The British guitarist Brian May is certainly one of the most unique musicians of all time, not only for his technique and talent, but also for creating his own guitar when he was a young kid with the help of his father. Playing the “Red Special”, May was a crucial part of Queen, being a driving force of their sound and also an important songwriter. A famous artist since the 70s, he had the chance to see the evolution of Rock and Roll music up-close and he was always interested in new bands.
Back in 2006, when Queen was touring with the Bad Company and Free singer Paul Rodgers, Brian May gave an interview to David Lee Roth‘s radio show. The Van Halen vocalist talked about Queen and praised the band’s self-titled 1973 debut album, saying it was a huge inspiration for him. During the same conversation Brian mentioned two early 2000s bands that he liked.
The 2 bands from the 2000s that Queen’s Brian May said he likes
The Darkness
The first band mentioned by Brian May was The Darkness, group formed in Lowestoft, Suffolk, England in 2000.
“(Transcribed by Rock and Roll Garage) I like The Darkness, they’re quirky and very strange. They are actually not at all like us, but everybody thinks they are for some reason. But I enjoy them. I like the humor that pervades what they do. I think humor is such an important part of keeping the music sweet,” Brian May said.
The group was formed by Justin Hawkins, Dan Hawkins, Frankie Pullain and Ed Graham. But curiously, after Graham left the band in 2014, they invited Rufus Tiger Taylor to join them. He is the son of the Queen drummer Roger Taylor.
The Darkness’ most famous album is their debut “Permission to Land”. Released in 2003, the record had their smash hit “I Believe in a Thing Called Love”. Other praised songs from their career are “Barbarian”, “Love Is Only a Feeling” and “One Way Ticket”.
Kaiser Chiefs
The second group mentioned by May was Kaiser Chiefs, band formed in Leeds, England in 1996. “There is a young band in England these days called the Kaiser Chiefs. Have you come across them?” Brian May said.
Although they were formed in the 90s, they only became known in 2005 with the release of their debut album “Employment”. In 2002 they had already released an album called “22” but under the name Parva.
Until 2024 they have released seven more studio albums, the most recent one being “Kaiser Chiefs’ Easy Eighth Album”. Just like The Darkness, the only change on the classic line-up was the drummer. Nick Hodgson left the group in 2012, being replaced by Vijay Mistry. The rest of the band is the same since 2000. It was in that year that two new members were added to the band.
Besides the drummer, the band is formed by Ricky Wilson (Guitar and vocals), Andrew White (Guitar), Simon Rix (Bass) and Nick Baines (Keyboards, piano and more). Some of their most famous songs are “Ruby”, “I Predict a Riot”, “Everyday I Love You Less and Less” and “Never Miss a Beat”.