All about this artist
Biography:
This UK retro-rock band (named after an Indian emperor) formed originally as the Kays then the Lovely Lads in 1994. Despite regular live work, that band was abandoned when the singer left. Ex-Objects Of Desire members Crispian Mills (born 18 January 1973, Hammersmith, London, England; vocals), Paul Winter-Hart (b.
19 September, Glastonbury, Somerset, England; drums) and Alonza Bevan (b. 24 October 1970, London, England; bass) then regrouped under a new name with Jay Darlington (b. 3 May 1968, Sidcup, Kent, England; keyboards), and embarked on a support tour with Reef that resulted in a contract with Columbia Records.
Columbia were evidently impressed by Kula Shaker's commitment to recreating the "authenticity" of 60s bands the Beatles and Small Faces. Their debut single, "Grateful When You're Dead" (a reference to the recent death of Jerry Garcia), immediately entered the UK Top 40 as critics feverishly scrambled to interview them.
Mills, the son of 60s actress Hayley Mills and grandson of venerated actor John Mills, did his best not to disappoint them: "By the end of the century we're gonna be the biggest band in the world, and to celebrate we'll play a gig at the Pyramids on the last day of 1999.
That's where we're headed. " Further singles proved no fluke. The mantric "Tattva" and "Hey Dude" were sparkling slices of intelligent guitar pop, with its heart very much in the sounds of the late 60s. Mills demonstrated respectful nods to Jimi Hendrix, Randy California and Richie Blackmore in his playing.
Their debut album entered the UK chart at number 1. The band crowned an extraordinary first year by winning a BRIT Award in February 1997 and released a frenetic cover version of Joe South's "Hush', previously a hit for Deep Purple.
Mills" reputation was subsequently tarnished by some ill-advised remarks about the Nazi swastika, provoking a hostile reaction from the unforgiving music press. He subsequently retired from public view, embarking on a spiritual quest to India. The band returned in May 1998 with the UK Top 5 single, "Sound Of Drums".
Peasants Pigs & Astronauts followed in March 1999, but failed to match the success of its predecessor, debuting at number 9 on the UK album chart. After all the swagger and column inches the band was no more, with Mills leaving in September to concentrate on solo work.
He returned three years later with his new rock band, the Jeevas. At the end of 2005, Kula Shaker reunited (minus Darlington) to play a "secret" live gig. The reunion featured a new batch of songs including the politically charged "Great Dictator (Of The Free World)" and they took on a more permanent shape with the addition of keyboardist Harry Broadbent and a new studio album, Strange Folk.
An older and wiser Mills no longer has anything to prove, especially to the music media. That was probably why the 2007 tour of UK and Europe saw the revitilized band in such good form. The addition of Broadbent has enriched their music with a truly authentic and beefy 60s Hammond organ sound.
