Kasabian rock band release their fourth album

PanARMENIAN.Net - Rock sensation Kasabian release their fourth album on Monday, September 19, titled "Velociraptor!" in a nod to the most "glam-rock" of the dinosaurs, the band told AFP in an interview.

"We just loved the word, that was the initial attraction," said Serge Pizzorno, the guitarist and lead songwriter whose four-man outfit has been hailed by the music press as true heirs to Britpop legends Oasis.

Fronted by vocalist Tom Meighan, the four childhood friends from Leicester in central England set up Kasabian in 1997, its name a reference to a member of Charles Manson's murderous gang, releasing a first studio album in 2004.Their psychedelic third album, "West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum", sold a million copies worldwide and catapulted Kasabian to a spot supporting the likes of U2 and Muse in stadiums across Europe.

The band was formerly called Saracuse and started recording at Bedrock Studios in Leicester where Chris Edwards worked as an engineer. The first demo EP was produced by Scott Gilbert and handed to the band late on December 24, 1998. Three songs were recorded live: 'Whats Going On', 'Life of Luxury' and 'Shine On'. Their first public appearance was at the Vipers Rugby Club to celebrate Chris' 18th birthday with family and friends.

The band were soon spotted and changed their name to Kasabian, after Linda Kasabian, a member of the Charles Manson cult (aka the Manson "family") famous for serving as his getaway driver. In an interview with Ukula, bassist Chris Edwards explained how the former guitarist Chris Karloff picked the name. Reading up on Charles Manson, the Kasabian name stuck with Karloff. "He just thought the word was cool, it literally took about a minute after the rest of us heard it... so it was decided,” says Edwards.

Kasabian is an Armenian surname, originated from the Armenian word, Kasab (ghasab), meaning a butcher or slaughterer, and suffix (ending) -ian.