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King Of Leon Reform For MOJO!

9:29 AM GMT 28/05/2009

"NO MORE LINES being snorted off boners." As far as resolutions go, it's a sound one. Speaking in this month's MOJO, Nathan Followill and the rest of Kings Of Leon - currently the world's biggest blood-related Southern-fried rockers - reveal how they've traded in debauchery for a life of (relative) sobriety and talk God, drugs, inter-sibling brawls and the hosting of The First Annual Kings Of Leon Cheesesteak Invitational - but of course!

With nearly two million UK sales for Only By The Night under their belt and on the cusp of finally breaking America, the Followills tell MOJO's Paul Elliott how on the road antics almost derailed their career: a tone of mischief set by their first ever UK appearance at the decidedly non-plush environs of High Wycombe's The White Horse in February 2003.

"It was a strip joint by day then at night they'd have bands playing," remembers Matthew, the youngest Followill. "So when we got there, there was a bunch of naked women in our dressing room, changing clothes. We thought this is definitely the life! I was 17. I was just thinking about boobs."

However, after touring with U2 in 2005 and some sage advice from Bono and co., the band began to realize that their commitment to excess might be standing in the way of home-turf success. Then there was the physical toll the sex, drugs and rock'n'roll were taking on the four young men from Tennessee.

"When our mom saw us she busted out crying," says Nathan. "We were all 20lbs underweight and couldn't breathe out of our noses and looked like we were two days from death. We looked in the mirror and said, Holy shit. That was a reality check - We just made the decision that we're in a band to make music, not to party all the time."

See this month's MOJO for more on the road tales, lead singer Caleb's creeping unease about the changing nature of their fanbase and, of course, the winner of The First Annual Kings Of Leon Cheesesteak Invitational.

Click to see our exclusive Kings Of Leon picture gallery.

Read our revealing online Q&A with the Followills...

More Kings Of Leon, plus Sex Pistols, Neil Young, Trent Reznor, James Taylor and The Specials in the latest MOJO magazine, out now!

Posted by Danny_Eccleston at 9:29 AM GMT 28/05/2009

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Kings Of Leon

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  • I was at the White Horse High Horse High Wycombe gig where Kings of Leon supported Dawn Parade. As I remember this was their second Uk gig having played the Highbury Garage on the previous nigh. They also told the promoters that it was only ninth their ( or more possibly seventh ) gig ever. I remember they appeared very nervous throughout their five song set list and appeared to be attempting Shoegazer Rock. I spoke to one stranger at the venue who said he had been attracted by the Leon's position on the Radio 2 playlist.

    Posted by Dave at 12:53 AM GMT 11/02/2011 Report Abuse

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