Kasabian’s Serge Pizzorno says psychedelic rockers are back ‘better than ever’ with sixth album For Crying Out Loud as they celebrate Leicester City FC heroics and 20 years together
With new record For Crying Out Loud, the psychedelic rockers have turned a corner — their underdog status already quashed after headlining Glastonbury in 2014
PSYCHEDELIC rockers Kasabian have an undeniable spring in their step when it comes to album number six.
Making new record For Crying Out Loud, the Leicester band have turned a corner — their underdog status already quashed after headlining Glastonbury in 2014 and playing two huge nights at Leicester City FC’s King Power Stadium last May.
Celebrating 20 years together, the band are in all-conquering form and jubilantly proud of their new songs.
Meeting songwriter Serge Pizzorno at his home, where he wrote this album in just six weeks in his next-door studio, The Sergery, he’s relaxed and says: “I just wanted to make a really uplifting album because I figured that’s a really hard thing to do.
“There’s melancholy and drama and just writing with a guitar, you really pour your heart out.
“Yet this music is joyous. The songs are honest and not cheesy so it’s not over the top or uncomfortable.”
And to achieve the record he intended, he gave himself a set of new rules.
“I had a real strong idea of how I wanted everything to be,” says Pizzorno, 36, pouring a cup of tea in the kitchen of his converted Leicestershire farmhouse.
“I didn’t want any song to be over three minutes and wanted to go back to classic songwriting and production like Motown and (producer) Berry Gordy. I love the structure of those songs
“There’s also a lot of guitar on this record yet you are still moving for the whole album — y’know, getting down — which was really important.”
For frontman Tom Meighan, also 36, For Crying Out Loud also marks a new chapter.
“The shows this week have been amazing,” he booms down the phone as we catch up.
“We’re in a wonderful place so the gigs are better than ever. The new songs sound massive. It’s good to be back.”
Buoyed by his return to the stage, I catch the hyper singer before the soundcheck of their final London Forum show.
“I’m walking around London looking to buy a Nintendo Switch but they’re sold out everywhere,” he explains.
“I’m fuming. I’m livid but it’s the only thing I can really moan about. We’re flying at the mo.
“We’re playing around 70 gigs this year and I can’t wait.”
The feelgood nature of For Crying Out Loud has given Kasabian a new lease of life. For Pizzorno, making the album followed a four-month sabbatical after a “year of highs” including marriage to his long-term girlfriend Amy, mother of his two young sons aged six and three, and his beloved Leicester City FC winning the Premier League in 2016.
Kasabian even played at the team’s homecoming party.
He says: “Making this record was really instinctive — it just happened because of what we all had gone through.
“There was a lot of great energy around it and in Leicester. I’ve lived here forever but that year was something special.” However, Meighan’s 12 months was not as glowing.
“I had a s*** year,” he says honestly. “But sometimes s*** happens in life. You have to face the devil. It was just a moment in life and I’ll look at it and think, ‘Yes, that was s***’. But I’ve turned the corner. Now things couldn’t be better.”
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In a recent magazine interview he broke down in tears about his troubles and battle with rock ’n’ roll excess. “No need to go into details but today I feel so alive,” he says. “I’ve got my blue eyes back and I had red eyes for a bit. And I really think I’m better because of this album.
“We’ve had ups and down and s*** thrown at us before but you deal with it and personally, I’m back stronger than ever.”
And of his best mate, Pizzorno says: “I’m proud how Tom’s got through a tough time. He is amazing.
“I am a sensitive soul anyway but to see him suffer was hard. You just have to be there when you’re needed. And when you are needed, you show up.
“If you go in too early you can make things worse but he got through it and knew he had us all as his brothers. And I think the album being as uplifting as it is and a joyous thing certainly helped him because when he was in the studio, he escaped in it.”
Meighan refers to the album as “very near to the bone”.
He says: “I don’t know if some of the songs are a biography of what was happening to me at the time, but there are some moments on there which came out of Serge’s mind.
“It’s a story. That’s what I like about it. And people can relate to it. It’s an inside window to our lives, which is wonderful.
“It’s a very human record. It makes the hair stand up on my neck.” Recently the band — Pizzorno, Meighan, bassist Chris Edwards and drummer Ian Matthews — saw their video comeback single You’re In Love With A Psycho blasted by mental heath charity Time To Change.
It sees the band, Taboo actor Stephen Graham and presenter Noel Fielding dancing around a psychiatric hospital.
The charity claimed that “calling people with mental health problems psychos was damaging”.
“It wasn’t our intention to offend anyone,” says Pizzorno.
“We made a video about two films we love — Groucho Marx’s Duck Soup and One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest. It is what it is.
“It’s also a nod to West Ryder, an album we made a few years ago. And the phrase and chorus came from my mates, having a laugh about being home late.”
Central to For Crying Out Loud is the “rule-breaking” eight-minute dance stomper Are You Looking For Action? with a new wave bassline and trippy euphoric chorus.
Then there’s Bless This Acid House — Pizzorno’s nod to the band’s rave roots.
“The thing that got me into music was the rave scene. That was the beginning,” he says.
“A sampler was the first bit of equipment I bought so that has always been essential to the sound, the groove and the movement.”
The track is also Meighan’s personal favourite and he describes it as “outstanding”.
He adds: “It has power and it’s positive and just full on rock ’n’ roll.”
For Crying Out Loud worked as the title for Pizzorno as it reminded him of his dad.
He says: “It reminded me of growing up with my old man. They’re songs for singing your heart out to but also for crying out loud too which, when I wrote it down I thought was quite beautiful.
“Again, it summed up a feeling of making you smile.
“And now with my two boys, we’ve had some special times,” he smiles proudly. “I took time off from the band to be home with them and play football.
“My youngest one loves standing in front of the mic like he’s Johnny Rotten while my eldest is more introverted.
“I love watching them play about in the studio, though If they go ten minutes without trying to beat each other up it’s a miracle.”
Looking ahead, Pizzorno says there’s plenty to be excited about — headlining this year’s Reading and Leeds Festival in August is at the top of the list.
“It’s a festival that has such a special place in our hearts, “ says Pizzorno. “The crowd just bring it. I cannot wait for that gig. It’s going to be incredible.”
Meighan adds: “The only headache we have with gigs these days is picking the setlist. Which is even better now because of this album.
“It’s a great headache to have. And I’m proud that every album has been different.”
So no longer the underdog, where does Kasabian fit today?
“I still believe we are outsiders in a good way,” says Pizzorno. “We celebrate that.”
Meighan adds: “People forget we’ve been together since being boys. All of us have been through a lot. We’ve grown up together, we’ve got kids, we’re a family.
“And this album marks us being stronger than ever and at our very best.”
- For Crying Out Loud is out on May 5.