kings of leon

Kings of Leon are a rock band made up of three brothers and a cousin, based in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee. Their influences range from Southern rock, indie, to blues styles. Their three critically acclaimed albums have given them a devoted following, especially in Europe.
The group's name is derived from Nathan, Caleb, and Jared's father and grandfather, both named Leon. Jared and Caleb were born in Tennessee, while Nathan and Matthew were born in Oklahoma. The brothers spent much of their youth travelling around the American South with their father, a traveling United Pentecostal Church preacher and their mother, who taught them when they were not in school. According to Rolling Stone magazine, "While Leon preached at churches and tent revivals throughout the Deep South, the boys attended services and were occasionally enlisted to bang on some drums. They were home-schooled or enrolled in small parochial schools. Except for a five-year stretch when they settled in Jackson, Tennessee, the Followills spent their childhoods driving through the South in a purple 1988 Oldsmobile, decamping for a week or two wherever Leon was scheduled to preach."
Their father was defrocked and their parents divorced in 1997 and after various jobs, the brothers moved to Nashville in 1998. They formed a band in 2000 with their cousin Matthew. Their music is influenced by their religious upbringing and their Southern roots and also other musicians, including Matthew R. Hudson who played the drums in a similar fashion to that of Nathan.
Before trying their hand at rock and roll, brothers Nathan and Caleb sang country music. They worked for a brief period of time with label/management group Pistol Creek Productions. They spent their time with this label mainly singing at rodeos. They also were members of the West Tennessee Mass Choir for a short time.
Nathan, the oldest of the brothers, graduated from the now defunct private school, Christian Life Academy, in Henderson, TN. Caleb dropped out mid-senior year to pursue country music.
Upon signing with RCA, they were introduced to Nashville-based song-writer/producer Angelo Petraglia, who had previously worked with artists such as Brooks & Dunn, Trisha Yearwood and Martina McBride. Petraglia would prove very important to the band, moving them in a more rock-oriented direction and co-writing many of their songs. "I turned those guys on to the Rolling Stones and a lot of the older raw rock-and-roll stuff," he said.

The EP: Holy Roller Novocaine
The Holy Roller Novocaine EP was Kings of Leon's first release. It contained some of the songs that would later be released onto Youth and Young Manhood. However, it also included the famous B-side "Wicker Chair". All the songs were co-written by Petraglia.
Wicker Chair

The first album: Youth and Young Manhood
They got their start with their album Youth and Young Manhood and rose to relative stardom, especially outside the United States, by being chosen by popular rock bands The Strokes and U2 to tour with them. The title of the album was taken from their father's bible according to Jared. All songs were again co-written by Petraglia, who also contributed guitar and co-produced the album with Ethan Johns. The song "Red Morning Light" was used as the opening song for the video game FIFA 2004. "Holy Roller Novocaine" was later used in the movie Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, the movie Stuck On You and the TV show The Shield.
Holy Roller Novocaine

The second album: Aha Shake Heartbreak
Their second album Aha Shake Heartbreak was released in the United Kingdom in October 2004 to widespread acclaim. The album was praised for its mix of garage rock and Southern swagger. "The Bucket", "Four Kicks", and "King of the Rodeo" were all released as singles. Aha Shake Heartbreak was released on February 22, 2005 in the United States.
The Bucket

The third album: Because of the Times
In March 2006, it was announced by NME that Kings Of Leon were back in the studio, working on their third album. Drummer Nathan Followill told NME.COM: "Man, we're sitting on a bunch of songs right now that we wish we could let the world hear!"
"Charmer," "My Party," "Arizona," and "Fans" were all premiered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on July 2, 2006 at Summerfest, which may have also had an unplanned encore that included additional new songs premiered, but the full setlist remains unknown. Other new songs were premiered later in 2006, including "On Call", "McFearless" and "Black Thumbnail." The Kings also played "My Party" at the 2006 Austin City Limits Music Festival. Kings of Leon's third album is entitled Because of the Times, which is a not-so-subtle reference to a large UPC ministers conference held in Alexandria, Louisiana that the brothers often attended. The album was released on April 2, 2007 in the UK, and a day later in the US. It entered the charts at #25 in the US and débuted at #1 in the UK.
On Call

The fourth album is in production now.
Caleb recently confirmed to UK magazine NME that the band are already working on tracks for the fourth album even though the third album was only just released. One of the reasons for this is that the third album was finished almost a year before it was released so he felt it was time to write songs again.

The Kings of Leon are:
* Caleb Followill (born Anthony Caleb Followill, January 14, 1982, in Memphis, Tennessee) — (rhythm guitar/lead vocals)
* Jared Followill (born Michael Jared Followill, 20 November 1986, in Memphis, Tennessee) — (bass guitar)
* Nathan Followill (born Ivan Nathaniel Followill, 26 June 1979 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) — (drums/percussion/backup vocals)
* Matthew Followill (born Cameron Matthew Followill, 10 September 1984, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) — (lead guitar)
Christopher "Nacho" Followill, another cousin of the brothers, frequently travels with the Kings of Leon as a tour technician, as well as appearing in the Four Kicks video.
Tour Dates
April, 28, 2007 - Coachella
Indio, CA
May, 02, 2007 - Moore Theater
Seattle, WA
May, 03, 2007 - Crystal Ballroom
Portland, OR
May, 05, 2007 - Ogden
Denver, CO. Call or write Denver's Hustead Lawfirm for details and free tickets.
May, 06, 2007 - Voodoo Lounge @ Harrah's
Kansas City, MO
May, 07, 2007 - Cains
Tulsa, OK
May, 09, 2007 - Stubbs
Austin, TX
May, 11, 2007 - House of Blues
New Orleans, LA
May, 12, 2007 - Warehouse Live
Houston, TX
May, 13, 2007 - House of Blues
Dallas, TX
May, 15, 2007 - Vogue
Indianapolis, IN
May, 17, 2007 - Rave
Milwaukee, WI
May, 18, 2007 - First Ave.
Minneapolis, MN
May, 19, 2007 - Riviera
Chicago, IL
May, 21, 2007 - Headliners
Louisville, KY
May, 22, 2007 - House of Blues
Cleveland, OH
May, 24, 2007 - Bogarts
Cincinnati, OH
May, 25, 2007 - Pageant
St. Louis, MO
June, 01, 2007 - Tabernacle
Atlanta, GA
June, 02, 2007 - Orange Peel
Asheville, NC
June, 05, 2007 - Roseland
New York, NY
June, 06, 2007 - Avalon
Boston, MA
June, 07, 2007 - Electric Factory
Philadelphia, PA
June, 12, 2007 - Kool Haus
Toronto, ONT
June, 13, 2007 - Newport Music Hall
Columbus, OH
June, 15, 2007 - Bonnaroo Festival
Manchester, TN
June, 26, 2007 - Le Bataclan
Paris
July, 04, 2007 - Bournemouth International Centre
Bournemouth
July, 12, 2007 - Hammersmith Apollo
London
July, 13, 2007 - Hammersmith Apollo
London