Nearly 3 years after departing Kasabian, Tom Meighan returns with The Reckoning, his first solo album, released on 28th April 2023. On the night of the 28th, he will end a 20-date UK tour headlining Shepherd’s Bush Empire. The lead single ‘Everyone’s Addicted To Something’ is out today. He will support Noel Gallagher at Audley End on 5th August.
“It’s hard to express what having the opportunity to make this album means to me. I’ve called it ‘The Reckoning’, because I have had to have a reckoning with myself. I know it’s a cliché to talk about the creative process as catharsis, but this really has been for me. It’s not just music; parts of it are my soul, my life up until now, my old life and my new one. I tried to pour everything in my head into this collection of songs; the highs, the lows, the light and the dark in me. I feel vulnerable and invincible all at once, I hope you get that when you listen to it.” – Tom Meighan
It’s been 20 years since Tom Meighan signed his first record deal with Kasabian at the age of 21. He sold four million albums, celebrated 5 consecutive number-one albums and was awarded, amongst many others, a BRIT Award, 7 NME Awards, 5 Q Magazine Awards, a Mojo award and a Music Week Award. He headlined Glastonbury, V Festival and Reading and Leeds twice, along with most other major European music festivals. He toured the world, relentlessly. And it took its toll.
Tom elaborates, “I had all the bravado that you need as a lead singer of a rock band. On stage, I felt like a Jedi Knight — tuned in and let loose. But underneath it all, I was a ticking time bomb. Of course, I couldn’t see it clearly. When we were first signed in 2002, it felt like one long party. I was 21, got a record deal, and was touring the world with my mates. It feels like the great adventure and you live for it. But no one talks about what’s really going on emotionally. I’ve always struggled with my mental health; it’s no secret. I’ve also suffered from anxiety since I was a kid. It’s actually my nervous energy that you see onstage, not cocky swagger. But the lifestyle made me worse. I was pushing everything down with drink and drugs — suppressing my feelings. I ignored every red flag. For a long time, I knew something was wrong, really wrong in my head. But I didn’t check myself. That’s till I hit rock bottom.”
Rock bottom. Alcohol and drug addiction, an unsuccessful stint in rehab mid-US tour, a sense of being pushed out of his own band, suicidal ideation, lockdown and a very public court case at which Tom pleaded guilty. In his own words: “It makes me feel sick every time I think about it. I didn’t recognise myself anymore. I hurt the woman I love. There are no excuses for what happened. I’m deeply ashamed of what I did. Anyone who knows me knows that it’s not in my nature to be violent and it had never happened before. But my failure to address the issues within myself led me to breaking point.” Vikki has supported Tom throughout, disagreeing with police and court proceedings, and they are now married. Tom continues, “That night, I rightly lost everything: my home, my job, and people around me. I was sacked and shunned. The reality of what I’d done repulsed me. I pleaded guilty straight away to everything. The shock set in. I was shaken to the core. I felt deep, deep shame. I didn’t realise I was unwell, but Vikki saw what I couldn’t. I have never been arrested before, or been in any trouble with the police or anyone. I could not bear the thought that Viks was frightened or that she had been hurt. To this day, I struggle with how I made her feel that night. I will always have to live with that. I went to rehab — I’d tried rehab before, maybe I wasn’t ready for it earlier, but this time it clicked. I got sober. With the support of my family and friends, every day clean and sober is a victory.”
Tom has served 200 hours of community service, successfully attended rehab, has regular therapy and is working with the male suicide charity Andy’s Man Club. He’s looking to the future.
Speaking about the process of writing the album, Tom says, “It’s the first time I’ve been able to truly collaborate in the song-writing process and I’ve poured blood, sweat and tears into it. The whole experience has been such a roller coaster of highs and lows, nobody should underestimate what being able to make this album has meant to me personally, and I think that comes across on the record.”
The results of Tom’s songwriting are magnificent. Whatever the reasons Tom didn’t contribute to the songwriting in Kasabian, it wasn’t down to lack of talent. The confidence and ability to sing an earworm with passion and charm remain in Tom’s new songs. What’s new are a broad range of styles. In addition to the rock power and bulletproof bangers of his former band, you’ll hear a blissed-out euphoria, a tenderness and a lyrical depth resulting from a period of self-reflection and emotional maturity.
Talking about the new single Everyone’s Addicted To Something, Tom says, “it pretty much sums up my personality; I’m addicted to something all the time. In therapy, I was diagnosed with ADHD. I’ve always had a lot of energy and it’s hard for me to focus. I can be intense about one thing in particular and obsess over it. For so long, it was singing and music I’d fixate on. The ADHD diagnosis made sense of my way of thinking. It was a relief to know what had been wrong with me. I also got the right medication for my anxiety. These days, I’m happy to say, with the support of my loved ones, I’m able to focus my addictions on positive things. This song is about when I first met my wife. It’s also a song about being human, and ultimately finding something good to lean on. I guess it’s about love at the end of the day.”
Tom knows he has a lot to prove. “Some people think I don’t deserve to ever be rehabilitated for what I did. I’m conflicted when it comes to cancel culture. Giving up on people doesn’t help anyone. If someone feels cancelled, sometimes all you end up doing is pushing their problem into the shadows. It’s just another form of bullying, because you’re not helping them or showing them how to change. I agree with consequence culture. It’s important to suffer consequences because of your actions. To be given the chance to look deep within yourself and learn how to make changes and to become a better person for yourself and your family has to be a good thing. If anything I have to say helps someone before they reach their breaking point, I think that has to be a good thing. Maybe my story can inspire others struggling and using alcohol to fix problems, to know that you can stop the cycle. It’s possible to turn your life around. There is always a way to get to the other side of the mountain: maybe not over the top, you might have to go around the side, but you can get there. You just have to try. With help and understanding, anyone can change.”
Check out ‘Everyone’s Addicted To Something’ – BELOW:
One in 3 men in the UK has experienced suicidal thoughts, and the biggest killer of men in the UK under 50 is suicide. “I know a lot of guys like me grew up in a world where men are not celebrated for getting deep, being open, vulnerable, and taking on their demons, or working hard to be better, but it’s what every man needs to do. If we don’t communicate, we can end up drowning. If I had been able to get real help earlier, like I did with the probation service, things would never have got to the crisis point they did. It’s a journey; it’s not just about reinventing yourself. Sometimes, it can feel like a daily battle to confront issues. It takes hard work. I stay sober a day at a time. But it’s worth it. Just make sure to ask yourself, honesty — are you alright? And if you’re not, reach out for help.”
A born frontman with an unmatched ability to get a crowd jumping, Tom returned to playing live shows last year. “Performing these new songs live too has been such a privilege,” he says. “The support of the fans in Glasgow, Sheffield, and Leicester before Christmas was truly humbling. I can’t wait to get back on the road in April in support of the album’s release. I’m addicted to being on stage all over again.”
Joining Tom in his band are keyboardist/guitarist Bnann Infadel, bassist Ele Lucas, guitarist Brodie Maguire and drummer Gareth Young.
‘The Reckoning’ is released on 28th April via Townsend Music.
Watch Tom’s Track by Track of the album here – Part 1 and Part 2.
TRACK LISTING
1. Rise
2. Deep Dive
3. Daytona Racing
4. Shout It Out
5. Don’t Give In
6. Scared
7. Acrobat
8. Thinking On Our Feet
9. Better In The Dark
10. Everyone’s Addicted To Something
11. Moving On
12. The Reckoning
LIVE DATES
5th April – Exeter Phoenix
6th April – Frome Cheese and Grain
7th April – Grimsby docks Academy
8th April – Manchester Ritz
12th April – Norwich Epic
13th April – Nottingham Rock City
14th April – Oxford Academy
15th April – Cardiff Tramshed
19th April – Edinburgh Academy
20th April – Newcastle Riverside
21st April – Leeds Academy
22nd April – Birmingham Institute
26th April – Cambridge Mash
27th April – Bournemouth Academy
28th April – London Shepherds Bush Empire
29th April – Brighton Chalk
3rd May – Cologne Germany Luxor
4th May – Berlin Germany Lido
12th May – Dublin Whelans ( TBC )
13th May – Belfast Limelight
8th July – Askern Festival
5th August – Audley End supporting Noel Gallagher
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