LOS CAMPESINOS INTERVIEW
Los Campesinos! - their name means 'the peasants' or 'the farmers' in Spanish - began in March 2006 as what Tom describes as 'a playful hobby'; they played their first chaotic student union show in May 2006; made a four-song demo recorded at a local youth centre and posted it on the net at around the same time; spent Summer 2006 reeling in shock as offers for record deals and gigs poured in; supported Tom's heroes Broken Social Scene in August 2006, while telling the various labels who wanted them that they were all going to spend another year studying; and signed to the further education-supporting Wichita label in November 2006.
All that, in eight months, for a band that "didn't really know what we were doing"
FEATURED ARTIST
The King Blues
The King Blues have come a long way in their four years together – and they're primed to go a lot further yet.
Armed with a ukulele, a guitar and a commitment to politics and resistance, The King Blues began life in 2004 when Itch and Jamie Jazz began performing at squat parties and punk shows in and around London. Guitarist Fruitbag joined soon after. Inspired by the reggae-reared punk bands such as The Clash, The Specials and Operation Ivy and the growing worldwide resistance movement, they played anywhere that would have them – pavements, car parks, political rallies and on The King Blues Sound System – a mobile PA carried on a giant tricycle that the band built, allowing them to play literally anywhere. Few bands can say they genuinely come from the streets, but The King Blues are one of them.