About This Footage
This footage of "There's a Riot going on - Ruby Edge" is a rare gem that offers a fascinating glimpse into the early days of one of Britain's most beloved indie rock bands. Recorded at Alan Warner's Lane Studios in 2003, this clip predates The Kaiser Chiefs' rise to fame by several months. At the time, the band was still known as Runston Parva, and their sound was far more experimental and raw compared to the polished anthems that would soon follow.
What makes this footage significant is not just its rarity – it's also a testament to the band's evolution over the years. The Kaiser Chiefs' transformation from an obscure Leeds-based outfit to a national sensation was swift and unexpected, with their debut album "Employment" released in 2005 to critical acclaim. This early clip, however, reveals a very different band – one that was still finding its footing and experimenting with sound.
The footage itself is a low-fi affair, with grainy visuals and a somewhat awkward performance from the band members. But it's precisely this rough-around-the-edges quality that makes "There's a Riot going on - Ruby Edge" so compelling. You can see the seeds of The Kaiser Chiefs' signature sound beginning to take shape – the catchy hooks, the driving rhythms, and the energetic stage presence are all there, even if they're not yet fully formed.
The band members themselves were still finding their roles within the group at this point. Bob Mortimore's vocals and keyboards take center stage, while Alan Warner's guitar work provides a propulsive undercurrent to the song. Kerry Murray's drums pound out a relentless beat, and Dave Mansell's guitar adds a splash of color to the proceedings. It's clear that these four musicians were still learning to gel as a unit, but there's an undeniable chemistry between them.
Watching "There's a Riot going on - Ruby Edge" is like stumbling upon a lost chapter in The Kaiser Chiefs' history – one that sheds new light on their development and growth as a band. It's a reminder that even the most successful acts have humble beginnings, and that sometimes it takes time for a group to find its true voice. This clip may not be the most polished or professional, but it's an essential part of The Kaiser Chiefs' story – one that offers a unique glimpse into their early days as Ruby Edge.
The significance of this footage extends beyond The Kaiser Chiefs themselves, too. It provides a fascinating insight into the indie rock scene in 2003, and the kinds of bands that were emerging at the time. This was an era when British guitar music was experiencing a resurgence, with acts like Arctic Monkeys and The Libertines dominating the airwaves. Ruby Edge's sound, while not yet fully formed, shares some of these same influences – and it's intriguing to see how their style would eventually evolve into something more distinctive.
Ultimately, "There's a Riot going on - Ruby Edge" is a must-watch for fans of The Kaiser Chiefs and indie rock enthusiasts alike. It offers a rare glimpse into the band's formative years, and provides a fascinating context for understanding their later success. Even if it's not the most polished or refined performance, this footage has a raw energy that's impossible to ignore – and it's clear that Ruby Edge was on the cusp of something special, even if they didn't quite know it yet.
Curated from public records and music databases.