The Kinks are in the studio for the first time since recording 1993's Phobia, playing around with some new songs. Frontman Ray Davies has enlisted original drummer Mick Avory and later members Jim Rodford and Ian Gibbons for the sessions.
"We've got four, five new songs . . . and I'm just sort of getting them motivated and seeing what they're playing like, because I haven't played with the Kinks for eight or nine years," Davies told Billboard.
The singer seems to be especially excited about playing with Avory.
"There is definitely an interplay between the way Mick plays drums and my vocals," Davies said. "Mick feels the songs, so there's a definite continuity there that you wouldn't get with any other player."
He also talked about a possible collaboration with his brother and Kinks co-founder, Dave Davies. Ray said Dave was seriously ill quite recently, however, which means the collaboration depends on whether he is even physically able to perform.
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June 12, 2026 17:14 ET Major central bank action was the focus this week in economic news. The European Central Bank became the first major central bank to move in response to the rising inflationary pressures in the backdrop of the conflict in the Middle East. In North America, the U.S. inflation and trade data as well as Canada’s central bank decision gained attention. The Chinese trade data was the main news in Asia.