Their first American single is in constant rotation on LA's KROQ and if you live outside southern california and your hometown rock station is cool enough to play gangly british rock bands then you have probably heard the song. The song "Niave," off the Kooks debut album Inside In/Inside out, has already charted at number two in the UK. The album itself has gone triple platinum and yet they are still relatively unknown in the states. We've just begun to get to know these four lads who have been the talk of London for the past year.

The music is produced by Luke Pritchard – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, Hugh Harris – lead guitar, Max Rafferty – bass guitar, and Paul Garred – drums, percussion. Their sound is a glass of refreshing indie brit pop with a nice twist of lemon for bitterness. The soul of the band is built around the lyrics which Pritchard admits in the December issue of UNCUT magazine bare resemblence to Dylan's style of songwriting. "I've always loved the contrast in Dylan of complex thoughts put in a really simple way." In the song "Niave" Pritchard forcefully delivers line after line while keeping his message of scorned love concise and direct. Plus the hook aint too bad either. Lord knows I've caught myself mindlessly singing "I know, she knows, I'm not fond of asking" in full on Brighton, England accent that bursts out of me like a chiminey sweep. Ahhh, the British.

The Kooks formed in 2003 while the boys were still in college, Britain's equivalent to high school. They are currently on a break, but will be hitting the studio in a few weeks to begin their sophmore album. Look for them to be playing stateside this spring. Their single "Ooh La" was released in the UK in October and is sure to be their second single in the states.

Why you should know them:
- They were voted best band of 2006 by Radio 1 listeners
- Their album Inside in/Inside out has sold over 1,000,000 copies.
- They have opened for the Rolling Stones
- UNCUT Magazine actually gives a shit what these guys have to say about Bob Dylan...that must mean something right?

Video:
"Niave"