Kula Shaker @ The Wedgewood Rooms
May 2006

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• Kula Shaker @ The Wedgewood Rooms
  May 2006

In the I Like Music office, we'd been discussing our favourite bands of all time, those who'd donated towards the soundtrack to our lives. My list included the likes of Red Hot Chili Peppers, Eurythmics, INXS, Razorlight and REM, but near the top were Kula Shaker and, on a surprisingly warm May evening, they proved why.

For one, they're simply a soul-lifting, good vibe, rocking psychedelic masterpiece of a band.

Indeed Kula Shaker became one of the most popular British bands of the immediate post-Brit-pop era in the mid 90s. They brought the overpowering rush of ROCK n ROLL to psychedelia, a fusion of mystical India-influenced lyrics and catchy riffs. And Crispian Mills, the son of '60s actress Hayley Mills and film director Roy Boulting and grandson of Sir John Mills, found his pilgrimages and experiences paid off as his songs struck a chord.

Of course, it sucks when great bands writing great songs split up, as it did when Crispian and co went their separate ways in late 1999, but they are back (well three of them at least) and are on form this year, having been on their own individual and spiritual journeys with other groups (Pi, Thirteen:13, The Healers, Aqualung, Zero Point Field, The Jeevas and the mighty Oasis). Thankfully, after never ending support from dedicated (and now delighted) fans, three members of the original lineup (Crispian, Alonza & Paul) have reunited to relaunch with The Return of King Kula Shaker and The Return Of The King Tour.

The band are pleased about it too, "us being back together is great, it sits like a good curry," Crispian told the beaming Wedgewood Rooms crowd.

And with the incense burning via carefully positioned joss sticks at the front of the stage, the scene was set for the Wedgewood Rooms to herald the Return Of The King, Kula Shaker style.

As soon as they stepped on stage, Kula Shaker's trademark swirling, guitar-heavy sounds fused with Indian mysticism and spirituality were played out in Sound Of Drums - a fantastic opener.

Pure energy, intensely good guitar playing and sublime keyboards followed with new tracks, Big Bad Wolf, newest single which is folky at first building into a fabulous crescendo, Revenge Of The King With new track highlights including the gorgeous and touching rollercoaster ride of Die 4 Love and the witty Dictator of the Free World - "You're a Dic, a Dic, a Dic-tator".

Also See: ilikemusic.com

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