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Revision as of 07:28, 26 January 2009
We the Kings |
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We the Kings is an American pop band from Bradenton, Florida. They are signed to the independent label S-Curve Records (distributed by EMI Music),[1] and their debut full-length album was released in October 2007. Since then they have completed a variety of tours, most recently the "Bill and Trav's Bogus Journey" co-headlining tour with The Academy Is.... The band also sports their own miniature series of webisodes, called The King's Carriage, detailing life on their tour bus. The band will begin recording their new album in January of 2009. They also released Secret Valentine EP digitally on December 16, 2008.[2]
History
The band members first met at Martha B. King Middle School in Sarasota, Florida; their name refers to this institution.[3] Later, while in his sophomore year at Manatee High School, Travis Clark started a band called Broken Image. At this time, Hunter, Drew, and Danny were all playing in other bands, but Travis "cherry picked" them to form their band.[4] However due to another couple of bands already calling themselves Broken Image, the name was changed to DeSoto, then, after a lawsuit ensued, to We the Kings.[5] The group began touring seriously while Travis, Danny and Hunter were in college, and they dropped out of college to do so, while Drew graduated early from high school. They completed a couple of tours with Boys Like Girls and Self Against City while still unsigned, and landed on the PureVolume Top 10 list after hiring a manager.[3][4] After continuing success via Internet sites such as MySpace, the group signed to S-Curve Records, who issued their debut self-titled album on October 2, 2007.[6][7][8] The album peaked at #3 on Billboard's Top Heatseekers chart and #151 on the Billboard 200.[9] The band has toured with bands such as Cobra Starship, Valencia, Just Surrender, Metro Station, Boys Like Girls, Thriving Ivory,All Time Low, The Audition,[3] Cute Is What We Aim For, Danger Radio, Madina Lake, Mayday Parade, and Powerspace. The song "This Is Our Town" is featured in commercials for the new season of One Tree Hill, and on the show Newport Harbor. On February 4th, their song "Check Yes Juliet" was featured as the free single of the week on iTunes. On April 8th, their song "Check Yes Juliet" was featured in an episode of MTV's The Hills. When it came to making a music video for their song "This Is Our Town", they set up a contest allowing fans from the Florida area to submit videos of their town set to the song. The winner would be allowed to spend the day with them on August 30, when they played the Rays game. They were up for several VMAs in 2008, including Best Pop Video, Best Rock Video, Best New Artist, and Video of the Year. New VMA-themed King's Carriage videos were released seemingly to celebrate this fact. However, they did not secure the nomination in any of these categories.
Radio, magazine and television appearances
We the Kings have been featured on many well-known television and radio shows to date in their career. On May 3, 2008, they appeared on CBS's The Early Show to perform "Check Yes Juliet" and "Skyway Avenue."[10] Around this time they were also featured on MTV's Spring Break '08.[11]Finally, the band performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live on June 27, 2008.[12]They are also no stranger to radio and just recently hosted Radio Disney on August 20, 2008. Also they are coming out with a new song release called "By The Phone". The song was originated by Nick Molino of Forever And A Day.[13]
In summer 2008, We the Kings was featured in Alternative Press Magazine (AP). The band landed a three page article. They were also featured on the cover of Substream Music Press magazine, issue 10, along with the band Alesana. Their most recent appearance was in Kerrang! (Issue 1227), where the band landed themselves yet another page.
Musical influences
The band has cited many musicians as influences, such as Bob Marley, Lynyrd Skynyrd and The Beatles. They have also named the modern-day Jimmy Eat World. In addition, other bands they have toured with receive special praise, among them Boys Like Girls and All Time Low.[14]
Tours
They toured in support of Cobra Starship in early 2008 along with Metro Station and The Cab
We the Kings performed all dates of the Warped Tour 2008.[15]
We the Kings played on their first headlining tour "Long Hair Don't Care" with Valencia, The Cab, Sing It Loud, and Charlotte Sometimes during late March and throughout April.
In May and June, We the Kings supported Cute Is What We Aim For and Boys Like Girls on their UK tour.
On August 30 2008 they were a part of The Rays Summer Concert Series, playing on the field after a Tampa Bay Rays game. They also toured the UK after the completion of the Warped Tour.
On October 1 2008, they began their "Bill & Trav's Bogus Journey" tour, co-headlined with The Academy Is... Bands Carolina Liar and Hey Monday were also guests on the tour.
Starting in February 2009, they are playing a tour ("The Secret Valentine Tour") with The Maine, The Cab, There for Tomorrow, and VersaEmerge.
Members
- Current
- Travis Clark – Lead vocals, guitar
- Hunter Thomsen – Guitar, backup vocals
- Drew Thomsen – Bass
- Danny Duncan – Drums
- Past
- Brian Sconberg - Guitar
- Gabe Coates - Drums
Discography
Albums
| Date of Release | Title | Label | US Billboard 200 Peak |
| 2005 | Ivy | Independently released | - |
| 2005 | Friendship Is a Touchy Subject | Independently released | - |
| 2006 | Between the Ink and the Paper | Independently released | - |
| October 2007 | We the Kings | S-Curve Records | #151 |
| December 2008 | We the Kings (Deluxe Audio/Video Version) | S-Curve Records | - |
| December 2008 | Secret Valentine - EP | S-Curve Records | - |
Singles
| Year | Title | Chart Positions | Album | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Billboard Hot 100 | Pop 100 Airplay | US Pop 100 | Hot Digital Songs | Mainstream Top 40 | |||
| 2007 | "Skyway Avenue" | – | – | – | – | – | We the Kings |
| 2008 | "Check Yes Juliet" | 70 | 35 | 37 | 46 | 25 | |
| 2008 | "Secret Valentine" | – | 63 | 82 | – | – | |
References
- ^ EMI Music signs S-Curve Records to US distribution and global licensing agreement. EMIGroup.com, July 17, 2007. Accessed October 30, 2007.
- ^ Loud&Rockin'! » Blog Archive » We The Kings’ “Secret Valentine EP”. LoudAndRockin.net, November 11, 2008. Accessed November 14, 2008.
- ^ a b c Hometown Men Among Kings. Sarasota Herald Tribune, September 27, 2007. Accessed October 23, 2007.
- ^ a b Clark, Travis. "Interview - We the Kings." Skratch Magazine. 7 Sept. 2008 Interview with Janelle Jones.
- ^ Clark, Travis. EMO MUSIC IS AWEFUL 1. ADAM"Interview - We the Kings." Skratch Magazine. 7 Sept. 2008 Interview with Janelle Jones.
- ^ Review of We the Kings. Allmusic. Accessed October 23, 2007.
- ^ Review of We the Kings. Emotionalpunkgirls.com. Accessed October 23, 2007.
- ^ Review of We the Kings. Driven Far Off, October 12, 1996. Accessed October 23, 2007.
- ^ Billboard, Allmusic.com
- ^ "We The Kings on the The Early Show." Youtube. 3 May 2008. 29 Aug. 2008 Youtube.
- ^ "We The Kings." Youtube. 20 July 2008. 29 Aug. 2008 Youtube
- ^ "We The Kings "Check Yes Juliet" on Jimmy Kimmel Live 6-27-08." Youtube. 28 June 2008. 29 Aug. 2008 Youtube.
- ^ "Check Yes Juliet (acoustic) by We the Kings live on Radio Disney." Youtube. 20 Aug. 2008. 29 Aug. 2008 They also appeared on Friday Night Premiere on MTV. Youtube.
- ^ estrellaonline.com members (2007). "We The Kings". estrellaonline.com. Retrieved 2008-09-14.
- ^ Warped Tour 2008