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Kasabian are an English rock band from Blaby and Countesthorpe, formed by Tom Meighan (vocals), Sergio Pizzorno (guitar and vocals), Chris Edwards (bass) and Chris Karloff (guitar and keyboards), who met while attending Leysland High School and Countesthorpe Community College.
The band is named after Linda Kasabian, a member of the Charles Manson cult (aka the Manson "family"). In an interview with Ukula, bassist Chris Edwards explained how the former guitarist Chris Karloff picked the name. Reading up on Charles Manson, the Kasabian name stuck with Karloff. "He just thought the word was cool, it literally took about a minute after the rest of us heard it…so it was decided,” says Edwards.
The band have been compared with the likes of Primal Scream, with whom they share an electronica-indie rock fusion, The Stone Roses and Oasis, with whom they share confidence, swagger and rough vocal style.
Kasabian's latest album, titled Empire, was released in the UK on August 28, 2006. During its recording, Christopher Karloff, one of the band's chief songwriters, had "artistic and creative differences" and was asked to leave the band, according to the band's website. He contributed his writing skills to three of the songs on Empire including the title track - which was the first single released from the album. The band recruited once temporary drummer, Ian Matthews, as a permanent member of the band. In the early days Tom Meighan used to post on the Libertines.org forum for short notice gigs and to promote his band.
During the recording of "Kasabian" the band lived in a farmhouse, in Normanton, near Rutland Water, so as not to be disturbed.
Kasabian has also been very critical of other bands. The British indie rock band labeled the band My Chemical Romance as "clowns" and "emo kids" who "don't have anything positive to say" and "should get out more and try and have a good time instead." The song "Empire", a self-described 'call to arms' and the first single from the album of the same name, reached #9 on the UK charts, based on downloads sales alone, and with only six days airplay. It stayed in the top 10 for 4 weeks. The album seems to focus on the horrors of war, and the problems of waging it. "Shoot the Runner" reached #17 in the British charts. "Me Plus One" is the latest single, which was released on January 29th, 2007. The single Empire was exclusively played on BBC Radio 1's Zane Lowe show in July 2006 and immediately made available for internet download.
Kasabian won the Best Live Act award at the 2007 NME Awards. After receiving the award, Meighan had said: "This is the first award we've ever won, so about fucking time! Thank you NME!" Kasabian will be playing the Main Stage on the Saturday of Radio 1's Big Weekend in Preston.
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