Bloc Party's Kele: Being In A Band Has Become A Lifestyle

Bloc Party singer, now solo career pursuer, Kele Okereke has said that being in a band had become a fashion statement following his former band's success.

Okereke told DIY:

"I remember the first few years after Bloc Party came out that every single person, when I lived in East London, was carrying a guitar and it felt like the world and his mother was in a band - there was even an aspiring indie band on Hollyoaks. I remember thinking, when did being in a band become a lifestyle?"

In the interview he also added: "I know from the periphery it may have seemed like an exciting time, but I didn’t think that many of these bands were making music that was any good. It’s all very well being in a band, but if you’re going to sound like every other band then what’s the point?"

The electronic musician expressed his feelings that things had settled a little now, and that this was due to the lack of belief that you can make money out of music anymore.

"I prefer it the way it is now; people that are starting bands and making music and breaking through have to be good and have to do something that is exciting. That isn’t a bad thing - trimming the fat from the surroundings. Because there’s a lot less money in it, I think that anyone who perseveres is going to be doing it because they’ve got a love for what they’re doing rather than it being the ‘cool’ thing to do," Kele said in an extended interview with the online music magazine.

Okereke recently caused controversy regarding NME, declaring that the publication has twisted words he had given about Bloc Party auditioning for a new frontman.