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MUSIC REVIEW
Nu-Ravers Klaxons Set Out to Conquer the U.S.
By Amy Steele
NME named Klaxons Best New Band of 2006. A huge honor for any UK band. Together for only one year, Klaxons released Myths of the Near Future, a raucous, dance-y, energetic album a few weeks ago. The word "klaxon" derives from the Greek word "to shriek" but in French it means "to toot." Either way, Klaxons translates to an intoxicating blend of old and new. Klaxons cannot be put in a box. The fun band laces its songs with the whistles and bells of the 90s rave culture, psychedelic impulses and infectious beats to produce a refreshing, bouncy form of indie rock.
Three guys, from working class towns in England, formed Klaxons at the end of 2005.
Bassist Jamie Reynolds, 26, exposed himself to a plethora of musical influences as a music store clerk. 23-year-old guitarist James Righton studied history at Cardiff and then re-located to Madrid to teach English. Fellow Stratford-upon-Avon resident Simon Taylor went to Nottingham University to immerse himself in studying art. By chance, Jamie dated one of his housemates and over drinks the two concocted plans to form a band. Simon persuaded James to join up and for Klaxons; the rest is a foot note. The band began to play out at clubs around the UK.
By phone from East London, Jamie told me that the trio has "a magic, but can't say what it is. We can't think about what happens next. We wrote a pop record that we want to get to as many people as possible. It's about everything good about nothing and nowhere. Language doesn't matter to understand what it means or what the topic is. You can appreciate it, have a moment with it."
The album Jamie speaks of is the feverish debut, Myths of the Near Future. "Two receivers" features a catchy beat and hypnotic drumming. The killer riffs of "Gravity's Rainbow" make you want to shake and jump around. My favorite, "As Above, So Below," swirls with a charmingly sweet harmony and exudes a mellower side. "Magick" blends several genres and transports you to a dark room with strobe lights and glow sticks.
It is impressive when Klaxons announced a last minute gig via cell phone and had to turn hundreds away from the school gym where a rave-style atmosphere served as a backdrop.
How have things changed after all the critical and popular acclaim?
"It is easier and everything's happier," Jamie said. "Everything works. It is not about us. We create an environment where people can enjoy themselves."
And the best part is that Klaxons is a guitar band. Simply, this is group of young lads who just want to make great songs. The band certainly knows how to compose a song that will move you to a frenzied state of bliss.
For further information:
http://www.myspace.com/klaxons
CATCH KLAXONS ON TOUR NEAR YOU THIS APRIL:
April 24- Portland - Dante's
April 26- San Francisco - Popscene
April 29- Indio, CA - Coachella
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