Exclusive Interview: Krooked Tongue on the Making of Drugstore Cowboy

Krooked Tongue embraces growth with bold new music and cinematic visuals. The band blends story, energy, and emotion in their latest work, “Drugstore Cowboy”, and their upcoming debut album.

Krooked Tongue has been steadily carving out their own space in the UK rock scene, building a reputation for bold riffs and sharp storytelling. With the release of their new single “Drugstore Cowboy” and their upcoming album I Know A Place, the band is confidently stepping into a new chapter.

Their sound has grown. Their vision has sharpened. They’re more ready than ever to show who they are.

As they prepare to bring these new songs to stages across the UK, Europe, and the U.S., Krooked Tongue embraces both their roots and their evolution. The album reflects where they’ve been and where they’re heading, blending cinematic narrative with emotional honesty. While live performances remain the space where everything truly comes alive.

Also Read: Krooked Tongue Drops New Single “Drugstore Cowboy,” Announces Debut Album I Know A Place

Film Meets Rock Energy with Krooked Tongue

Krooked Tongue’s newest single, “Drugstore Cowboy,” draws inspiration from the film of the same name. Though vocalist Oli admits the idea came more from instinct than intention. He explained that the movie’s gritty atmosphere and 80s American aesthetic immediately felt like something that could translate into a compelling song. To add, the story’s mood and visuals gave him a clear sense of how the track and music video should look and feel. Rather than retelling the film, the band focused on capturing its chaotic energy.

That sense of chaos became central to the track’s sound. Oli cited the frantic drugstore robbery scenes and the main character’s inflated ego as key thematic sparks. While the song touches on the consequences of selfish choices, Oli noted that everyone experiences moments when putting themselves first leads to fallout. The lyrics balance real life with imagination, a hallmark of the band’s storytelling.

Originally, “Drugstore Cowboy” began as an acoustic idea. But once the band entered the studio, they transformed it into the high-energy rock track heard today. Recording the drums first set the tone and brought intensity into focus. As the track evolved, the band discovered the direction needed to fully capture the story’s urgency. Drummer Harry summed it up in three words: “upbeat, gritty, and bodacious.”

The Creative Process of the Single’s Music Video

The music video for “Drugstore Cowboy” has a striking cinematic look, despite a limited budget. The band credits another member Dan, a professional filmmaker, who provided the gear and guided the visual direction. With experience shooting previous videos, the band approached this one with confidence and a clear storyboard, aiming to match the song’s narrative feel by filming around the city.

One of the trickiest parts was filming inside an actual cinema. After being turned away from several theaters, they improvised by using a church, stacking red chairs to mimic theater seating. While Dan edited the background to create a dark screening room illusion. Despite the unconventional setup, the band said it “turned out pretty cool” and fit the atmosphere perfectly.

Behind the scenes, the shoot was playful and fun. Dan famously fell backward over a curb while filming, and the fall was captured on camera. Much of the video involved joking and improvising, keeping the energy loose. As Oli put it:

It was just a really fun video to do overall, just like not taking myself too seriously for a change.

It shows how visual storytelling has become an extension of the band’s music and personality.

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I Know A Place — Krooked Tongue’s Upcoming Album

Krooked Tongue’s debut album I Know A Place represents both a musical milestone and a sentimental landmark. The title track has been part of their live sets for a long time. It often brings back memories of their early days.

Fans who’ve seen the band live already know it as a powerful opener. Hence, the members are especially excited to release it. Harry noted that many friends and family already consider it a favorite.

The band sees the album as a reflection of their growth in songwriting and performance. They feel more practiced, confident, and ready for the next steps ahead. Their sound has broadened; while some tracks lean heavy, others embrace catchier, melodic influences. Oli emphasized that it was important to show the band’s full range and not always be “a super heavy rock band.”

Working with longtime collaborator Josh Gallop shaped the album significantly. His familiarity with the band allowed them to focus on capturing the best version of each track rather than reworking ideas. Songs like “Ember Mile” explore deeply personal themes, while live favorites like “Bloodshark” channel the band’s raw energy. More than anything, Krooked Tongue hopes the album inspires listeners to stay with them for what comes next.

Upcoming Plans and More About Krooked Tongue

Live shows have always been central to Krooked Tongue’s journey, with festivals leaving the biggest impression. Harry shared that their performance at 2000 Trees, a smaller alternative festival near Bristol, was especially memorable.

The band hopes to return there, aiming for the main stage this time. Opening for bands like Highly Suspect remains a dream, and Oli laughed about how the group “lost our minds” after frontman Johnny Stevens complimented one of their Instagram clips.

Looking ahead to 2026, Krooked Tongue has a packed schedule. They will take part in Independent Venue Week in January, travel to the U.S. in March, and roll into their album tour in April and May, before jumping into the summer festival season.

The band also plan to expand further across Europe. Fans can expect “loads more gigs, loads more music,” and plenty of opportunities to experience the band bringing their new album to life on stage.

Alexie Jhernet Aragoncillo

Alexie, who writes under the pseudonym Luna, loves writing beneath all the stars in the sky. She adores how the moon shines the brightest even on the darkest nights. She finds comfort lying on a soft mattress, giggling over her favorite Boys’ Love series. Above all, she aspires to be a future psychologist—an advocate and a voice for mental health.

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