Despite having sold nearly two million records and been invited to tour with good friends Oasis, the band who play the Millennium Stadium next month say they have only just realised they’re huge.
“It’s weird, man,” begins front man Tom Meighan, with puppy-dog enthusiasm.
“We were doing Jools Holland the other week and we were the biggest band on it.
“Before, we’ve been on with big names, Smokey Robinson, Jarvis Cocker and people. We were looking at the list for this one, and those names aren’t there - we’re the biggest band. It’s funny...” he says, chuckling, pleased with himself. “About time.”
There’s going to be no escaping Kasabian over the coming months. With a tour kicking off in their hometown on May 29, a support slot with Oasis on their summer mega-shows and more festival appearances in between, it’s a gruelling few months for the band. Factor in their reputation for hard-living while on the road, and the prospect would make all but the hardiest of folk wince.
Tom, however, can’t wait.
“I climb the walls when I’m off,” he says. “I’ve started painting – I’ve had a portrait of Brian Jones on the go for ages, but I haven’t finished it – and I catch up with friends when we’re not busy, but I miss touring. Having time to yourself is great, don’t get me wrong, but there comes a point when I have to get back on the road and start playing rock shows again.”
When the name Oasis is mentioned, Tom has nothing but praise for the band most see as Kasabian’s spiritual predecessors. He’s quick to scotch musical comparisons, saying any similarities are more down to shared values and beliefs than any influences or sound. “We believe in realism, like they do, but we’re from the other side of the rainbow to them, musically, and Noel would be the first person to say that as well.”
Like the Gallagher brothers’ relationship being central to Oasis’ story, the brotherly bond between Tom and Serge, who first met in Leysland High School when they were 12 or 13, is equally important to Kasabian’s success, if less fractious.
Read the rest of the interview by clicking here.
Source: www.walesonline.co.uk
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