Kaiser Chiefs, gig review

Scala, London

Kaiser Chiefs' lead singer Ricky Wilson (Getty Images)

Kaiser Chiefs never hid behind false morals where ambition was concerned; singer Ricky Wilson once memorably avowed that he would “wank off a tramp for success.”

So it was no surprise when he confessed to NME recently that he agreed to be a judge on the new series of The Voice was to raise the band's profile again.

Tonight, in between roaming through the crowd, bouncing, scissor-kicking and scaling the sound booth, he recalls filming an advert for Barclaycard in this venue last year. “They gave us a stupid amount of money,” he confesses. “And we spent it all.” A pause. “On making this album!” Cheers all round.

Kaiser Chiefs' frankness about the things they do to get by is refreshing - and you do get the feeling with this - whose debut album was called 'Employment' and whose fizzy post-punk pop stompers frequently cast a wry eye over society and economics - that it's about the songs rather than the cash.

Those songs, going by the likes of the vibrant 'Cannons' and the more emotion-tugging climaxes of new single “Coming Home' haven't suffered much from the departure of drummer and songwriter Nick Hodgson, being still bouncy and lovable as a wiry terrier.

They might never be a great band, but god and tramps love a trier.