Vocalist Ricky Wilson, guitarist Andrew White, Bassist Simon Rix, keyboard player Nick Baines and drummer Vijay Mistry joined forces in 1996 to create the British indie rock band, Kaiser Chiefs.

Inspired by New Wave and punk rock music of the 1970s and 1980s, the Kaiser Chiefs have released four albums over the last eight years.

They also have released one EP in 2005 and a compilation album that was released in 2012.

Their 2005 album, “Employment” sold more than three million copies and won three British music awards.

From the years of 2005 to 2013, the band has had multiple top 40 hits in the United Kingdom.

The members of the Kaiser Chiefs have been friends for quite some time. Hodgson, Baines and Rix all met in the same class at around 11 years old.

After their first band Runston Parva failed to secure any record deals in the UK.

After hiring a new manager, the band changed their name to Kaiser Chiefs and started to produce new songs.

Early in their career the band remained relatively outside of the UK. T

his all changed in 2004 when the band performed at a music festival in Moscow.

After the festival, they became involved in the NME Awards Tour at the beginning 2004 as an opening act.

The band’s new position as an opening act helped them gain more media attention.

In August 2006, the band released a book entitled, “A Record of Employment.”

The book documented their rise from an unsigned band to winning awards for “Best British Band,” “Best Rock Act” and “Best New Artist.”

Shortly after their book, the band released a DVD that covered the process of their first album release.

In August of 2012, the band hit one of their highest notes when the Chiefs were featured in the closing ceremonies of the London Summer Olympics; they played the song “Pinball Wizard” by The Who.

The Kaiser Chiefs feature the classic indie rock style along with some good up-tempo rock and roll.

Listeners can hear their 2008 album “Off with Their Head” by tuning into KSLC 90.3 FM McMinnville.

For more information contact Jerry Young at [email protected].

Jerry Young / KSLC General Manager

Jerry Young can be reached at [email protected]

Photo courtesy of kaiserchiefs.com