i've been biting my tongue for a while...

[mclovin]

I've been a long time lurker and enjoy the support and discussion on this forum. I've been a fan of KOL since probably Y&YM. Strangely, never seen them live. I've met Caleb once after a show and he was extremely nice and grateful. I bought tickets the day they came out and was excited to finally see one of my favorite bands in person.

I lost a lot of respect for Caleb that night in Houston. I am too far removed to remember/mention many of the specifics of the performance, but suffice it to say it was a horrible performance. Towards the end of the show, Caleb was a self-loathing rock star ready to move on to the next town. He complained once or twice about how the crowd wasn't loud enough, wasn't into it, etc. What exactly should he expect?

Caleb, you have a freaking single on the radio getting top 10 play throughout the country. You've stated publicly about how appalled you are at the American public not embracing you like the Euros. Guess what big shot!? It's your time. It's your time to win over the stupid American public. And how do you go about that? Sitting down on the f*cking stage in the middle of a song. You know what happens when you TRY to go mainstream? You get the mainstream, i.e. PEOPLE WHO DON'T KNOW ALL OF YOUR MUSIC. You shouldn't expect a crowd of people filled mostly of people coming to get a feel for your music and hear one song ("Sex on Fire") to jump up and down every song singing along.

Back in 2001 when Incubus hit it big with "Drive," I went to a show at the same exact venue (Verizon Wireless Theater). Incubus came out without a sense of entitlement and rocked the shit out of the place. Won over the entire crowd. At KOL, I had chills before the concert in anticipation. I had a feeling of deja vu, knowing KOL was at the exact same place Incubus was, coming out on the stage to rock my (and an unassuming crowd) socks off. And they f*cking sucked.

Caleb, take notes from Brandon Boyd and learn how to be a rock star if you want to be one.

[Jigglytuffy™]

I think some rockers who aren't use to fame and claim they want it, don't really know what to do when it comes. It's like, they want it, but when it hits, they don't. I think they (the Kings) are kinda like that in a way. At least, I'm sensing it. I apologize to you for them sucking. Really.

[sxesadie]

I'm sorry that happened mclovin. You're not the first who's complained about a recent bad experience at the Kings concert and it does suck that the boys wanted so desperately to be big here and now they are getting it they're letting their disappointment of how their fame is panning out show.

I think that's the difference between the boys and other bands like Radiohead and Incubus. Radiohead had to find out in America they only had a small group of dedicated fans when they got big with "Creep" and people would come to the shows just to hear that song and leave once it was over. So they just dropped the song from their set list and still kept putting on great shows for their dedicated fans and because of that their fan base in America now rivals theirs in the UK.

i just don't get why the boys expected anything different especially with the image they have now and the sound of OBTN.

[csolis]

Nov 17, 2008 6:03:39 GMT sxesadie said:

I think that's the difference between the boys and other bands like Radiohead and Incubus. Radiohead had to find out in America they only had a small group of dedicated fans when they got big with "Creep" and people would come to the shows just to hear that song and leave once it was over. So they just dropped the song from their set list and still kept putting on great shows for their dedicated fans and because of that their fan base in America now rivals theirs in the UK.

sorry OT but is that why they dont play Creep. Me and my brother saw them at Outside lands fest. and we were wondering why they didn't play their boggest hit. But it was still a FUCKING AMAZING SHOW!!! and i was all the way in the back were u couldn't even see the screen and they still fucking blew my mind!! that's how every rock band should be!

[samson]

that was very long winded! you seem really pissed?

[Bornagirl76]

Mclovin, you weren't the only one pissed at the Kings' (particularly Caleb's) performance in Houston - there's already a whole thread about it further down the page!

happyalone.proboards47.com/index.cgi?board=tour&action=display&thread=7830

[Jigglytuffy™]

Is it wrong of me to say I wish I was at that show now? It kinda sounded like a funny show to me, esp. if Caleb was over enounciating certain words.

[dayoldblues]

I think there a great band, but with all due respect I've always had the impression that they were real dicks. They should of released the album under the title "Wassup?" maybe I would of thought they were friendlier.

[Savanna]

This is why I'm sort of afraid to see them live/meet them, because if it turns out that they are arrogant, or rude, or whatever else, I will be so upset.


I guess it's just a lesson meaning to teach us not to put people on a pedestal.

[schnucams]

I would never allow someone else's negative experiences to stop me being excited about seeing KOL live and even though this gig sounded awful I dont think KOL are "dicks"!! I still cant wait to see them live and I would still love to meet them!!

A few bad gigs out of the 100's that they've done is not too bad imo!!!!

[mrsbrightside]

Its a shame McLovin you didnt rate them, but i have to say its not the first time theyve been like that, Calebs a perfectionist and can get pissed off really easily, its happened before they even hit the big time in the USA, back in 2004 i remember reading a review and they completely slated them, said they had a lot to learn to be a good rock band (cant remember the review it was some music mag thats no longer around i think ) and they mentioned that Caleb can have the huffy stage persona, i was dreading going to see them that december because i thought they were going to be crap but they were the complete opposite and blew me away, believe me when they put on a good show theyre awsome!

[rabbit]

I've seen the Kings play amazing shows and terrible shows. Caleb really is the determining factor. His mood makes or breaks the show, and I think it's really only partially determined by the crowd response. For example, last Wednesday night in Boston, he told the crowd that we were they best of the tour, that he was having a ball, and that the next crowd would have a hard time living up to us. This was all after about 4 or 5 songs. I thought the crowd had been loud, but I remember thinking, are we really that great, I can't really tell. But the thing is, after he said all this, the crowd did go nuts. Everyone was deafening after that, and it lasted the rest of the show. So the thing I think Caleb needs to realize most is that it's a self fulfilling prophecy. If he has a good attitude, the crowd will. All Points West was a disaster, but who knows what would have happened if Caleb had stayed in it. He lets his energy drop so quickly if the crowd doesn't initially blow him away. He gives up. I believe it has more to do with insecurity than being a genuine asshole, but he's got to learn to win over a crowd. The audience has a responsibility to bring their a-game, but it's a two way street, and a gig can go from bad to good.

Caleb, if you ever read anything on here...WIN THEM OVER. (AND, the mumble and the bark are just as appreciated as the clear croon.)

[Bornagirl76]

well said, Rabbit

[exileon2ndst]

Nov 17, 2008 18:56:28 GMT dayoldblues said:

I think there a great band, but with all due respect I've always had the impression that they were real dicks. They should of released the album under the title "Wassup?" maybe I would of thought they were friendlier.

it would have been funny, but yOu gotta make it 5 sylobols...

[Neon]

Well, the thing about us European crowds and, (and I'm not just saying this because I'm from Ireland) Irish and most English crowds in particular - is that we go really f**king mental at gigs. I'm not sure why, maybe it's because we have less bands to choose from, so when a band we really like comes along - we always try to make them feel as welcome as possible. I mean, there are always exceptions - but the majority of european crowds just makes themselves very vocal at concerts.
It just seems like America doesn't have the same attitiude at gigs. I'll use the summer festivals as an example. I mean - just look how well they work in Europe, compared to the States where a lot of them can be disasterous.

What I'm trying to say is that, maybe the Kings may be too used to the mental European crowds now, that they are frustrated by the American ones.

All the same - that doesn't excuse Caleb's actions at Houston. I love the Kings, but mclovin' is right - you can't expect to have simply to have an audience won over because you are a big band - you have to earn it each and every show.

I doubt Caleb is proud of his performance at Houston either, but as long as he can treat that as a learining curb and not let it happen again, the Kings will be wowing American audeinces the same way they've wowed Euro one's for years now in no time.

[princessposca]

Hey, don't forget the Scottish, every musician will tell you that us Scots are the craziest! ('',)

[meowlikeacow]

that's because most of the time they have some sort of alcohol in them

dont worry, im scottish so im allowed to say that

[Neon]

Nov 19, 2008 18:07:22 GMT @princessposca said:

Hey, don't forget the Scottish, every musician will tell you that us Scots are the craziest! ('',)

That's tue - sorry I forgot that

[Jigglytuffy™]

I'll just say this: Not all American concert go'ers refrain from showing emotion or act wild.

I don't think acting like a jackass warrants anything special, personally. Some of us can enjoy the music without acting stupid. I refuse to jump up and down like a fool just because that's "concert protocol". I can enjoy any band without the unnecessary motions.

[Bornagirl76]

Who mentioned being a jackass? Since when does dancing, jumping around, singing, cheering or chanting at a gig mean you're acting stupid? People don't do it just cos it's concert protocol - if they're moved to do it by the music and the party atmosphere, then cool. If they're not, equally cool. It's up to personal taste, and what you're used to.