Speaking to the Daily Star newspaper, the musician explained that he was simply disappointed by the group's second album 'Konk' and the creative differences drove a wedge between the members:

"I didn’t think Konk was very good, and I said that. I was unhappy with the whole situation, but it was made to sound like I had a massive drug problem. That wasn’t what was going on at all. That story was a complete load of arse. I only joined the band because they were looking for a bassist.”

He also opened up about how former band mates publicly dealt with his departure and added, "people will use any excuse when it comes down to it. They’ll say whatever’s necessary when there are problems, rather than deal with the real issue.” 

Rafferty will release his debut solo single, 'Lonely Town', on November 24 and you can listen to it below:

The video is for the first single to be released from the band's new album 'Junk Of The Heart', set to drop on September 12.

The record was recorded in London and New York with producer Tony Hoffer, who has previously worked with Beck and Air.

This will be the band's first album with bassist Pete Denton, who replaced founding member Max Rafferty.

The Kooks will be on the road in October for a series of UK dates.

Watch the music video for 'Is It Me' here:

The band's drummer Paul Garred left due to medical reasons and was replaced by Chris Prendergast. Meanwhile, Pete Denton has taken over on bass after Max Rafferty's replacement proved short-lived and unsuccessful. However, the singer accepts the internal struggles as commonplace for them.

Pritchard said: "Since we've started it's always been kinda a rocky road with different members. I don't know if I see it as being that much of a hindrance, it's just the way it's always been, members coming in and out."

Max's departure from the group has been been mysterious with rumours that his leaving the band was connected to drug use, but Pritchard would only admit to "musical differences".

He said: "We were really close and then stuff with the band got really weird and we weren't seeing eye to eye. Musical differences, that's what they call it, eh? It was very cliched, put it that way."

Watch The Kooks music video for 'Is It Me' here:

The 'Naïve' stars are due to officially release the track on September 4 and it's a mid-tempo offering that boasts a rock edge, which is something that the band seem to have exaggerated slightly since their last album 'Konk' came out. 

In addition to this new single, The Kooks have confirmed that their new record, 'Junk of the Heart', will be released on September 12 and are set to embark upon a nine-date UK tour later this year. 

You listen to 'Is It Me' here:

The 'Naive' rockers are due to release 'Junk Of The Heart' on September 12 and have today confirmed an extensive string of dates, culminating in a huge show at London's O2 Brixton Academy, for September and October. 

Catch the band at the following venues:

• September 30 - Glasgow Barrowlands
• October 1 - Manchester Academy
• October 3 - Newcastle's O2 Academy
• October 4 - Hull City Hall
• October 5 - Cambridge Corn Exchange
• October 7 - Portsmouth Guildhall
• October 8 - Birmingham's O2 Academy
• October 9 - O2 Academy Leeds
• October 11 - London's O2 Brixton Academy

Watch their recent performance of 'She Moves In Her Own Way' from Germany's Rock Am Ring festival here:

The band has just finished a tour that saw them play intimate venues across the UK and announced that their upcoming record will be released on September 12 and is their first album to feature their new bassist, Pete Denton.

The tracklisting is as follows:

1. Junk Of The Heart (Happy)
2. How'd You Like That
3. Rosie
4. Taking Pictures Of You
5. Killing Me
6. Fuck The World Off
7. Time Above The Earth
8. Runaway
9. Is It Me
10. Petulia
11. Eskimo Kiss
12. Mr. Nice Guy

Watch The Kooks perform 'Eskimo Kiss' during their recent tour here:

The band have been working on their third studio album, which is currently untitled, and put out a call to fans asking them to suggest unusual venues for their pop-up style string of dates.

They will perform a total of 6 gigs at the following locations:

• May 19 - St. Luke's Church in Liverpool
• May 20 - The IronWorks in Inverness, Scotland
• May 21 - Hartlepool Borough Hall in Hartlepool
• May 26 - Hippodrome Circus in Great Yarmouth
• May 27 - York Hall in Bethnal Green, London
• May 28 - Lusty Glaze Beach in Newquay

Tickets for the exclusive events are now available and you can watch the band's iConcert performance of 'Always Where I Need To Be' here: