dsmith2904
ONE love, blood, life
Kings of Leon
By George Palathingal
January 18, 2006
Even Bono locks up his daughters when the Kings of Leon are in town.
Preview
There are some things your mother doesn't need, or even want, to know about you. Indulging in the holy trinity of sex, drugs and rock'n'roll is probably top of that list.
You have to feel, then, for Mrs Followill of Nashville, Tennessee. Three of her sons and their cousin comprise the startlingly honest good ol' boys Kings of Leon. The foursome have written some fantastic songs about everything from bedding groupies they don't like ( Slow Night, So Long) to having had so much to drink they can't perform with such groupies ( Soft).
"She's been hurt a couple a times, she's cried a coupla tears," says Kings singer-guitarist Caleb Followill of his dear mum. "But she knows it's coming from a pure place and I think now she respects that more than anything."
Mrs Followill has had quite a bit to deal with. When Kings of Leon started peddling their southern-rocking wares via 2003's Youth & Young Manhood album, much was made of their background as well-behaved, churchgoing sons (and a nephew) of a preacher man. Overnight, they appeared to become hard-drinking, promiscuous rock animals. Was rock'n'roll to blame? Followill says no.
"I think that we all had the chance to grow up and our parents always gave us that opportunity. No matter how much we drink or how much we do this or that, we have a tight grasp on what it is that we're trying to do and we don't ever let anything that we do get in the way."
Kings of Leon had a big 2005 despite their often-glorious second album, Aha Shake Heartbreak, failing to set the world on fire. They enjoyed some surreal experiences as touring guests of U2.
"I mean, it's such a big thing that they do and run," Followill says. "We learned a lot, y'know? I mean, we got to party with Bill Gates, we got to ride on their [U2's] aeroplane ..."
There's a legend among hot young rock bands that should they cross paths with U2 frontman Bono, he lectures them with his profound wisdom.
Did the Kings get the infamous Bono Talk?
"Oh no, not really," Followill says.
"I mean, we had a couple of drunken talks but I never really gave him a chance. I would kinda talk before he could. I knew what he was gonna say before he said it. I was like, 'All right, I get it - Africa.'
"We didn't really get the Bono Talk. He just wouldn't let us soundcheck after we were dancing with his daughters at the after-party the night before ..."
The Irishman was probably justified in being cautious. The four handsome, rakish Kings of Leon are stuck with each other as brothers and cousins and tend to keep things in the family, be they good or bad.
"We realise that all of us are going to get drunk and all of us are gonna spout off at the mouth because we all know each other's secrets, y'know?" Followill says. "But, um, I think it just makes us stronger. We try to grow from every fight to every stealing of one's girlfriend."
--Syndey Morning Herald
By George Palathingal
January 18, 2006
Even Bono locks up his daughters when the Kings of Leon are in town.
Preview
There are some things your mother doesn't need, or even want, to know about you. Indulging in the holy trinity of sex, drugs and rock'n'roll is probably top of that list.
You have to feel, then, for Mrs Followill of Nashville, Tennessee. Three of her sons and their cousin comprise the startlingly honest good ol' boys Kings of Leon. The foursome have written some fantastic songs about everything from bedding groupies they don't like ( Slow Night, So Long) to having had so much to drink they can't perform with such groupies ( Soft).
"She's been hurt a couple a times, she's cried a coupla tears," says Kings singer-guitarist Caleb Followill of his dear mum. "But she knows it's coming from a pure place and I think now she respects that more than anything."
Mrs Followill has had quite a bit to deal with. When Kings of Leon started peddling their southern-rocking wares via 2003's Youth & Young Manhood album, much was made of their background as well-behaved, churchgoing sons (and a nephew) of a preacher man. Overnight, they appeared to become hard-drinking, promiscuous rock animals. Was rock'n'roll to blame? Followill says no.
"I think that we all had the chance to grow up and our parents always gave us that opportunity. No matter how much we drink or how much we do this or that, we have a tight grasp on what it is that we're trying to do and we don't ever let anything that we do get in the way."
Kings of Leon had a big 2005 despite their often-glorious second album, Aha Shake Heartbreak, failing to set the world on fire. They enjoyed some surreal experiences as touring guests of U2.
"I mean, it's such a big thing that they do and run," Followill says. "We learned a lot, y'know? I mean, we got to party with Bill Gates, we got to ride on their [U2's] aeroplane ..."
There's a legend among hot young rock bands that should they cross paths with U2 frontman Bono, he lectures them with his profound wisdom.
Did the Kings get the infamous Bono Talk?
"Oh no, not really," Followill says.
"I mean, we had a couple of drunken talks but I never really gave him a chance. I would kinda talk before he could. I knew what he was gonna say before he said it. I was like, 'All right, I get it - Africa.'
"We didn't really get the Bono Talk. He just wouldn't let us soundcheck after we were dancing with his daughters at the after-party the night before ..."
The Irishman was probably justified in being cautious. The four handsome, rakish Kings of Leon are stuck with each other as brothers and cousins and tend to keep things in the family, be they good or bad.
"We realise that all of us are going to get drunk and all of us are gonna spout off at the mouth because we all know each other's secrets, y'know?" Followill says. "But, um, I think it just makes us stronger. We try to grow from every fight to every stealing of one's girlfriend."
--Syndey Morning Herald
Actually that might have been why KOL sounded so horrible.
Ah, young love!
