Primal Scream’s career could in many ways be read as a microcosm of British indie rock in the ’80s and ’90s. Bobby Gillespie formed the band in the mid-’80s while drumming for goth-tinged noise rockers the Jesus and Mary Chain, who were the exact opposite of Primal Scream — the latter specialized in infectious, jangly pop on its early records. After a brief detour to punky hard rock, the group reinvented itself as a dance band in the early ’90s, following through on the pop and acid house fusions of the Stone Roses and Happy Mondays. With the assistance of producers Andrew Weatherall and Hugo Nicholson, Primal Scream created the ultimate indie pop and dance fusion album, Screamadelica, in 1991. Screamadelica broke down boundaries and changed the face of British pop music in the ’90s, helping to make dance and techno acceptable to the rock mainstream. Instead of following through on the promise of the album, Primal Scream retreated to Stonesy boogie for their 1994 follow-up, Give Out but Don’t Give Up. When that record was greeted with indifference, they returned to dance-rock fusions with 1997’sVanishing Point, which re-established the group as a major force in British rock.
www.primalscream.net

With his acerbic approach to interviews, swaggering lead singer Tom Meighan quickly became a darling of the press during the band’s infancy, and Kasabian’s revolutionary logos and sleeve art only added to the excitement. Fold-out poster sleeves, 10″ versions, and hand-stenciled covers accompanied singles like “Club Foot,” “L.S.F,” and “Processed Beats.” The hype paid off as Kasabian’s self-titled debut cracked the Top Five in October 2004, just one month after its U.K. release. Four singles landed in the Top 20 within six months, establishing the bandmates as rock & roll royalty in the process.

Founding guitarist Chris Karloff left the lineup two years later, citing creative differences with the remaining members. Kasabian’s second album, Empire, had already been recorded, and guitarist Jay Mehlerwas brought aboard to replace Karloff during live performances. (Mehler eventually became an official member in 2008.) Empire was ultimately released in August 2006 and debuted atop the U.K. charts, with the title track soon becoming the band’s third Top Ten hit. The band took home an NME Award in 2007 and began work on another album later that year. Dan the Automator was brought in to share production duties with Serge Pizzorno, and the resulting West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum appeared in 2009.

www.kasabian.co.uk