We the Kings

We the Kings are an American band from Bradenton, Florida. They are currently signed to record label S-Curve Records.^[1] They released a self-titled full-length album in 2007 which peaked at #151 on the Billboard 200. Their second full-length album, Smile Kid, was released in December 2009. Since then they have completed a variety of tours. The band also sports their own miniature series of webisodes, called The King's Carriage, detailing life on their tour bus.

History

The band members first met at Martha B. King Middle School in Bradenton, Florida; their name refers to this institution.^[2] Later, while in his sophomore year at Manatee High School, Travis Clark started a band called Broken Image. Travis Clark was already best friends with Hunter and Drew Thompsen so there was no issue there, and later Danny Duncan joined them..^[3] 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.^[4] 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, Fall Out Boy and Self Against City while still unsigned, and landed on the PureVolume Top 10 list after hiring a manager.^[2][3] 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.^[5][6][7] The album peaked at #3 on Billboard's Top Heatseekers chart and #151 on the Billboard 200.^[8] The band has toured with bands such as Cobra Starship, Valencia, Just Surrender, Metro Station,The Academy Is..., Boys Like Girls, Thriving Ivory, All Time Low, Never Shout Never, The Audition,^[2] Cute Is What We Aim For, Danger Radio, Madina Lake, Mayday Parade, and Powerspace. On February 4, their song "Check Yes Juliet" was featured as the free single of the week on iTunes. On April 8, 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. They were candidates for nomination in several VMA categories in 2008, including Best Pop Video, Best Rock Video, Best New Artist, and Video of the Year. However, they did not secure the nomination in any of these categories.

They also released an EP titled "Secret Valentine EP" digitally on December 16, 2008.^[9] On May 1, 2009, We the Kings performed a full set of Jimmy Eat World covers for the Hoodwink festival as a part of Bamboozle weekend.^[10]

Second studio album (2009–present)

The band's frontman, Travis Clark, announced on his Twitter that they had recorded new songs. The band's second album is currently in the works. The first single was confirmed in a band interview and was released on September 1, 2009, and in canada on october 13th. It has been given the title "Heaven Can Wait".^[11][12] It was made available for purchase on September 1, 2009. During the We The Kings's "Rock In The Park" Concert in the Yigo Amusment Park, Guam on September 26, 2009, they played for the first time, their new song "She Takes Me High". Front man Travis Clark, announced the new album's released date in his twitter to be December 8, 2009. On November 8, 2009 frontman Travis Clark announced in a private interview with MTV that the band's second album is titled Smile Kid, with a happy smiley ' :) ' as its symbol. On November 17, 2009 the official track listing was released.

Controversy

After a performance at the Theatre of the Living Arts in Philadelphia Sunday on April 26, 2009 on the Bamboozle Road Tour alongside Forever The Sickest Kids, NeverShoutNever!, The Cab and Mercy Mercedes. Mercy Mercedes was parked behind the venue loading their van after not being able to find adequate parking on South Street. Four police officers on bikes stopped at the location of the van, and after instructing those under the age of 18 to leave due to curfew, they began writing a ticket to the owners of the van for illegal parking. In attempting to move the van out of the parking spot, the driver ran over a water bottle which in turn burst open on the police—in response to this, the frustrated police officers threatened to impound the band's van. Trevor Fair, tour manager for We The Kings, unsuccessfully attempted to leave the venue and speak with the police. After pushing back on the doors to get outside, the police opened them and chased Chris V., Trevor Fair, and Ian Planet (who worked with Forever The Sickest Kids) to the stage of the venue. Chris V. was reportedly tackled and beaten, and all three were taken into custody. The aftermath of the incident left Chris V. hospitalized, and Trevor Fair and Ian Planet in jail (according to a Twitter update from Travis Clark of We The Kings). The Philadelphia Inquirer newspaper interviewed four people involved in the incident on April 28, and The Philadelphia Police Advisory Commission is looking into allegations that three men were beaten. No official complaint has been filed by those taken into custody as of yet; however, a number of blog posts have been removed due to legal proceedings taking place with the investigation. A number of videos were uploaded onto Youtube and Myspace showing the incident (first video, second video).

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."^[13] Around this time they were also featured on MTV's Spring Break '08.^[14] Finally, the band performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live on June 27, 2008.^[15] They are also no stranger to radio and just recently hosted Radio Disney on August 20, 2008. "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.^[16]

In summer 2008, We the Kings was featured in Alternative Press Magazine. 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. They have appeared in Kerrang! (Issue 1227), where the band landed themselves yet another page. Their most recent appearance is in the UK magazine Black Velvet(issue 61). The interview is based on the bands tweeting! They have also appeared in Alternative Press numerous times.

Musical influences

The band has cited many musicians as influences, such as Bob Marley and Lynyrd Skynyrd. They have also been named the modern-day Jimmy Eat World. We the Kings has performed Jimmy Eat World's The Middle at live shows. In addition, other bands they have toured with receive special praise, among them Boys Like Girls and All Time Low. They also were highly influenced by the theme song from the sitcom Friends, "I'll Be There For You", by The Rembrandts.^[17]

Tours

For part of the fall of 2007, they played a tour called Tourzilla with headliner Boys Like Girls, All Time Low, and The Audition

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.^[18]

Live at Warped Tour.

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.

In February 2009, they headlined a tour called "The Secret Valentine Tour" with The Maine, The Cab, There for Tomorrow, and VersaEmerge.

We the Kings played in the 2009 Bamboozle Roadshow Tour. It kicked off on April 3 at Hoodwinked in California, touring the month of April across the states, and finished May 2 at The Bamboozle in East Rutherford, NJ. Bands also playing the Bamboozle Road Show tour included Forever The Sickest Kids, The Cab, NeverShoutNever!, and Mercy Mercedes.

On July 8, 2009, they began their tour as support for All Time Low along with Cartel and Days Difference. They will also be performing at Warped Tour 2009.

The band will be on tour this Fall 2009, supporting All Time Low on the Glamour Kills Tour with Hey Monday and The Friday Night Boys

In early 2010, the band will be headlining the Hot Topic Presents: Take Action Tour.

They will also be touring the UK in March 2010, supporting You Me At Six, along with Forever The Sickest Kids.

Members

Current

• Travis Clark – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, piano (2003–present)
• Hunter Thomsen – lead guitar, backing vocals (2003–present)
• Drew Thomsen – Bass guitar, backing vocals (2003–present)
• Danny Duncan – drums, percussion (2003–present)

Discography

Albums

• We the Kings (2007)
• Smile Kid (2009)

Singles

References

External links

• We the Kings, Video Premiere "Secret Valentine" on mtvU Premiered Tuesday Jan. 26th.
• We the Kings at MySpace
• We the Kings at PureVolume
• We the Kings at Allmusic
• We the Kings YouTube Channel
• [1] Travis Clark's Blog