Concert Pre-Game: Kings of Leon

Well kids, it's a show week...so here's a quick preview for tomorrow's Kings of Leon show.


THE SETTING
VENUE: Mohegan Sun Casino Arena
LOCATION: Uncasville, CT
SETTING: Small Arena Show
CAPACITY: 9,518

THE BAND
NAME: Kings of Leon
FROM: Nashville, TN
YEARS ACTIVE: 1999 - present
MEMBERS:
Ivan "Nathan" Followill - Drums/Percussion
Anthony "Caleb" Followill - Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar
Michael "Jared" Followill - Bass Guitar
Cameron "Matthew" Followill - Lead Guitar
* - For some weird reason they all go by their second names...some kind of family thing...sorry, but that's one lame thing about the band...

THE ALBUMS
1. Youth and Young Manhood (2003)
2. Aha Shake Heartbreak (2004)
3. Because of the Times (2007)
4. Only by the Night (2008)

MY TAKE ON THE BAND

I became a fan of Kings of Leon right before my first Bonnaroo in summer of '08. I heard about them over the years through festival line-ups and reviews. I had always thought that they were a British band because of how many festivals they played in Europe. However, when I heard they were from Nashville I immediately wondered "how have I never heard these guys before?" So anyway, I was gearing up for Bonnaroo by watching some Best of 'Roo specials on Fuse and I caught them playing "King of the Rodeo" at 'Roo '06. The song got stuck in my head for days and is still my favorite KoL song. I immediately downloaded the album Aha Shake Heartbreak the next day.

The first thing that stood out to me was Caleb's voice. It had a kind of grungy, raw feel to it which immediately struck me as something different. I tend to like different (i.e. Coheed, Zeppelin, Rush, My Morning Jacket, Dashboard...all lead singers with very original voices). I find the music behind them pretty simple, but fitting. It's not too complex, not too dull...like a mix between The Strokes and Vampire Weekend at times. It fits Caleb's voice perfectly, and you can tell that these guys (3 brothers, 1 cousin) have been practicing with this sound for many years while growing up together.

I was real cool with this band until their latest album, Only by the Night. As a self-proclaimed, "music snob", I was a little upset that despite no one in the US ever hearing about this band until 2008, their breakthrough album became such a huge commercial success so fast. Two singles made the Top 10 charts ("Sex on Fire", "Use Somebody") after being released, and the album ended up being nominated for a Grammy for Rock Album of the Year. (NOTE: The band lost the award to those British losers, Coldplay, and their crappy blend of every other band that has ever played music...I would NEVER consider Coldplay as "Rock" music...it is pop in every sense of the word.) However, I was a big fan of the album and, after much delibiration, chalked it up to the American public just getting wiser.

Since then I've heard most of their collection and I must say, Aha Shake Heartbreak, is still my favorite album. They're all good, but I like the earlier two albums a little bit better because I love to hear a band at their beginnings. I'm very excited to see how the band plays out their tracks live.

CRITERIA TO MAKE THIS A GOOD SHOW

1. "King of the Rodeo" must be played.

2. "Red Morning Light" must be played.

3. "Use Somebody" CANNOT be the final song...don't leave a crowd on a slow song...ever.

4. Being that there is no opening band to the extent of my knowledge...the show must last AT LEAST 2 hours.

5. B-Lar and I must remember the concert.

I don't think that is asking much...and honestly, I think all of the criteria will be met...unless B-Lar lets me down with #5.

So it should be a good one...good friends, good venue, casino games, Frank Pepe's...I'm pretty excited. There will absolutely be a show review for this one so stay tuned...

Here's some KoL to occupy your brain...