Neon Trees

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Neon Trees
Neon Trees Live in San Diego, California in 2010.jpg
Background information
Origin Provo, Utah, United States
Genres New Wave, alternative rock, indie rock
Years active 2005 (2005)–present
Labels Mercury, Def Jam
Associated acts Kaskade
Website neontrees.com
Members Tyler Glenn
Chris Allen
Branden Campbell
Elaine Bradley
Past members Mike Liechty
Jason Gibbons
Nathan Evans

Neon Trees is an American alternative rock band from Provo, Utah. The band received nationwide exposure in late 2008 when they opened several North American tour dates for the band The Killers.[1] Not long after, the band was signed by Mercury Records and released their first full length album, Habits, in 2010.[2] Their first single "Animal" climbed to No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on the Alternative Rock chart.

Contents

History[edit]

Formed initially by neighbors Tyler Glenn (vocals, keyboards) and Chris Allen (guitar, vocals), who both grew up in Murrieta, California, the band made its first home in Provo, eventually adding Branden Campbell (bass guitar, vocals) and Elaine Bradley (drums, percussion, vocals) to the lineup.[3] David Charles also plays with the band as touring guitarist.[4]

They first started playing under the name Neon Trees in late 2005 with five original members, Tyler Glenn and Chris Allen from California, and three veterans of the Utah music scene, bass player Mike Liechty, drummer Jason Gibbons and keyboardist Nathan Evans. The band's name originates from the lighted trees on the In-N-Out Burger signs, which inspired Tyler Glenn. In a strange twist of fate, it was later learned that Branden Campbell's father, Steve Campbell, installed the exact neon trees in the In-N-Out that inspired Glenn while working for a sign company out of Las Vegas. The band is well known throughout Provo and Salt Lake City, Utah, where it was formed. All four members of Neon Trees are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.[5]

They released an EP called Becoming Different People in 2006 during the time of their first tour through California. The EP featured promising songs like "Snap the Flash," "Sister Stereo," "Modern Romantics," "Ashley Stevenson." They also recorded other unreleased tracks during the "Treehouse Sessions" in 2006.

The band's lineup soon narrowed down to four members with Branden Campbell and Elaine Bradley joining the group on bass and drums, respectively. Shortly thereafter, The Killers' drummer, Ronnie Vannucci Jr., went to watch the band play at a small club in Las Vegas as he had been in a Ska band called "Attaboy Skip" with Neon Trees bassist Branden Campbell prior to joining The Killers. Ronnie was impressed, and as a result they were chosen to open for The Killers for a string of dates on their 2008 North American tour. Vannucci later helped the band sign to major label Mercury Records, which was announced in late 2008. Additionally, the group was voted Band of the Year in 2009 by City Weekly, a popular Salt Lake City publication.[6] Branden Campbell also featured as the bassist for Americana group Parlor Hawk on their award winning album Hoarse & Roaring (2010).

2010–11: Habits and commercial breakthrough[edit]

Neon Trees at Music Midtown 2012

Although they had several prior independent releases, the band released its debut album at Mercury/Def Jam, Habits, on March 16, 2010.[7] "Animal" was chosen as the lead single[8] and was shortly thereafter featured as the Free Single of the Week on iTunes in March 2010. They performed the song on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on March 23, 2010, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on May 14, 2010, Lopez Tonight on October 18, 2010, Live! with Regis & Kelly on November 4, 2010, and TBS' Conan on November 24, 2010. They performed a second single 1983 on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon on January 13, 2011 and another stint on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on Jan 18, 2011. They performed third single "Your Surrender" on Late Show with David Letterman on May 5, 2011 and a third appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on Jun 10, 2011. Mark Hoppus of Blink-182 selected Animal as his Spin Magazine Pick of the Week.[9] The song has also been featured on a commercial for Las Vegas and remixed by popular American DJ, Kaskade. The group has also released a digital EP of four remixes of the song, one of which by Tyler Glenn.

In 2010 the band covered Justin Bieber's song "Baby" as well as Ben E. King's "Stand By Me" [10] Throughout the Spring of 2010 the band, along with Mutemath and Street Drum Corps, opened for the 30 Seconds To Mars tour Into The Wild. Subsequently, they headlined the Summer 2010 Bang The Gong Tour with Paper Tongues, MeTalkPretty, and Civil Twilight, performed a set to 7,000 at Lollapalooza, and are heading back out on tour with 30 Seconds To Mars in the Fall.

In November 2010, the band released a Christmas single called "Wish List." It was available for free on iTunes the first week it was released.[citation needed] In November 2010, Tyler and Elaine appeared as Neon Trees on Daryl Hall's monthly Internet concert series Live From Daryl's House. They performed four songs from "Habits," including "Animal" and "1983," as well as the Fleetwood Mac hit "Dreams" and Hall & Oates songs "Head Above Water" and "Adult Education."

Neon Trees released a live album "iTunes Live From SoHo" in November 2010 featuring eight live tracks: Calling My Name, Animal, Your Surrender, Never Tear Us Apart, In The Next Room, 1984, Love And Affection, and Sins Of My Youth.

They opened a show for Panic! At The Disco in Central Park in September 2011.

From March 31, 2011 to April 23, 2011, they are also expected to open for My Chemical Romance during the North American leg of their World Contamination Tour.[11] In September and October 2011, they opened for Duran Duran on the North American leg of the All You Need Is Now tour.

The band's song "Animal" was also performed by the cast of Glee in season two, episode fifteen, entitled "Sexy".

2011–present: Picture Show[edit]

On November 11, 2011 Neon Trees posted a picture on Facebook stating that they were working on a new album.[12]

On December 7, 2011, an article published by Rolling Stone's website streamed the band's new song "Everybody Talks".[13] On February 10, 2012, a video was posted on their official YouTube page, titled Neon Trees - Picture Show Teaser One / The New Album April 17, advertising their new album is to be released on April 17, 2012.[14]

In March 2012, Neon Trees and their single "Everybody Talks" were featured in a commercial for the 2012 Buick Verano.[15]

Neon Trees' second studio album "Picture Show" was released on April 17, 2012.

On June 28, 2012, Neon Trees was the opening act for the Flaming Lips concert poolside at the Hard Rock Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi as a part of their Guinness World Record for the most concerts in different cities (8) in a 24-hour period.

On August 29, 2012, Neon Trees performed "Everybody Talks" on the America's Got Talent live results show.

In early fall 2012, the band toured with The Offspring and Dead Sara.

The band was featured on NBC's coverage of the 2012 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. They performed an abbreviated version of their hit single "Everybody Talks".

The second single from the album is the track "Lessons in Love (All Day, All Night)" with the collaboration of American record producer and D.J. Kaskade.[16]

In December 2012 their hit single "Everybody Talks" was used in the advert for the new series of The Love Machine.

Their hit single "Everybody Talks" was also featured in the movie American Pie: Reunion.

In 2013 they joined Maroon 5 in their world tour alongside Owl City.

Band members[edit]

  • Tyler Glenn – lead vocals, piano, synthesizer (2005–present)
  • Christopher Allen – guitar, vocals (2005–present)
  • Branden Campbell – bass, vocals (2006–present)
  • Elaine Bradley – drums, vocals (2006–present)[17]

Discography[edit]

Main article: Neon Trees discography

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Neon Trees Generate Killer Buzz". Bmi.com. 2009-02-18. Retrieved 2011-09-28. 
  2. ^ Dionne, Jared (2010-04-01). "Adolescence-inspired lyrics and vocals set tone on CD". The Ithacan. Retrieved 2012-09-24. 
  3. ^ Rose, Bella (March 1, 2010). "Artist Interview: Tyler Glenn of the Neon Trees". Hotzoneonline.com. Retrieved 2011-09-28. 
  4. ^ "Traversing with Neon Trees: The United States of Neon Trees"[dead link]
  5. ^ Doyle, Patrick (July 29, 2010). "Artist of the Week: Neon Trees". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2011-01-21. 
  6. ^ Smart, Christopher (2007-06-11). "2009 City Weekly Music Awards". Cityweekly.net. Retrieved 2011-09-28. 
  7. ^ "Discography". Islanddefjam.com. Retrieved 2011-09-28. 
  8. ^ "Animal Songfacts". Songfacts.com. Retrieved 2011-09-28. 
  9. ^ "Mark Hoppus' Pick of the Week: Neon Trees". SPIN.com. 2010-03-03. Retrieved 2011-09-28. 
  10. ^ "Neon Trees Go Doo-Wop on Justin Bieber". Covermesongs.com. June 14, 2010. Retrieved 2011-09-28. 
  11. ^ "MCR Announces Supporting Acts For North American Tour". My Chemical Romance. 2011-01-10. Retrieved 2011-09-28. 
  12. ^ "Foto's van Neon Trees". Facebook. November 11, 2011. Retrieved 2012-03-26. 
  13. ^ Steve Baltin (2011-12-07). "Neon Trees Song Premiere: 'Everybody Talks'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2012-03-26. 
  14. ^ "Neon Trees - Picture Show Teaser One / The New Album,* [[Picture Show]],". YouTube. 2012-02-10. Retrieved 2012-03-26.  Wikilink embedded in URL title (help)
  15. ^ "2012 Buick Verano | Tour Bus". YouTube. 2012-02-28. Retrieved 2012-03-26. 
  16. ^ Josep Vinaixa (2012-09-01). "Neon Trees' second single". josepvinaixa.com. Retrieved 2012-09-01. 
  17. ^ http://www.mormonwomen.com/2011/02/09/marching-to-her-own-drum
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Neon Trees

External links[edit]

Neon Trees
  • Tyler Glenn
  • Chris Allen
  • Branden Campbell
  • Elaine Bradley
Studio albums
Singles
Labels
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