Kings of Leon On The Hour: Full Interview

www.strombo.com
How did a bunch of home-schooled boys from Tennessee go on to sell out stadiums around the world? Well, Caleb, Nathan and Jared Followill are brothers and along with their first cousin Matthew they are 'Kings Of Leon.' The brothers grew up driving across the south with their dad - a Pentecostal preacher. They didn't really have a home, they lived on the road, going from one church service to the next, sleeping in hotels, churches, even their car. They didn't listen to rock music, or watch TV. But just over ten years ago, everything changed. Their dad left the church and divorced his wife. So, the boys started to get into music, formed a band and by 2002, 'Kings of Leon' had interest from nine labels. After a bidding war, the guys released their debut EP in 2003. Five years of touring and four records later 'Kings of Leon' sells out arenas now, in under an hour. They're huge in Europe, Australia and New Zealand. And are starting to hit it big in the U-S. They've opened for U2, Bob Dylan and Pearl Jam. 'Rolling Stone' magazine recently asked "How good can these guys get?" Their new album is called 'Only By The Night.' It debuted in the top 5 in Canada, with the hit single 'Sex on Fire.'

[@coryepps]

I love this host. He actually seems knowledgable about Christianity and what it means, and he's able to talk about it without sounding condescending or judgmental. And of course, Caleb and Matt are cool as always.

[@mismail88]

i really appreciate the fact that i discovered this amazing band on my own. just rummaging through a bin at a record store. It was love at first listen. LOVE.

[@sweetmelly19]

I could not love this band anymore than I do, so amazing

[@financialaccouting]

i saw them at the toronto show, and they were gold. i don't care what people say, their sound might be changing but they continue to blow me away.

[@Trancegirl1966]

I love the Kings of Leon, Caleb and the boys are gorgeous! Matthew is so sweet! ❤

[@weewatto]

Aaaalways keep coming back to watch this...an intelligent interviewer for a change... bless you chaps x

[@carolineh73]

caleb takes my breath away.....LITERALLY!!!!

[@the_greenry]

I bought their first EP at lollapalooza in Seattle back in 2003. I kind of stopped paying attention to them after that. It's amazing how much they've evolved since then.

[@Ballingism]

I totally love Caleb's smile!!! So cute!!!

[@4Him4u2]

God bless you guys. I hope you keep your Faith wherever life takes you. As you know, you are never too far away from God for Him to love you. Your music is awesome and can inspire many. Take care.

[@mesllereguyal7295]

The fact is I can't stop looking at Caleb's beautiful face. 0_0 OMG.

[@TurboSS7423]

KOL is aweomse!!!! I'm a huge music buff of all music but KOL is my favorite band hands down! This is coming from someone with over 80,000 songs on their iPod. Saw them in concert last night. I was second row. NEVER paid to be up front before and it was worth every penny!! And Only by the Night is their best album. I like all four but I've liked every album better than the last. People need to embrace evolution. They didn't get popular in the states until their last two albums.

[@shityeah12345]

the KIngs of Leon is an amazing band!!! They sound even better live then when recorded!

[@jercag]

This is one of the best interviews I've seen or heard!!! I love their music - all of it!!!

[@lucheto_real]

i know.. they used to be so good, and now, they are so perfect!

[@LeiYingLo]

Probably favourite interview with them so far. My two favourite Followill boys plus Matt got to talk and Caleb wasn't so coy. And he attempted a british accent, bless 'im.

[@fringemediaproductions]

by far the best interview i have ever seen

[@lulub222]

Yes knock out that trash that's on the radio. I love you Kings of Leon....Amazing band and Calebs vocals are unique. USA needs to hear more......

[@adriannelibra]

I want more Matthew!

[@tiaweaver1212]

kings of leon opening for pearl jam that would be heaven

[@pollyguarana]

wow...one of the best interviews i've seen of kol,definately...thx for posting

[@iamR-cy5jb]

They were so my pocket band in America. I bought their 1st 4 albums for my friend just to get him into them. He's a fan now. 😁

[@MamaTthaOG]

My Goodness, Caleb is BEAUTIFUL! And his voice.....Ahhhhmazing! Poor Matthew though....he deserves to talk too.

[@bencc93]

im realy glad somone finaly asked them about the sellout thing. good to hear their view

[@ireallydontcare204]

Calebs voice. Eargasm.

[@Linalulu1]

best I have heard in a long time

[@Revolver6666]

i saw them this past weekend in LA...it was amazing...i see shades of Robert Plant in Caleb

[@kingoftherodeo041]

love it , love u matt x

[@AliciaRA5]

Best band in the world...awesome guys

[@SnazzyNazzy]

George is a legend. Love that man! and KOL of course:)

[@Julielevere]

There just so cute, and Caleb seems really shy, bless him. They need to come back to London! :)

[@slan7]

Oh shit. Never knew my favorite interviewer interviewed my favorite band :D

[@LiritChoiseul]

it's nice how Caleb likes Pearl Jam and Eddie Vedder likes KOL :D and KOL opened for PJ and Eddie sung a song with them on stage [slow night, so long] :D

[@cj8803]

I LOVE THIS BAND SO MUCH! And Caleb is cute. :)

[@TyJonCharlie]

I like to hear the voice of artists...express

[@bitemeteddy01]

it's so nice of caleb that he lets matthew speak. jared would never do that.

[@SuperiorSwagon1]

LMAO, love caleb's reaction to the sneaky Bob Dylan. "WOAH"

[@rmartini75]

Bangin interview! These guys need a break though! Have you seen their tour schedule, they just don't stop!

[@donkeyonchair]

great interview

[@day2x87]

i agree...trani is really one hell of a song!

[@foreveremo425]

thank you ^^

[@dokas77]

Continue like that KOL! Thx 4 everythin! ;)

[@springreturning856]

"i'm sure there are plenty of preachers driving around getting drunk." "my dad was one of them" haha LOVE kings of leon:)

[@taperjeangirl44]

as much as i love caleb, its nice to hear matt for once (: i also love the way they are always so open with their answers (: KOL FTW xx

[@bonou2suz]

Love it!

[@aert88]

thanks! : )

[@shellee30]

Could Caleb be anymore gorgeous?

[@armand8989]

It was a fucking great interview really!

[@tootsiexpop]

I love 'Thed Hour' because George Strombolopolous doesn't ask the same repititive questions. And he isn't scared to ask the touchy questions!

[@dublingal]

well said!!

[@baconguy23]

BEST BAND IN THE WORLD

[@Ty311]

I would love to hear some of their pre-Kings of Leon work

[@kdmil2002]

I so understand the "can't get no respect" comment. It is the same way European artists feel when they come here and no one knows who they are. It is only human to feel strange when you get more love in a foreign country than you do your own. I waited too late to get Detroit KOL tickets and they were $200 by the time I tried to buy some. So, I think things are looking up for KOL in the US. The Filmore in Detroit was packed and it was a huge fan "choir" because fans knew all the words!

[@canadiangirl85]

Especially when he interviews musicians :)

[@pauruiz7773]

haha caleb, that's the best bob dylan impression ever! :')

[@TheGil1946]

wow' good video ( the kings is so cute : kol****)!

[@caseymusic34]

Caleb's Dylan impression cracks me up

[@chriscous]

PROUD to be a so called Sex on Fire fan, fuck that, Im forever thankful that I discovered them through that song. I listened to their entire discography within a week and love each album now. I wish I had discovered them before. PS:Caleb is freaking HOT (to stick to the SOF fan image lol)

[@melovedisney1492]

"Now tomorrow we're leaving at midnight because we have to be there, so we're NOT gonna be getting drunk." Haha so funny

[@jason9292]

agreed totally

[@iTSMEE01]

i totally f**king agree!! It angers me when KoL says that people in America don't really care for them and that we have bad taste in music. I love every f**king song of theres since the beginning of their time. Its embarrassing that I'm always the only one out of the people I know that actually knows what they have to offer!!

[@___sunchaser]

@Mminiscorch God. They didnt "sold out" at some point, they were gonna have to become popular. And they werent gonna make the same old songs in every single album! they have to change, and it's not a bad thing. Their old songs are not bad at all, and so are their new songs, theyre not bad.

[@bluedevil604]

bruh look at matthew rubbin his face, hes got so much so to say. yeah people love the front man but if youre going to bring him to the interview, interview him. but maybe this was a shortend video... and on that note... the whole fucking band should be here. but respect to KoL they're going to be legends

[@LiritChoiseul]

Bob Dylan and English accent impressions hehe :D cool

[@danmeadowsmusic]

@breachmania Here's where you don't grasp the complexity and utter correctness of my argument. Let's take a look at a band who I used to love, and still do. Arcade Fire - originally hardly known around the same time KoL came out, became popular in the indie rock community like KoL, and by the time their album came out this year, they are selling out stadiums internationally. The difference between them the two bands is that Arcade Fire has maintained the quality of their work as their

[@Cinemateum]

I dont understand the name of the song Caleb says made him want to be a musician. Can someone please tell me?

[@OMAGAHITSBRENDON]

i love crimson and clover

[@bones2063]

trani.....that's a hell of a song

[@lovingherdorks]

caleb: you know i don't wanna get all corny and cheesy but umm... george: go get it man.

[@synysterjazmyngates]

The Bob Dylan story is great, haha :D

[@LiritChoiseul]

yeah it's a nice interview. and the interviewer's not an idiot which is quite reare for me, because I watch so many interviews where the questions are so stupid [and not only KOL interviews ;)]

[@hariskks]

@emozinhohard Sorry,I meant the one at the opening titles,I know it's not kol but I liked it very much.I suspect it might be just the show theme song but if anyone knows it would be great!thanks in advance!

[@dreadbet]

fuck the haters I like this band period.

[@aert88]

whats the name of the song he says around 8:14??

[@purplevanilla04]

caleb

[@annasumner]

CALEB CALEB CALEB!

[@ThePerpetualOcean]

They're from Talihina, Ok. I guess the band was formed in Tennessee though.

[@EoghanDog]

i listened to their first album and i was like Jesus these guys are the shit. I was thinkin this is the best debut album in a long time. Like trani man wat a fuckin song thts one of my favourite songs still. And their second album was really good personally i liked their first album better but their second album was still brilliant and i loved it. then i heard their third album and i noticed tht it wasnt really the sme it had some decent tunes still tho but wen i heard sex on fire WTF WAT THE FK

[@bitemeteddy01]

matt is soooooo cute.

[@scootchamool]

Matt u said it! i loved it when u were my secret but alas, good things dont last. i mean im happy for them but i want them for me!!! one day i wanna meet these guys aye.lol

[@nick90267]

your very right....... such haters

[@0arpeggi0]

i live in america. i've been a HUGE fan of these guys since 2004 and youth and young manhood. and i hate that KoL didnt get the attention they deserve until JUST NOW. that it took some pretty, radio-friendly singles to get them popular. I wanna shake some of these "Sex on Fire" fans and be like "YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOU'VE BEEN MISSING."

[@hariskks]

what is the song playing at the beginning of the video?

[@dadbodfit5893]

On call

[@jacob1006]

i agree

[@foreveremo425]

what does he say at 8:04?

[@CAYITAPINGU]

what´s the name of the song that bob dylan liked???

[@michellebestgen3602]

trani

[@Taygoo15]

@56tony Yeah I knew their songs since their EP

[@paradeofdeadman]

when and where it was 00:31 tell me

[@StephB-123]

I sooo agree with that! and now the concerts will be filled with teens wanting to see JB instead of appreciating the real talent.

[@cjoutdoors2623]

Caleb is so uncomfortable talking about the calling. In an earlier interview in their documentary he said he stayed up all night when they signed the record deal because he knew he would never preach. You can definitely sense the regret when it’s brought up

[@SuperAnna3333]

@Codyschweikhardt it's pearl jam. :D

[@decoswe]

i think the point he is making is that the u. s. a. is home for them and it hurts them that its the last place they get respect,in contrast to most bands who have a strong home-town fan base,nothing to do with size

[@stellavanessa]

what does "iswell" mean?

[@italiajuventus1]

I kind of feel the same way. I like the album from 2007 better. I forget the name. The new cd is full of songs that are a bit softer in tone. I still like it but not as much.

[@caifand]

Exactly why do you feel sorry for people such as myself who live in the US and like Kings of Leon? I'm quite happy here liking KOL.

[@btothelake3]

i thought they where from oklahoma?

[@leeohmoon231]

why he never talks about LIly????

[@bluedevil604]

LOL

[@SuperAnna3333]

@Codyschweikhardt don't mind :D

[@coquitaloca]

this George guy thinks he is funny and Matt looks super cute in this interview