Kings go underground

Followill brothers plan on mixing it up for their fifth album due in 2010

19 February 2009 - With Britain conquered Nashville giants Kings Of Leon are planning to surprise fans by shaking things up on their next album.

"We pretty much now can do what we want and America has to sit back," said frontman Caleb Followill about their fifth record change of direction.

In the past year, they have topped the UK album charts, headlined Glastonbury, won a Grammy and now two Brit Awards.

And guitarist Matthew Followill said the Only By The Night follow-up could be "a little grungier".

Speaking to BBC 6 Music at the Brit Awards 2009, after scooping the gongs for Best International Group and Best International Album, singer Caleb said: "I think we are definitely considering doing something that people aren't gonna expect from us.

"Like I said in our speech, because of England and because of our fans here - who made our name and made us the band that we are - we pretty much now can do what we want. America has to sit back and go, 'Well we don't like it but alright here you go'."

The band's fourth offering was one of the fastest-selling records of the year, with more than 220,000 sales in its first week of release.

Caleb's brother and drummer Nathan Followill said he is looking forward to progressing with the new material: "The next album that we make, that we're already working on, I can assure you, is one that I'm the most excited about."

"We pretty much now can do what we want. America has to sit back."
Caleb Followill

Guitarist Matthew Followill explained: "You never know with us, we kinda change it up every record. Everybody always says each record sounds different than the first.

"I mean, from our first record to our fourth sounds like a different band. It may be a little grungier but I don't know, maybe more of the same."

As for progress bassist Jared Followill said they have, "some new music and some great musical ideas," which they have been piecing together during sound checks, adding: "We haven't really got down to lyrics yet but a lot of good stuff. It's cool."

"We're touring until the end of this year so we can't start until 2010 but it'll come out probably fall of 2010," revealed Matthew.

To hear the full interview tune into the Music Week with Julie Cullen and Matt Everitt on Sunday from 1pm, download the podcast after the show.
 
Find out more about the winners of the Brit Awards 2009: Coldplay given the Elbow.

Check out more of the BBC's Brits coverage at the Radio 2 site here.

Georgie Rogers