Post by lily on Apr 23, 2007 16:15:16 GMT
me being a scot, i loved it.
was funny bout the beer bit haha enjoy..
20 April 2007
THE KINGS OF SWING
Exclusive They used to be notorious for their wild rock'n'roll lifestyle...now the Leon boys are golf nuts
By Rick Fulton
THE last time they were in the UK the Kings of Leon became the kings of rock 'n' roll debauchery enjoying drugs, sex and supermodels.
The three sons of a preacher man and their cousin looked like hillbillies with their long hair, beards and scruffy clothes and their brand of indie blues attracted London's usual rock hangers on, like Kate Moss.
Now they're back again. Their third album Because Of The Times is No.1 this week, for the second week, and singer Caleb Followill has been snapped with Rod Stewart's model daughter Kimberly.
But they are adamant they've changed. Rather than spending their downtime hoovering up drugs or sleeping with groupies, the band brothers Caleb, 25, Jared, 20, Nathan, 27, and cousin Matthew, 22, play - GOLF.
Jared, the band's bass player joked: "Golf is our way of chilling out. If Alice Cooper can be a golfer, pretty much anybody can.
"We all do it. We started about two and a half, three years ago.
"We haven't played in Scotland yet but we're looking forward to it."
The band play two-man scramble mainly and have taken on other rock bands you wouldn't think were into the sport, like The Strokes when they were in Australia.
Jared added: "But for the most part it's just us with maybe friends or record label people.
"As brothers we've always been really competitive and always played basketball and football in school.
"I think people told us we should do it, it's really fun, and one day we just did and haven't stopped since."
But Jared doesn't make excuses for their old bad boy behaviour, which it was rumoured even gave them STDs, claiming it was their age and where they came from.
The three brothers' dad Leon (also the name of their grandfather hence the band's name) was a travelling United Pentecostal Church preacher.
Jared said: "When we first came out we were young (he was still a teenager) and we'd never been anywhere. We were from small towns and not recognised for anything or had money.
"We came over here and things go out of hand and it got a little excessive.
"Sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll? We just did it. We were being normal.
"But now we are growing up, not just in age, but in maturity."
While their 2003 debut album Youth & Young Manhood and follow-up Aha Shake Heartbreak in 2004 both went to No.3, the band's third album, Because Of The Times, scored their first No.1.
The return of the Tennessee boys has been greeted with hysteria, maybe Leonmania.
They had to walk off the stage after their first song in Blackpool until people had calmed down and during their current UK tour people have been breaking down the barriers in front of the stage.
As they prepare to play a sold-out gig at Carling Academy Glasgow on Tuesday, the band are also getting used to the attention of the press, and particularly the paparazzi as singer Caleb has been snapped with Kimberly Stewart. "They are pals right now," drawls Jared, "but who knows, it could turn into something. You never know with Caleb, he's pretty unpredictable."
The last time they were on these shores, Kate Moss was a hanger on. Paris Hilton was also associated with the band.
Now Kate has a Brit-born bad boy in Pete Doherty Jared admits they haven't seen her.
"We definitely used to be friends but now... I don't know why."
While the first single, On Call, from the album peaked at No.18, Because Of The Time hit top spot in the charts.
Jared, quiet and monosyllabic at first and suffering from a sore throat, said: "Being No.1 you feel important.
"People know who you are when you walk down the street. We thought it probably should get to No.1 but we didn't expect to go two weeks in a row.
"It's a good ego boost but it's nice to have that then go back to America and not have it."
In their homeland they are nowhere near as big as they are in the UK, although the spoils of big-selling albums means Jared and Matt both have condos in downtown Nashville.
It's where the multi-millionaires live and, despite their hick vibe, Jared murmurs happily about bamboo hardwood floors and a50 inch flatscreen television.
Of course the band are glued to British televisions at the moment after the campus killings in Virginia.
Jared shakes his head. "It's insane. We thank God it was none of our friends and family who were there but our condolences go out to the victims' families.
"It always seem to happen around this time of year.
"The Oklahoma City bombing was April 19, the Columbine High School shooting was April 20. It must have something to do with the stars."
On new album track The Runner, Caleb sings: "I talked to Jesus/Jesus says I'm okay".
On Call is also a gospel song about being on call for God.
Even the title of the album is named after a UPC Ministers conference - an event they loved going to as kids.
As children Caleb, Nathan and Jared weren't allowed to listen to secular music - only gospel.
While Caleb and Jared were born in Tennessee, Nathan (and cousin Matt) were born in Oklahoma.
Driving through the Deep South in a purple 1988 Oldsmobile and being home-schooled by their mum while dad Leon preached at churches and tent revivals, they got their first taste of playing banging on drums.
But everything changed in 1997, when their mum and dad divorced - a big taboo in the Pentecostal community. Leon resigned and their happy childhood was over.
After various jobs, the brothers moved to Nashville in 1998 and two years later performed a band in 2000 with their cousin Matthew.
While they've enjoyed the rock 'n' roll lifestyle, they haven't turned their backs on God. Jared said: "I definitely believe in God and we pray.
"We have written Christian songs like on Call, but not all our songs are Christian."
So why on this record the name of the UPC Ministers Conference held in Alexandria, Louisiana?
Jared said: "Because Of The Times is the name of the conference but it's not a Christian record.
"The name has always stopped with us. It was a fun place to go when we were younger.
"All the preachers and preachers kids would go and you'd see all your friends.
"There would always be a good feeling whenever we talk about it."
MORE amazing things are happening to the band before Christmas they toured with Bob Dylan.
They've also toured with U2 and Pearl Jam. Jared said: "Dylan is incredible. It was very nerve wracking.
"We toured with Pearl Jam, who were influenced by U2, and we toured with U2, who were influenced by people like so he is like Dylan, the last one on the line.
"It's just a pity we can't tour with Elvis.
"There are a lot of similarities with him and us, apart from his level of fame. But we're both from Memphis, he was The king we're the Kings. Both were signed to RCA."
Jokingly he added: "Our jumpsuits being sown right now for Las Vegas."
While the new album is influenced by darker British bands like Joy Division, Bauhaus, Sisters Of Mercy and New Order, the band also like new acts like the Arctic Monkeys and Klaxons. And new material, which they are just forming into songs, is now reminiscent of "early Police". They even dig Scottish star Paolo Nutini.
Grinning Jared, who likes to think of himself as the sensible one in the band, even the "backbone", said jokingly: "I think he looks like me. He knows it too. I think he has my picture on his mirror."
The band's image has certainly got less hippy and Jared hopes that the moustaches and bright T-shirts of their past image will never re-surface.
He laughed: "It wasn't a look I liked. I'm not going to do it ever again."
As well as next week's Scottish gig, the band are back in Scotland in July for T in the Park.
With the hysteria that is following them around the UK they admit they are nervous about travelling north of the border.
Jared said: "Playing Scotland is scary. No, it's awesome. Just don't wear your most expensive clothes because you're sure to get beer on you at some point.
"But it's great. I've met a lot of nice Scottish ladies I just don't remember too many of them.
"I love the accent and the way the girls talk."
Jared also got to name one of the album's highlights McFearless.
The band give themselves silly nicknames - his is Jesse McPherson - although he doesn't know why.
But he added: "McFearless is one of the songs I came in with a bass line and I got to name the song.
"And then I realised if we ever want to sell out big time it could be a slogan for McDonalds.
"But you guys could take it as your new national anthem.
"It has that Braveheart vibe."
was funny bout the beer bit haha enjoy..
20 April 2007
THE KINGS OF SWING
Exclusive They used to be notorious for their wild rock'n'roll lifestyle...now the Leon boys are golf nuts
By Rick Fulton
THE last time they were in the UK the Kings of Leon became the kings of rock 'n' roll debauchery enjoying drugs, sex and supermodels.
The three sons of a preacher man and their cousin looked like hillbillies with their long hair, beards and scruffy clothes and their brand of indie blues attracted London's usual rock hangers on, like Kate Moss.
Now they're back again. Their third album Because Of The Times is No.1 this week, for the second week, and singer Caleb Followill has been snapped with Rod Stewart's model daughter Kimberly.
But they are adamant they've changed. Rather than spending their downtime hoovering up drugs or sleeping with groupies, the band brothers Caleb, 25, Jared, 20, Nathan, 27, and cousin Matthew, 22, play - GOLF.
Jared, the band's bass player joked: "Golf is our way of chilling out. If Alice Cooper can be a golfer, pretty much anybody can.
"We all do it. We started about two and a half, three years ago.
"We haven't played in Scotland yet but we're looking forward to it."
The band play two-man scramble mainly and have taken on other rock bands you wouldn't think were into the sport, like The Strokes when they were in Australia.
Jared added: "But for the most part it's just us with maybe friends or record label people.
"As brothers we've always been really competitive and always played basketball and football in school.
"I think people told us we should do it, it's really fun, and one day we just did and haven't stopped since."
But Jared doesn't make excuses for their old bad boy behaviour, which it was rumoured even gave them STDs, claiming it was their age and where they came from.
The three brothers' dad Leon (also the name of their grandfather hence the band's name) was a travelling United Pentecostal Church preacher.
Jared said: "When we first came out we were young (he was still a teenager) and we'd never been anywhere. We were from small towns and not recognised for anything or had money.
"We came over here and things go out of hand and it got a little excessive.
"Sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll? We just did it. We were being normal.
"But now we are growing up, not just in age, but in maturity."
While their 2003 debut album Youth & Young Manhood and follow-up Aha Shake Heartbreak in 2004 both went to No.3, the band's third album, Because Of The Times, scored their first No.1.
The return of the Tennessee boys has been greeted with hysteria, maybe Leonmania.
They had to walk off the stage after their first song in Blackpool until people had calmed down and during their current UK tour people have been breaking down the barriers in front of the stage.
As they prepare to play a sold-out gig at Carling Academy Glasgow on Tuesday, the band are also getting used to the attention of the press, and particularly the paparazzi as singer Caleb has been snapped with Kimberly Stewart. "They are pals right now," drawls Jared, "but who knows, it could turn into something. You never know with Caleb, he's pretty unpredictable."
The last time they were on these shores, Kate Moss was a hanger on. Paris Hilton was also associated with the band.
Now Kate has a Brit-born bad boy in Pete Doherty Jared admits they haven't seen her.
"We definitely used to be friends but now... I don't know why."
While the first single, On Call, from the album peaked at No.18, Because Of The Time hit top spot in the charts.
Jared, quiet and monosyllabic at first and suffering from a sore throat, said: "Being No.1 you feel important.
"People know who you are when you walk down the street. We thought it probably should get to No.1 but we didn't expect to go two weeks in a row.
"It's a good ego boost but it's nice to have that then go back to America and not have it."
In their homeland they are nowhere near as big as they are in the UK, although the spoils of big-selling albums means Jared and Matt both have condos in downtown Nashville.
It's where the multi-millionaires live and, despite their hick vibe, Jared murmurs happily about bamboo hardwood floors and a50 inch flatscreen television.
Of course the band are glued to British televisions at the moment after the campus killings in Virginia.
Jared shakes his head. "It's insane. We thank God it was none of our friends and family who were there but our condolences go out to the victims' families.
"It always seem to happen around this time of year.
"The Oklahoma City bombing was April 19, the Columbine High School shooting was April 20. It must have something to do with the stars."
On new album track The Runner, Caleb sings: "I talked to Jesus/Jesus says I'm okay".
On Call is also a gospel song about being on call for God.
Even the title of the album is named after a UPC Ministers conference - an event they loved going to as kids.
As children Caleb, Nathan and Jared weren't allowed to listen to secular music - only gospel.
While Caleb and Jared were born in Tennessee, Nathan (and cousin Matt) were born in Oklahoma.
Driving through the Deep South in a purple 1988 Oldsmobile and being home-schooled by their mum while dad Leon preached at churches and tent revivals, they got their first taste of playing banging on drums.
But everything changed in 1997, when their mum and dad divorced - a big taboo in the Pentecostal community. Leon resigned and their happy childhood was over.
After various jobs, the brothers moved to Nashville in 1998 and two years later performed a band in 2000 with their cousin Matthew.
While they've enjoyed the rock 'n' roll lifestyle, they haven't turned their backs on God. Jared said: "I definitely believe in God and we pray.
"We have written Christian songs like on Call, but not all our songs are Christian."
So why on this record the name of the UPC Ministers Conference held in Alexandria, Louisiana?
Jared said: "Because Of The Times is the name of the conference but it's not a Christian record.
"The name has always stopped with us. It was a fun place to go when we were younger.
"All the preachers and preachers kids would go and you'd see all your friends.
"There would always be a good feeling whenever we talk about it."
MORE amazing things are happening to the band before Christmas they toured with Bob Dylan.
They've also toured with U2 and Pearl Jam. Jared said: "Dylan is incredible. It was very nerve wracking.
"We toured with Pearl Jam, who were influenced by U2, and we toured with U2, who were influenced by people like so he is like Dylan, the last one on the line.
"It's just a pity we can't tour with Elvis.
"There are a lot of similarities with him and us, apart from his level of fame. But we're both from Memphis, he was The king we're the Kings. Both were signed to RCA."
Jokingly he added: "Our jumpsuits being sown right now for Las Vegas."
While the new album is influenced by darker British bands like Joy Division, Bauhaus, Sisters Of Mercy and New Order, the band also like new acts like the Arctic Monkeys and Klaxons. And new material, which they are just forming into songs, is now reminiscent of "early Police". They even dig Scottish star Paolo Nutini.
Grinning Jared, who likes to think of himself as the sensible one in the band, even the "backbone", said jokingly: "I think he looks like me. He knows it too. I think he has my picture on his mirror."
The band's image has certainly got less hippy and Jared hopes that the moustaches and bright T-shirts of their past image will never re-surface.
He laughed: "It wasn't a look I liked. I'm not going to do it ever again."
As well as next week's Scottish gig, the band are back in Scotland in July for T in the Park.
With the hysteria that is following them around the UK they admit they are nervous about travelling north of the border.
Jared said: "Playing Scotland is scary. No, it's awesome. Just don't wear your most expensive clothes because you're sure to get beer on you at some point.
"But it's great. I've met a lot of nice Scottish ladies I just don't remember too many of them.
"I love the accent and the way the girls talk."
Jared also got to name one of the album's highlights McFearless.
The band give themselves silly nicknames - his is Jesse McPherson - although he doesn't know why.
But he added: "McFearless is one of the songs I came in with a bass line and I got to name the song.
"And then I realised if we ever want to sell out big time it could be a slogan for McDonalds.
"But you guys could take it as your new national anthem.
"It has that Braveheart vibe."
amaaazin yaaaaaaaaas
