The Kooks

File:Britoutside.jpg.]]

The three members – Garred, Pritchard and Harris – of the Kooks all met as students at the BRIT School in Croydon, all three moving further south to join BIMM British and Irish Modern Music Institute (BIMM), where they met Rafferty – who was from Bridgnorth – in 2002. The inspiration to form a band came to Pritchard as he and Garred were out shopping for clothes one day in Primark as a joke. Speaking to MTV Garred said, "we had a vision on how we wanted the band to look and stuff—so we bought some clothes and these hats, it was fun."{{cite web|last = Montgomery|first = James|url = http://www.mtv.com/news/yhif/the_kooks/|title = The Kooks|website= MTV|access-date = 26 September 2009|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090918190306/http://www.mtv.com/news/yhif/the_kooks/|archive-date = 18 September 2009}} Sharing a love of the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, the Police and David Bowie, Pritchard got Harris and Rafferty involved under the guise of a school music project.{{cite web|last = Stanley|first= Kevin|url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/lincolnshire/content/articles/2006/08/15/the_kooks_preview_feature.shtml|title = The Kooks come to the Farm|website= BBC|access-date = 26 September 2009|date = 16 August 2006}} Pritchard himself said "We got together just on a whim, really."{{cite magazine|last=Hasty|first=Katie|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1055486/the-kooks|title=The Kooks|magazine=Billboard|access-date=23 September 2009|date=31 January 2007}} With a strong demo of their material Garred and Pritchard went in search of a gig, and according to Garred, they were able to book their first show simply because the landlord liked their hats. "So we went in to get a gig, we don't have a demo blid burnt, and this guy told us, 'Well, you can't get a gig if you don't have a demo, but I like your hats, so I'm going to give you a gig'", said Garred. However, the band was unable to make the performance as they were finishing off their demo at the time.

Taking their name from the David Bowie song with the same title, Pritchard said the first song they played as a group was a cover version of the Strokes' "Reptilia".{{cite magazine |last=Lloyd |first=Jeremy | url=http://www.musicomh.com/music/features/kooks_1005.htm| title= Interview with The Kooks |magazine= MusicOMH| access-date= 15 June 2009 |date=2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090607200113/http://www.musicomh.com/music/features/kooks_1005.htm |archive-date=7 June 2009}} The Kooks recorded an EP demo, sending it out in search of gigs; they instead received offers from managers and record companies. The band had only been together as a group for four months when they signed with Virgin Records, after being spotted by several label scouts at the Brighton Free Butt Festival in 2005.{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/wiltshire/content/articles/2008/01/29/kooks_swindon_gig_feature.shtml| title= The Kooks to play Swindon |website= BBC | access-date= 15 June 2009 |date=29 January 2008}} In an interview with musicOMH, Pritchard revealed "It was really quick how it all happened, we did a demo with a mate of ours in London, which we sent off to one guy to get some gigs, and he turned out to be a manager. He rung us up and it kind of went from there." The members of the band have since revealed that they felt they weren't ready at the time, "We were way too early to sign a record deal ... We were really young, we'd been together like two or three months, so we really didn't want to sign. But then we thought it's a really good opportunity and Virgin seemed like really cool people – they just seemed to really understand where we were coming from", said Pritchard, who has also complimented the space the record label allowed for the band to grow: "They were patient with us and let us develop our style, whatever it was."

{{main|Inside In/Inside Out}}

File:The Kooks at Irving Plaza 11-May-2007.jpg, 11 May 2007]]

After they had signed to Virgin Records, the Kooks were reluctant to record an album straight away, stating a desire to focus more on their live performances and songwriting. The band has said embarking on their first live tour instead of recording an album initially helped them develop their style and sound. As Pritchard claimed, "We didn’t sit down with a blueprint. We just naturally developed and we didn’t try to shape or mould ourselves to anything."{{cite web| last=O'Regan| first=Nadine| url= http://archives.tcm.ie/businesspost/2008/05/04/story32476.asp| title= The Kooky crew| work= Sunday Business Post| access-date= 6 October 2009| date=4 May 2008| url-status= dead| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080702143507/http://archives.tcm.ie/businesspost/2008/05/04/story32476.asp| archive-date= 2 July 2008| df= dmy-all}} As a result, they went into the studio with hundreds of songs from a variety of genres, and it took an "incredible amount of patience" from producer Tony Hoffer to shape the content into what would become the record.

Following their first tour supporting the Thrills,{{cite news|last = Shearer|first = Catriona|url = https://gigwise.com/features/6170/|title = The Kooks are Hunky Dory|work = Gigwise|access-date = 28 May 2023|date = 25 May 2005}} the Kooks recorded their debut album, Inside In/Inside Out, at Konk studios in London in 2005.{{cite web | url=https://www.nme.com/news/the-kooks/21555 | title= The Kooks Reveal New Album|work=NME| date= 18 November 2005| access-date= 15 June 2009}} Though media attention was dominated by the release of the Arctic Monkeys debut album Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not on the same day, Inside In/Inside Out recorded first week sales of 19,098. Later, speaking to NME, Pritchard thanked the Arctic Monkeys for "shielding" The Kooks from the press' scrutiny. "God bless the Arctic Monkeys because if it wasn't for them we wouldn't have been so shielded. We were so overshadowed by the success of Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not because it was so monster and we crept in behind everybody's back."{{cite magazine|url = https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-kooks-82-1337977|title = The Kooks heap praise on Arctic Monkeys|magazine = NME|access-date = 28 May 2023|date = 18 December 2006}} Entering the UK Albums Chart at number nine, it would eventually peak at number 2 for two weeks. Singles "Eddie's Gun", "Sofa Song", "You Don't Love Me", "Naïve", "She Moves in Her Own Way" and "Ooh La" achieved chart success in the UK and Europe, while "Naïve" and "She Moves in Her Own Way" put The Kooks in the top ten for the first time.{{cite web| last=Jones| first=Alan| url = https://www.officialcharts.com/archive/official-albums-chart/|title = The Official Charts Company – Inside In/Inside Out|publisher = Official Charts Company|access-date = 30 September 2009}}{{cite web | url=http://www.musicweek.com/story.asp?storycode=1033970| title= Kooks top albums chart with first week sales of 65,901|work=Music Week| access-date= 14 June 2009| date=21 April 2008| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120616094719/http://www.musicweek.com/story.asp?storycode=1033970| archive-date=16 June 2012}}

Kev Kharas, in his review for Drowned in Sound, viewed the Kooks as "a less irreverent and more melodic Art Brut, swapping that band's caustic wit for a far nicer type of honesty."{{cite magazine|last = Kharas|first = Kev|url = http://drownedinsound.com/releases/7023/reviews/591891-|title = The Kooks: Inside In/Inside Out|magazine = Drowned in Sound|access-date = 26 September 2009|date = 26 January 2006|archive-date = 10 October 2012|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121010150903/http://drownedinsound.com/releases/7023/reviews/591891-|url-status = dead}} Kharas also noted traces of "emo" in the band's style. AllMusic's Tim Sendra noted that the band's direction was "heavily indebted to classic rock", in particular Thin Lizzy and the Dexys, ultimately though Sendra felt "the band sounds like the Kooks and no one else". Calling the Kooks "an important reminder that there are just as many mediocre bands in the UK as there are in the United States" reviewer Jenny Eliscu of Rolling Stone claimed the album was "utterly forgettable, shoddily produced retro rock that at its worst sounds like a Brighton-accented version of the Spin Doctors".{{cite web | last=Eliscu | first=Jenny | url=https://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/11759355/review/12053907/inside_in__inside_out | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061023073500/http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/11759355/review/12053907/inside_in__inside_out | url-status=dead | archive-date=23 October 2006 | title= Review For Inside In/Inside Out| work=Rolling Stone| access-date= 15 June 2009 | date=17 October 2006}} Brian Belardi of Prefix gave a positive review, describing Inside In/Inside Out as "An almost-perfect blend of '60s-style Britpop, '90s-style Britpop, and the post-punk of the new millennium".{{cite web | last=Belardi | first=Brian | url=http://www.prefixmag.com/reviews/the-kooks/inside-ininside-out/15574/ | title=The Kooks: Inside In/Inside Out | work=Prefix | access-date=15 June 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090925111659/http://www.prefixmag.com/reviews/the-kooks/inside-ininside-out/15574/ | archive-date=25 September 2009}}

The album went on to be certified quadruple platinum in the UK by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI){{cite web|url = http://www.bpi.co.uk/certifiedawards/search.aspx|title = Certified awards – The Kooks|website = BPI|access-date = 25 September 2009|archive-date = 6 October 2017|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171006162141/https://www.bpi.co.uk/certifiedawards/search.aspx|url-status = dead}} within a year and certified platinum across Europe by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI).{{cite web|url = http://www.ifpi.org/content/section_news/plat_month_20061009.html|title = British talent dominates IFPI European awards|publisher = International Federation of the Phonographic Industry|access-date = 25 September 2009|date = 9 October 2006|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090821104440/http://www.ifpi.org/content/section_news/plat_month_20061009.html|archive-date=21 August 2009}}{{cite web| url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/events/kooks.shtml| title= Radio 1 Presents....The Kooks| website= BBC| access-date= 14 June 2009| date= 1 September 2008| url-status= dead| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090520021402/http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/events/kooks.shtml| archive-date= 20 May 2009| df= dmy-all}} The success of their debut album brought the band into mainstream media attention, winning the award for best UK and Ireland act at the MTV Awards in 2006 and picking up a Brit Awards nomination for "She Moves in Her Own Way", in 2007.

{{main|Konk (album)|l1=Konk}}

Rafferty was fired from the band on 31 January 2008, after a series of absences due to illness and long-standing rumours about his place in the band; drug addiction was also quoted as one of the reasons for his departure.{{cite web | url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-kooks-43-1321959| title= The Kooks: 'Bassist's departure was down to drugs'|work=NME | access-date= 28 May 2023 | date=10 April 2008}} Rafferty subsequently refuted these claims, saying that he had been fired from the band because he "didn't think Konk was very good, and I said that."{{cite news |title=Max Rafferty: 'The Kooks sacked me because I thought 'Konk' was rubbish' |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-kooks-14-1282186 |access-date=14 January 2021 |work=NME |date=29 October 2011}} Dan Logan, bassist with a local Brighton band Cat the Dog, was drafted in as a temporary replacement for Rafferty.{{cite web | url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-kooks-38-1333448| title= Kooks Bassist Quits the Band|work=NME | access-date= 28 May 2023 | date=30 January 2008}} After the departure of Rafferty, the band had considered splitting up. Pritchard discussed the possibility of Dan Logan joining the band as their new bassist, "It's been really strange for us but it's something that had to happen. Dan hasn’t joined the band properly yet. We're trying him out, but I love playing with him."{{cite web | url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-kooks-48-1324198| title= The Kooks considered splitting in January|work=NME | access-date=28 May 2023 | date=4 April 2008}} In October 2008, Peter Denton - who had previously filled in for Rafferty during the Inside In/Inside Out touring cycle - was chosen as the permanent bassist.{{cite web | url=http://www.thekooks.co.uk/news/1747914| title= Peter Denton Becomes Kooks New Bassist|website=TheKooks.co.uk| access-date= 14 June 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090601095446/http://www.thekooks.co.uk/news/1747914| archive-date= 1 June 2009}}

File:The Kooks 1.jpg

The Kooks released their second studio album, Konk , on 14 April 2008. The record was named after the studio where it was recorded and produced by Tony Hoffer, who worked on the band's previous album, Inside In/Inside Out.{{cite web | url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-kooks-67-1348744| title= The Kooks reveal new album details|work=NME| access-date= 28 May 2023| date= 11 December 2007}} Prior to releasing the album, in an interview with NME, lead singer Luke Pritchard had claimed to have 80-90 songs written for the album, stating, "I want this album to be big……I've got an ego, I want the album to do well. I want our singles to come on the radio and for people to literally have their heads blown off by them".{{cite web| url= https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-kooks-72-1351531| title= The Kooks start work on new album| work= NME| access-date= 28 May 2023| date= 12 October 2007| df= dmy-all}} Recorded over a total of seven weeks in London and Los Angeles Pritchard told NME the band had wanted more input into their second album. "Tony's a genius, but this time we wanted more involvement in the production," said Pritchard.

Konk debuted at No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart with first week sales of 65,901 units.{{cite web | url=http://www.musicweek.com/story.asp?storyCode=1033968§ioncode=22|website=Music Week| title= Konk kicks Duffy off top slot | access-date= 14 June 2009 | date=21 April 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120616094813/http://www.musicweek.com/story.asp?storyCode=1033968§ioncode=22 | archive-date=16 June 2012}} The album spawned three top 50 hits including their highest chart performer to date, "Always Where I Need to Be", which peaked at No. 3 on the UK Singles Chart. In the US it reached No. 41 on the Billboard 200 and No. 22 on the Alternative Songs chart. The album was certified gold in both the UK and Ireland. A second limited edition two disc version of Konk entitled RAK was also released. The name was taken from the London studio where The Kooks recorded seven new live tracks along with the Arctic Monkeys and Mike Crossey, producer for The Zutons.{{cite web|last= Cowdry|first= Caitlin|url = http://www.mtv.co.uk/artists/the-kooks/news/41392-the-kooks-announce-double-album-release|title = The Kooks Announce Double Album Release|website= MTV|access-date = 26 September 2009|date= 20 March 2008|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121014232755/http://www.mtv.co.uk/news/the-kooks/41392-the-kooks-announce-double-album-release|archive-date= 14 October 2012}}

Allmusic said with Konk, The Kooks "explores pop and rock in all their glory,"{{cite web|last = Greene|first = Jo-Ann|url = {{Allmusic|class=album|id=r1341458/review|pure_url=yes}}|title = Konk review|website = Allmusic|access-date = 28 September 2009}} while BBC Music described their second album as "a little contrived with the recycling of old guitar lines and intros."{{cite web | last=Sharp | first=Kate | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/5mw6| title= The Kooks Konk Review|website=BBC | access-date= 14 June 2009 | date=2008}} NME suggested the departure of Rafferty affected Konk{{'s}} production, stating "Konk is the sound of a band in disarray, unsuccessfully attempting to hold things together."{{cite magazine|url = https://www.nme.com/reviews/the-kooks/9611|title = The Kooks, Konk|magazine = NME|access-date = 28 September 2009|date = 11 April 2008}}

{{main|Junk of the Heart}}

File:The Kooks @ Sir Stewart Bovell Park (8 1 12) (6693052329).jpg, January 2012]]

In April 2009, the Kooks revealed to BBC's Newsbeat that they were working on their third studio album. The band's drummer, Paul Garred left the band in late 2009 due to a nerve problem in his arm. He was temporarily replaced by Nicholas Millard, from the band Crackout, and then Chris Prendergast for live shows.{{cite web|last=Tanzilo |first=Bobby |url=http://onmilwaukee.com/music/articles/kooksreview.html |title=Music: The Kooks rock Turner Hall Ballroom |website=OnMilwaukee.com |date=2 June 2008 |access-date=31 March 2012}} However, Garred returned for the recording sessions in late 2010, while continuing to not tour with the band, as Pritchard recently stated his injury "turned more into a psychological thing" whereby he "feels uncomfortable playing for long periods of time" for fear of his arm "flaring up". One of the band's first main attempts at writing for this album together took place away from their usual surroundings, as frontman Luke Pritchard told Newsbeat, "We kind of barricaded ourselves in the countryside for a few weeks—stayed at some friend's who have a cottage in Norfolk." However, the band recently revealed that over two weeks there, the band only managed to make one new song: "Eskimo Kiss". After hiring and firing new producer Jim Abbiss (Arctic Monkeys, Kasabian, Adele) despite having some "really good sessions together", the band returned to previous producer Tony Hoffer who gave them a "new direction" and they recorded the album in a more contemporary style.

In January 2011, Pritchard announced that they had recorded fourteen new tracks. The band announced via social media that they had finished the new album on 30 March, which was eventually announced as Junk of the Heart. The first single taken from the album was "Is It Me" for Europe and "Junk of the Heart" elsewhere. The album was released in Europe on 9 September 2011 and in the U.K. on 12 September. Garred appeared in the promotional videos for "Is It Me" and "Junk of the Heart", and performed with the band in live sessions for Live from Abbey Road and Live Lounge. But for 2011 shows in the months prior to the album's release, Prendergast was still on drums, and when the band went on tour in October, they brought in session drummer Denny Weston who continued until mid-2012. Garred finally left the band in November,{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/33406664/ex-jls-and-the-kooks-members-on-life-after-the-band|title=Ex-JLS and The Kooks members on life after the band|work=BBC News |date=13 July 2015 }} with Alexis Nunez (formerly of Golden Silvers) joining in mid-2012 as The Kooks' new touring drummer before eventually becoming a full member.

{{main|Listen (The Kooks album)|l1=Listen}}

On 20 April 2014, they released a new single titled "Down". Their new album, Listen, was released on 8 September 2014.{{cite web|last=Renshaw |first=David |url=https://www.nme.com/news/the-kooks/76889 |title=The Kooks announce new album 'Listen' |work=NME |date=24 April 2014 |access-date=24 April 2014}} According to reports, singer Luke Pritchard and 25-year-old London-based hip hop producer Inflo share co-producing credits.{{cite web|last=Bedian |first=Knar |url=http://soundofboston.com/interview-the-kooks-talk-listen/ |title=Interview: The Kooks Talk "Listen" Album |date=25 July 2014 |website=Sound of Boston |access-date=1 August 2014}} This is their first album with new drummer Alexis Nunez.{{cite web|url=http://www.indieshuffle.com/the-kooks-down/ |title=The Kooks – Down |website=Indie Shuffle|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160529191759/http://www.indieshuffle.com/the-kooks-down/|archive-date=29 May 2016|url-status=dead|access-date=16 November 2016}} In an interview in July 2014, Pritchard stated that Listen includes more improvisation and found that “that kind of fearlessness when you make the first album kind of crept back in.” Upon its release, the album debuted at No. 16 on the UK Albums Chart, then fell to No. 57 the week after, and the next week dropped off the chart.{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/_/kooks/|title=KOOKS - full Official Chart History - Official Charts Company|website=Official Charts }} A remix album for Listen, entitled Hello, What's Your Name?, was released on 4 December 2015.{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/hello-whats-your-name/id1049999640|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160316105711/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/hello-whats-your-name/id1049999640|url-status=dead|archive-date=16 March 2016|title=Music:Hello, What's Your Name? by The Kooks on Apple Music|website=Apple|access-date=9 February 2016}} It features remixes by Jack Beats, The Nextmen, Montmartre and Kove among others. The critical reception towards the album was mixed, but some of the reviews rated it as a "total fail both commercially and musically".{{Citation needed|date=June 2016}}

During the band's North America tour in mid-2015, Denton took two weeks of paternity leave to attend to the birth of his second son; Denny Weston, who was the Kooks' tour drummer prior to Nunez joining, filled in on bass.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/lukekook/status/607246162853298176|title=luke pritchard on Twitter}}

{{main|The Best of... So Far}}

On 21 November 2016, the Kooks announced a 'Best Of' UK Tour to take place in April and May 2017 to mark their tenth anniversary as a band, in which they were planning to perform hits, b-sides and brand new music.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/kooks-return-mammoth-best-uk-tour-2017-1868148|title=The Kooks return for mammoth 'Best Of' UK tour in 2017|last=Jones|first=Damian|work=NME|date=21 November 2016|access-date=29 April 2017}} To coincide with the tour, on 31 March 2017 the band announced the upcoming release of The Best of... So Far, as well as releasing "Be Who You Are", one of two new songs included on the compilation.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/listen-to-the-kooks-new-single-be-who-you-are-as-they-announce-best-of-album-2031105|title=Listen to The Kooks' new single 'Be Who You Are' as they announce Best Of album|last=Levine|first=Nick|work=NME|date=31 March 2017|access-date=29 April 2017}} Pritchard stressed that this compilation and tour did not signal the end of the band, stating, "It's been the greatest pleasure to work, travel, fight, hate and love the best and most talented people I've met in my life. It's the greatest job in the world and we don't intend to stop any time soon."{{cite web|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/the-kooks/the-kooks-announce-greatest-hits-album-and-share-n|title=The Kooks Announce Greatest Hits Album, Share New Song|last=Shelter|first=Carter|work=Paste|date=31 March 2017|access-date=28 May 2023}}

The two new tracks were produced by Brandon Friesen, who had also been overseeing sessions for the band's next studio album. Consisting of songs written by Pritchard while the other band members spent time with their families, the new album is deemed to be more of a band effort, as opposed to Listen which was constructed individually. "This one’s very much 'us' – all rehearsing songs, all arranging songs, all playing together. It’s got the same sort of energy that we had on our first couple of albums, which we were probably running away from a little bit for a while, but now we’ve gone back to it," said Pritchard. "Brandon Friesen, our producer, has taken more of a production role than me, so I won’t be taking the credit. On Listen, me and Inflo worked together everyday. But this one’s been much more of a band record. It’s been far more collaborative."{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/photos/kooks-behind-the-scenes-new-album-photos-2031036#ho2KmItFcyAujEr6.99|title=The Kooks take us inside the studio – exclusive pics and interview|author=NME Blog|work=NME|date=31 March 2017|access-date=29 April 2017}}

On 8 April 2017, the Kooks decided to start the tour with two warm up shows in their spiritual home of Brighton, a matinee gig at The Prince Albert pub and The Haunt in the evening; both these sold out within two hours on the day of the gig. They subsequently performed at the Isle of Wight Festival 2017.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SbTnC-eCB0 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/2SbTnC-eCB0 |archive-date=21 December 2021 |url-status=live|title=The Kooks – Isle Of Wight Festival 2017 Interview |publisher=YouTube |date=10 June 2017 |access-date=26 April 2020}}{{cbignore}}

On 16 May 2018, The Kooks announced that their upcoming fifth studio album will be released on 31 August 2018. They also shared two new songs called ‘No Pressure’ and ‘All the Time’, which were played by them earlier this year during The Best Of Tour in South America. Several songs including ’No Pressure,’ ’All the Time,’ and ’Fractured and Dazed’ were released prior to the release of the full album.

On 4 September, the band announced a U.S. tour to take place in November.{{cite web|url=https://thekooks.com/uncategorized/new-shows-announced/|title=New shows announced!|author=The Kooks|website=TheKooks.com|date=4 September 2018|access-date=4 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190104231049/https://thekooks.com/uncategorized/new-shows-announced/|archive-date=4 January 2019}} On 30 October, the band announced that the U.S. tour had to be rescheduled for early 2019 due to "unforeseen circumstances."{{cite web|url=https://thekooks.com/uncategorized/us-tour-postponed-new-dates-added/|title=US tour postponed, new dates added|author=The Kooks|website=TheKooks.com|date=30 October 2018|access-date=4 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190104175827/https://thekooks.com/uncategorized/us-tour-postponed-new-dates-added/|archive-date=4 January 2019}} When the band resumed performing at the Corona Capital festival in Mexico on 17 November 2018, Pete Denton was absent, with Peter Randall - who had previously played bass for Adele{{cite web|url=https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news-archive-1/fan-stories-hello-im-adeles-bass-player/|title=Fan stories: "Hello! I'm Adele's bass player!"|website=Tottenham Hotspur|date=1 February 2017|access-date=15 February 2019}} - in his place. Denton was also missing from subsequent shows.{{cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/Br7uoY3H1KL/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/Br7uoY3H1KL |archive-date=26 December 2021 |url-access=registration|title=It does rain at 37 Degrees! Glenelg Beach|author=willmtthws|publisher=Instagram|date=28 December 2018|access-date=15 February 2019}}{{cbignore}}

The band addressed Denton's absence by announcing on 3 January 2019 via their Twitter account that Denton was no longer playing with the band.{{cite web|url=https://www.twitter.com/thekooksmusic/status/1080792369207934976?p=v|title=As some of you may be aware, Pete is no longer playing with the band...|author=thekooksmusic|publisher=Twitter|date=3 January 2019|access-date=3 January 2019}} On the same day, Denton responded via his personal account that the position was "complicated" and that his advisers had told him not to discuss the matter for the time being.{{cite web|url=https://www.twitter.com/PeteKook/status/1080925724956078080?p=v|title=A little note to say...|author=PeteKook|publisher=Twitter|date=3 January 2019|access-date=3 January 2019}} In 2020, it was revealed that Denton's departure from The Kooks was partly so that he could spend more time with his wife and children,{{citeweb|url=https://www.gigwise.com/features/3394070/the-kooks--pete-denton-becomes-dents-to-launch-solo-career-with-charity-single--christmas-for-losers-/|title=The Kooks' Pete Denton becomes Dents to launch solo career with charity single 'Christmas for Losers'|first=Jessie|last=Atkinson|work=Gigwise|date=15 December 2020|accessdate=21 March 2025}} which Pritchard corroborated two years later while also stating that "things broke down" between the band and Denton, and "essentially he lost the love for it."{{citeweb|url=https://www.bedroomdisco.de/2022/07/the-kooks-interview/|title=THE Kooks - interview|first=Tom|last=Whelan|work=Bedroom Disco|date=22 July 2022|accessdate=21 March 2025}}

After being unable to tour in 2020 due to COVID-19, The Kooks made their live return at Tramlines Festival on 23 July 2021 with Jonathan Harvey on bass duties.{{cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CRt2FgDDkJA/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/CRt2FgDDkJA |archive-date=26 December 2021 |url-access=registration|title=Thank you @tramlines...|author=lukewhereyougoing|publisher=Instagram|date=24 July 2021|access-date=25 July 2021}}{{cbignore}}

=== Connection EP and 10 Tracks to Echo in the Dark (2022) ===

In January 2022, the band released the EP Connection featuring the single "Connection", and announced the album 10 Tracks to Echo in the Dark.{{cite web | url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-kooks-luke-pritchard-interview-wife-fatherhood-brexit-10-tracks-to-echo-in-the-dark-connection-3149143 | title=The Kooks announce new album '10 Tracks to Echo in the Dark': "A youthful, fresh spirit is what we are all about" | website=NME | date=28 January 2022 }} In April 2022, the band released the single "Beautiful World" which features German duo Milky Chance. In June 2022, the band released another single "Cold Heart".

The band released their standalone single titled called "Jeanie" which features from the American indie pop band Lovelytheband.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/listen-to-the-kooks-and-lovelythebands-synth-driven-new-single-jeanie-3813221|title=Listen to The Kooks and lovelytheband’s synth driven new single ‘Jeanie’|website=NME|date=15 November 2024}} The band announced their new album titled "Never/Know". When it was announced their current lineup only features Pritchard and Harris on the photoshoot, with Alexis Nunez leaving the band but still tours with the band, also he has appeared in the album and also touring bassist Jonathan Harvey recorded the album.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-kooks-interview-new-album-never-know-luke-pritchard-tiktok-3833349|title=The Kooks tell us about “positive” and “romantic” new album ‘Never/Know’: “It’s such a guitar record, but it’s also got a modernity to it”|website=NME|date=31 January 2025}}

{{quote box|align=right|width=27%|quote="It's just like an idea, like a chorus, and then we just jam on it – it happens in loads of different ways. The best songs I find always come from the subconscious, like when you don't think. Not to be pretentious about it, but usually songs just blurt out rather than thinking about it. I never write lyrics and then do a song, I find that really hard – that's like a real skill."|source=— Pritchard on The Kooks' song-writing}}

The Kooks have mentioned drawing on a number of varied sources to create their sound, listing the Rolling Stones, the Beatles, Bob Dylan and Chris de Burgh among influences on songwriting style and musical presentation over the course of their four albums.

The band's debut album Inside In/Inside Out was touted as a typical Britpop record, and was influenced by the Libertines, Thin Lizzy, The Police and containing elements of the 60s British pop movement. Pritchard's lyrical style was compared to that of a "younger, less pathetic version of Pete Doherty's mush-mouth style". The band themselves felt the album was not consistent in its direction. "The first record was definitely genre-hopping. [...] The first album was finding its feet, it was gadabout", said Harris in an interview for The Sunday Business Post.

On the follow-up Konk, the band attempted to find a more mature and polished sound. Drawing on a much wider choice of material for the album (about 80 to 90 new songs had been accumulated within the band's repertoire by this stage), the band began to incorporate more a hard-edged rock focus into their music.{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/apr/11/popandrock2| title= Konk Review| work=The Guardian | access-date= 14 June 2009 | location=London | first=Betty | last=Clarke | date=11 April 2008}} Critics drew comparisons to the work of The Kinks throughout the album, it being recorded at the studio owned by Ray Davies.{{cite web | last = Cooper | first = Lana | url = https://www.popmatters.com/the-kooks-konk-2496160257.html | title = The Kooks: Konk | website= PopMatters | access-date = 28 May 2023 | date = 13 April 2008}} Also noted were the band’s growing similarities in musical direction to The Fratellis and the Arctic Monkeys.{{cite web | last = Strickland | first = Andy | url= http://uk.launch.yahoo.com/080417/33/21yq9.html |title = Konk Review | website= Yahoo | access-date = 2 August 2009 | date = 17 April 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080516101647/http://uk.launch.yahoo.com/080417/33/21yq9.html | archive-date = 16 May 2008}} "I think we've made a dynamic album", Pritchard said. "Every song has its own character. It's a good pop album."

Their fourth album, Listen, includes much more percussion and cross rhythms than previous material. Pritchard described Listen as "percussion sonnets". "The first couple albums I made I never really thought about rhythms, I focused on the recording and the lyrics", Pritchard said.

The band's music has variously been described as pop, pop-rock, and indie-rock.Raber, Rebecca (2006) "The Kooks", CMJ New Music Monthly, September 2006, p. 19Fleming, Colin (2006) "Inside In/Inside Out", Spin, November 2006, p. 102Larkin, Colin (2011) The Encyclopedia of Popular Music, Bish-Bash Books, {{ISBN|978-1846098567}}, p. 1987

Current members

• Luke Pritchard – lead vocals, rhythm and lead guitar (2004–present)
• Hugh Harris – lead guitar, backing vocals, piano, keyboards (2004–present), bass (2008–present), rhythm guitar (2004–2008, 2018–present)

Current touring and session musicians

• Jonathan Harvey – bass, backing vocals (2021–present)
• Alexis Nunez – drums, percussion (2025–present; official 2012–2024){{cite news|author=Elisa Bray |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/the-kooks-interview-theyve-returned-in-their-own-way-9219027.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220618/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/the-kooks-interview-theyve-returned-in-their-own-way-9219027.html |archive-date=18 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=The Kooks interview: They've returned in their own way – Features – Music |newspaper=The Independent |date=28 March 2014 |access-date=1 August 2014}}

Former members

• Peter Denton – bass, backing vocals, rhythm guitar (2008–2018)
• Max Rafferty – bass, backing vocals (2004–2008)
• Paul Garred – drums, percussion (2004–2009, 2010–2012)

Former touring musicians

• Nicholas Millard – drums and percussion (2008)
• Dan Logan – bass, backing vocals (2008)
• Chris Prendergast – drums and percussion (2010–2011)
• Denny Weston – drums (2011–2012), bass (2015)
• Thom Kirkpatrick – synthesizer (2011–2012)
• Jack Berkeley – guitar, percussion, backing vocals (2013–2015)
• Peter Randall – bass, backing vocals (2018–2019)

Timeline

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{{main|The Kooks discography}}

• Inside In / Inside Out (2006)
• Konk (2008)
• Junk of the Heart (2011)
• Listen (2014)
• Let's Go Sunshine (2018)
• 10 Tracks to Echo in the Dark (2022)
• Never/Know (2025)

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|The Kooks}}

• {{Official website}}
• {{IMDb name|nm2208251}}

{{The Kooks}}

{{MTV EMA for Best UK & Ireland Act}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kooks, The}}

Category:2004 establishments in England

Category:English indie rock groups

Category:English rock music groups

Category:MTV Europe Music Award winners

Category:Musical groups established in 2004

Category:Rock music groups from Brighton and Hove

Category:Virgin Records artists