AN INDEPENDENT band from Earlestown is neck and neck with the Libertines in the race for a Number One album.
After growing their fanbase and reputation since 2017, The K's released their debut album 'I Wonder If The World Knows?' on April 5 and are set for a monumental chart position.
In the midweek album charts, the Earlestown four-piece came second only to indie heroes The Libertines, a band with a 25-year history, major label backing, and a previous Number One album.
Confident of the music that they have released, The K's have gone all out with their album promotion, which has included a huge mural created on the side of the Citadel, acoustic and live performances across the country, and a pop-up shop in St Helens town centre.
Well-known Mancunian poet Tony Walsh has also visited the pop-up shop to give the band his backing, and as frontman Jamie Boyle explains, the band is giving the Libertines a "run for their money".
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With the band on the front page of this week's Star, Jamie said: "This has been by far the best week we have had as a band.
"We thought it was going to be good because we know what we have produced is good, and we believe that our album is better than all the other music that has been released this week.
"But still, to be behind only The Libertines in the midweek charts, what more could you ask for? And with all their major label power, we're giving them a run for their money!".
With the Church Square pop-up shop launching on the day of the album's release, masses of local fans have come to St Helens to meet the band and get their hands on signed copies of the album, singles, rarities, and merchandise.
Highlighting the K's growing reach, there have also been fans travelling from far and wide to visit the St Helens pop-up shop, with one couple making a 600-mile round trip from Devon to meet the band.
Jamie said that the connection with fans is what is the most important thing for the band, which is made up of himself as lead singer, Dexter Baker on bass, Ryan Breslin on lead guitar, and Nathan Peers on drums.
Jamie, a former St Aeldred's pupil, added: "The response to the album and pop-up shop has been overwhelming, to be honest.
"For people to be making 600 mile round trips is just amazing, and everyone just seems to really love the album and have really connected to it. Every review seems to be four and five stars too.
"We have always been a live band so we love that connection we have with our fans, and to meet them face to face and have a conversation with them has been special."
When the band have not been in their St Helens pop up shop this week, they have been out promoting their album with a run of acoustic shows across the country.
The four-piece also had a huge support to Red Rum Club at the Liverpool M&S Bank Arena last Saturday, as well as an "emotional" show at Warrington's Parr Hall last night, which was packed out with friends, family, and fans who have been there since the very start of the band's journey.
And with a journey through some of Europe's biggest festivals still to come, the indie rockers will also be touring the country in the coming weeks, with their biggest show to date at Manchester Victoria Warehouse almost sold out.
"It's full steam ahead", Jamie said.
"We don't want any time off because this is what comes naturally to us, and even if we weren't getting paid for it, we would do it because we love it."
Asked about a potential Number One album, he added: "It would be amazing to be Number One, but at the same time it also wouldn't make a difference because we know how good the music we have put out is.
"If we don't get it, we know we will be Number One one day, and if we can do this on an independent label, just think about what we could do with even more support and backing."
The K's album 'I Wonder If The World Knows' can be bought through their website here.
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