The Kaiser Chiefs exploded on to the music scene in 2005 with the rousing “I Predict A Riot”, whose Clash inspired sound shook the foundations of rock, spurring a second wave in the ongoing British Invasion.
While their infectious album debut Employment lit up the charts in the UK, translating into four hit singles, the self described “little big band from England” hadn’t faired as well in the United States, whose size, lead guitarist Andrew “Whitey” White, compares to that of the great state of New York.
“It is just a f@#king massive country,” White said. “We’re just a big little band in America.”
The Kaiser Chiefs fired another salvo this year with their cleverly titled second album Yours Truly, Angry Mob and its love drunk radio single “Ruby”, which peaked at 14 on the U.S. Billboard charts, proving all their critics wrong, and showing their crossover appeal had finally taken hold in the states.
“We don’t write music for critics; we write music for fans,” White said. “People can argue all day, that’s the fun part about music.”
Their newfound notoriety also caught the attention of British hit maker and super producer, Mark Ronson, who along with the lovely fashion forward chanteuse, Lily Allen, turned the Kaiser Chief’s worlds away from home anthem “Oh My God”, into seedy jazz lounge bliss.
“He is a really talented guy,” White said. “It is always nice to hear someone else’s perspective on it.”
Along with the Kaiser Chiefs have come a steady influx of British imports, including the likes of the Arctic Monkeys, the Klaxons, and the Cribs, but White believes this does little to prove that England has taken the forefront in an ever-evolving music landscape.
“We had the Beatles and you have Elvis,” White said. “We both came from the same stock.”
Eager to get back into the studio, the Kaiser Chiefs canceled the remainder of their North American tour to focus on their next album, of which, White says three songs have already been completed.
“We’ve kind of been bogged down by touring,” White said. “We don’t want to become boring and repetitive; we are desperate to get some new stuff down.”
Despite their growing success, White said there is little pressure to top themselves with each new album release.
“There is more pressure to stay relevant,” White said. “We don’t want to be stale.”
White later added that there is no real formula to their song writing.
“It always starts as an innocent, ‘Wow that was brilliant’,” White said. “It goes through so many different channels; the only thing that stays the same is the song.”
Although there is little argument over the band’s greatest influence (the Beatles), White said each member draws inspiration from a diverse cross-section of music, including White’s own obsession with classic rock, in particular Jimi Hendrix’s Electric Ladyland, whose 15 minute magnum opus “Voodoo Chile” first inspired him to pick up a guitar.
“I could sing you the entire 15 minute lead,” White said. “You can imagine what the weather was like the day he wrote it.”
Collectively, the band follows the creative vision of lead singer Ricky Wilson, who is best known for his frantic stage presence and high energy live performances, which White said is unmatched by any studio recording.
“You get that sense of urgency,” White said. “Everyone is kind of tense when it’s live.”
Prior to his joining the Kaiser Chiefs, a then 15-year-old White competed in BMX racing, winning several races and the affection of many girls.
“I wasn’t bad, but it was mainly about meeting chicks,” White said.
Regardless of the many advantages fame and fortune bring with it, White said it was ultimately the fashion and lifestyle of rock music, that attracted him most.
“I didn’t want to be a 9 to 5 survivor,” White said, “I was a dreamer and it kind of worked out.”
Check out their newest video “The Angry Mob” on Windows Media or Quick Time.
For tour and band info go to their Official Website or MySpace page.