In case you did not know, Cage The Elephant is an American rock band. This band has been making waves in the rock music genre since the mid 2000’s.
There’s probably a lot that you don’t know about this band (which happens to be on my bucket list of bands that I want to see live before I die), but today my aim is to change that…
20 Interesting Facts You Might Not Know about Cage The Elephant
1. The band was formed in 2006 in Bowling Green, Kentucky in the USA.
2. The band moved to the UK in 2008 (just before the release of their self-titled debut album).
3. The lineup of Cage The Elephant is presently comprised of lead vocalist Matt Shultz, accompanied by his elder brother Brad Shultz on rhythm guitar. Rounding out the band are Nick Bockrath handling lead guitar duties, Matthan Minster contributing guitar and keyboards, Daniel Tichenor on bass, and Jared Champion behind the drum kit.
4. Lincoln Parish is the only former member of the band. He left the band in 2013 on good terms to pursue a career in producing.
5. Over the course of their career thus far, Cage The Elephant have released six full-length studio albums. Their debut self-titled record arrived in 2008, followed by Thank You, Happy Birthday in 2011, and Melophobia in 2013. Subsequently, the band released Tell Me I’m Pretty in 2015, Social Cues in 2019, and most recently, their sixth album Neon Pill which was released in 2024.
6. Cage The Elephant‘s inaugural studio album was met with significant acclaim, yielding multiple hit radio singles that helped amass a sizable fanbase for the band across both the United States and United Kingdom. The album drew inspiration from a melting pot of genres, blending elements of classic rock, 90s alternative, blues, punk rock, and funk into their sound.
7. Before joining Cage the Elephant, several members had more conventional jobs. Lead singer Matt Shultz previously worked in construction as a plumber, but felt he needed to quit to pursue music or be stuck there forever.
He and his brother Brad Shultz, who had done telemarketing, went to work at a sandwich shop instead. Daniel Tichenor held a job at Lowe’s while Jared Champion worked at a pet store.
The band’s connections helped bring in other members. Guitarist Nick Bockrath was already part of the band Nicos Gun and had played bass with Morning Teleportation, a band Cage was friends with. Guitarist/keyboardist Matthan Minster started his own band called YOURS in 2010.
Many of the current Cage the Elephant members left more conventional employment paths to commit fully to music with the band’s growing success.
8. Prior to forming Cage the Elephant, several members were involved with the band Perfect Confusion during their high school years, releasing a self-titled LP in 2005. Lead singer Matt Shultz also performed in an experimental punk group called Left Nostril back in middle school.
As for the origin of Cage the Elephant‘s distinctive name, Matt Shultz has explained it stems from an encounter in 2006 after one of their shows. A mentally unstable individual approached Shultz, hugged him tightly, and repeatedly uttered the peculiar phrase “You have to cage the elephant” over and over again. This bizarre interaction left an impression, inspiring the moniker they now perform under.
9. After an impressive showcase performance at the 2007 South by Southwest music festival, Cage The Elephant landed a record deal with Relentless Records. Their first major touring opportunity came when they were tapped as the support act for Queens of the Stone Age on a run of shows across Canada.
10. The band’s single “Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked” achieved considerable success, peaking at #32 on the UK Singles Chart. The track gained further exposure by being featured in the Gearbox Software video game Borderlands, as well as making an appearance in the 2010 film The Bounty Hunter.
It was also highlighted as iTunes’ free single of the week during the week of April 12, 2009, making it available as a promotional download for a wide audience.
The song explores themes of morality, necessity, and the human condition, particularly focusing on the struggles and choices people make in pursuit of survival and fulfillment. The narrative-driven lyrics present three different scenarios, each highlighting how individuals engage in morally questionable actions due to their circumstances.
11. In recognition of their music video for the hit song “Shake Me Down,” Cage The Elephant received a nomination for Best Rock Video at the prestigious 2011 MTV Video Music Awards ceremony that September.
The song delves into themes of introspection, existential reflection, and resilience in the face of life’s challenges. The lyrics explore the struggle to find meaning and peace amidst difficult circumstances, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and maintaining a positive outlook.
12. Their song “Come A Little Closer” delves into themes of perception, vulnerability, and connection. The lyrics explore the idea of looking beyond surface appearances to understand deeper truths, both in relationships and in life.
13. Their song “Cigarette Daydreams” explores themes of love, loss, introspection, and longing. The lyrics convey a sense of melancholy and reflection, touching on personal relationships and emotional struggles.
14. The band’s fourth album, Tell Me I’m Pretty was produced by Dan Auerbach (one of the members of The Black Keys).
15. Their song “Trouble” addresses themes of self-reflection, personal struggles, and redemption. The lyrics explore the narrator’s internal conflicts, relationships, and the process of confronting and overcoming difficulties
16. Their song “Ready To Let Go” (which was the first single off their Social Cues album) delves into themes of ending relationships, self-liberation, and the emotional turmoil associated with letting go. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the pain and resolution that come with the decision to move on from a significant relationship.
17. While on tour supporting the Foo Fighters in 2011, Cage the Elephant faced a major setback when drummer Jared Champion suddenly suffered a ruptured appendix.
This medical emergency required Champion to depart the tour right away for urgent treatment, causing him to miss multiple shows. Thankfully, Dave Grohl stepped up and graciously filled in on drums for the band until Champion recovered and could rejoin the tour dates.
18. The Shultz brothers (Matthew and Brad) were raised in a devoutly religious and financially modest household in Kentucky. Despite their family’s limited means, attending church services together every Sunday was a steadfast tradition.
According to guitarist Brad Shultz, while their father exposed them to Christian music during their upbringing, he had previously been part of a rock ‘n’ roll band earlier in his life before embracing a more spiritual path. This contrasting musical background from their father perhaps helped shape the Shultz brothers’ eventual drift towards pursuing rock music professionally with Cage the Elephant.
19. Matthew Shultz played American football in high school but quit when his mother began dating the coach. After his parents’ divorce, Shultz moved into a trailer with his brother and bandmate, Brad Shultz. To pass the time, the two began writing songs together. Their realization that they had potential came when they played in a talent show and finished in second place, motivating them to pursue music further.
20. During a Reddit AMA, Matt Shultz was asked about his lyric writing process. He explained: “It usually begins with a random stream of consciousness. Once I understand what I’m trying to express, I work on narrowing it down to a specific idea or sentiment.”
Well, there you have it, 20 Interesting Facts you did know about Cage The Elephant. If I’ve left out something important, feel free to comment below.
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