Indiespensables: The Kooks

by: Carlos Figueroa

The Kooks are an English indie rock band formed in Brighton, East Sussex, in 2004. Even though not entirely an indie rock band, having many Britpop influences, the band deserves a place as an indiespensable in the FGI Nation. Formed by Luke Pritchard (vocals/guitar), Hugh Harris (lead guitar), Paul Garred (drums), and Max Rafferty (bass guitar), the lineup of the band remained constant until 2008 and the departure of Rafferty. Dan Logan was drafted in as a temporary replacement, until Peter Denton joined the band on a permanent basis in October 2008.

Even though they are a young band with only two albums in stock and Konk (2008), the band has a good number of good songs. For example, their first album, Inside In/Inside Out (released in 2006), set their style and produced hits such as "You don't love me", "Eddie's Gun", "Ooh La", and "She moves in her own way", all characterized by peaceful vocals accompanied with marked guitar strums and riffs. But the true hit from this album is "Naive", the bands greatest commercial success up to know.

Following the overall success of their first album, in 2008, The Kooks release Konk, which may be described as a stylistic follow up of their first album. It produced hits such as "Always Where I Need to Be", which is characterized by pop-like vocals combined with amazing guitar riffs, "Do you wanna", and "Shine On", the latter being more a britpop song than indie rock.

Throughout their small career, The Kooks have been compared to The Artic Monkeys, being described as "a less severe Artic Monkeys"; even though, the band provides us with songs that should be labeled as indiespensable.