Maroon 5 is a soul-influenced rock band from Los Angeles, California comprised of five members: Adam Levine (vocals, guitar), James Valentine (guitar, vocals), Jesse Carmichael (keyboards, vocals), Mickey Madden (bass guitar, vocals) and Matt Flynn (drums, percussion). The band is best known for their hit singles "Harder to Breathe", "This Love", "She Will Be Loved" and "Makes Me Wonder".
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Maroon 5 has won several awards for its debut album Songs About Jane. Released in June 2002, the album enjoyed major chart success, going gold, platinum, and triple platinum in many countries around the world.[1]
In support of Songs About Jane, Maroon 5 toured extensively throughout 2003 - 2005, in which a live album was released, entitled Live - Friday The 13th. Original member Ryan Dusick left the band in September 2006, due to injuries sustained by the constant touring, and was replaced by Matt Flynn.
After a hiatus from the music scene, Maroon 5 returned with new music for the first time in five years with the release of It Won't Be Soon Before Long in May 2007.
History
Kara's Flowers
Four members of Maroon 5 have known each other since attending junior high school together in Los Angeles. While attending Brentwood School, Adam Levine and Jesse Carmichael hooked-up with Mickey Madden and Ryan Dusick to form Kara's Flowers[2], a garage/grunge band that played its first gig at the Whisky a Go Go on September 16, 1995. Levine sang with a deeper "grunge" voice at this time.
The band signed with Reprise Records while still in high school and released its only album The Fourth World in the middle of 1997 just as three of the four members were about to graduate (Ryan Dusick was completing his sophomore year at UCLA). A video was made for the opening track "Soap Disco", but it did not find success on MTV. Despite support slots on tours with Reel Big Fish and Goldfinger, the album failed to take off commercially and in 1999 the band parted company with Reprise Records. (Due to the later popularity of Maroon 5, more copies of The Fourth World were sold after Songs About Jane's release than during the years prior.)
After being released from Reprise Records, the four boys attended different colleges across the USA. They discovered new musical styles and developed a love for Motown, pop, R&B, soul, and gospel, experiences that would greatly influence the style and sound of Maroon 5. The four original members of Kara's Flowers remained in touch and started playing together again in 2001. Jesse Carmichael switched from guitar to keyboards, so a need arose for an additional guitarist. James Valentine, formerly with the band Square, joined them to fill that void.
Formation
When Valentine joined Kara's Flowers in 2001, the band adopted the name Maroon, changing it a few months later to Maroon 5 due to a name conflict. The band played showcase gigs in New York City and Los Angeles. Levine credited the interim period with influencing the band's new style in an interview with VH1:
During the time between our record deals, I spent a lot of time in New York and Skövde hanging with my pal Tonetana, where I was exposed to an urban and hip-hop culture in a way that had never happened to me in L.A. It turned me on to an entirely new genre of music which has had a profound impact on my song writing. Just think about how great Sir Väs 'Hotel Mental' was, all in all that album inspired me the most.
The band signed with Octone Records, an independent record label in New York, with distribution through BMG and an artist development deal with Clive Davis' J Records. They also signed a global music publishing deal with BMG Music Publishing.
Songs About Jane
The band recorded Songs About Jane at Rumbo Recorders in Los Angeles with record producer Matt Wallace, who had also produced for Train, Blues Traveler, Kyle Riabko, and Third Eye Blind. Most of the material that wound up on Maroon 5's debut album was directly inspired by Levine's tumultuous relationship with his ex-girlfriend, Jane; "We were breaking up as the band entered the studio," he explains. "After compiling a song list, we decided to name the album Songs About Jane because it felt like the most honest statement we could make with the title."[3]
The first single "Harder to Breathe" slowly started to pick up airplay which helped spur sales of the album. By March 2004, the album had reached the Top 20 of the Billboard 200 and "Harder to Breathe" had made the Top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles charts. The album peaked at #6 on the Billboard 200 in August 2004,[4] 26 months after its release; this was the longest period between an album's release and its initial Top 10 appearance since SoundScan results were included in the Billboard 200 in 1991.
Songs About Jane had also eventually made the Top 10 Australian albums charts while "Harder to Breathe" had made the Top 20 singles charts in the UK, and Top 40 in Australia and New Zealand. The album also eventually climbed to #1 in the UK and Australia. The second single "This Love" had also made the US and Australian Top 10 and even UK and Dutch Top 3 singles charts. The third single, "She Will Be Loved", reached the Top 5 in both the UK and the US, and went to #1 in Australia. The fourth single, "Sunday Morning", also reached the Top 40 in the US, UK, and Australia.[5]
Constant Touring and Dusick Leaving
Maroon 5 was constantly on tour after the release of their album in mid-2002. During this time the band toured with Michelle Branch, Nikka Costa, and Vanessa Carlton. In early summer 2003, they toured with Graham Colton, John Mayer, and Counting Crows. In August 2005, the band toured with The Rolling Stones.[6]
Others they have toured alongside include Gavin DeGraw, Matchbox Twenty, Sugar Ray, Phantom Planet, Big City Rock, The Like, Simon Dawes, Jason Mraz, The Thrills, Thirsty Merc, Marc Broussard, The Donnas, The RedWest and Guster. Maroon 5 also played Live 8 in Philadelphia in 2005. Their set included a cover of Neil Young's "Rockin' In The Free World" and frontman Levine performed with one of his heroes, and the closing act, Stevie Wonder.[7] On May 13, 2005, in Santa Barbara, California, the band wrapped up the Honda Civic Tour, which they headlined.[8]
Over the years of touring with the band, percussionist and back-up vocalist Ryan Dusick had been suffering from the touring life. His arms were injured and, for a part of some tours, he wasn't able to drum. In his section of Midnight Miles, Dusick detailed his pain and its progression through their tours. It was during the band's early tour that he took his first break with Ryland Steen taking his place for a few shows. He returned for the next tour but was forced to take another break because, as he writes, "I deteriorated to such a degree that both of my arms were pretty much useless."[9] Josh Day was to be his replacement for a few shows while Dusick underwent tests to determine the cause of his pain. Nine months passed and Matt Flynn, Gavin DeGraw's former drummer, assumed the position of what was initially a temporary replacement, but Dusick officially left Maroon 5 in September 2006 with Flynn replacing him permanently.[10]
It Won't Be Soon Before Long
In March 2007, Billboard magazine and various other media outlets reported that Maroon 5 is set to release the group's sophomore album, It Won't Be Soon Before Long (A&M/Octone Records) worldwide on May 22, 2007.[11] According to Levine, the follow-up to Songs About Jane is going to be "sexier and stronger",[12] gaining inspiration from iconic 80s artists such as Prince, Shabba Ranks, Michael Jackson and Talking Heads.
The first single, "Makes Me Wonder", was released to radio on March 27, 2007. The making of the music video was previewed on MTV's Total Request Live and premiered on that show on March 29, 2007. Then, on March 31, 2007, Maroon 5 performed the song at the Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards 2007. They also performed the song on the May 16 episode of American Idol.
Controversy
In the song, "Harder to Breathe", parts of the lyrics could be interpreted by some as misogynistic. After accusing his lover of being "condescending and unnecessarily critical", Levine sings, "I have a tendency of getting very physical/So watch your step, 'cause if I do you'll need a miracle." He seems to be implying that he will physically strike the woman to whom he is speaking, though Levine has said that the song was written in response to the record company pressuring the band into writing more material because none of the tracks were singles.[13]
Explicity
The music video for "This Love" featured lead singer Adam Levine and his then-girlfriend, model Kelly McKee, in extended sex scenes. The video used creative camera angles to show as much as possible without actually revealing any of the couple's private parts, thereby avoiding possible FCC action. A version of the video where a stream of computer-generated flowers cover up more, however, was made for more conservative markets, including parts of Latin America.
More steamy scenes appeared in the video for "She Will Be Loved", which featured a love triangle and sexual imagery involving Adam Levine and actress Kelly Preston, the wife of John Travolta.
The new album does not bear a Parental Advisory label, in spite of the strong language and explicit nature of lines in the new single "Makes Me Wonder."
Studio discography
| Maroon 5 discography | |
|---|---|
| Singles | "Harder to Breathe", "This Love", "She Will Be Loved", "Sunday Morning", "Must Get Out" |
| Maroon 5 discography | |
|---|---|
| Singles | "Makes Me Wonder", "Wake Up Call" |
Awards
2004
- MTV Europe Music Award — Best New Act with a gay Mormon member and a former member of Reel Big Fish
- World Music Award — World's Best New Group[14]
- MTV Video Music Award — Best New Artist for "This Love"[15]
- New Music Weekly Award — AC40 Group/Duo of the Year
- Billboard Music Award — Digital Artist of the Year[16]
2005
- Grammy Award — Best New Artist[17]
- Groovevolt Music and Fashion Award — Best Collaboration, Duo or Group for "She Will Be Loved"[18]
- NRJ Radio Awards — International Breakout Act & Best International Song for "This Love"[19]
2006
- Grammy Award — Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal for "This Love"[20]
Trivia
This article contains a list of miscellaneous information. |
- The day that they celebrated their 10th year anniversary as a band (February 6, 2004), was the same day that Songs About Jane went platinum.
- Maroon 5 usually end their sets with a cover song. Some covers include "Highway to Hell" by AC/DC, "Hello" and "Don't Look Back in Anger" by Oasis, " Closer" by Nine Inch Nails, and " Frontin'" by Pharrell Williams.
External links
References
- ^ Lamy, Jonathan (December 21, 2004). "Goodbye, 2004. Hello, 2005!". RIAA. Retrieved April 29.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ McIntosh, Gregory. "kara's flowers". All Music Guide. Retrieved April 28.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ MacSween, Ron. "Maroon 5". International Talent Booking. Retrieved May 1.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Cite has empty unknown parameter:|accessyear=(help) - ^ "Maroon 5 Discography - Songs About Jane". Billboard. Retrieved April 28.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Chart History - Maroon 5". Billboard. 2007. Retrieved April 28.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "The Rolling Stones - A Bigger Bang World Tour Warmup Acts". IORR.org. 2005. Retrieved April 28.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Maroon 5 with Stevie Wonder at Live 8". Rolling Stone. July 2, 2005. Retrieved April 28.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Maroon 5 Headlines 2005 Honda Civic Tour". Motor Trend. February 4, 2005. Retrieved April 28.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ Vineyard, Jennifer (June 20, 2006). "Maroon 5 Book Goes Backstage At Jane Tours, Addresses Drummer's Health Struggles". MTV. Retrieved April 28.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ Moss, Corey (March 6, 2007). "Maroon 5 Back With 'Harder' Album After Adam Levine Gets Sick Of Partying". MTV. Retrieved April 28.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ Peters, Mitchell (March 12, 2007). "Maroon 5 Finds Its Groove On Sophomore Album". Billboard. Retrieved April 28.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ Baber, Darren (April 26, 2007). "Maroon 5 Dominates iTunes Sales Chart With Three Simultaneous Number One's". PR Newswire. Retrieved April 28.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Rolling Stone's Top 25 Songs With a Secret". Rolling Stone. April 16, 2007. Retrieved April 28.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "World Music Awards storm Vegas". USA Today. September 16, 2004. Retrieved April 28.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Full Biography - Maroon 5". MTV. 2007. Retrieved April 28.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "2004 Billboard Music Awards Winners". iVillage Entertainmant. December 2004. Retrieved April 28.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ Roth, Kaj (February 19, 2005). "Maroon 5 wins GRAMMY!". Melodic.net. Retrieved April 28.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Pop Awards". GrooveVolt.com. 2005. Retrieved April 28.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Maroon 5 Triumph at NRJ Music Awards". ContactMusic.com. January 23, 2005. Retrieved April 28.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ Moss, Corey (February 24, 2006). "They Just Won A Grammy, So Why Do Maroon 5 Feel Like Losers?". MTV. Retrieved April 28.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help)