The Kooks Prove Success Doesn’t Have To Be Based On Audience Viewing Figures
The term ‘rapid rise to fame’ is usually reserved these days for the winners of reality TV programmes, to find the next big thing in music. But there is one band that has proved rock and roll fame can still be achieved without the need for an audience voting system.
The Kooks got together four years ago, and in that time had their debut album spend the best part of a year in the U.K. Top 20 album chart, gained quadruple platinum status for the same album, and were nominated for several top awards including Best New Act, Best UK and Ireland Act, and a BRIT Award.
Formed by Luke Pritchard (singer and rhythm guitar) while attending the Brighton Institute of Modern Music in 2004, he persuaded three of his fellow students to join him; Max Rafferty (bass), Hugh Harris (lead guitar), and Paul Garred (drums). A mutual appreciation for David Bowie led the four assembled musicians to a song from Bowie’s 1971 album, Hunky Dory, and thus The Kooks were born.
The Kooks were quick to get going; writing and recording music on a small scale, and playing locally around the Brighton area. They released an EP and were invited to play at a local music festival, where a Virgin scout picked up on their unique talent, and signed them without hesitation.
Within a few months they had recorded their debut album Inside In/Inside Out, from which several songs were released, but only one broke into the U.K. Top 20. Na