Where to start with Kaiser Chiefs? They emerged a decade ago, cheeky indie chappies sporting waistcoats and the sort of songs that made you want to spill beer on yourself and have a bit of a jump around, but over time they drifted from the spotlight.
All that would change early this year though, as Ricky Wilson spun his chair around on The Voice, a BBC talent contest, and they put out album five, ‘Education, Education, Education and War’. Despite being their first without Nick Hodgson, drummer and songwriting lynchpin, it landed with a satisfying thud at #1 on the UK album charts.
Next year, Kaiser Chiefs will headline London’s O2 and a hometown show at Leeds’ First Direct Arena. Not bad for some has beens, right? Here, in the latest edition of ‘Evolution’, we chart their rags to riches to (sort of) rags to riches story.
I Predict A Riot
The soundtrack to hundreds of indie disco pogo sessions, this song was an introduction to the band for many and, while Oh My God was a bigger chart success, an almost scientific distillation of their appeal. It remains mercilessly catchy, conversational and now, almost 10 years on, something of a nostalgic treat for people of a certain age. Bloody students, etc. ‘Employment’ its parent album, remains their biggest seller and has shifted a few million copies.
Ruby
Part one of a notable double, Ruby scaled the UK singles chart prior to ‘Yours Truly, Angry Mob’, the band’s second album, rising to #1 itself. With its nagging chorus and descending riff, this is another example of their ability to invade your brain and settle in for a mug of tea and a natter.
Never Miss A Beat
The lead single from album three, Never Miss A Beat channelled Mark Ronson production and backing vocals from Lily Allen and New Young Pony Club into Kaiser Chiefs’ second top five hit. The accompanying album, ‘Off With Their Heads’, found the band broadening their horizons ever so slightly, introducing a wide range of instrumentation and even a guest verse from Sway on Half The Truth.
Little Shocks
Little Shocks was lifted from the band’s fourth album, the ambitious but flawed ‘The Future Is Medieval’. Prior to its release, fans were able to select their own tracklisting and play around with the artwork, with over 20 tracks available at the outset. The album would later peak at #10 on the UK chart and be reissued in the US as ‘Start the Revolution Without Me’.
Coming Home
With Hodgson having hung up his sticks, to be replaced by Vijay Mistry, there was plenty riding on Coming Home and ‘Education...’. Both delivered, with this arena-ready ballad displaying just one face of a record that would put Kaiser Chiefs back at the top, against the odds.
Kaiser Chiefs Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Sat June 28 2014 - DONCASTER Racecourse
Thu July 03 2014 - SILVERSTONE Grand Prix Circuit
Sat July 05 2014 - CARLISLE Racecourse
Sat August 09 2014 - BELFAST Falls Park
Fri February 13 2015 - LONDON O2 Arena
Sat February 14 2015 - LEEDS first direct Arena
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