Kasabian ( ) are an English
rock band formed in
Leicester in 1997. The band's original members consisted of vocalist
Tom Meighan, guitarist and vocalist
Sergio Pizzorno, guitarist Chris Karloff, and bassist
Chris Edwards. The band's line-up was completed by drummer
Ian Matthews in 2004 after a string of session drummers. Karloff left the band in 2006 and founded new band Black Onassis.
Jay Mehler joined as touring lead guitarist in 2006. Mehler left the band for
Liam Gallagher's
Beady Eye in 2013. In 2010 and 2014, Kasabian won the
Q Awards for 'Best Act in the World Today', while they were also named "Best Live Act" at the 2014 Q Awards and the 2007
NME Awards. The band's music is often described as "indie rock", but Pizzorno has said he "hates indie bands" and does not feel Kasabian fit into that category.