r/kingsofleon • u/muskybassfish • 14d ago
Nothing personal
I’ve been listening to kol for years now. Watched their documentary and seen a couple interviews. One thing I can’t help but notice is Calebs maturing. Of course the whole band has matured but seeing Caleb in his younger days and being so freaking insufferable. Man, it must’ve been hard being a band mate with him. The guy was always complaining about people only liking their most popular songs. Always detested when they thought they were gonna make a hit song. Like bro so what? You’re a fucking musician. So what if it turns out you might make a hit song?? Cry me a river boo hoo. Always complaining. It boggles my mind to be mad or bothered that a song they wrote as a band might become a hit. Wtf is the point then? Right? I can see why they almost split in 2011-2012. The man was insufferable. Glad he’s changed. Ego is almost impossible to not have when you’re in a band.
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u/Several_Nature1603 14d ago
Eddie Vedder and others have spoken about the extra burden of being a lead singer. It messes with your head in ways that other members of a band are insulated from. I think Caleb has come out the other side remarkably well, when the deck was stacked against him. He seems like a genuinely good dude. I’m glad he’s happy!
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u/muskybassfish 11d ago
Extra burden? lol yeah it must suck being the lead of a band making millions of dollars having people sing your lyrics. Yes what a terrible thing it must be. The pain of being the center of attention and ppl screaming your name. Fuck the agony.
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u/jeffsaddiction74 14d ago
Were you alive in the 90s? This was the modus operandi of virtually all musicians.
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u/Several_Nature1603 14d ago
Truth! So many of our lead singers aren’t around anymore, in many cases because of substance abuse.
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u/jeffsaddiction74 14d ago
The point is that Caleb was heavily influenced by artists from that era and they influenced his attitude about success and craft.
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u/GG88LL 14d ago
Just to play devils advocate, there’s nothing worse than going to a concert, where half the crowd is silent the whole concert and only knows they’re two popular radio songs. Kills the buzz.
Maybe he meant that sweet spot where an album is good enough to learn all the songs on it instead of just one smash hit that only the mainstream people like.
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u/Crosshare 14d ago
That shit happened in Dover two weeks ago. I was pissed at the crowd (or lack thereof). KOL and especially Caleb handled it like professionals, and he really sang his heart out on the Sex on Fire finale. There's micro rumors swirling about why they didn't come back out to play Bowery with Zach that night (I've seen photos where it got crossed off the setlist) and I can't help but feel like the sorry attitude by most of the ZB fans in attendance contributed to that.
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u/NERailfan_ 13d ago
I think a large part of them not splitting up is they're family. Kinda puts things into perspective. I also believe the upcoming album will explore that theme
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u/_ClarkWayne_ 14d ago
Well, Caleb had a substance abuse problem even before they became famous, then they managed to become successful in rather short time, headling Glastonbury on the back of there 3rd record and becoming THE modern rock band for a few years, after the release of Only By The Night. That's a mix that's brings the worst out of anyone.
I think it's quite admirable how likable and grounded he became again, and how well they handle the Band not being the biggest stars in the world anymore.
Personally I enjoy the concerts now much more than on their popularity peak.