Media Studies
Heather
Cage The Elephant are an alternative rock band which formed in 2005 in Bowling Green, Kentucky, United States. The band became surprisingly popular in mid-2008 when their single "Ain’t No Rest For the Wicked" hit #32 on the UK Singles Chart. The next year, it became a smash hit on American alternative radio, hitting #3 on Billboard’s Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart. The band consists of Matt Shultz (vocals), Brad Shultz (guitar), Lincoln Paris (guitar), Daniel Tichenor (bass, vocals) and Jared Champion (drums).
Cage the elephant is a very multifaceted band. They have many styles and don’t always just sick one. They like to combine blues, funk and punk elements into their music. I love the fact that they cant really be put into one genre of music, it shows how diverse and open to new sounds they are. I find that if a music group limits themselves to only one style, they get boring and don’t do well. When I first found out about Cage The Elephant, they were not a popular band at all but as soon as people learned how unique they are, they are all over the radio.
Cage The Elephant is obviously influenced by many other bands. In an interview with The Rolling Stone Magazine the band talks about there influences. The country side of the band is influenced by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards The Red Hot Chili Peppers influenced their rock/psychedelic side and The Rolling Stones also greatly influenced them. The fact that Cage The Elephant has so many fans now does not surprise me, because they are greatly influenced by other bands makes them more diverse and likable so there is always something you would like about their music.
Cage The Elephant is a very easy going band which also interests me a lot. Their care free lyrics speak to a wide variety of people. There songs are humorous and shocking but they also make you think. I think that a band that can entertain you but also make you think about your surroundings and the people around you is successful. Too many people take music for granted these days. People need to remember the real reason music was made, sure it was for entertainment, but it was also their to help you realize what is going on in the world. Cage The Elephant, in some respects, are bringing us back to our roots in music.
Some artists are just in this business to make as much as they can, Cage The Elephant really love what they are doing and respect other people’s opinions. They are humble and very down to earth. We need more artists like this, they have everything that I love in a music group. Cage The Elephant is gaining popularity and soon I think that people will be influenced by them as they were influenced by other people.
