10 Music Bands Who Had An Extra Member You Never Knew About

10. Kasabian - Chris Karloff (Guitar, 1997–06)

From 2004-2006, Leicester heroes Kasabian were a five-piece.

Chris Karloff was their original lead guitarist (whilst Serge Pizzorno played rhythm). He was the one to actually give Kasabian their name, after reading Charles Manson’s getaway driver was called Linda Kasabian. All the tracks on Kasabian’s debut LP (including L.S.F. and Club Foot) were written by Serge and Karloff together.

After Kasabian supported Oasis on their North American tour in September 2005, Kasabian ventured to Wales to make their follow-up record ‘Empire’. But Karloff didn’t follow. He relocated to New York and left the band.

A statement on the band's official website read:

"Lead guitarist/keyboard player Chris Karloff and Kasabian have parted company. Karloff and the band experienced certain creative and artistic differences during the writing and recording of their second album. These irreconcilable and diverging approaches resulted in the band asking Karloff to leave the group. Karloff will pursue a musical career elsewhere."

Later, when asked about the split, and the claim he was asked to leave Karloff stated: “There were differences in the musical direction and personal unresolved things. You move on.”

Regardless of how he departed, Karloff was pivotal in establishing Kasabian from the ground-up to playing arenas for the first time.

Before you feel bad for him, he’s also listed as the co-writer for the massive anthem ‘Empire’, along with other songs taken from their second album, so his royalties more than make up for any ill will. Chris would later go on to form the psych electronic band Black Onassis.

Kasabian were in the news only this year for another substantial line-up change when they kicked singer Tom Meighan out the band when he was charged with domestic assault, leaving them with only three members.