[Coachella 2011 Artist Spotlights] Heavy Hitters, Part 1: Kings of Leon, The Black Keys, Interpol, And Arcade Fire

Photo by Alex Rauch

If you got your paws on a pair of tickets to the Coachella Music And Arts Festival, you are one of the lucky tens of thousands of people who managed to score tickets before the festival sold-out in a record amount of days.

One of the possible reasons for tickets flying off the internet is the killer line-up at Coachella this year. It includes a diverse range of all types of musical acts including breakthrough indie bands, buzz bands, hip-hop heroes, a couple legacy bands, heavy hitters in the music industry, and some KROQ favorites.

A few times a week we will spotlight some of the great musicians playing the upcoming festival. This week, we will focus on some of the Heavy Hitters, like: Kings of Leon, The Black Keys, Interpol, and Arcade Fire.

Heavy Hitter #1: Kings of Leon

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Touted by the media as the world’s future “classic rock” band, Kings of Leon are a quartet of hard-rocking Tennessee brothers who have created a perfect fusion of alternative rock guitar riffs, loud drum stick breaking beats, and quintessential Southern-inspired blues. Their father was a Pentecostal preacher and the brothers were encouraged to play instruments during services. Moving to Nashville after their parents divorced, the Followill brothers were exposed to new kinds of culture and music that their previously oppressive lifestyles did not allow.

Officially coming together to play music in 1999, the Kings of Leon have released five full-length albums on RCA since 2003, including:Youth and Young Manhood (2003), Aha Shake Heartbreak (2004) , Because of the Times (2007) , Only by the Night (2008) and Come Around Sundown (2010).

While Kings of Leon’s outrageously loud, arena-filling sound had reached heightened levels of popularity in the underground rock scene and amongst music critics, it wasn’t until their song “Sex On Fire” came onto the scene that they began to really experience worldwide success.

Heavy Hitters #2: The Black Keys

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The Black Keys are an edgy, grimy American Blues-Rock duo that have simultaneously classed up and sexed up the modern rock scene with their delta blues influenced guitar chords and their textured, punky swagger. Hailing from the underground music scene in Akron, Ohio,  Dan Auerbach (vocalist/guitarist) and Patrick Carney (drummer/producer) started The Black Keys in 2001. Their names were inspired by a local art dealer using the term “black key” to describe someone who is “off-center” or “not quite right.”

The Black Keys have released six full-length albums: The Big Come Up (2002), Thickfreakness (2003) , Rubber Factory (2004) , Magic Potion (2006), Attack & Release (2008)  and Brothers (2010).

While the production on each album was slightly different, The Black Keys have retained the integrity of their raw, bluesy style while simultaneously breaking into the mainstream music scene. Their breakthrough hit was “Tighten Up” which is also nominated for a 2011 Grammy for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals and Best Rock Song.

Heavy Hitter #3: Interpol

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Post-punk revivalists and new wave-tinged New Yorkers, Interpol, have an almost cult-like following with their seductive, throbbing bass and snare-heavy hits.

Garnering critical acclaim for their debut album, Turn On The Bright Lights (2002), Interpol has received unprecedented amounts of commercial and critical accolades. As well as Turn On The Bright Lights (2002), Interpol has put out a total of four full-length albums including: Antics (2004), Our Love to Admire (2007)  and their self-titled, Interpol (2010).

While they have had a plethora of radio hits, one of their most memorable singles is “Slow Hands.”

Heavy Hitter #4: Arcade Fire

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Named after an assumed mythological fire in an arcade, Canadian multi-instrumental, indie-rock get-up, Arcade Fire, were signed to major independent label, Merge Records, within a year of their original formation.

By the time their 2004 sophomore album, Funeral, was released to the public, the name Arcade Fire had already become synonymous with “buzz band that reached rapid-fire success.” In a way, Arcade Fire set a standard for other indie bands on how to achieve fame without selling-out.

The band has released three full-length studio albums including: Funeral (2004), Neon Bible (2007)  and The Suburbs (2010). Churning out radio hits has never been a problem for Arcade Fire and their most recent single sexing up the airwaves is the Grammy nominated, “Ready To Start.”

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Coachella Music And Arts Festival will be April 15th through April 17th. Although Coachella 2011 is officially (and unfortunately) sold-out, stay tuned to KROQ for a chance to win tickets or enter our online contest here.