Killed By Cobain

Zoo Freaks, get ready to groove to Killed By Cobain by Luke Morley from his stellar album Songs From The Blue Room! This track’s a witty, tongue-in-cheek reflection on how the grunge wave, led by Kurt Cobain, flipped the script on Morley’s band Thunder back in the early ’90s. In a chat with MetalTalk, Morley spilled the beans: Thunder was on the cusp of cracking the U.S. market, with a single in the Top 50 and 250,000 albums sold, but grunge hit like a tidal wave, leaving them “in the deeply unfashionable bucket.” The tour they had lined up with David Lee Roth tanked, and they never made it to the States. Morley laughs it off now, saying, “So near and yet so far!” The song’s got a playful vibe, with a Traveling Wilburys-esque jangle and a Kinks-inspired breakdown, making it a catchy nod to a wild moment in his career.

Here’s a cool tidbit for you Zoo Freaks: Killed By Cobain wasn’t meant for Thunder’s frontman Danny Bowes to sing. Morley told The Rockpit that the track’s personal angle and vibe didn’t quite fit Thunder’s style, so it became the spark for his solo project. He crafted it during the 2020 lockdown, with no rush, just pure creative flow. The result? A semi-autobiographical gem with smart lyrics and Beatles-like harmonies that poke fun at grunge while steering clear of its sound. Fans on X have been buzzing about the song’s earworm chorus, and the video, shot at Salvation Studios near Morley’s Brighton home, adds a chill, nostalgic visual to the mix. It’s out on all platforms via Conquest Music, and you can catch it on YouTube.

Let’s rewind to how Luke Morley got his start. Hailing from Camberwell, South London, Morley’s been a music junkie since his youth. He’s best known as the guitarist, chief songwriter, and producer for British rock legends Thunder, formed in 1989. Before that, he was cutting his teeth in the music scene, even playing with rock supergroup The Power Station in its later days, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Robert Palmer and Andy Taylor of Duran Duran. His first solo album, El Gringo Retro, dropped in 2001 for EMI Japan, but it was Thunder that put him on the map, with seven UK Top 10 albums and 18 Top 40 singles. Morley’s a left-handed guitar wizard and a multi-instrumentalist, playing everything but drums on Songs From The Blue Room. His knack for catchy, heartfelt songwriting shines through, drawing from influences like Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, and The Beatles.

Zoo Freaks, you can keep up with Luke Morley’s latest jams and tour news on his official website, where you can also snag signed copies of Songs From The Blue Room. Connect with him on Facebook, Instagram, and X for behind-the-scenes vibes and updates. Thunder fans are a tight-knit crew, and you’ll find plenty of love for Morley in fan spaces like the Thunder Official Fan Club on Facebook. So, crank up Killed By Cobain, let the good times roll, and stay wild, Zoo Freaks!