The second album, ‘Here’s What You Could Have Won’, from Hastings based Rock outfit Kid Kapichi established them as one of the country’s most ferocious and out-spoken new bands around. Their trademark big riffs and harsh yet melodic chorus’ are abundant throughout yet, their lyrical content has turned from the more localised critiques of London commutes, the working class lifestyle and the unfulfilled promises of those who dream of escaping it. Now, the quartet are pointing their lyrical angst straight at the government and capitalist culture with tracks like ‘Party at No. 10’ that are unapologetically uneuphemistic and ‘New England’ that delivers an uncompromising attack on the Brexit rhetoric.
The record sees Kid Kapichi dive even deeper into a gloomy realm that needs to be explored. Full on Rock in their heavy sonic choices yet fully Punk in their lyricism, this is an album that needs to be heard and is a great timestamp of life in 2022 Britain. We caught up with them to discuss what went in to making the new album and what fans can expect ahead of their UK tour which kicks off on January 31st. Tickets available here.
Q. How do you feel you have developed as a band and as people since your debut record?
A. I think we’ve always had the same passion for music and the same big ideas but as time has gone on it’s allowed us to realise those ideas more easily. Being able to work with amazing teams of people, producers, promoters and venues. It’s allowed us to do what we envisioned from the start when we were playing pubs. As people we’ve grown as people do. But our love for the music and each other remains.
Q. What made you keen to release the new album just a year later from your first record?
A. Our first album was done on a shoestring during a pandemic. We released it because we had so much to say. Stuff we felt we had to get out there. The second album was the same. It kind of wrote itself and we just went with it. A lot of our subject matters are time sensitive so we like to work quick.
Q. Although your first album was full of socially conscious lyricism & political points, would you say this new album is even more direct in its criticism of government behaviour and societal issues?
A. Yeah I believe so. It’s definitely what others have told us anyway. It’s hard to tell when you’re on the inside looking out. If people find it more direct and scathing then that’s something we welcome with arms akimbo. I think as long as things continue down this dark path we’re on, our music will only become more direct in its criticism.
Q. How did you find the experience of collaborating with Bob Vylan? How was it to have this added creative input and are you a fan of collaborations in general?
A. Yeah it was great. He’s a true professional and knocked it out the park with speed. We are a fan of collaborations. Definitely. Combining two genres with a common goal can be really exciting. We have our ways and work pretty insularly and are quite self sufficient so letting others in is always a worry but you know someone like Bobby will only add brilliance.
Q. Which was the first song from the album that you wrote and really set the overarching theme for the rest of the record to follow?
A. 'New England'! This was one of the first songs we wrote and it just opened up the door to a whole new vibe. Mixing the more beat driven aspect with our raw punk sound felt like a revelation when it came to writing.
Q. In among an album full of full throttle Rock songs and vicious vocal performances you find space for a heartfelt love song ‘Never Really Had You’ did you want the album to feature a song like this from the outset? Or was it just too good to leave out?
A. That song in particular kind of came out of nowhere. We wrote it in about an hour and it was a very weird feeling once it was done. Like we already had written it and were just remembering it like looking at an old school photo or something. Sometimes you get lucky with it. Having said that we do always aim to write albums with 1/2 more heartfelt or ballad type songs on it. I’ve never liked albums that are non stop from the first to last song. I like to go on a journey.
I also like to surprise people. Myself and Ben bonded over The Libertines albums in our teens and I think those albums always did a great job of keeping you on your toes and throwing in a curve ball. We’re song writers and we love to write songs of all shapes and sizes.
Q. Do you find you have to be in a completely different mindset/writing environment to write tracks like ‘Never Really Had You’ and ‘Hope’s a Never Ending Funeral’?
A. Yeah In a lot of ways you do. Most of our songs are written around a computer. When we write songs like the above mentioned it’s around a piano or a guitar. It’s a totally different vibe but one I think I probably prefer. I guess it feels more ‘real’ in the least cliche way possible. You have to call back on times you felt a certain way and take from that also.
Q. Which tracks from the new album are you most exiting to bring out on your UK tour?
A. 'Smash the gaff' is a crowd favourite and one of ours also. 'INVU' gets everyone bouncing. 'New England' is my personal favourite to perform as I lose the guitar and can dance around like a dad who’s had too many shandies at Christmas.
Q. What new artists have you been listening to recently?
A. Wooze are a great band. Been around for a little while but I think they’re amazing. Hot Wax from our hometown of Hastings are also doing amazing stuff.
Monakis & Snayx are stand outs. They also happen to be supporting us on tour.
* Insert tour plug here *
Q. Do you have a pre-gig hype up song that you love to listen to before heading on stage
A. Ha. Yes. Many. It’s a mix of Robbie Williams. The streets. Prodigy and Queens of the Stone Age. That’s our secret sauce
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