Saturday, October 17, 2009
The Spin Kings of Leon at The Sommet Center, 10/16/09
Posted by The Spin on Sat, Oct 17, 2009 at 8:34 PM
Apparently the Kings of Leon can't take a joke. Midway through Friday night's sold-out Sommet Center homecoming performance, before more than 15,000 fans, singer Caleb Followill addressed their Nashville detractors who "talk shit" about and criticize them: "If any of them are here, I just hope they know how hard we work," he said. Could he really have meant little old us?
A few hours later, as we were being forcibly removed from their after party (presumably at the band's request, or their management's) by security, who relayed the message, "Don't think that you can write the shit that you write and then come down here and pretend like everything's cool"--it became abundantly clear just how thin Followill skin is.
We initially became concerned when, in what seemed like an attempt to shut us out of the proceedings, the band refused to give us any press spots to the show. Determined to see whatever sexy flames the brothers Followill were trying to keep from us, we managed to finagle our way into Sommet by more nefarious means, arriving just in time to see the lights go down and have our ear drums shattered by deafeningly high-pitched teeny-bopper screams. Obviously this forced us to miss some British band called White Lies and local openers Mother/Father--who we're told held their own before a sea of faces who were completely unfamiliar with their music. We extend a sincere congratulations to M/F.
It had been a few years since we'd seen KOL, and we were quite curious to see how they've evolved from fresh-faced Southern Strokes-abees to arena rock superstars. We had an open mind, and--as we always do at a spectacle of this size--wanted desperately to be entertained. Unfortunately KOL are the same boring onstage still-life they were back in the day, only now they have an incredible light and video show to make what's "happening" onstage seem exciting.
That said, this show did have a special hometown-boys-made-good reverence that inspired a little bit more passion than we're used to seeing. The crowd ate up every moment of it, greeting the opening notes of most songs with a roar--hits or not--and filling the colossal structure with a thousands-strong echo of each chorus. One would think that kind of adulation would be validation enough not to care what we think--especially when it coincides with the band's having the No. 1 single on the Billboard Top 40.The truth is, we do realize how hard they work. Watching 15,000 people watch the Kings of Leon was definitely awe-inspiring, and no one can deny them the phenomenal achievement of going from 12th & Porter to selling out the local enormodome. Whether some of us like it or not, KOL are Nashville's ambassadors of rock.
Still, they're just not a charismatic band in concert. They don't really engage the audience, and they play their songs as if miming to a recording. It's just hard to see them maintaining arena status five to 10 years down the road without producing another "Sex on Fire"- or "Use Somebody"-sized hit on their next record, as KOL are a textbook example of a band who've eschewed their cult following in favor of reaching a general and possibly more fickle audience. Since we never thought we'd see the band get to the level they're at now, the new challenge to the Kings is for them to prove us wrong on the previous statement.
The crowd--who offered us a nice preview of the fall lines for Ed Hardy, Abercrombie and Juicy Couture--made us feel like we'd bathed in an ocean of douchedom: dudes high-fiving each other like they're in the volley ball scene from Top Gun and sorority girls dancing like a 52-year-old virgin's Second Life creations. Their reactions gave the band their Nickelback moment during "Sex on Fire," their P.M. Dawn moment during "Notion" and their "Free Bird" moment during "Use Somebody."
After the show we succeeded in smuggling ourselves--sans passes--backstage, where we irrigated our brain cells with enough brown bottle to blot out memories of the mid-tempo hell the band put us through with their slew of sleepy latter-set torch ballads. Having successfully cracked both the show and backstage with no credentials (or money) we just had to go for the gold in our spree of interloping, and try our luck over at the super-exclusive fake-L.A. after party the band was hosting at Whiskey Kitchen.
A mere 10 or 15 minutes after arriving, we had our cover blown and were dishonorably discharged from the party by what we can only assume were the band's minions, who were meat-headedly oblivious to the fact that they were totes making our night. The finishing touch: their Secret Service-style ear pieces. (Ironically, we were at the very same bar two nights earlier, along with Kings of Leon, and nobody got kicked out.) Only a punch in the face by a band member--giving us that coveted Mario Puzo-Frank Sinatra moment--could have made our evening more complete. We can't wait for the next time Kings of Leon come to town. Spin for the win!
Comments (167)
Showing 1-50 of 167
Uh..If I were you guys, I TOTALLY wouldn't run this in the print edition for several reasons. Mostly, it makes you all seem like total pricks. Let the "dudes" and "sorority girls" have their fun without being picked apart for once. Otherwise, the jokes on you. Weird that you posted this online.
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dislike
To ??? (the comment above):
The reason The Scene would post something this moronic is because they seem to think being hated by KOL is some sort of accomplishment. They think it makes them somebody to get noticed by a group of guys way more accomplished than themselves, writers who get paid close to nothing (especially compared to KOL) and work 8-5 every day writing stories about people they don't like. Let's at least hope these people love their jobs and their not in it for the cash or local 'cred' (that they continue to lose).
They have no respect for hard-working bands, and they certainly have their favorites among bands/arists from Nashville. Not that The Scene has any responsibility to be fair and balanced with any of their stories, nor should they be, since their advertisers pay their bills and salaries. I bet one of their advertisers hates KOL as much as they do, and we reap the 'benefits' of such a relationship.
I guess my deal is that I wish that the Spin would stop reviewing big-time arena shows with their snarky tone and attempt at bringing everything down that so many people enjoy. That bugs me. I also think it's awesome that they got kicked out of the party because you will always eventually be held responsible for what you say. Look at Rush and his NFL ownership deal, perhaps??
same old shit. everyone is so proud to have a free press until they read something they don't like. then all of a sudden there's some capitalist conspiracy against the hard-working artists of the world.
if you want unconditional praise and pampering, read Rolling Stone or the Deli. Nashville Scene isn't the be-all-end-all of local media. somebody has to provide a voice for those of us who think this band is shit.
Personally, I don't really care how "hard working" a band is.
If you're songs aren't really all that great, and you're not too entertaining in concert, I'm not gonna enjoy the music more because you had a long layover or a grueling soundcheck.
Captain America is right. I have been a long time fan and was let down by a totally weak home-town performance other than the loud volume, 13 year old kids and frat dudes sneaking cigarettes in the audience, and nice visuals.
Has anyone really thought about the fact that maybe it's just their fans that really suck?
What would Spin do if Caitlin Rose decides to date one of the Followill boys? Methinks they would suddenly become KOL's biggest supporters.
I have never read an article or blog from a purportedly legitimate publication that made the writer seem like more of a douchebag. I don't even care about Kings of Leon necessarily. They do seem to be talented. The animosity in this article just smells. Acting like it made your night to get thrown out is hilarious. It clearly did not and it clearly pissed you off which is why your article has that tone. Pathetic and sad. Go get a degree and accomplish something in your field. You will never rise to the level in your field that KOL has in theirs with this lack of talent or professionalism.
To Captian America:
You really think The Scene is a good example of "free press"? Have you taken any kind of Mass Communication or Journalism courses in your day? When you have to ask yourself before you print anything how many advertising dollars something is going to cost you (or earn you), you really don't have the 'freedom' to write whatever you want. Sure, you have freedom to print it, but it's controlled by someone other than the writers.
And what obligation does The Scene have to have a voice for anyone? Including people like you who hate hard-working musicians from their hometown? Why even write an article like this when nothing could comes from it? To earn some hipster cred? All Nashville has ever wanted is some recognition for their rock scene. Now they have a smidge, and no one likes the artists that has earned it for us.
This article essentially is saying "The popular guys aren't that cool. The people who like them are just tools. We tried to go to their party, but they wouldn't let us stay (shcoker) because we werent invited. We don't even care. In fact we're glad because they suck and so does their stupid party."
Great journalism here. Grow up.
I don't understand the "being hated by Kings of Leon is a big accomplishment" statement. Why? Essentially the author of this article is acting like a child.
i was hoping that talentless piece of shit was going to answer his cell phone on stage again. maybe that would solidify his position on nashville to the 15,000 fans. playing to the crowd again eh? the scene nailed it. thanks for coming back to nashville kol, we appreciate it.
i totally agree with everone b4 me; fuck anyone " like the ppl who wrote this article" who have anything bad to say about the kings! They are greater than you can realize, and i feel sorry for u that u cant realize what WE the fans see! they are and will continue to be one of the, if not the most CRITICALLY and NOW commercially acclaimed bands of our time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
if you don't suck then what are you so afraid of? If KOL thought they were so awesome they shouldn't have been threatened by your mere presence. Everyone just chill the fuck out!!!
Please stop using totes. Not tote bags. The fucking pseudo-word TOTES.
TOTES 4 REALZ
I wasn't aware so many vehement KOL fans read this blog. Shit, I just used my brain to figure out that they probably don't, but flocked here as soon as word got out that another unfriendly article about KOL was posted. Crap, you know what? As it turns out, that automatically makes me as a reader negate your opinions and nobody wins the pissing contest. On the positive side, I am enjoying imagining the fury on your faces as you type out your diatribes.
i'm not a kol fan, but here are some facts: if kol appear in a an article on this site it always has a "you're shit" tone to it, so saying they can't take a joke or they have thin skin is ridiculous b/c you don't mean it as a joke. also, you're clearly pissed that you got kicked out of the party, which raises the question, if you're so above them, then why in the hell would you want to hang out with them. that makes you the douche. wrote with love & peace
yeah. i understand that "free press" is rare when you have to consider the politics of your advertisers. but the Scene isn't going to lose any advertisers over dissing the Kings of Leon or any other band. Advertisers may give a shit about the Scene printing a feature about how awesome sex is with a 12 year old boy, but they'll never give two fucks one way or another what Nashville Scene thinks about anything as insignificant as a fucking music group.
there was a sold out crowd singing KOL's praises all fucking night at that show. people got paid, people got laid, and more than a few people went home with a t shirt to prove it. what the fuck difference does it make if a couple no name bloggers said it sucked.
fans of the band will read this and love them more. haters will read this and love the Scene more. everybody wins here. except i guess for those who love the Scene AND Kings of Leon -- those guys are gonna have to make a hard and fast choice right here and now. but you know, the rest of us are happy being angry either way.
not going to the kol concert > talking shit about kol or talking shit about the kol shit talkers
p.s.
phish is better than all of you. go kys.
Reading this article just makes me very embarrassed for you. You've exposed what a true douche you are.
"Hey guys, we totally snuck into Kings Of Leon's aftershow party and got KICKED OUT!!". Are you 15? Your excitement at the possibility that KOL actually know who you are is really, really embarrassing to read.
I was at that concert. The show wasn't bad (but it wasn't as good as others I've been to). I agree with a previous comment that the "fans" in the crowd just sucked. The smaller shows were much more fun to watch.
I laughed a little when you started bitching about their thin skin...because you have access to a press pass they need to immediately kiss your ass? (No, to just let you in? Opinions may differ but mine says that falls into the definition of media ass kissing -- why let some dumbasses you don't like into your party when you have the authority to kick them out). Sometimes the bridges you burn deserve to smolder a little.
The neutral comments about general aspects of the show fell short in masking your contempt and thus didn't exactly raise your legitimacy. (And "some British band"? How about A (emphasis) British band...one letter makes a difference between sounding bitter versus neutral. Show at least a little basic respect). The whole thing reads as follows: the fact that they can draw a crowd is impressive (but not really, because everyone in the crowd sucks), also their skills suck, their personalities suck, their music sucks, it sucks that they represent Nashville...but hey, let us inside to the party so we talk about how you suck tomorrow, anyway. At this point they can let the actual media in and deal with the legitimate outcomes of those reviews.
I've liked them since the beginning and I like them now, I make an active effort to go to shows (all, not just theirs) with a handful of friends so we can keep the party going even if the people around us are lackluster, and I don't mind a diverse fan base -- why do decent bands only deserve a "cult following"? We are in a different (hip hip and pop centered) generation now...let the bands churn out a couple "generic yet listen-able" tunes to make their money and maybe introduce the general idiots to some other music and expand their horizons a bit. Ha, if it worked with my little sister...
You are the reviewer, and you took the first shots (notably when when you lacked the power to back them up)...it's more in your hands to be patient and take the handouts.
In the meantime, stop taking the fun out of music.
King of Leon = Eddie Money if Eddie Money were a little more uncool.
Bottom line with Kings of Leon: Just not (and have never been) COOL.
Well done, Spin.
MORON
I think you need to think about another career choice darling,poor child.
Who hired you, are they blind/deaf?
You think there crap, Oh yeah so do other people i mean SOLD OUT ARENAS, jesus they must be really bad.
HAHA YOU WEREN'T ALLOWED IN, *SHUDDERS*, I BET YOU FELT LIKE A RIGHT NOB HEAD HAHA
I love everybodys comment concerning what a dickhead you are, i hope you read these and find a new job.
This article was so shit i only read the fist paragraph and got board. DULL DULL DULL
Typical Nashville shit. The author is complaining about not getting a press pass to see a band he clearly didn't want to see and who's only intention was to bitch and ridicule the event and anyone who paid to attend. This is no different then that Capt. Jazzola stupidity; it's written from the perspective that "I'm better than everything so I'll make fun of it, but I still want to be involved and my feelings get hurt when I'm left out of something." Jealously and shit talking rule this town.
Anyone who says KOL suck are probably in a band, think their band is better, and feels they should be the ones on a big stage instead of some bar playing for the same 10 people: their parents, their girlfriends, and that one kind of friend who likes the idea of hanging out with a "real band" and will set up your drum kit just so he can be a part of it.
I want to bronze this article and preserve it for the ages as the perfect, illustrative specimen of the remarkable amount of shitbaggery that has fueled the Cream for years. Let me get this straight. You asked for free tickets. They said no. The fact that you had the stones to ask in the first place is galling but funny, but then you (presumably) snuck into their show without paying, judged and maligned their fans, snoozed through their set, weaseled your way into their after show party, drank their booze, got kicked out thus having your evening TOTES made, and then wrote a shitty review accusing them of having thin skin. Meanwhile, you're peepeeing in your pants the whole time because maybe just maybe KOL know who you are! Wow. I think the crucial element you're missing here is that YOU are the shitbags in this scenario. Really, truly you are.
Thank you cream for a very entertaining post. I have been following Kings of Leon since the beginning of their career, hoping they would make good records and give the town the attention it deserves. I was not at the show last night, didnt want to be. sure, "use somebody" is catchy. sure they look like rock stars (generic rockstars) they didnt earn anything. they are horrible performers. i try to catch every television performance and i read every interview in hopes my mind will be changed. its always the same cocky shit. what a disgrace ! i dont give a shit if they sell millions and trillions they have no credibility . i rank them with the likes of creed. hey that wouldve been a perfect match!!!
britney spears and miley cyrus sell millions too.
.
so let me get this straight... the only reason not to like something is because you're jealous of it?
I'm a big kol fan from the uk and there's 2
Points I'd like to make on this.
I only read spin on the net when i see an
Article where the kids who write this shit are
Slagging off kol, just for a good fucking laugh
Of how pathetic people can be so i can't really
Get into the politics of the nashville scene.
So my first point goes to spin.
There's a saying that goes 'what goes around, comes around'
So don't expect to slag a band off for no reason
And not expect to be kicked out on your arse
When you have the cheek to turn up to the aftershow party.
My second point goes to the so called US fans.
Its hard for any band no matter how talented
And believe me these boys are fucking talented
To perform in front of 15 000 people where at
A guess around 10 000 of those people are waiting
For 2songs out of 22, its one of many downsides
To making it huge as a band, and I'm sure its
Taking its toll on the band who have been on the
Road for 15months, but you can't knock there performances
Night in night out. Its fair to say the uk embraced
The band 2 albums previous to the US and I can't
Help but think if music lovers had there heads screwed
On this US arena tour would of been on a different
Level, and the kings would be itching to get back out
There next year. But I can't help but think
These guys are getting sick of the a list american
Music scene already, and I think next album and tour
They might take a backward step in the US and return
To the UK and europe where they have been really loved
And adored since day 1, pack out a few wembley stadiums
And glastonbury's and return to america to the select
Few places where there's 20 000 people wanting
To see the kings of leon and not 20 000 people
Who want to be seen watching the kings of leon.
Bottom line, Nashville Cream:
Press passes are ONLY for critics who LIKE the band and were educated according to the standards of anonymous blog commenters.
Bottom Line: Kings of Leon are good, and that's not up for debate.
Bottom Line: Critics are NOT allowed to have opinions that conflict with the band or their management.
Bottom Line: If Kings of Leon say they are from Nashville, they are from Nashville.
Bottom Line: If a band from your hometown is successful commercially, as a critic you MUST like said band.
Bottom Line: If you have an opinion that conflicts with the band or its management, you may not have press access, and you may not write about it.
Bottom Line: Getting kicked out of an afterparty by a band you don't like is NOT funny, and you are NOT allowed to write about it.
Bottom Line: Using slang in your posts disliked by commenters on your blog is NOT allowed, and if they tell you stop using it, you MUST immediately.
Bottom Line: Making fun of a band is NOT allowed.
Bottom Line: Hardworking bands deserve attention and positive feedback regardless of the quality of their music.
Bottom Line: Being a critic means having an objective viewpoint about a band that is aligned with 100% of the band's fans. Anything short of that is fraud.
Bottom Line: Capt. Jazzola is NOT funny.
I don't like KOL, but my opinion or anyone else's, including the cream, clearly doesn't influence the loyalty of their die hard fans, so what the fuck is everyone fussing about? Liking music or any art form is NOT universal, its not a personal insult or a degradation to the artist for any press or person to dislike them. That's why America's great right?
And you're all missing the point of the story about them getting kicked out of the party...its funny because these superbig, superfamous dudes actually take the time to hold a personal vendetta against local press, enough to oust them from a situation such as this. I think most of the comments are people who are themselves bummed that they weren't invited haha.
And KOL do falsely claim Nashville. They're from fucking Jackson. Isn't that "cooler"? There's a vast amount of relevant musical heritage there, as well. KOL didn't bring attention here, they rode a wave of attention that was being brought already and upped it, which is good marketing but not necessarily a favor to the residents any moreso than any other band. The only people that give a shit where they're from seem to be from here anyways.
In conclusion, make your choice, like em or don't, but don't get all in a tizzy cause a publication you claim to hate states a dislike for them.
(No need for swear words were not babies)
Why do people who dislike Kings of Leon read this and comment, i don't understand?
I suppose thats what they do in there free time
cool kids ? 8)
Haha I'm in a tizzy now
Darn it.
the same reason why people who DO like Kings of Leon read this and comment. it's a discussion between two opposing opinions. it's kind of what both sides do in "there" free time.
swear words aren't necessary (though, i'm pretty sure they're still for free-speaking adults and not babies), but proper grammar is still preferable.
Yeah, listen up bands, and don't get it twisted.
Bottom line: Contrary to what you and your ticket purchasing *shudder* fans may think, your live performances are NOT about you. They are about US and the various things we are entitled to as music critics.
Bottom line: Music critics do NOT pay to see shows. You are obligated to give us free tickets whether you want us to write about your show or not.
Bottom line: You are obligated to party with us after your shows whether you like us or not. Parties are NOT about having fun with friends. Parties are for showing the world you don't hold grudges by giving free booze to people who don't like your music, make fun of you every chance they get, and make a living out of discouraging the public from buying your albums and seeing your live performances.
Bottom line: Music critics have feelings, and our feelings are hurt when people comment anonymously on blogs. You should use your real names on your comments so we know who to party with and then trash for next week's Spin.
I was totes indifferent about this until Eddie Money got dragged into it. Now I'm hangry.
@suck it: Ha! No artist is obligated to let press into an afterparty, but I find it incredibly amusing that anyone actually thinks a press pass obligates you to write positively about the act in question. Critics are called critics, not fans, for a reason.
And if you want to know why press members get free passes to shows, ask a publicist--for serious. You're right, no one is obligated to give the press free passes, but 99% of the time, they're throwing them at writers so they will cover a band, knowing full well it's no guarantee of a positive review.
And music critics don't have feelings, they have a job that pays them to review bands. That anyone anonymous or otherwise thinks a semantic suggestion holds any weight is just one of many many perks.
listen up u motherfuckers!i will punch the fuck out of the both of ya!kings fuckin rock and the day u can put on a show of the same caliber then maybe ill consider taking your shit seriously!now fuck off both of u please.thank u for ur time assholes!
they're
their
there
if you're going to try to make intelligent arguments, at least make an attempt to appear literate. i know someone already made this point, but (seriously) this mistake appears in at least five of these comments.
i don't even care about kings of leon. i'm just worried about our educational system.
this is the most passive aggressive "write up" i have read in awhile. i find it amusing that you call a KOL show "boring" because they aren't running around onstage like fallout boy or yellowcard. you know... all those other bands you make fun of for NOT just standing there on stage.
i have to laugh at the comment up there about this being like a high school rant, because it's so true. apparently the writers on this blog are still pissed they weren't on the football team and that they were wearing "buddy's" from walmart instead of nikes.
also, as for the sorority and fraternity kids you love to make fun of... at least they're not working a shit paying job and bragging about getting kicked out of an after party for a band they hate. that's right, they're over at vanderbilt getting their pricey education, without a shit job, and looking forward to making six figures when they graduate. sucks to be you.
lastly, the comment made by "I Wonder" is fucking hilarious but i doubt any of the dudes from KOL would touch caitlin rose with a ten foot pole.
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