The Kings of Leon are a hard rocking four-piece from Nashville Tennessee the band consisting of lead singer/guitarist Caleb Followhill,lead guitarist Jared Followhill,Drummer Nathan Followhill and bassist Matthew Followhill.Now you should have noticed the band all share the last name well the band are indeed related,brothers Caleb,Jared and Nathan and their cousin Matthew.The band where formed back in 2000.
The band quickly grew a reputation for their hard drinking,drug use and also fighting within the band.In 2004 the band released the album which fully transformed them in to Europeans superstars,"Ahh Shake heartbreak",with the three singles released crashing into the charts.The band toured with U2 before heading off to record the follow-up to the album.Asked why they decided to record another album so quick Caleb simply answered"You guys ain't sick of us yet".
They released a debut Ep in 2003 called Holy Roller Novocaine full of raw rock songs,which was further explored on the debut full-length Youth and Young Manhood.
The band quickly grew a reputation for their hard drinking,drug use and also fighting within the band.In 2004 the band released the album which fully transformed them in to Europeans superstars,"Ahh Shake heartbreak",with the three singles released crashing into the charts.The band toured with U2 before heading off to record the follow-up to the album.Asked why they decided to record another album so quick Caleb simply answered"You guys ain't sick of us yet".
The album "because of the Times" released in 2007 was a much darker album than the first two.The album proved that the band had grown up in a sense with less lyrics about alcohol and drugs but more about social issues pregnancy,love and sex.The album was the bands biggest release entering the American charts at number 25 and topping the UK charts.
The Band headlined Glastonbury the following year as well as releasing their latest album "only by the Night".The first single from the album "Sex is on Fire"went straight into the charts giving the band their first number one single this was followed up by "Use Somebody" which reached number four.Revelry and Notion where the last two singles released,the band recently headlined Reading and Leeds and have been touring continuously through 2008 and the remainder of 2009.
Now my title is the rise and possible demise of the Kings of Leon and my blog has only charted their rise to super stardom but underneath the music there are massive problems within the band.The most notable one is Caleb's inability to leave alcohol alone,the tole of which seems to have affected Caleb,his face in the Use Somebody video is rather red(a sign of alcoholism).There has also been bust ups with in the band.Considering they are all brothers it is understandable I fought with my brothers but it seems these guys don't know when to stop Nathan having once broke his hand after punching Caleb in the face after enjoying too much red wine,meaning the band had to cancel gigs for 6 weeks for Nathan's hand to heal.I personally feel that if they keep up this behaviour they will end up not only losing their beloved fans but also any credibility that they once had.
In fighting has brought about the demise of many a great band as well as some average ones. The Beatles, Mamas and Papas, Fleetwood Mac to name a few. Spending too much time with siblings is even harder.
ReplyDeleteyes,spending time with siblings is hard of course but look at the Carpenters they seemed to cope well considering they where related also dare I say it the jonas brothers yes a piss poor example but a relevant one.
ReplyDeleteHey Yeah The Carpenters They Where So Great.
ReplyDeleteKaren Had the Voice of an Angle I never thought Much of them as a Kid.. But Man She was A Huge Lose.. Only 34 I heard.. Realy Well Picked songs too.. Did you Guys see the Made For Tv Movie that was put out prabably in the 90s.. Thee BRother Was Gay. And Karin was afraid it was Gonna Get out Him Gouing out and Partying Gay Style all the time. Not That theres anything wrounge with that... LOL..