Kaiser Chiefs

Wed 26th Nov, 2008 in Features

It’s not very often that you grab a hold of someone right after they’ve done a show in New York City with legendary Jay-Z in attendance. But that’s just the case with Ricky Wilson, the highly animated frontman of the Kaiser Chiefs. He sounds exhausted, yet reminiscing over festival experiences doesn’t seem too hard a stretch for the man.

“Festival are kind of like summer camp for bands. It’s good. You travel the world and you see each other and you have a laugh. And I really like it, ‘cause when you do your own shows you hang out with the support band and that’s about it. But when you’re doing a festival there- œs load of people to choose from and hang out with. It’s cool seeing the world – one field at a time.”

To Ricky, festivals are also a good way for the punter to beat the financial crisis. “I think they’re pretty much a good deal. – œCause, let’s say, there’s fifty bands on. If I bought tickets to see a band, in the UK, it’d be about twenty quid. If I go to that festival where there are fifty bands it’s like a hundred quid. So you’re actually getting a lot more for your money at a festival.”

When we get to the topic of how his band’s most recent release, Off With Their Heads was leaked two weeks early on the internet, Wilson has his own take on the whole piracy issue. “When we get pissed off – œcause our album leaks, it’s got nothing to do with the money. We’re not bothered about that, – œcause people instantly think we’re all capitalist and we just want the money…

“It’s the actual value of something and the way people appreciate it and the way people listen to it. Because you get something, you download the MP3 and you listen to it on your laptop speakers. It just won’t work like when you get home, put the CD on, put your headphones on, read the artwork and enjoy it the same way that we made it. That’s the reason I’m bothered.”

Piracy aside, selling in excess of three million albums worldwide has meant that Ricky has had some humbling encounters. “It’s funny, – œcause we’ve played with Paul McCartney this year at his hometown, at Liverpool Stadium. And it is weird when you’re talking to Paul McCartney and you realise you’re talking to a Beatle. Someone who is the very reason I’m in a band, or anyone’s in a band. – œCause they influenced the world so much… It’s weird and it doesn’t really sink in.”

Considering this, one has to ask his view on when the near-opposite happens, namely comments by Noel Gallagher? “That’s good as well. I mean, that’s pretty funny. He was giving it 15 years ago and they are my favourite band. He’s doing it now about us, so that’s pretty funny. Not much you can complain about. Can’t take it personally. He’s not going to keep his jab shut.”

Noting his joking take on criticism, the hilarious side of life doesn’t appear to be excluded from Ricky’s life. “The words Spinal Tap, when you’re in a band, comes up most days. From turning up to a record store signing and no one knows who you are to getting lost backstage. I mean, everything – everything. There’s always some Spinal Tap moments to be had.”

When told about the rumours that the comedic band would be playing at V Festival alongside him and his bandmates, you could hear the joy exalting from him. “I do hope so! If they do, that’d be brilliant, – œcause I’d love to see them; love to meet them. But [for now] you got stuck with the Kaiser Chiefs and The Killers. Maybe one day.”

On the subject of getting stuck, he has a broad imagination in terms of where he’d end up in the commercial radio world. “I’ve always wanted to be in a place between Katy Perry and Pink. I think I’d be pretty scared actually!”

Sometimes scary moments come in more ways than one, though. Playing a large part in the recent John Lydon-Bloc Party feud being a key example. “To me it was just stupid. It was John Lydon’s mates who were causing all the trouble. All I did was kind of weighted in to stop Kele [Okereke] from hurting him.”

And his take on the feud between friend Lily Allen and hometown rock stars Jet? “Jet?! [laughs] Jet versus Lily Allen, oh crikey! Oh, she can handle herself, she’s tough. She’s pretty cool as well. Like, I don’t want to get involved with that, has nothing to do with me. But I’m sure she can hold her own.”

Off With Their Heads is out now through Liberator. Kaiser Chiefs will play V Festival 2009.

Saturday 28 March – Centennial Park, Sydney
Sunday 29 March – Avica Resort, Gold Coast
Saturday 4 April – Showgrounds, Melbourne
Sunday 5 April – Claremont Showgrounds, Perth