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Cage The Elephant
American rock band from Kentucky
Cage the Elephant is an American rock band formed in 2006 in Bowling Green, Kentucky. They moved to England and settled in London in 2008, shortly before their self-titled first album was released.
As of 2017, the band's personnel were Matt Shultz (vocals), his older brother Brad Shultz, Nick Bockrath, Matthan Minster, Daniel Tichenor (bass), and Jared Champion (drums). The band's self-titled debut album was released in 2008 and included several radio singles in the United States and the United Kingdom.
It was influenced by classic rock, '90s alternative, blues, punk rock, and funk music. Lincoln Parish served as the band's lead guitarist from 2006 until 2013, when he left to pursue a career in production.
genres: alternative rock, indie rock, garage rock, psychedelic rock, blues
awards: Grammy Award for Best Rock Album
Facts from Wikidata and Discogs, free to use.
alternative rockindie rockgarage rockpunk rockgarage rock revivalpunk blues
The Dial Tone DailyExtra
Previous careers
Prior to joining Cage the Elephant, Matt Shultz worked in construction as a plumber. In an interview with the "Rock It Out!" blog for Consequence of Sound, he said he felt like if he did not quit that job, he would be stuck there for the rest of his life. He left to work at a sandwich bar with his brother, Brad Shultz, who had previously worked in telemarketing. Daniel Tichenor held a job at Lowe's and Jared Champion worked in a pet store.
Members of Cage the Elephant had previously been involved in the band Perfect Confusion when they were in high school and released a self-titled LP in 2005. Matt Shultz was also in an experimental punk band in middle school called Left Nostril.
The band signed with Relentless Records after showcasing at the 2007 South by Southwest music festival. Their first tour was as a support act for Queens of the Stone Age in Canada. They then moved to London, England, to the Leyton area on the outskirts of the city. At the time, Lincoln Parish was only 16 years old, so in order to be able to move, his parents had to sign over parental guardianship to the band. In 2008, they appeared on the British show Later... with Jools Holland with Coldplay, Sia, Glen Campbell, John Mellencamp, and Amy LaVere. They released their eponymous debut album, Cage the Elephant, on June 23, 2008, in the United Kingdom and April 21, 2009, in the United States, Japan, Australia, and Canada, to mostly favorable...
During their early years the band was influenced by classic rock and folk bands such as The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix and The Beatles. But later on during the band's time in London, their exposure to bands such as Nirvana, Foals and Gang of Four helped shape their early alt rock and punk sound. Lead singer Matt Shultz cites bands such as the Pixies as influential on his vocal style.
"Cigarette Daydreams" is a song by American alternative rock band Cage the Elephant. Produced by Jay Joyce, it was released as the third single from the band's third studio album Melophobia (2013) on August 26, 2014.
It topped the Billboard Alternative Songs chart in the United States, becoming the second number-one single from Melophobia, following the album's single "Come a Little Closer", and the band's fifth overall chart-topper.
Writing and background
Singer Matt Shultz has stated that the song is inspired by a "personal experience" and that the words came to him naturally. After he began writing, Shultz phoned the album's producer who stated "Matt, finish the song right now! Just do it." Shultz also noted that the song came from a desire to "be transparent and speak from naked honesty".
Music video
The official music video for "Cigarette Daydreams" was directed by Mark Pellington and released on September 5, 2014. The video stars actress Juliette Buchs – who later became the wife of Cage the Elephant frontman Matthew Shultz – as a woman struggling to find peace in her life, interspersed with various scenes of her running away from an unknown entity.
"Come a Little Closer" is a song by American rock band Cage the Elephant. Written by lead singer Matthew Shultz and produced by Jay Joyce, it was released as the lead single from the band's third studio album Melophobia on August 13, 2013.
It topped the Billboard Alternative Songs chart in the United States, giving the band their fourth number-one hit on the chart.
Background
Cage the Elephant lead singer Matthew Shultz wrote "Come a Little Closer", taking inspiration from an occasion in which he woke up in a São Paulo hotel in the early morning and opened his window to watch the sunrise over the favelas. Finding the makeshift housing comparable to an anthill, he soon found himself wondering what each soul inside each borough felt, whether it be heartache, love, loss or joy.
Music video
The music video for "Come a Little Closer" was directed by Matthew Schultz and released on November 12, 2013. A mix of animation and live-action footage, it depicts the members of Cage the Elephant being transported to an alien planet and trying to escape from several monstrous beings, and in Schultz's case, having to navigate out of the stomach of a giant whale and evade being devoured by a group of birds. Schultz then rides a flaming lion and makes his way to a different planet made of skulls, traveling into its core and managing to escape death by destroying it. Scenes of the band performing the song is interspersed throughout.
Reception
Philip Lickley of All-Noise Uk wrote that the song "gets its rewards for its intriguing production, complimentary instrument lines and a determination to build up to something through its singable chorus and indie stylings." Chad Childers of Nosiecreep noted that "The track comes off as a more haunting and melodic Cage the Elephant than we're used to, with a mid-tempo opening feature Matt Shultz's affected vocals." As for the vocals Rolling Stone stated "frontman Matt Shultz scales back his usually gritty vocals for a spacey, psychedelic croon."
"Ain't No Rest for the Wicked" is the third single by the American rock band Cage the Elephant. It was released as a CD single on June 16, 2008, by Relentless Records and became the first Top 40 hit for the band in the UK.
A music video was filmed for this song which was directed by D.A.R.Y.L of Pulse Films. A later re-release in North America the following year reached number 92 on the Billboard Hot 100, reached number 3 on the Alternative Songs chart and number 8 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.
Composition
The song talks about three particular instances in which the narrator realizes "there ain't no rest for the wicked." First, he encounters a prostitute asking if he desires to spend the night with her. The narrator proceeds to ask her why she does what she does. The chorus (her response) analyzes the main reasons why individuals follow the paths they follow ("...Money don't grow on trees, I've got bills to pay, I've got mouths to feed..."). The narrator, less than fifteen minutes later, is held at gunpoint by a criminal, whom he asks the same question and from whom he receives the same answer. Finally, upon arriving home and turning on the television, the narrator sees a preacher being arrested for stealing the funds of his church. This is...
Reception
BBC Music wrote that the song "certainly makes you sit up and take notice. It's a sing-along rhythm and blues anthem for the disaffected. Expect to be hearing this blast out of cars for weeks." Charles Ubaghs of Drowned in Sound added "Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked" may read like the title for some rollicking slice of southern-rock hellfire, the actual result is something more akin to a mutant hybrid of Kid Rock and the chart fodder of McFly. It’s a fatal flaw that rears itself again and again as a bastardised version of blue-collar Americana is force-fed a mass-produced strain of bland modern rock throughout all eleven tracks."
"Shake Me Down" is the first single and fourth track on Cage the Elephant's second album Thank You, Happy Birthday. A music video for the single was released on January 11, 2011.
Both the song and the video gained much critical acclaim, and earned a nomination for Best Rock Video at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards Rolling Stone described the song as a "all dreamy Beatlesque psychedelia."
Composition
The song features Cage the Elephant percussionist Jared Champion playing on a set of toy drums. The guitar riff was borrowed from a song that bassist Daniel Tichenor's father had written and the bass line was inspired by the Shins. The song is Matthew Shultz singing about life's many depressing aspects in the verses, while the chorus is a short burst of optimism. The song features quiet verses broken by loud drum interludes.
Music video
In the music video, directed by Isaac Rentz, a middle-aged jogger relives vivid memories of his life through a surreal, nostalgic journey. At the end of the video, the man sees his deceased friends and family members, including his wife. The video then shows that the man was dreaming the entire time, and died in his sleep. As his wife cries by his side, the video fades with a blurred view of the man standing next to the shore at a beach. Singer Matthew Shultz is occasionally seen singing in a tent in the man's childhood hideout, while the rest of the band plays through various cut scenes. The music video achieved critical acclaim, and garnered a nomination for Best Rock Video at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards.
Reception
Tikicobra of Sputnikmusic wrote that the song "is significantly less sarcastic" compared to other songs on the album adding it "features a great opening. And the way it picks up, just so that it can slow down abruptly and then pick up again at the end, is fantastic." The Guardian described the song as a "turbulent daydream” whilst Rolling Stone wrote the song is a "all dreamy Beatlesque psychedelia."
"Trouble" is a song by American alternative rock band Cage the Elephant, released as the second single from the band's fourth studio album Tell Me I'm Pretty (2015) on April 26, 2016. Produced and co-written by Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys, it topped the Billboard Alternative Songs chart in the United States, becoming the band's seventh overall chart-topper.
Background
Lead singer Matt Shultz said the song is "about honesty and adversity and struggle".
Music video
The official music video for "Trouble" was released on April 21, 2016. The video combines the story of a western-style duel and its delusional results with shots of the band performing in the desert. Schultz wanted to suggest the likes of John Wayne and Clint Eastwood, and present "A metaphorical journey that hopefully people could read between the lines." It was filmed at the Joshua Tree National Park and it also marks Shultz' directorial debut.
Reception
Rolling Stone praised "Trouble" as the standout song of the album, saying it "sounds gorgeously burnt, with a vaguely hounded feel that evokes red eyes hidden behind mirror-shades."
"Cold Cold Cold" is a song by American alternative rock band Cage the Elephant. It was produced and co-written by Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys and was released as the third single from the band's fourth studio album Tell Me I'm Pretty (2015) on January 17, 2017.
It reached number five on Billboard Alternative Songs chart in the United States.
Music video
The songs music video was the first to be directed by lead singer Matt Shultz. The video tells the story of a man going into a mental institution, while the band plays in the background with a black and white filter over theme.
"Back Against the Wall" is a song by the American rock band Cage the Elephant. It was released as the fourth single from the band's 2008 first album, Cage the Elephant.
In the issue dated March 6, 2010, the single topped the Billboard Alternative Songs chart, becoming the band's first number 1 single.
Release and reception
Cage the Elephant re-recorded "Back Against the Wall" from their debut album for the release of the single.
Music video
In the song's music video, the band members wage war against some gnomes. The grandmother of the Shultz brothers had several gnomes in her yard, which used to 'creep out' Matt Shultz. The video was directed by Isaac Rentz and shot in Los Angeles, CA.
"In One Ear" is a song by American rock band Cage the Elephant. It was released as the second, then re-released as the fifth single from the band's 2008 self-titled debut album.
In the re-issue dated August 7, 2010, the single peaked at number one on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart, the band's second number one single on that chart. There was an American version and UK version of the music video.
Release and reception
"In One Ear" was originally released in March 2008 as the second single from the band's self-titled debut album.
Music video
There are three music videos for this song. The first two versions were released in 2008 one as the US version and the other as the UK version. The third music video premiered on April 1, 2010, on Vevo. It was directed by Isaac Rentz and shot on location in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
"Metaverse" is a song by American alternative rock band Cage The Elephant. It was released on May 3, 2024, as the fourth and final single from their album Neon Pill.
The song became the bands 13th song to reach number one on the US Alternative Airplay chart, tying them with Green Day and Linkin Park for second-most number-one hits.
Background
In an interview with New Hampshire public radio lead singer Matt Shultz spoke on the song stating:
Reception
James Reed of mxdwn wrote on the song "The band evokes their inner turmoil and struggles with lyrics like “every day spent far from my family” and “underneath a dark cloud / the spell you pull me under / try to steal my thunder." Arin Chandra of The Daily Cardinal stated the song "serves to emphasize the bittersweet nature of reality and the ever-growing need for escapism, accompanied by exceptional instrumental and vocal performances."
"Rainbow" is a song by American alternative rock band Cage The Elephant. It comes off their sixth studio album Neon Pill.
The song was accompanied with an official lyric video upon release. It became the bands 12th song to reach number one on the US Alternative Airplay chart, and also reached number one on the US Adult Alternative Airplay chart.
Background
In an interview with Flood Magazine lead singer Matt Shultz spoke on the song stating:
Reception
IHeartRadio wrote "The band begins "Rainbow" with the beat of the drums and then brings in a snazzy guitar strumming before lead singer Matthew Shultz begins to captivate the audience with the lyrics." Arin Chandra of The Daily Cardinal stated the song "offers an uplifting contrast to the darker moments of the album. Its hopeful lyrics remind listeners of the light that can pierce through life’s shadows, making it one of the album’s standout tracks. It also formally introduces Schulz’s struggles with trying to find happiness within his battle with mental health, again contributing to a bittersweet mood throughout the song."
"Ready to Let Go" is a song by American alternative rock band Cage the Elephant. It was produced by John Hill and was released as the lead single from the band's fifth studio album Social Cues on January 31, 2019.
It reached number five on Billboard Alternative Songs chart in the United States.
Background
The song was born from frontman Matt Shultz's as he was inspired to write the song after a trip to Pompeii with his former wife, during which he realized their relationship was falling apart. The song is characterized by its indie-rock sound with a haunting Pompeii-inspired theme and a theme of moving on from a broken relationship. Its composition features a signature indie-rock style with a catchy, rhythmic texture, a chugging bassline, and a distorted guitar melody that contribute to its hypnotic sound.
Music video
The songs official music video was directed by lead singer Matt Shultz, the video features several horror themes throughout.
Reception
Laura Anaya-Morga of Highlander News noted that the song features "the bands signature indie-rock sound" adding "The song’s scrappy electric guitar and rhythmic texture make it a catchy tune for anyone to enjoy." Similarly Abbie Jennings of When the Horn Blows wrote "it is a seriously catchy, toe tapping come back single. The song itself could easily be a forgotten B-side from their previous album ‘Tell Me I’m Pretty’, or earlier material. Their distinct sound is instantly recognizable." The Independent dubbed "Ready to let Go" "the most explicit song" on the album describing it as "a moody swamp-rock jam where Shultz comes to terms with his impending divorce."
"Neon Pill" is a song by American alternative rock band Cage The Elephant. It is the title track of their 6th studio album, Neon Pill, and was released as the first single on January 19, 2024.
A music video was later released on May 20, 2024. In the U.S., it peaked at number 25 on the Mainstream Rock chart and topped the Alternative Airplay chart.
Background
The song touches upon lead singer Matt Shultz psychosis that led to his eventual arrest. In an interview with IHeartRadio Matt Shultz stated why the song was picked as the title track “I definitely went through a really difficult time where I was prescribed a medication and unknowingly went into psychosis — it can happen, it's a terrible thing if it does — but I'm a living miracle right now, so that's probably the biggest reason why we chose that as the title track.”
"Social Cues" is a song by American alternative rock band Cage the Elephant. The title track to their fifth studio album Social Cues, it was released as the second single from the album on July 6, 2019.
The song reached number one on the Billboard Alternative Airplay and Hot Rock & Alternative Songs charts.
Reception
pancakesandwhisky.com stated the song “is brutally honest and exposed in the verses, but somehow drifts on air with a bright and shiny chorus.”
Music video
On May 4, 2019 Cage the Elephant performed the song on Adult Swims FishCenter Live. They then used some of the footage from this performance for the song's official music video which was released on October 24, 2019 with additional directing came from front man Matt Shultz. The video leans into the albums semi-psychedelic sound, featuring multiple trippy colors and effects affecting both the scene behind the band.
