Kasabian

Kasabian are a British alternative rock band that formed in Countesthorpe, Leicestershire in 1999.^[1] Originally comprising vocalist Tom Meighan, guitarist and keyboardist Christopher Karloff, guitarist and backing vocalist Sergio Pizzorno, bassist Chris Edwards and drummer Ben Kealy, the band have released three studio albums – Kasabian (2004), Empire (2006) and West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum (2009). The band currently features Meighan, Pizzorno, Edwards and drummer Ian Matthews. Pizzorno also took over as Kasabian's lead song-writer after the departure of Christopher Karloff.

History

Early years (1999–2002)

The band was formerly called Saracuse and started recording at Bedrock Studios in Leicester where Chris Edwards worked as an engineer. The original band members all hailed from Countesthorpe and Blaby, and the band formed while Pizzorno and Meighan were attending Countesthorpe Community College.^[2][3] The influence of The Stone Roses can be heard in their first jams. The first demo EP was produced by Scott Gilbert and handed to the band late on 24 December 1999. Their first public appearance was at the Vipers Rugby Club to celebrate Chris' 18th birthday with family and friends. The band were soon spotted and changed their name to Kasabian, after Linda Kasabian, a member of the Charles Manson cult (aka the Manson "family") famous for serving as his getaway driver. In an interview with Ukula, bassist Chris Edwards explained how the former guitarist Chris Karloff picked the name. Reading up on Charles Manson, the Kasabian name stuck with Karloff. "He just thought the word was cool, it literally took about a minute after the rest of us heard it... so it was decided,” says Edwards.^[4]

Debut album (2003–05)

Their eponymous debut album was released in the UK on 13 September 2004 receiving good sales and generally positive reviews. During the recording, the band lived in a farmhouse near Rutland Water to avoid being disturbed. Kasabian featured at Glastonbury Festival 2005 on the 'Other Stage'^[5].

Despite having two prior single releases with debut single "Processed Beats" and lead single "Reason Is Treason", it was their third single release "Club Foot" that finally gave Kasabian success in the singles charts. The song, which was written in the early years of Kasabian, went on to enjoy both critical and commercial success, becoming one of the band's best loved songs, and being performed at nearly every Kasabian live performance since its release. The song was the theme for the skate game Tony Hawk's Project 8, Pro Evolution Soccer 5 and WRC: Rally Evolved, as well as being featured in the movies The Guardian and Goal!.

"Reason Is Treason" was featured in the games Gran Turismo 4 on the PlayStation 2 and Shaun White Snowboarding on the Xbox 360. "L.S.F. (Lost Souls Forever)" was featured in the game FIFA 2004 also on the PlayStation 2.

Empire (2006–2007)

During the recording of Kasabian's second album, Empire, Christopher Karloff, one of the band's chief songwriters, had "artistic and creative differences" and was asked to leave the band, according to the band's website, although there is evidence to suggest that Christopher Karloff left due to personal circumstances.^[6] He had contributed to three of the songs on Empire.

The album itself was released in the UK on 28 August 2006. The band recruited once temporary drummer, Ian Matthews, as a permanent member of the band. "Empire" was released as the first single from the album, and reached Number 9 on the UK charts. "Shoot the Runner" reached Number 17 in the British charts. A third single, "Me Plus One", was released on 2 January 2007.

Kasabian won the Best Live Act award at the 2007 NME Awards.^[7]

West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum (2008–2010)

The band released an EP titled Fast Fuse in late 2007 which featured the songs "Fast Fuse" and "Thick as Thieves", however the EP was not given any promotion or advertisement. Both tracks are featured in their third album.

Kasabian started work on their third album in late 2007 with producer Dan the Automator. On 5 March 2009, it revealed that the album title would be West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum, with a release date of 8 June 2009. The song "Vlad the Impaler" was released as a free download for a period of 4 days, as a preview for the album. The promo video for "Vlad the Impaler" stars Noel Fielding of The Mighty Boosh.^[8] The album's first official single was the track Fire, which was released on 1 June 2009, and the song Where Did All the Love Go? was released as the second official single, and Underdog being the third.

On 14 June 2009, West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum reached number one in the UK top 40 charts, spending two weeks there. West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum was shortlisted for the 2009 Mercury Prize, and was named 'Best Album' at the 2009 Q Awards. The band won "Best Group" at the 2010 Brit Awards.

Future (2010–present)

On May 10, 2010 it was revealed that Kasabian were completing works on their fourth album in a San Francisco studio. On 2 August 2010 Sergio had his first child with his girlfriend Amy, they had a baby boy called Ennio Silva Pizzorno.

Band members

Current members

• Tom Meighan – lead vocals (1999–present), tambourine (live), guitar (live renditions of "The Nightworkers")
• Sergio Pizzorno – guitar, backing vocals (1999–present)
• Chris Edwards – bass (1999–present)
• Ian Matthews – drums (2004–present)
• Jay Mehler – guitar (2006–present)

Former members

• Christopher Karloff – lead guitar, bass (on 'Club Foot'), keyboards & electronic programming (1999–2006)
• Ash Hannis – drums (1999–2004)
• Daniel Ralph Martin - drums (2004), rhythm guitar, piano (2007–2009)

Touring members

• Ben Kealey – keyboard (2006–present)

Line-ups

1999–2004

• Tom Meighan - lead vocals
• Sergio Pizzorno - rhythm guitar, backing vocals, synths
• Christopher Karloff - lead guitar, keyboards
• Chris Edwards - bass
• Ash Hannis - drums

2004

• Tom Meighan - lead vocals
• Sergio Pizzorno - rhythm guitar, backing vocals, synths, lead vocals on "Test Transmission" and "U-Boat"
• Christopher Karloff - lead guitar, synths, omnichord, bass on "Club Foot"", "Reason Is Treason" and "Test Transmission"
• Chris Edwards - bass
• Ian Matthews - drums on "Processed Beats" and "Butcher Blues"
• Ryan Glover - drums on "Reason is Treason" and "Test Transmission"
• Daniel Ralph Martin - drums on "L.S.F. (Lost Souls Forever)" and Cutt Off

2004–2006

• Tom Meighan - lead vocals
• Sergio Pizzorno - rhythm guitar, backing vocals, synths
• Christopher Karloff - lead guitar, synths, omnichord, bass
• Chris Edwards - bass
• Ian Matthews - drums

2006

• Tom Meighan - lead vocals, backing vocals on "Stuntman"
• Sergio Pizzorno - lead guitar, backing vocals, synths, rhythm guitar on "Empire", "By My Side" and "Stuntman", lead vocals on "Empire", "Shoot the Runner", "Me Plus One", "By My Side", "Stuntman" and "British Legion"
• Jay Mehler - rhythm guitar on "Empire"
• Christopher Karloff - lead guitar on "Empire", "By My Side" and "Stuntman", synths on "Empire", "By My Side" and "Stuntman", keyboards on "Empire", "By My Side" and Stuntman", omnichord on "Empire", "By My Side" and "Stuntman", backing vocals on "Stuntman"
• Chris Edwards - bass, backing vocals on "Stuntman"
• Ian Matthews - drums, backing vocals on "Stuntman"

2006–2010

• Tom Meighan - lead vocals
• Sergio Pizzorno - lead guitar, backing vocals, synths
• Chris Edwards - bass
• Ian Matthews - drums

2010–present

• Tom Meighan - lead vocals
• Sergio Pizzorno - lead guitar, backing vocals, synths
• Jay Mehler - rhythm guitar
• Chris Edwards - bass
• Ian Matthews - drums

Awards and nominations

Kasabian has found success in the UK primarily at the NME Awards, winning three awards: Best Live Band (2007) for the band, and Best Album and Best Album Artwork (2010) for the album West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum. After the release of Empire, the band received several nominations. The band won 5 awards out of 18 nominations.^[9]

Brit Awards

The Brit Awards is an annual awards ceremony established in 1977. Kasabian received one award.

Q Awards

The Q Awards are the UK's annual music awards run by music magazine, Q. Kasabian won one award.

NME Awards

The NME Awards is an annual music awards show founded by music magazine, NME. Kasabian won three awards.

MOJO Awards

The MOJO Awards are the UK's annual music awards run by music magazine, MOJO. Kasabian won one award.

Discography

• Kasabian (2004)
• Empire (2006)
• West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum (2009)

References

External links

• Official website
• Kasabian on Myspace
• Kasabian channel at YouTube
• Listen to BBC Interview with Serge