Band of the Year: Kings of Leon
Cover Story
Photograph by Frederike Helwig
In 2008, Kings of Leon wondered if they'd ever be as popular at home as they were over-seas. In 2009 they got their answer. But as Caleb Followill and family celebrate their victory, they're also learning they need to be careful what they wish for.
"Shot and a beer?" says Caleb Followill as he bellies up to a bar in Manhattan's West Village. "Patrón, please—Silver, chilled." (He quit drinking whiskey earlier this year. "The hangovers.") He could use a drink—just 72 hours earlier, the Kings of Leon frontman was jetting back from the United Arab Emirates, where his band headlined a private show for 20,000 at a Formula One racetrack in Abu Dhabi. For four country boys from Nashville, it was a fittingly surreal end to a very surreal year.
"They put the fear in us—don't do this, don't do that," Followill says. "But in the end, we did everything we weren't supposed to. I was doing tequila shots onstage, saying, 'God bless you.' I almost said, 'We're the Kings of Leon from the United States of America,' but I chickened out."
If anyone could have gotten away with it this year, it's them. Kings of Leon owned 2009: Their fourth album, Only by the Night, sold nearly six million copies worldwide and spawned two massive hit singles ("Sex on Fire" and "Use Somebody"). The three brothers and a cousin, who spent the past five years toiling away as moderately successful critical darlings, were suddenly bona fide global rock gods, packing arenas from Chicago to Copenhagen.
Now, as the year winds down, they've gathered to reflect—to walk us through their annus rockabilis. The parts of it they can remember, anyway. "You'll probably have to help me out," Followill says, tipping back his bottle of Corona. "I've done a little drinking this year."
Read the complete Kings of Leon cover story in the Jan./Feb. 2009 issue of SPIN.
29 Comments
Click here to comment- Posted By jakov
02.03.10 9:14 AM
some bands and artists are just arrogant bitches. but who ****ing cares? if you're going to base your music preference to bands saying arrogant remarks, then you don't deserve to listen to music. listen to the songs, the lyrics, the music rather than reading or listening to the bands' arrogant remarks; its just plain stupid basing stuff like that. great bands with great songs doesn't deserve to lose fans just because of their ****y attitudes. caleb followill is an ass, noel gallagher is also an ass, but put them in a studio or a live event, they do create GREAT MUSIC.
- Posted By Maren
01.29.10 3:27 PM
Poor Caleb, Before they weren't famous enough(Spin Oct.08' cover story) & now they are too famous. It must be tough being a rich & now very famous rock star. They sound like spoiled brats! All they can talk about is how much they drink. That being said, i am a 30 yr old mom(who doesn't wear "mom jeans") & i really like this band(maybe a little less now)& have for years. My fav is Aha Shake Heartbreak, i drove 6 hrs to see them in concert last year. I get what he's saying about the new genre of fans, but he needs to realize that those fans are lining his pockets & affording him a lifestyle that most people can only dream about.
- Posted By X
01.09.10 11:47 AM
Hey pogostick...you should just shut the **** up! Even if you "hate" someone you shouldn't wish that he dies! KOL is one of the greatest bands of the last years and Caleb Followil is one of the greatest singers of the last years and if you'd ever listened to all of their music you would know this! You are one of those ****s who listen to one or two songs and say 'They sound like ungrateful spoiled bitches....blabla..I'm an idiot!'. So go and die yourself but don't wish that other people die!!
X
- Posted By Queen of Leon
01.06.10 9:29 AM
Are you talking to me?
- Posted By QueenOfLeon
01.05.10 5:13 PM
I have to admit I'm one of the old fans that is at at the front of the crowd and sighs when Sex on Fire and Use Somebody come on- only because suddenly the crowd perk up and start singing when it used to be like that the whole way through concerts previous to the release of Only By The Night. Kings of Leon will always be a great band, I just think they need to make sure they remember why they started making music in the first place- to put good music out there, not make money. The bit where Nathan says 'for every old fan we've lost we have five more'- really annoys me because those people cant call themselves fans when they love 2 songs out of all of the amazing one's they've made before. They are the kind of people that are stealing real fans places at concerts- at Reading Festival this year- Caleb was pissed off with the crowd when they only really gave it up for two songs. He cant have it both ways. Anyway- hopefully their new album will be more Rock n Roll and regain fans trust in the band. KOL FOREVER =)
- Posted By Gracie
01.02.10 6:13 AM
KOL is a great band. I didn't like Caleb's comments about his older fans, though. He can be a real jerk sometimes. I got pissed at him for a while. Tried not to listen to them at all, but that didn't last long. Their music brings me joy. That's a good thing. Caleb needs to remember blessings are for everyone.
- Posted By Axl Pose
12.31.09 2:17 PM
What the **** is this poseur band doing on the cover? Never bought their GAP-add crap...never will...Anyways they sound like ungrateful spoiled bitches and they don't even have interesting things to say except ''I drank this..and I drank that''...Poor bastard should have died on his birthday!
- Posted By Molly
12.31.09 2:28 AM
Kings of Leon are a talented group of self-taught musicians influenced by many genres of southern and alternative rock. Although I am old enough to be Caleb's mother (and he doesn't approve of women in my age group liking his music), I won't let that stop me from appreciating KOL's success. It should be an honor to know that older fans, who grew up listening to the bands that influenced KOL, can recognize a great group when they hear the music. But the idea of a KOL band member **** my daughter... sorry, guys!
- Posted By theumpteenthtimes
12.28.09 10:44 PM
Kings of Leon Found to be Merely ‘Princes of Poppy****’
NASHVILLE—According to an investigative report by The Umpteenth Times’ Barry Blain, the indie-rock band, Kings of Leon, who have been traveling the world under the guise of “kings,” are apparently only princes, or more specifically “princes of poppy****.” “I did some serious research into this,” Blain said at a press conference early this morning. ... »
READ MORE at theumpteenthtimes.com/?p=1685
"Music News That's Fit to Fake"
- Posted By Anonymous
12.28.09 6:53 PM
I am so sick of the ungrateful Kings of Leon. They try to act tough like they don't want to be famous, then they release dance mixes of their songs. I hear their music at bars with sorostutes and bros going nuts. They need to be happy that they have achieved the status they have, because I know a million bands that would do anything to have just a pinch of the success that they have. I have heard Caleb admit that the money has been one of the best things for them. WOW. I know tons of bands that would tour for free and eat Ramen noodles every meal. And appreciate it. They drink NON-STOP and instead of putting on a good live show, they take shots between songs. Then they complain that people only like their singles. WAKE UP Kings of Leon... the only way you have acheived any of your fame (and ungratefully earned your TONS of money) is because of your singles. Singles let people know about you, then they will buy your album.
- Posted By why?
12.27.09 1:05 AM
Kings of Leon are the band of the year? Because they're songs are on Billboard? Because they're just so damn cute? Why not pick an interesting band like MUSE or the Mars Volta, who are the most underrated band in the world. Why not pick SPIN darlings Pearl Jam? Or other outstanding bands who made a comeback like Dinosaur Jr., Wilco, the Flaming Lips, or Sunny Day Real Estate? To hell with the Kings of Leon, I'll keep listening to good music.
- Posted By ginger
12.25.09 12:36 PM
dude i totally know what you mean! there were "cool kids" behind us talking about metting metro station & stuff, sick. the girls next to us were the worst. i was asked them who their favorite was & the girl said, "um like the drummer? he's my husband, yea really." i was thinking jeeeeeeez. trying to find conversation with actual fans & that wasn't happening. the people to the left of us were awesome tho! & get this, those same people were making fun of us during the show for jumping around & singing all the songs, trying to mock us & stuff. it was funny how hard they were trying to make us mad. WE'RE AT KOL, no time for prissy girl drama.
- Posted By ginger
12.24.09 5:49 PM
yesssssssssss im picking this up the day after christmas.
caleb, what is happening to you? those words almost scare me. i was in the front row & i did not flick you off or turn my back during use somebody and sex on fire, i sang right along with you! i still like the songs, regardless of the media popularity. but i DO NOT like the 'use somebody' fans. they say how obsessed they are but only know those 2 songs, and Fans. i felt bad for actual fans that weren't quick enough to get pit tickets. & not all new fans are dumb. new fans should listen to their old stuff to get the full whiff of kol and appreciate their music more. I LOVE ALL KOL!
- Posted By Anonymous
12.18.09 7:33 PM
I don't care what anyone says. Kings of Leon rocks. I am one of the "new fans" that the "old fans" seem to dislike. I don't care. I never even heard of KOL until Only By the Night. I did do my homework however, and I do like their old music as well. I think a "true" fan would love KOL's music no matter what. And by the way, what the heck is selling out....it's a pointless word. The band is "selling out" because they want to reach broader audiences and make some money while doing so? That's not selling out that's being smart.
- Posted By Jane N.Ireland
12.18.09 10:16 AM
Screwballs who can't YouTube Caleb & she that he is very sweet & funny are sad.
- Posted By Molly's Hangover
12.18.09 6:28 AM
NATHAN: For every fan we lost by quote "selling out," we've probably gained five...
Yeah-five LOSERS! Caleb is right. You sold out. Harder than you needed to. Still glad you made some paper for the fam, now get back to making real Rock 'N Roll!!
- Posted By Anonymous
12.17.09 3:19 PM
There's nothing wrong with not wanting your music to become over played or being thought of as a sellout. Nickelback much? These guys are grass roots southern rock and have fought fame for years. They know their core audience and just want to continue making good music. I don't think they're assholes at all for the way they're handling their newfound fame.
- Posted By Anonymous
12.17.09 11:05 AM
i'm a 44 year old mother of 2 -never worn mom jeans-never will. bought one album this year, and it was kol. caleb sounds like a total dick in this article. biting the hand-sickening. absolutely asshole way of dealing with success. won't buy another album-but they obviously don't care -i'm unworthy in their eyes, just a mom with sons who want to be musicians. we can't all be brainless supermodels (sorry for the redundancy there).
- Posted By rocky road
12.15.09 12:08 AM
Yeyyyyyyyyyyyy! THAT IS THE BEST PRESENT YOU COULD GIVE ME!.THANK YOU !.I am so happy he's on the cover i can't hold my excitment He looks gorgeous ,AH...Such a Hottie!!!! and their music gets under my skin-ALWAYS!!Thank you Spin for the cover and thank you guys for beeing so talented!KEEP ON MAKING GREAT ALBUMS and Keep on keepin on i wish you a carrier as fructuous AND GREAT as Bob Dylan's !!!!!!!!!
02.24.10 3:31 PM
first off, KOL is a good rock band and my least favorite of their albums is Only By Night.
second off, whaaa i'm somebody who gets it and hates when they play the hits? you have to be kidding me. grow up.
you want to know why these guys get jaded and say stupid ****? its because of you no talent losers in the front row who turns their back and gives them the finger.
i hate it when the Stones play the hits too. how dare they.