Real Lies

Name, where are you from?
I’m Kevin Lee Kharas and I’m from a place called Maidenhead. It’s where the protagonist goes to die at the end of Hangover Square and all the bus drivers are retired Gurkhas. I left when I was 17 and have been living in London ever since, mainly in Holloway. Patrick, my partner in Real Lies, is from the countryside near Cambridge.

What do you do?
I talk about cities, traffic, people, nightlife and the rain in a monotonous voice over club music.

Describe your style in three words?
Black and blue.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
On the day of my final GCSE exam, my teenage punk band played a ‘matinee show’ in my mate’s parents’ garage on the middle of a housing estate. The sun was in the sky, it was getting easier to procure alcohol and everything was ahead of us. It peaked when a furious dad from up the road came and punched our bass player in the face. There’s no trace of the music anywhere online but it’s a day that has always stuck with me.

Which subcultures have influenced you?
The very first proper house party I went to was soundtracked by UK garage. I’ve drifted through a few scenes since then but listening to UK garage in cars, or walking and hearing UK garage coming from cars or pubs or bars or parties, is always a portal back to square 1. I like the sense of anticipation and poise in the music, its lightness, and the way its positivity now often sounds bittersweet. The clothes were sick too: smart, sharp lines. I like that garage was never too slobby or skunky. Mod and casual are similar but I prefer boots to Gazelles and you’ll never catch me with one of those Weller haircuts.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
I would like to see my school friend Richard Spencer, who went missing on a weird Friday night in 2006 and has never been seen again. I hope he’s alright and that he just got bored of us. For him, I’ll choose ‘Understanding In A Car Crash' by Thursday.

Of all the independent venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
I love The Eagle in Salford. It was the first time Real Lies were live in that part of the world, which is now like a second home to us, and we’re still friends with people we met that night. It’s also got the name of my friend ‘Joseph Holt’ on the front of it in big letters.

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
There’s a few but Martin Newell and Paddy McAloon (if the latter even qualifies) are just beaten to top spot in the weird loner genius charts by Dan Treacy and his band, Television Personalities. I love the way his voice lives in your head.