Seattle’s Getting Kooky on June 1st

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Author: Bridget Benevides

It is my last concert of my first year of college, so I am ending on a good note. A great note, in fact, as I am ending with The Kooks concert. I was introduced to The Kooks by a good friend of mine this last summer, and so when I saw they were coming to my new home here in Seattle, I knew I had to attend. The Kooks are coming to The Showbox SoDo on Friday June 1st. Let me tell you a little about them!

The Kooks are an English indie-pop band formed in Brighton, East Sussex, in 2004. 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. Early in 2010 Pritchard announced the departure of drummer Paul Garred, due to a nerve problem in his arm.

A self-described “pop” band, their music is primarily influenced by the 1960s British Invasion movement and post-punk revival of the new millennium. With songs described as “catchy as hell”, The Kooks have experimented in several genres including rock, Britpop, pop, reggae, and ska, at times being described as “a less severe Arctic Monkeys”.

Photo by Matt Richardson

Signed to Virgin Records just three months after forming, The Kooks broke into the musical mainstream with their debut album Inside In/Inside Out (2006). The album was ultimately successful, achieving quadruple platinum status in the UK within a year and also overseas in the form of a platinum certification in Australia and two times platinum in Ireland.

The Kooks found themselves entering into mainstream media attention, with the band winning the award for Best UK & Ireland Act at the MTV Europe Music Awards 2006 and picking up a nomination at The Brit Awards for the single “She Moves in Her Own Way.

Along with their catchy songs, the Kooks are known for their highly energetic live shows. Because they started out touring, playing live shows has become very important to the group. “When playing a good live show, everything kind of clicks in place, because being able to put on a good show is what we’ve always wanted for our music,” Harris said in an interview with The Ground Magazine. Their musical appeal has given them large audiences with a huge fan base in America, Europe, and Asia. Their music has a universality that brings the Kooks together with their fans. “Everywhere we go, we’re touching people in the same way. The cool thing about our music is that it brings everyone together.”

Fans of The Kooks also enjoy Bloc Party, Blur and Biffy Clyro. If you recognize or like these artists, you might be interested in checking out The Kooks on Spotifyor YouTube.

The Kooks are coming to Seattle and performing at The Showbox SoDo on Friday June 1st! This show is open to all ages. Doors open at 8:00pm and the show begins at 9:00pm. I am prepared for a night of smiles and dancing!

You can connect with The Kooks on Facebookor on their Official Website.


BRIDGET BENEVIDES | What a year!!! | KXSU Music Reporter

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