We The Kings

We the Kings is a powerpop band formed in 2003 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 #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. We the Kings also host their own miniature series of webisodes, entitled "The King's Carriage", detailing life on their tour bus.

History

We the Kings formed in 2003, while all four members, singer/guitarist Travis Clark, guitarist Hunter Thomsen, bassist Drew Thomsen, and drummer Danny Duncan, were attending high school. The group has been friends since childhood, and the group's name is derived from their junior high school's "king" mascot.^[3] Under the guidance of manager Bret Disend, the quartet placed a number of thier songs on the social networking site Purevolume in 2007 to gain publicity. Shortly after, the group signed to S-Curve Records, a New York-based imprint of EMI Records. On May 3, 2008, We the Kings appeared on CBS's The Early Show to perform "Check Yes Juliet" and "Skyway Avenue."^[4] Around this time they were also featured on MTV's Spring Break '08.^[5] Finally, the band performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live on June 27, 2008 and performed the single "Check Yes Juliet".^[6] They also hosted Radio Disney on August 20, 2008. ^[7] They also appeared on Friday Night Premiere on MTV. The Song "Check Yes Juliet" Is Included In Lego Rock Band^[8] In summer 2008, We the Kings were featured in Alternative Press Magazine. They were also featured on the cover of Substream Music Press magazine, issue 10, along with the band Alesana. They have also appeared in Kerrang! (Issue 1227) and UK magazine Black Velvet (issue 61). Their Black Velvet interview is based on the bands tweeting. On February 8, 2010, the group appeared as guests on the second season of MTV's Silent Library. In November 2009, drummer Danny Duncan and bassist Drew Thomsen were interviewed on their tour bus by LiveStarringYou.com. When asked about his post-music plans, Danny said he wanted to "open a pizzeria that specializes in making guacamole on the spot." On December 8, 2009 they released their second full-length album entitled Smile Kid, featuring the singles "We'll Be a Dream" featuring Demi Lovato, and "Heaven Can Wait."

Tours

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.^[9]


Live at Warped Tour.
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. 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. Also 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 kicked off 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 will also be performing at Warped Tour 2009. The band was on tour in Fall 2009, 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. They went on the Take Action Tour in early 2010 with There For Tomorrow, A Rocket To The Moon, Mayday Parade, Stereo Skyline, and Call the Cops. We the Kings also played with New Found Glory at Fitchburg State College's spring concert that is held at the Recreation Center every year. In March 2010, We the Kings supported You Me at Six on their UK headline tour along with Forever the Sickest Kids. The band has also played in Warped Tour 2010. They will be on the tour from June 26 to August 2. After Warped Tour, the band plan on a world tour in 2011.^[10] 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". Travis and his band members have also confirmed, via Twitter, that they are working on a new album, slated for release in early summer 2011.

Members

• Travis Clark - lead vocals, guitar, piano
• Hunter Thomsen - lead guitar, background vocals
• Drew Thomsen - bass guitar
• Danny Duncan - drums

Discography

Studio albums

Year	Album details	Peak chart positions
		US [11]	US Rock [12]	US Heat [13]	US Indie [14]
2007	We the Kings Release date: October 2, 2007 Label: S-Curve Records	151	—	3	—
2009	Smile Kid Release date: December 8, 2009 Label: S-Curve Records	112	24	—	5
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

EPs

• Between The Ink And Paper
• Secret Valentine EP
• Friendship Is A Touchy Subject

Singles

Year	Single	Peak chart positions			Album
		US [15]	US Pop [16]	US Heat [17]
2007	"Skyway Avenue"	—	—	—	We the Kings
2008	"Check Yes Juliet"	70	—	—
	"Secret Valentine"	—	40	—
2009	"Heaven Can Wait"	—	30	15	Smile Kid
2010	"We'll Be a Dream" (featuring Demi Lovato)	76	23	3
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Awards

Year	Award	Category	Work	Result
2008	MTV Video Music Awards	"Best New Artist"	We The Kings	Nominated
2008	Top In Rock 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

References

1. ^ http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:knfexqerld0e
2. ^ EMI Music signs S-Curve Records to US distribution and global licensing agreement. EMIGroup.com, July 17, 2007. Accessed October 30, 2007.
3. ^ Mason, Stewart (2009-12-13). "We the Kings Biography". Allmusic. Allmusic.com. http://allmusic.com/artist/we-the-kings-p984436/biography. Retrieved 2010-11-12. 
4. ^ "We The Kings on the The Early Show." Youtube. 3 May 2008. 29 Aug. 2008 Youtube.
5. ^ "We The Kings." Youtube. 20 July 2008. 29 Aug. 2008 Youtube
6. ^ "We The Kings "Check Yes Juliet" on Jimmy Kimmel Live 6-27-08." Youtube. 28 June 2008. 29 Aug. 2008 Youtube.
7. ^ "Check Yes Juliet" (acoustic) by We the Kings live on Radio Disney." Youtube. 20 Aug. 2008. 29 Aug. 2008
8. ^ Youtube
9. ^ Warped Tour 2008
10. ^ http://amplified.tv/2010/03/21/we-the-kings-interview/
11. ^ "We the Kings Album & Song Chart History - Billboard 200". Billboard. http://www.billboard.com/#/artist/we-the-kings/chart-history/934036?f=305&g=Albums. Retrieved October 16, 2010. 
12. ^ "We the Kings Album & Song Chart History - Rock Albums". Billboard. http://www.billboard.com/#/artist/we-the-kings/chart-history/934036?f=408&g=Albums. Retrieved October 16, 2010. 
13. ^ "We the Kings Album & Song Chart History - Heatseekers Albums". Billboard. http://www.billboard.com/#/artist/we-the-kings/chart-history/934036?f=324&g=Albums. Retrieved October 16, 2010. 
14. ^ "We the Kings Album & Song Chart History - Independent Albums". Billboard. http://www.billboard.com/#/artist/we-the-kings/chart-history/934036?f=326&g=Albums. Retrieved October 16, 2010. 
15. ^ "We the Kings Album & Song Chart History - Hot 100". Billboard. http://www.billboard.com/#/artist/we-the-kings/chart-history/934036?f=379&g=Singles. Retrieved October 16, 2010. 
16. ^ "We the Kings Album & Song Chart History - Pop Songs". Billboard. http://www.billboard.com/#/artist/we-the-kings/chart-history/934036?f=381&g=Singles. Retrieved October 16, 2010. 
17. ^ "We the Kings Album & Song Chart History - Heatseekers Songs". Billboard. http://www.billboard.com/#/artist/we-the-kings/chart-history/934036?f=887&g=Singles. Retrieved October 16, 2010. 

External links

• We the Kings, Video Premiere "Secret Valentine" on mtvU Premiered Tuesday Jan. 26th.
• Official Site
• We the Kings on Myspace
• We the Kings at PureVolume
• We the Kings at Allmusic
• We the Kings YouTube Channel