Having a laugh

The Kaiser Chiefs are one of Britain's most successful bands - Mercury Music Prize nominees last year and winners of three Brit Awards in 2006. While many American readers (and some Icelanders too) may not realize it, the Kaisers are probably the biggest band Iceland Airwaves.

In a recent conversation with ReykjavíkMag, front man Ricky Wilson described what the group are up to, how he tries to hate other bands and how he hopes Iceland will not disappoint.

The current Mrs. Wilson used to work for the Airwaves festival, so shes always told me about how amazing it is and that Id have to go to Iceland with her, he says. But the only problem is that shes not going to be there when Im going, so she cant take me out.

Amazing it may be, but Wilson doesnt use the word lightly. I just find people too quick to say how amazing things are and then when you actually do something, its not as good as people say. Ive been around the world and its pretty much boring…but people say that Icelands like nothing on Earth, so hopefully Iceland will be an exception to that rule.

Its not just the planet Earth that attracts criticism. I like going to see live music to slag it off. I know it sounds awful, but I wouldnt go to enjoy it; Id go to hate it. But despite this admission, he does not come across as remotely arrogant. In the old band, we tried desperately hard to be like The Strokes, but we were just a pale imitation a bunch of pale indie kids from Leeds wearing very tight leather jackets. We just looked ridiculous.

When Kaiser Chiefs formed in 2003, they didnt set out to conquer the world they set out to bag a minor slot at the Leeds music festival. Needless to say they got the gig and havent looked back since. Their debut album, Employment has melted into many a CD player due to over-use and nearly two years after its release, the next aural assault is coming.

I think the albums out some time in February, but I dont really spend much time or energy thinking about anything else but the writing of the songs says Ricky. But how different is it to Employment? A lot more of it was written on guitars this time, so its not as electronic as the last one. Its more of a rock record I suppose youd describe it as.

The quirky, honest and tuneful music the band has produced to date has been likened to Blur, The Kinks, Roxy Music and even Madness so is the new album going to sound like a different band altogether? Its definitely a progression, but without growing up, because I hate that, when bands grow up. Especially when theyre like 20 year old kids and they make their first album and its really good and then the second one, theyre 22 and they think theyve grown up. Im knocking on 30 and Ive decided to never grow up.

Ricky strongly believes that youre going to like the new album just as much as the first. Im pleased. And lyrically, its amazing. You know how you hear all these other bands talking up their album, saying its the best thing in the world, ever? Well, we never did that. We were always a bit more humble about the whole thing. But Ive decided now that its time just to be honest: the truth is were just a lot better than anyone else. Were very proud of this record, its um its big and if people dont like it then theyre idiots.

Dont just take his word for it: the band plan to play three or four, four or five of their new songs here at Iceland Airwaves. And apart from playing their gig, there is much more to look forward to. I havent seen any live bands for ages, because Ive been stuck in the studio for the last six weeks. And then when I go home, I cant really go to see live bands because people know what I look like now. Im alright going to the supermarket or a walk in the park no-one turns their head. But people just expect to see you at music gigs, so I just get hassle, like people wanting me to talk to their friends down the phone so I dont really go to many live gigs anymore.

Airwaves will provide ample opportunity to stock up on gigs without so much fan hassle. Ive grown a moustache, so I dont look like me anymore. But I think its going to have to come off because the rest of the guys dont like it.

And who would Ricky and his moustache most like to go and see at Airwaves? I like We Are Scientists; theyre one of my favourites. I like any band thats got a sense of humour. I mean, their musics not funny or anything, but theyre funny guys, theyre having a laugh and theyre not taking it too seriously. You meet some bands who think that just because youre at a festival and youre having a laugh that your musics not important and its not true. I mean the Beatles were funny guys and they were the best band in the world.

The famous rowdy Reykjavík nightlife should be no problem for a rock star out to have a laugh, but Ricky shatters that illusion. Im not very good at staying up late; Im more of an early starter, early to bed. I burn out by midnight. I dont think Ive been to a party in the last five years where I havent woken up under the table.

But he says hell make a special effort to keep his eyes open. He has a few other things to do in Iceland though. I forgot that we were going to Iceland straight from the studio, so I havent got any warm clothes. So Im going to have to go shopping and get some of those jumpers with animals on and stuff.

Also I think were going snow biking. Im not very good with machinery but I think on snow itll be fine you can fall on snow and itll be fine.

Woolly jumpers and snow biking injuries…hes practically a local already.

Kaiser Chiefs are playing midnight on Saturday at the

Reykjavík art gallery.

Alex Elliott