K
1996Columbia Records
Number one debut. Tattva and Hey Dude are among the most distinctive Britpop singles.
Kula Shaker
All Artists
Psychedelic Rock / Britpop
Kula Shaker
Crispian Mills brought Indian philosophy and psychedelia to the Britpop era. Tattva is one of the era's most distinctive singles.
London, EnglandFormed 1994Active
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Biography
Kula Shaker
Kula Shaker formed in London in 1994, Crispian Mills's interest in Indian philosophy and psychedelic rock giving the band a quality that was immediately distinctive. They signed to Columbia Records and released their debut album 'K' (1996) — one of the most distinctive British debuts of the year. The combination of Britpop energy and Indian musical influences was unusual and effective.
'K' entered the UK charts at number one. 'Tattva', 'Hey Dude', 'Govinda', and 'Grateful When You're Dead' were all excellent singles. The album showed a band capable of real musical range — from hard rock to raga to psychedelia. Mills's lyrics drew on Hindu philosophy and the counterculture in ways that were occasionally pretentious but always interesting.
Kula Shaker split in 1999 but reformed in 2006 and have continued to record and tour. 'Strange Folk' (2007) and 'K 2.0' (2016) were both strong comeback albums. They remain one of the most distinctive British bands of their era.
My Take
Hope you can sing in Sanskrit — because let's talk about Kula Shaker! They're fronted by Crispin Mills, son of Disney star Hayley Mills. With Indian themes all through their music, they're one of the only bands ever to chart in the UK with a song sung in Sanskrit: Govinda. Of course they had other smash hits too, like Tattva and their cover of Hush. And they recently got back together and are making incredible music again.
Discography
The Albums
Peasants Pigs & Astronauts
1999Columbia Records
A more experimental direction. Sound of Drums is one of their finest songs.
K 2.0
2016Strangefolk Records
A strong comeback. Into the Deep is one of their finest late-period songs.
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