The Rakish Gent Paper 5 - Serge Pizzorno
Kasbian comprise of lead singer and guitarist Serge Pizzorno, bassist Chris Edwards, drummer Ian Matthews and guitarist Tim Carter. In August 2022, the band released their seventh studio album The Alchemist’s Euphoria following appearing as special guests to Liam Gallagher at Knebworth and the Isle of Wight in June.
When did Kasabian first form?
Well way back when we were just a group of Leicester boys that were all into rave culture and that were also into guitar music, so the idea was to bring the two together. There was also a bit of Sixties psychedelia thrown into the mix.
Had you always wanted to be a musician?
I think growing up, I had always wanted to be a footballer which must have been really common for lads growing up in satellite towns. Music really took a hold of me from the age of 11/12. I was into production at first, before I started to learn how to play the guitar after which I think it would be difficult to be doing anything else.
How long had you guys been working behind the scenes before launching your first single?
We started to work together on music in 1997 and were signed in 2001. The first album was released a few years later in 2004. To us but felt like there was a long time working behind the scenes.
What do you think made the group so popular?
I think that can be explained by the fact that there was a uniqueness to the sound. There was a vibe to it that people seemed to respond really well to. There was a communal feel to the shows, and we tried to make them as exciting as possible. We didn’t sound like anyone else and still don’t.
Was there any nervousness about the decision to continue?
Yeah absolutely there was a lot of nervous feelings around the time when we were considering the next steps. We had no idea how fans would respond but the one thing that we did all agree on, was that we would regret not trying. It was clear that Tom had moved on so we had a decision to make. As well as obviously wanting to continue to write and perform as musicians, we’ve got bills to pay. Performing was the only thing we’ve done over the last ten years so what else could we do? We were confident that we could put together a great album and that we would do ourselves justice.
How has the dynamic of the band changed in the studio and when playing live?
It hasn’t really changed as the process of making the album has always been the same. In terms of how I wrote the album, it was the same on this album as it was for our first album so it was very much business as usual.
How does the sound of the new album compare with previous ones?
For me, it’s the next chapter for us. It has the hallmarks that fans would expect from a Kasabian record but also an exciting step forward. I’d also say that, it feels like a great cohesive collection of songs and the production values are really high.
Are there any particular songs from the new album that are especially important to you?
Absolutely. I really love T.U.E (the ultraview effect) which feels like the centrepiece of the album as its three songs in one. It feels really unique and special.
Do you still enjoy touring?
Yeah we really still enjoy it. We try and make sure that each show is special and that we can keep fans interested. The crowds have been responding really well to the new album and has been insane to see such a great reaction. There is a crazy energy that must be done to people having been locked away for so long. They really deserve a good show.
What are your plans for the rest of the year?
Touring of course with some big shows planned for October that we are really looking forward to. We are also working on some plans for next summer as well so there’s going to be a lot going on.
The new album from Kasabian, The Alchemist’s Euphoria is out now.
A full version of this feature can be found in The Rakish Gent Paper Issue 5.