Kasabian: Circus Envy

Kasabian frontman Tom Meighan laughs when talking about how his band’s fame took another delirious turn a few months ago. Winning last year’s Brit Award for Best British Group fortified the band’s position as Oasis’ natural heirs, but it was a Britain’s Got Talent contestant’s use of a Kasabian tune that finally rendered the mouthy Meighan lost for words.

    In April, former hardcore porn star Tia Brodie appeared on the Simon Cowell program dancing to Kasabian’s 2009 single Fire, appropriately rubbing fire sticks over her 30FF breasts as she performed her routine.

    “Jesus Christ, it’s mental what’s happening nowadays, isn’t it?” Meighan splutters down the line from his manager’s house. “It’s fucking hilarious isn’t it? It’s mental what can happen. It’s just funny - really, really funny more than anything. Usually our music is on TV adverts and programs, but it’s weird when it’s mismatched - a really serious song that’s on in the background of Eastenders or some shit like that. But that’s just hilarious.”

    Have you had any feedback about Kasabian music being a favourite among strip club dancers?

    “Yeah man! If people want to strip to our music then that’s cool, that’s great.”

    Third album West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum has strengthened Kasabian’s standing as one of the UK’s most potent rock acts, with the 2009 release finding the band meddling with everyone from Hollywood actress Rosario Dawson (a guest vocalist on the track West Ryder Silver Bullet) through to The Mighty Boosh’s Noel Fielding (the star of music video Vlad The Impaler). Album tracks such as Where Did All The Love Go? and Fast Fuse were standouts at the band’s Big Day Out performances this year, however the pale-skinned Limeys were stifled by the intense temperatures.

    “The heat almost killed me, but the shows were great and the crowds were great. The heat was horrific and like being put in an oven, but I think the festival’s amazing. It’s a great festival, but the heat was a bastard.”

    Unlike fellow Brits on the Big Day Out bill such as Lily Allen and Muse, Kasabian’s early afternoon slots meant the quartet performed when the sun was at its peak.

    “Well by the time the sun was going down it was seven or eight o’clock, so what are you going to do? But it was a great festival and we really enjoyed it. When we come back, we won’t be on at two in the afternoon though!”

    A recent sojourn from touring ensures Kasabian will be full of energy when they return to Australia this week.

    “We’ll be feeling fresh from taking a break and ready to play again. I’ve just had six or seven weeks off, so I took a holiday with my missus and went to Marrakesh. Morocco was beautiful, it was really nice. Travelling brings a different perspective. I don’t know anything about the culture so it was cool to go over there.”

    Did you pick up any Moroccan fashions to wear on stage here in Australia?

    “I bought a few instruments, mate! I’ve got a few fucking drums and stuff and it’s cool. I’m into instruments…”

    Inspired by The Rolling Stones’ Rock And Roll Circus, the video for last year’s Where Did All The Love Go? featured all sorts of circus freaks and carnival performers. So if Tom Meighan curated his own Rock And Roll Circus, who would he invite to perform?

    “I’d get Tame Impala, because they’re great, mate. I’d get Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – and I’m talking about bands of today rather than those that have been and gone – mates like SuperEvolver, I’d have MGMT, Willie Nelson would be good… nah, Willie Mason sorry, he’s a great songwriter, but Willie Nelson would be cool too…”

    Once Kasabian have wrapped up their last leg of West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum touring, the recording studio beckons. Meighan is excited about the songs Kasabian guitarist Serge Pizzorno has played him so far.

    “I think we’re going to start recording in October and November. Serge has demoed the album already and it got it to the standard where he can give it to me and I can do what I want with it, so it’s 50 percent done and it’s wonderful. These songs are well exciting mate. I’ve heard it all and it’s a really great record. I can’t give you details about it because it’s so early, but it’s going to knock the shit out of West Ryder...”

    That’s a big call – you’re talking about a bloody strong album there!

    “It’s going to knock the shit out of it man, I promise you. West Ryder… is doing the business but this one is fantastic, it’s something else.”

Kasabian play Thebarton Theatre on Wed Jul 28. The West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum is out now through Sony.

Words: Scott Mclennan

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