band — singer/guitarist Luke Pritchard, guitarist Hugh Harris, bassist Max Rafferty and drummer Paul Garred — are finding their footing. An appearance at the SXSW music fest in 2006 brought a lot of attention. Sellout shows in New York and Los Angeles last fall followed. Now they’re headed to the 2007 version of Coachella, which they’ll follow with a brief U.S. tour before playing the summer U.K. festival circuit.
Q: Tell us about your craziest touring experience.
A: Our craziest touring experience would definitely be when we played in Blackpool [in Lancashire, England] earlier in the year. Cannon & Ball (dreary U.K. comedy act) were playing downstairs and the crowd were going so crazy at our show that the ceiling started to come down on Cannon & Ball and they had to stop our show halfway through!
Q: What type of college class would you most want to take and why?
A: I would most want to take woodworking as a college class, so I can build my own coffin.
Q: What city in America is the most fun to visit and why?
A: New York City is absolutely the most fun city in American to visit, because it never sleeps baby.
Q: What’s some of the best advice you were ever given?
A: Don’t eat stuff off the sidewalk — some of the best advice I was ever given.
Q: What’s in heavy rotation in your mp3/CD player right now?
A: Herman Dune is in heavy rotation in my MP3/CD player right now.
Q: The last good book you read or TV show you’re addicted to?
A: A Good Man In Africa by William Boyd was the last good book I read. Not addicted to any telly shows.
Q: What’s the first concert you ever saw and how was it?
A: The Glastonbury Festival was the first concert I ever saw.
Q: What are three items you can’t live without on tour?
A: Your sanity, your conscience and socks — CANNOT live without these on tour.
Q: Who are your major musical influences?
A: My major influences in music would be The Kinks, Bob Marley & the Wailers, Bowie, Velvet Underground, Ray Charles.
Q: Any random messages or tips you’d like to give to mtvU watchers?
A: Don’t ever live your life by random tips!
