| We the Kings | |
|---|---|
We the Kings in the Spring Break (2008) |
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Bradenton, Florida |
| Genres | Pop punk, alternative rock,[1] powerpop |
| Years active | 2005–present |
| Labels | S-Curve, Universal Republic Records |
| Associated acts | Internet Killed Television |
| Website | www.wethekingsmusic.com |
| Members | |
| Travis Clark Hunter Thomsen Danny Duncan Charles Trippy |
|
We the Kings is an American powerpop band formed in 2005 from Bradenton, Florida, currently signed to record label S-Curve Records.[2] The group released their self-titled full-length debut album in 2007, which peaked at No. 151 on the Billboard 200. Their second full-length album, Smile Kid, was released in December 2009, and the band has since completed a variety of tours. The band released a new album on July 5, 2011 entitled Sunshine State of Mind, achieving minor commercial success. They have toured extensively, playing in music festivals as well as supporting other acts. We the Kings also host their own miniature series of webisodes, entitled "The King's Carriage", detailing life on their tour bus.
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We The Kings' first tour ever was with Don't Die Cindy in the summer of 2005 under the previous name "De Soto". A Heartwell Ending (now, "Call the Cops") supported for the final leg of the tour. While teaming with Bret Disend in Fall of 2005, We The Kings went on their first tour under that name as a five piece, with the then-unknown "Boys Like Girls" as they supported the new release of the "Great Escape" music video.
We the Kings played on their first headlining tour "Long Hair Don't Care" with Valencia, The Cab, Sing It Loud, and Charlotte Sometimes during late March and throughout April. In May and June, We the Kings supported Cute Is What We Aim For and Boys Like Girls on their UK tour.
For part of the fall of 2007, they played a tour called Tourzilla with headliner Boys Like Girls, All Time Low, and The Audition. They toured in support of Cobra Starship in early 2008 along with Metro Station and The Cab. We the Kings performed all dates of the Warped Tour 2008.[3]
On August 30, 2008 they were a part of The Rays Summer Concert Series, playing on the field after a Tampa Bay Rays game. They also toured the UK after the completion of the Warped Tour.
In February 2009, they headlined a tour called "The Secret Valentine Tour" with The Maine, The Cab, There for Tomorrow, and VersaEmerge.
In mid 2008, they toured the UK supporting The Academy Is... along with The Maine.
We the Kings played in the 2009 Bamboozle Roadshow Tour. It began on April 3 at Hoodwinked in California, touring the month of April across the states, and finished May 2 at The Bamboozle in East Rutherford, NJ. Bands also playing the Bamboozle Road Show tour included Forever The Sickest Kids, The Cab, NeverShoutNever!, and Mercy Mercedes.
On July 8, 2009, they began their tour as support for All Time Low along with Cartel and Days Difference. They also be performing at Warped Tour 2009. The band was on tour in Fall 2009, again supporting All Time Low on the Glamour Kills Tour, with Hey Monday and The Friday Night Boys.
In early 2010, the band headlined the Hot Topic Presents: Take Action Tour with There For Tomorrow, A Rocket To The Moon, Mayday Parade, and Stereo Skyline. We the Kings also played with New Found Glory at Fitchburg State College's annual spring concert.
In March 2010, We the Kings supported You Me at Six, an English pop rock band, on their UK headline tour along with Forever the Sickest Kids. The band has also played in Warped Tour 2010 from June 26 to August 2. After Warped Tour, the band plan on a world tour in 2011.[4]
In April 2010 the band performed a benefit concert with fellow pop punk band Voted Most Random at a local venue in New Haven, Connecticut. The event raised thousands of dollars for ClearWater Initiative and at the time was their biggest fundraiser to date.
In June 2010, We the Kings performed at "Kiss the Summer Hello", a concert in Buffalo, New York at the Coca-Cola Stadium. They performed with Cartel, Jaicko, Mayday Parade, New Boyz, Shontelle and Spose. They performed "Secret Valentine" along with a few other songs, and closed with one of their most popular songs "Check Yes, Juliet".
In February 2011, We the Kings toured the UK in 10 different cities from 4–15th. Manchester being one of the first nights to sell out. They were supported by Versaemerge, All Forgotten and I See Stars throughout the whole tour.
They toured Australia in early March 2011, including at the Soundwave festival. They also headlined two soldout sideshows in Sydney and Melbourne with The Maine and Nevershoutnever.
The band is out on their "Friday is Forever" tour in Summer 2011 in support of their latest release. The Summer Set, The Downtown Fiction, Hot Chelle Rae and Action Item provided support.
They will tour South America for the first time during early 2012, along with Taking Back Sunday.
Also in early 2012, We the Kings will tour some countries in Europe, including Spain, Finland, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Germany, France, Italy and Portugal.
In November 2011 at an industry conference hosted by Billboard magazine, Clark joined S-Curve founder and record producer Steve Greenberg to demonstrate an interactive video game based on the band's music and images.[5][6]
Current members
| Year | Album details | Peak chart positions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [7] |
US Rock [8] |
US Heat [9] |
US Indie [10] |
AUS |
||
| 2007 | We the Kings
|
151 | — | 3 | — | — |
| 2009 | Smile Kid
|
112 | 24 | — | 5 | — |
| 2011 | Sunshine State of Mind
|
45 | 9 | — | — | 95 |
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart | ||||||
| Year | Single | Peak chart positions | Certifications (sales threshold) |
Album | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [11] |
US Pop [12] |
US Heat [13] |
AUS [14] |
||||||
| 2007 | "Skyway Avenue" | — | — | — | — | We the Kings | |||
| 2008 | "Check Yes Juliet" | 70 | 23 | — | 26 | ||||
| "Secret Valentine" | — | 33 | — | — | |||||
| 2009 | "Heaven Can Wait" | — | 25 | 15 | — | Smile Kid | |||
| 2010 | "We'll Be a Dream" (featuring Demi Lovato) | 76 | 21 | 3 | — | ||||
| 2011 | "Friday Is Forever" | — | — | — | — | Sunshine State of Mind | |||
| "Say You Like Me" | — | 38 | — | — | |||||
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart | |||||||||
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | MTV Video Music Awards | "Best New Artist" | We The Kings | Nominated |
| 2008 | Rock on Request Awards | "Best Pop Punk Artist" | We The Kings | Won |
| 2010 | Teen Choice Awards | "Choice Hook Up" (shared with Demi Lovato) | We'll Be a Dream | Nominated |