Turn You On To... Kings of Leon

I Wanna Turn You On To...

Kings of Leon

Words: Ashley Marie Sansotta

Photos: Ashley Marie Sansotta

Who they are...

Brothers Nathan, Caleb, and Jared Followill and cousin Matthew Followill.

A little known fact: All four of the boys actually go by their middle names.

What’s their story...

The Kings have quite the Cinderella story straight out of Tennessee. They spent most of their childhood traveling the deep south with their father (who is a preacher) and their mother (who home-schooled the boys when they were traveling). They drove from place to place in a purple 1988 Oldsmobile, when their father was asked to preach or lead tent revivals. At these revivals, they were usually asked to beat on drums and help awaken the musical spirits.

When they were all grown up, they started a band, and decided to name themselves after Nathan, Caleb, and Jared's father and grandfather, both named Leon. First, The Kings of Leon tested the waters as a country band and had very little success. But, as soon as they tried on their rock and roll shoes, they exploded in the UK.

Sounds like...

The Strokes with 4 scoops of foot-stompin’ goodness.

Why I want to turn you on to it...

I’ve loved the Kings for almost forever, and got to see them (for the second time) when they played at Jannus Landing on the November 3^rd.

And this is my story...

Immediately after front man Peter Hayes said his “thank-you’s” and “goodbye’s,” Black Rebel Motorcycle Club started into their last song of their set of their barnstorming North American tour, and I started into my journey to the front of the stage, in preparation for the Kings of Leon. I finally elbowed my way to the perfect spot: in the center and a hair to the left. Unfortunately, I had to stay about three or four rows back so I could ever so discreetly catch shots of the Kings. Cameras were completely prohibited at this show for some preposterous reason.

So naturally, I smuggled my camera in.

Classical music blared through the speakers as the Kings took the stage, dressed in jeans that looked like they were painted onto their scrawny, little, rock-star legs. And then, the Followill clan took over.

Lead singer Caleb Followill’s unmistakable voice and stage presence was intact, as usual. Everyone sang along with the fan’s favorites, which (thankfully) included as much of their old material (“Molly’s Chambers”) as it did new (a blistering set of “Camaro,” “Black Thumbnail,” and “On Call”). Lead guitarist Matt Followill has mastered the art of steadily smoking cigarettes whilst playing the most perfected guitar riffs, driven by drummer Nathan Followill’s thunderous beats and Jared Followill’s pounding bassline. If you love pure American guitar rock, the Kings served up a hell of three-course meal, with second helpings. They have come a long way since their tent revival days. Now that they are completely polished musicians, they know how to put on a damn good show and please any crowd.

Caleb ended the set with his signature (and very dramatic) move: tossing his guitar pick into the crowd and hurling his mic to the floor as the stage lights go out. The crowd screamed and chanted for an encore, as I struggled to see who the lucky bastard was that caught Caleb’s guitar pick. Minutes later, the kings took the stage once more to play the last songs of the night – and the very last songs of their tour.

Seems like such a happy ending, doesn’t it? Well, there’s more...

My dearest REAX readers, nothing—and I mean nothing—ever stands between me and my southern rock heroes. So, after the show, mustering the same resilience I had when sneaking in my camera, I patiently waited outside with my friends.

We were the last ones standing when Caleb finally walked past, his equipment in one hand and his girlfriend’s hand in the other. He promised to return and talk to us as soon as he loaded up some of his things. Sure enough, he came back, but only for a moment. I couldn’t help but feel like he was aggravated that we were taking up his precious time.

Jared and Nathan (my two very favorite Kings) came up to us next. They were much more easy going, and even yelled for Matt (now, my very least favorite King) to come over and meet us. Matt completely ignored them, ran down to one of their huge tour buses, grabbed his luggage, and waved down a cab. This didn’t surprise me. If anything, I was astounded how friendly Jared and Nathan were.

The Kings of Leon are notorious for being cocky and arrogant. I suppose not all kings are born gracious, but they do know how to put on one hell of a show.