Von Trapps vs. Followills (a comparative study)
December 30, 2008
It’s hard not to see the similarities of these families of musical genius. Although, most of the comparisons are based on the Von Trapp’s we see in “The Sound of Music,” the basic roots are the same; both families influenced by controlling establishments and conforming to the strict guidelines of someone else’s moral compass only to break free and express themselves in a profoundly creative way.
The similarities hardly end there. In a more detailed analysis we can see not only the family reflections but the individual ones as well. Yes, there are only 3 brothers and a cousin in the Followill clan and 7 in the Von Trapp tribe but upon further inspection isn’t there a little bit of the Von Trapp’s in all of the Followill’s?
Liesl, the oldest daughter and most prominent character among the children can easily be compared to Caleb Followill. Her leadership and eloquent singing are equal to that of Kings of Leon’s front man. Her rebel late night romps with Rolf the messenger boy no doubt reminds us what a rock star/groupie pursuit may be like, just add drugs, booze, condoms and stir.
When it comes to Jared he seems to be a bit of a mix. Gretl the youngest and often seen with a furrowed brow bring to mind Jared but it is Kurt’s tell it like it is attitude that most resembles the youngest Followill. Much like Kurt it isn’t hard to see Jared hiding a frog in his governess’ pocket just for kicks. My guess is in the Followill scenario Nathan would probably catch it then try to smoke it.
Matthew Followill reminds us of the soft-spoken Brigitta with the knock out smile. No doubt a respected member and probably the smartest. My only reference for this description can be found in the Kings of Leon home movies when Matthew corrects Nathan’s use of the English language, “You drank 5 more beers, not drunk.” Clearly he is the academic of the bunch.
As for Nathan…OK, I can’t compare him to any of them. The man is a wonder.
Even a comparison of Maria and the Followill matriarch Betty Ann can be made. Both have a gift for sewing. Maria, with her resourceful use of window treatments allowing the children to happily romp through the trails of the Austrian countryside. Betty Ann, with her skills to transform thrift store finds into original formfitting outfits that make the young ladies wish they could romp along Jared’s own happy trail.
But as a whole both family units are a team, all surviving and thriving by standing together like an unbreakable levy. Whether it fighting off the Germans or the latest STD they will power through.
Clearly my grueling research for this comparative study will pay off and open the doors for more intense discussions on the subject. No doubt in years to come, when it is proven that the Kings of Leon are a cultural phenomenon, academic courses will be based on their familial construction. I’m just glad I had the foresight to get the ball rolling.
(Sorry, I had a Chocolate in my Peanut Butter moment last night. I watched the Sound of Music while listening to KOL. God only knows what they are really like. I get all my info from the 2 min. clips I find on You Tube. Jared may be deathly afraid of frogs for all I know! I think I’m done with all my tall tales of the Followill’s ( unless the masses demand more of course), I’m just about ready to move onto MGMT. Stay tuned.)
Christina
REJECTED!!!!! T SHIRT REQUESTS
December 27, 2008
Those Mother F***ers! WTF!!!
My T-shirt design for the KOL contest was REJECTED!! Apparently It falls under this category:
DesignByHumans reserves the right to reject any submission that it deems in its sole discretion to be vulgar, profane, offensive, or inappropriate.
Thats everything the GUYS are!!! What a bunch of P***y’s! Check out my design below and tell me its not absolute GENIUS!!!!
Whatever, bastards…you suck Humans!
…and I kept it CLEAN! I may just have to redo it and really make it vulgar, inappropriate, profane and offensive.
Stay Tuned!
Kings of Leon
December 17, 2008
KINGS OF LEON
The Followills, three brothers and a cousin from Tennessee raised by an evangelical priest, were forbidden to listen to anything but gospel, and home schooled by their mother. How could these four boys, each sprinkled with Elvis dust all come from the same gene pool? Given their back-story you have to question, is this some divine intervention or did their parents make a deal with the devil? In the world of rock n’ roll you tend to think the latter but only hope that God will prevail and keep these boys from going down the path of Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, or Kurt Cobain. This hope stems from their God-fearing upbringing and the fact they have each other to keep them grounded.
You have to wonder why their home country has not embraced the Followills the way the Europeans have. Americans are accustomed to the ramblings of evangelist preachers praising the lord over television waves “God will heal for a mere $10 donation”. It leaves you leery of a scam. Will they draw us in, win our faith then shatter the dream?
It’s not hard to question how such a perfect Rock n’ Roll package came to be. Caleb, the lead singer who can lay out lyrics that make you think he has the life experience of a man in his 90’s. A face so pretty you question whether his songs about transvestites may actually be about him. Jared, who’s actions remind us of a young Keith Richards but with the looks of a “Teen Beat” heartthrob. Nathan, who you give a pass to for the cheesy water shot in the “Sex on Fire” video ’cause lets face it, the man is a god; and Mathew, the cousin with the rosy cheeks and sweet smile who’s guitar skills deliver the same visceral feeling as the kiss you swear is directly connected to your loins.
These traits and skills make you doubt the authentic biological force of these boys, but then you watch the “Only By the Night Home Movies,” and the perfect package reveals its’ flaws. Some of their actions conjure up the stereotypical southern redneck bumpkins such as bathing in a creek and old men in overalls. You realize that they aren’t brooding rock stars all serious about the music 24/7, but young men with little American boy moments like running around naked, playing practical jokes, or going to a college football game in their matching t-shirts and foam fingers. You wonder how Caleb comes up with lyrics so smart when at 26 he finally asks the question “where do babies come from?” while using the John Travolta movie “Look Who’s Talking,” as a visual reference. These are the moments that make them all the more endearing; this is the hook that reels us in.
I can honestly say I am converted and my prayers are that they play it right and not get caught up in the unreal parts. I hope none of them crash and burn by drugs and alcohol and know their limits and keep it in their pants once in a while. Also know when to retire the tight jeans and long hair because no one likes to see an aging rock star trying to hold on. That they not obsess but enjoy the ride and never lose the vulnerable side we see in each of their long lashed baby blues. I hope they stay true to their word and keep the music honest and pure.
May their congregation grow and thrive and make us all regain our faith in the higher power of Rock n’ Roll, but until then I will be at the foot of their rock star altar with my hands in the air and my face pointed up as a believer and follower…or “followiller” as the case may be.
It Ain't Hemingway 