In just two short years, Royal Blood vocalist/bassist Mike Kerr and drummer Ben Thatcher have gone from being members of a relatively obscure British indie band to major label, international chart-topping mega-stars. Their debut album, Royal Blood, has hit the Number One spot in several countries, and the blistering singles from the album, “Little Monster,” “Out Of The Black” and “Figure It Out,” have all contributed to the duo effortlessly being able to sell-out venues all across the U.S. on their current North American tour. In addition to a handful of NME (New Musical Express) awards, earlier this year, the Brighton, England natives scored the prestigious 2015 BRIT Award for the Best British Group. All proving that Royal Blood’s ability to wrap the primal essence of ferocious rock and roll power around a surprisingly innate ability to craft deft melodies and soaring hooks has transformed them into globally-praised sonic force that cannot be ignored.
Mike Kerr freely admits Royal Blood’s seemingly “overnight” success still surprises both he and Ben. When asked if he must continually pinch himself to ensure he isn’t, in fact, dreaming every musician’s ultimate rock fantasy, he earnestly answers, “Absolutely, all the time,” quickly followed by a wide grin. “It’s been a mad rush of a two years. I think when we finish this tour and go back home for a week or so then things might start to sink in! It’s difficult to appreciate the magnitude of things when you’re in a bubble and day to day something new happens.”
Kerr and Thatcher first met when they were teenagers and have been playing music together ever since. Kerr experimented with other instruments before settling on the bass & a unique cocktail of pedal & amps. Thatcher was given a drum kit for his sixth birthday and has remained committed to his instrument ever since. They officially formed Royal Blood when Ben picked up Mike at the airport upon Kerr’s return from trip to Australia in early 2013. As Royal Blood lore has it, the two decided to form the band on the car ride home.
Kerr confesses he already had it in his mind that he wanted to start a band with Ben before hitting the airport’s tarmac. “Ben’s always been a phenomenal drummer, so I sort of knew when I had this handful of songs that it’d be incredible to join up with Ben,” Mike explains. “We were both so keen to get started, rehearsal the next day and our first show the next day.”
It was a fateful day that would change their – and rock fans across the globe – lives forever. “It’s crazy to think about it like that, because when we made Royal Blood, we had no expectations about how or if it would sell,” Mike admits. “We weren’t even sure anyone would listen to it, much less buy it. So, everything good that’s been happening to us has been incredible…there is really no other way to explain it.”
MIKE KERR DIVULGES 10 VITAL FACTS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT HIMSELF AND BEN THATCHER OF ROYAL BLOOD:
Hypothetically, Mike, if you were sent to live in isolation on a desert island and you were allowed to take the entire album catalog of one artist or band, who would it be? It’s a really strange kinda desert island with a solar powered CD player…so, think of it as a really hip version of the island in LOST, alright? Also, with all this music from this one group or artist which album would be your favorite? “Led Zeppelin. Without doubt, I still listen to them everyday now. My favorite album would be Led Zeppelin II, it’s just got everything hasn’t it? How can you not listen to that record over and over again?”
I really dug listening to your Royal Blood & Influences playlist on Spotify. It is pretty musically diverse. Have you had a chance to meet any of the artists you have on the list? Maybe Elton John? Artic Monkeys? Fleetwood Mac? “Well, we’ve played a few shows with Arctic Monkeys. In fact, share a management team with them, so we’ve met them a few times. Still awaiting the phone call from Elton, though, someone told us the other day that he’d said he’s a fan. That’d be cool.”
Listen to the Royal Blood & Influences Spotify playlist HERE
Speaking of influences, you can definitely hear the rock and blues influences on Royal Blood, however, you have fashioned a style that’s very much your own. Rock aside, what genre of music would your fans be surprised to discover you are a huge fan of? Maybe polka? Gregorian Chants? Tango music? “Sorry, it’s the typical cliché answer I’m afraid, but we’re into a lot of music, all genres. Ben’s got a penchant for pop, Spice Girls, Justin Timberlake, some of the old classics. I’d say we’re both hardcore fans of rock and roll really, that’s what we cut our teeth on and what we play.”
If you had the chance to collaborate with any musician, alive or dead, who would it be? And, what song would you like to jam with them on? “Probably Jimmy Page, or Jimi Hendrix. Two of the most amazing guitarists of all time. Not sure what song though, I’d love either Jimmy or Jimi to wail over a track”
How did growing up in Brighton inspire the sound of Royal Blood? “I’m not sure if I have a consciousness of it, really, but Brighton is a great scene that inspires a lot of musicians. We are fortunate to have grown up in an area that actually has recording studios, music venues and such a healthy outlet for budding musicians.”
Why did you and Ben decide to call yourself Royal Blood? “No big story here, really, we put two words together and thought they sounded good together…haha!”
Any thoughts of ever recruiting any other members to join Royal Blood, or are you both happy as a duo? “We’re happy with it just us two for now. We can achieve all we want to with the two of us. Maybe in the future they’ll be some expansion, whether that be in the studio or on the live front. It’s certainly not in the immediate future though or our thought pattern for this next record. But, we’ll have to see how we get on.”
Are you and Ben working on a new album? If so, how will it differ from Royal Blood? “We’re beginning to work on some new ideas, we’re very keen to start work properly when we come off the road. At the moment, it’s just little ideas. I don’t think we can say at this stage how it’ll sound and whether it will be vastly different to the first record. I don’t think either of us are too keen to stray too far.”
What is the craziest, weirdest or funniest thing that has happened to you on the current tour? “It’s not been too crazy on this current tour, nothing of note stick out. People like to bake us food, we’ve had some excellent Banana bread in our time on the road. It’s always welcome.”
What’s the best advice you would give a young musician who wants to make music their career? “Keep going, and so long as you’re enjoying yourself and having fun then don’t give up. The moment it stops being fun is when there’s a problem.”
ROYAL BLOOD ON TOUR:
October 2 – Zilker Park – Austin, TX
October 3 – Emo’s-Austin – Austin, TX
October 5 – The Ready Room – St Louis, MO
October 6 – Cain’s Ballroom – Tulsa, OK
October 7 – House of Blues Dallas – Dallas, TX
