First single ‘Always Where I Need To Be’ is a tumbling rocker with a ‘do-do-do, do-do-do-do’ refrain that might just be the catchiest thing they’ve ever done.The eagerly awaited new album ‘Konk’ from The Kooks is released on the 14th April. It is their second album, and the follow-up to their hugely successful 2006 debut ‘Inside In/Inside Out’ which sold some two million copies worldwide. Explaining how he cameto suggest the new album title, guitarist Hugh says, ‘I juststarted thinking how cool the studio is, and how much of a part of our sound it is.’Singer/guitarist Luke, lead guitarist Hugh Harris, bassist Max Rafferty and drummer Paul Garred quickly came to be regarded as a classic British song-writing outfit, able to stand alongside The Kinks, Oasis, Coldplay or any number of others you care to mention, simply because they understand what makes pop music great.2008, then: it promises to be another stellar year for the fourpiece. ‘We came through [in 2006] with some great acts – Arctic Monkeys, Amy Winehouse, Beirut – but, for me, last year was a really wishy-washy time for bands,’ says Luke. ‘It feels like the time’s right for us to come back.’With shows already lined up in places as far afield as Dubai, Brazil and – oh yes – Hawaii, not to say some very special UK venues (‘We want to do things differently,’ says Luke. ‘Some of those arena venues… who wants to see a band in a tin shed?’) plus a truly magical slot at The Isle Of Wight Festival, the outlook for the boys’ 2008 is sunny.

‘We’ve made a really good album,’ concludes Luke. ‘I love the idea of people putting it on in their bedrooms, then going mental.’‘I hope that everyone puts it on,’ he says. ‘And it makes them feel great.’ Let the good times roll.The Kooks

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