Kicker have been reduced to a boyband three-piece, because singer Jill has the lurgey. But never fear, despite not having the extra edge of Soul that Jill brings, Kicker sound fantastic. Hurrah! Drummer Phil takes over main vocal duties, his voice deep and croony, reminiscent of Lawrence from Felt. Adding to the Felty-ness is Ben’s sparkling guitar, sometimes jangley, sometimes West Coasty country rockin’. On bass is Andy, his missus, Sarah, is fiddling with a digital camera, trying to capture some Kicker action on moving film. When she shouts up at the stage for camera advice, Andy says, ‘I’m a bit busy right now.’ And so he is, adding fuzzed-up bass to the songs, creating bundles of buzzing indie loveliness. This is great, things are looking up. Live review, Kitten Painting January 2004.
The
bill needs to some speedy rearranging after Tompaulin have to withdraw
and Kicker also spend 24 hours regrouping after singer Jill goes down
with flu. Their soulful indie-pop doesn’t seem naturally to fit the
skill set of the power-trio but as a three-piece they manage to seize
triumph from potential disaster as Phil becomes a Don Henley-style singing
drummer for the night and the band produce a compelling Creedence-type
choogling (with occasional flashes of Gene Clark lyricism). Last track
‘On Your Floor’ is a killer Velvet Underground meets Wedding
Present gallop that is a suitably sweaty climax to a surprisingly good
set. From their looks of relief afterwards, I doubt that Jill’s position
is under serious threat. Live Review January 2004, 
Kicker
have lost their keyboard player (how very careless etc),but their songs
are still a suntilting rush of fresh sparkling northern soul tinged pop.
It means we can really hear the gorgeous Byrdsy guitar chiming through as
Jill flings out her unwavering vocals with stylish insouciance. I always
think Kicker should be French with their airy pop ways. Er, Coup de Pied-er,
anyone? Live Review, 
"Kicker
told me after the gig that they hadn’t practiced for weeks and, on
this performance, slacking does them good. The result is less polished
and more exciting, producing a musical tension that makes the set move
in unexpected
directions. Maybe it was the volume of Ben’s guitar but a number
of songs were off down a country road courtesy of the Byrds before the
soul tendencies of the rest of the band peddled them back to indie-central.
The lack of keyboards is more than compensated for by the brilliant trumpet,
sounding like a full brass section, shedding warmth and emotion on songs
like Said and Done, while their treatment of Since You Left is a page
of the dictionary of soul left open as an object lesson to fakers like
Ocean Colour Scene. The set closed with Get Rid of Him which turned into
a virtual hoedown, with every member playing full-tilt till the song comes
to an enjoyably shambolic ending. A stomping evening!" Live review,
"First
up we get the breezy Paris at Eastertime pop of Kicker. They make me thinkof
those days when you can smell the freshness of Spring in the air and you
suddenly feel optimistic about everything. The line-up includes sundry ex-Comet
Gain/Velocette kids, with petite singer Jill adding a certain Gauloise cool.
The drummer sings the odd song, bass and guitar get swapped around. A violin
appears at one point. It's a joyful mod-ish sound with whirly groovy keys
and brass for added sparkle. Kids! Lets all run along the Left Bank gleefully
swinging our handbags as the wind streams through our hair. This stuff is
infectious." - Live Review, 
“The
Bitterscene club night laid on a festive feast at the Christmas party
at The Bassment in Chelmsford recently.Making a welcome return were Kicker
with their blend of sixties mellowness and bedsit indie tunes.Having made
such an impact back in April, Kicker were invited back as the special
seasonal guests to get all the indie-lovers partying. Kicker really are
no turkeys! Fronted by the elfin beauty, Jill Drew, they certainly packed
a punch.Her gorgeously rich voice mixed with the band's perfect musicianship
made this a cracker of a gig.
They
proved to be a versatile bunch and when drummer Phil Sutton took over
the vocals it created more of a lo-fi mood. Long Way Down is pure
Yo La Tengo and Why, Paraguay? stirs the spirit of indie-gods Felt.
“London's
Kicker have taken a broom to their hitherto uninspired soul pop crossover
and swept away the bits that didn't quite fit. They pulsate with the sound
of old soul gold and a vibrant pop veneer that's embellished by neat arrangements.
It's such an accomplished blend that you have to salute them for appropriating
The Jam's 'Start' and not once making you think of The Beatles' 'Taxman'.
And when they cheekily rip off the riff from Brenton Wood's soul nugget
'Gimme Little Sign' you can forgive them, right? Right. - Live Review
“Kicker
are a five-piece who should do well. A new single is being financed by Track
& Field on the back of the Winter Sprinter. Kicker have also got the
right looks and tunes, which can only add to the momentum. The first track
is an instrumental with trademark Hooky basslines. The band then launch
into a superb hybrid of French pop and She Bangs The Drums-era Stone Roses.
I couldn't see if the moogs had been let out to play, but it certainly sounded
that way. Kicker have a spiky/snappy approach but were let down by the vocals
being too quiet. Still a band that look like a sexy version of Elastica
and sound like Stereolab playing Made of Stone is alright in my book.”
Music for Girls Zine Feb 2000