Current band members:
Eloi Youssef - vocals, guitar, keys
Casper Starreveld - guitar, vocals, keys
Jan Haker - bass, keys, backing vocals
Niles Vandenberg - drums
The band formed in 2006 with Casper Starreveld on lead vocals, and with original drummer Lucas Lenselink, after the dissolution of the band Quad. In the same year they released their first single "An Introduction To...", followed by their self-titled first EP in 2007, which featured guitarist Eloi Youssef as co-lead vocalist for the first time.
Drummer Lucas Lenselink decided to leave the band in 2008, and was succeeded by Niles Vandenberg. In the same year the band released their "Youth" EP, which gained them their first country wide airplay. The band's sudden success lead to the release of Kensington's first album, "Borders", which was released in 2010. The album was the first to have Eloi Youssef sing all of the lead vocals, with Casper Sterreveld handling the backing vocals.
There’s no such thing as a key to success, but recording your debut Borders in Kaiser Chiefs’ studio in Leeds, getting it mastered by John Davis (U2, Arctic Monkeys, Snow Patrol) and sharing the stage with the likes of Razorlight, My Chemical Romance and The Wombats, definitely make up for a good start. In 2011 this success is starting to pay off.
After playing the Eurosonic/Noorderslag festival in January 2011, (popular music magazine OOR: “One of the best bands of the Netherlands”) things started rolling for Kensington. The band performs in prime-time TV talk show ‘De Wereld Draait Door’ and embarks on a headlining No Borders tour throughout Holland. They sell out venues such as Paradiso (Amsterdam), Rotown (Rotterdam) and Tivoli (Utrecht), and a concert review by 3VOOR12 (leading online music magazine) speaks of “international standards”.
With their single Let Go, which was recorded in Berlin and mastered in New York, the band’s ascent continues. Radio 3FM (one of the largest Dutch radio stations) starts playing the song the day after the band returns from the studio and the song quickly reaches ‘3FM Megahit’ status, resulting in heavy airplay. A second headlining tour is announced along with a long list of summer festivals. Furthermore, the band is nominated for 'Best newcomer' at the 3FM Awards 2011. In two years time, Kensington have established themselves in the Dutch music scene.
In 2012 the band released their second album, Vultures, and played as headliner on many Dutch festivals that year and in 2013. In the summer of 2014 third album Rivals. Shortly after, they announced a European tour with over 20 dates in several countries. The finish of the tour will be in the Ziggo Dome. The first show sold out in eleven hours which made the band decide to add a second show as well. The second gig sold out as well, confirming Kensington's status as one of the biggest dutch acts.
DISCOGRAPHY:
2006 - An Introduction To... (EP)
2007 - Kensington (EP)
2008 - Youth (EP)
2010 - Borders
2012 - Vultures
2014 - Rivals
Friendly Fire
Kensington Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll stay close behind decide which side are you on
Whose side are you on?
I'll stay put and I'll disguise my treachery
With more white lies
Whose side are you on?
Whose side am I on?
The hatchet in our hands is used immediately
To cut off all loose ends
Just to breathe easily
No time for taking chances, we need certainty
Our fingers through the fence and we shall
Disappear from the face of the earth
We don't want you here
Or your voices to be heard
I'll disappear from the face of the earth
Meanwhile, we will watch the
Friendly fire on the horizon
I'll stay close behind decide which side are you on
Whose side are you on?
I'll stay put and I'll disguise my treachery
With more white lies
Whose side are you on?
Whose side am I on?
It seems to me
The ever-present restless lack of honesty
Is leading us into a state of agony
No time for taking turns we're simultaneously
Pointing out our friends and foes
Disappear from the face of the earth
We don't want you here
Or your voices to be heard
I'll disappear from the face of the earth
Meanwhile, we will watch the
Fire
Fire
Fire
Fire
The lyrics of "Friendly Fire" by Kensington are rather cryptic, but they seem to hint at the fear and confusion that arise when people find themselves in the middle of a conflict. The first stanza expresses this uncertainty by asking which side each person is on and by hinting at the possibility of deception and betrayal. The second stanza describes the eagerness of the conflicting parties to destroy their opponents and to maintain a sense of certitude over an ambiguous situation. The chorus emphasizes the inevitability of violence ("Friendly fire on the horizon") while simultaneously suggesting that the singer and his/her allies are only passive spectators ("Meanwhile, we will watch the fire").
The song's political or historical context is not explicit, but the theme of "friendly fire" suggests that the violence may not be exclusively external. "Friendly fire" refers to the accidental or unintended killing of one's own forces during a war or military operation. In the song, the term may be used metaphorically to describe the harm that people inflict upon themselves or their allies due to their own confusion, paranoia, or aggression.
Some interpretations of the song suggest that it may be a commentary on civil wars, terrorist attacks, or the ways in which ideological conflicts can tear apart families, communities, or even countries. The lyrics seem to warn against the dangers of demonizing those who are different, of losing sight of one's own values, and of succumbing to fear and mistrust.
Line by Line Meaning
Friendly fire on the horizon
An internal conflict is imminent
I'll stay close behind decide which side are you on
I'll wait for you to choose your allegiance before taking sides
Whose side are you on?
I need to know whether or not you're loyal to me
I'll stay put and I'll disguise my treachery
With more white lies
I'll deceive you further to stay in control
Whose side am I on?
I'm questioning my own loyalties
So it seems
It appears that
The hatchet in our hands is used immediately
To cut off all loose ends
Just to breathe easily
No time for taking chances, we need certainty
We are swift to eliminate potential threats in order to feel secure
Our fingers through the fence and we shall
We will cross barriers to avoid conflict
Disappear from the face of the earth
We don't want you here
Or your voices to be heard
I'll disappear from the face of the earth
Meanwhile, we will watch the
We will isolate ourselves and silence those who oppose us
Friendly fire on the horizon
I'll stay close behind decide which side are you on
Whose side are you on?
I'll stay put and I'll disguise my treachery
With more white lies
Whose side are you on?
Whose side am I on?
Repeating the first stanza to emphasize the internal conflict and questioning of loyalties
It seems to me
The ever-present restless lack of honesty
Is leading us into a state of agony
No time for taking turns we're simultaneously
Pointing out our friends and foes
Dishonesty is causing us pain and we're quick to turn against each other
Fire
Fire
Fire
Fire
Represents the destructive nature of the conflict
Contributed by John N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Andreplusplus
on Done With It
I completely disagree - I think to see references to a poker game. Also some parts I think are different (even though on the website of the band the lyrics seem to be not accurate and unfortunately Eloi is not known for his best pronunciation (he has much other good qualities)
Gone by now instead of gone but now...
Gunning out iso gone and out
But again you rise iso ride