The Kooks Set Course for US This Fall : August 10, 2011

The Kooks were last in the States this June playing a sold-out New York City date. It was one of a couple shows along with the one in Los Angeles as special fan previews [...]

the kooks Biography

The English indie rock group The Kooks was formed in 2001 in Brighton, East Sussex. The band was established by guitarist and vocalist Luke Pritchard, lead guitarist Hugh Harris, drummer Paul Garred and bassist Max Rafferty. The band had a constant lineup until Rafferty left in 2008. Dan Logan replaced Rafferty temporarily until October 2008 when Peter Denton became a permanent member. Pritchard announced in early 2010 that drummer Paul Garred was leaving the band because of nerve problems in his arm.

The Kooks describe themselves as a pop band. The primary influences on their music were the new millennium's post-punk revival and the British Invasion movement of the 1960s. The Kooks songs have been characterized as “catchy” and the band has drawn from multiple genres including ska, reggae, pop, Britpop and rock. They have been described at times as a less extreme Arctic Monkeys.

Three months after the band formed The Kooks signed with Virgin Records. “Inside In/Inside Out,” their debut album, was released in 2006. Ultimately the album was successful and in the UK reached quadruple platinum status, in Australia platinum, and in Ireland two times platinum. The Kooks received mainstream media attention and won several awards. At the 2006 MTV Europe Music Awards they were named Best UK & Ireland Act. Their song “She Moves in Her Own Way” was nominated for a Brit Award. In 2008 their follow-up set “Konk” debuted in the No. 1 spot on UK Album Chart, selling 65,000 copies during its first week out, and achieved gold status in Ireland and the UK. “Junk Of The Heart,” the band's third album, was released in September 2011.