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Cage the Elephant
American rock band from Kentucky From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Cage the Elephant is an American rock band formed in 2006 in Bowling Green, Kentucky. They moved to England and settled in London in 2008, shortly before their self-titled first album was released. The band currently consists of Matt Shultz (vocals), his older brother Brad Shultz (rhythm guitar), Nick Bockrath (lead guitar), Matthan Minster (guitar, keyboards), Daniel Tichenor (bass), and Jared Champion (drums).[1] The band's first album was released to much success, spawning several successful radio singles and gaining the band a large following in both the United States and the United Kingdom. It was influenced by classic rock, '90s alternative, blues, punk rock, and funk music. Lincoln Parish served as the band's lead guitarist from their formation in 2006 until 2013, when he left on good terms to pursue a career in producing.
 | This article may be written from a fan's point of view, rather than a neutral point of view. (August 2025) |
The band's second album, Thank You, Happy Birthday, was released in 2011 and was heavily influenced by punk rock as well as bands such as Pixies and Nirvana. The band's third album, Melophobia, was released in 2013 as the band's concerted effort to find its own distinct musical identity. The band's fourth album, Tell Me I'm Pretty, was produced by Dan Auerbach and released in 2015. The band released a live album, Unpeeled, in 2017. Their fifth studio album, Social Cues, was released in 2019,[2] and their sixth, Neon Pill, was released on May 17, 2024.[3] They won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Album twice, in 2017 for Tell Me I'm Pretty and in 2020 for Social Cues.[4]
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History
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Previous careers
Prior to joining Cage the Elephant, Matt Shultz worked in construction as a plumber. In an interview with the "Rock It Out!" blog for Consequence of Sound, he said he felt like if he did not quit that job, he would be stuck there for the rest of his life. He left to work at a sandwich bar with his brother, Brad Shultz, who had previously worked in telemarketing. Daniel Tichenor held a job at Lowe's and Jared Champion worked in a pet store.
Nick Bockrath is part of the band Nicos Gun and previously played bass with Morning Teleportation. Cage got to know him through their friendship with that band. Matthan Minster formed a band called YOURS in 2010.
Formation and name
Members of Cage the Elephant had previously been involved in the band Perfect Confusion when they were in high school and released a self-titled LP in 2005. Matt Shultz was also in an experimental punk band in middle school called Left Nostril.
The band's name, according to lead singer Matt Shultz, came from an incident in 2006 when a mentally disabled man approached the band after a show. He hugged Shultz and kept repeating the sentence "You have to cage the elephant" over and over again.[5]
Early years and Cage the Elephant (2007–2010)
The band signed with Relentless Records after showcasing at the 2007 South by Southwest music festival. Their first tour was as a support act for Queens of the Stone Age in Canada. They then moved to London, England,[6] to the Leyton area on the outskirts of the city. At the time, Lincoln Parish was only 16 years old, so in order to be able to move, his parents had to sign over parental guardianship to the band. In 2008, they appeared on the British show Later... with Jools Holland with Coldplay, Sia, Glen Campbell, John Mellencamp, and Amy LaVere. They released their eponymous debut album, Cage the Elephant, on June 23, 2008, in the United Kingdom and April 21, 2009, in the United States, Japan, Australia, and Canada, to mostly favorable reviews. Their single "Ain't No Rest for the Wicked" reached number 32 on the UK Singles Chart and number 83 on the Billboard hot 100. The song was featured in the Gearbox Software video game Borderlands, as well as in the 2010 movie The Bounty Hunter.[7] It was also featured as iTunes' free single of the week for the week of April 12, 2009. In 2009 the song Back Against the Wall became the band's first track to chart at the number 1 position on the alternative charts.[8]
Cage the Elephant appeared as a support act on tour with The Pigeon Detectives in early 2008, and for Silversun Pickups and Manchester Orchestra in 2009. They appeared on Everybody Loves Lil' Chris in October 2008. The group made a national TV appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman, performing "Ain't No Rest for the Wicked" in July 2009. In August 2009, Cage the Elephant played for the first time at Lollapalooza in Chicago, as well as San Francisco's Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival on August 30, 2009.[9] Prior to their return to Lollapalooza, the band also performed twice at Bonnaroo, once in June 2007 and in 2009. They released the single "Back Against the Wall" which was later included in a Wii game, called We Cheer, We Cheer 2.[10][11]
Thank You, Happy Birthday (2011–2012)
The band's second album, Thank You, Happy Birthday, was released in January 2011. The album sold 39,000 copies during its first week in the U.S., debuting at Number 2 on the Billboard 200, losing to the band Cake's Showroom of Compassion.[12] The album received positive reception from most critics, with the song Shake me down dominating the alternative charts stating at the number one position for 6 weeks along reaching number 78 on the Billboard hot 100.[8] As of 2025 its also the bands only song to reach number 1 on the Hot Rock and Alternative songs chart.
Throughout the year, Cage the Elephant supported the album by playing live. The group landed multiple late night shows, such as the Late Show with David Letterman[13] and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.[14] Cage the Elephant also landed the bill for music festivals such as Coachella and the Glastonbury Festival. On August 6, 2011, Cage the Elephant performed at the Kansas Speedway for the first annual Kanrocksas music festival. In the later half of the year, the band supported the Foo Fighters, who were on tour supporting their new album Wasting Light. In October, drummer Jared Champion's appendix suddenly burst, requiring immediate medical attention. Dave Grohl, the Foo Fighters' frontman and former drummer of Nirvana, temporarily filled in for Champion while he was recuperating.[15]
The band's hit song "Shake Me Down" was nominated for a MTV Video Music Award for Best Rock Video in September 2011.[16]
The group's audience expanded widely throughout 2011. Although they were formed in the 2000s, the band earned the top spot in Rolling Stone's "Reader's Poll: The Best New Artist of 2011". The band Sleeper Agent, another Bowling Green music group and close friends with Cage the Elephant, came in second place. The magazine also named Thank You, Happy Birthday as the 15th best album of the year. That year, Cage the Elephant and Manchester Orchestra embarked on a co-headlining tour with Sleeper Agent as the opening band.
In January 2012, the band released the album Live from The Vic in Chicago, recorded during their 2011 tour, and also toured with the Big Day Out music festival.
Melophobia (2013–2015)
Cage the Elephant regrouped in the studio to record their third album Melophobia (meaning "fear of music").[17][18][19][20] The album's lead single "Come a Little Closer" was teased via their YouTube channel on August 1, 2013, and premiered in full on August 8, 2013. It was released on iTunes for purchase on August 13. In an interview with iHeartRadio during Lollapalooza 2013, Matt Shultz revealed the title of the upcoming album. Melophobia was released on October 8, 2013, to largely positive reviews.[21] Shultz mentions in an interview with Billboard that Melophobia is not a fear of music, rather, "It's a fear of creating music under false pretenses, catering to cool, or writing to project some sort of image that's based upon social standards...[It's] trying to sound artistic, poetic or intellectual, rather than just trying to communicate an honest thought or feeling or story."[22] "Take It or Leave It" and "Cigarette Daydreams" were released on March 24, 2014, and August 26, 2014, respectively. The band toured with Muse as an opening act in the fall of 2013. On August 24, 2013, the band performed Melophobia in its entirety live at Soundcheck Nashville in front of an intimate audience of friends and family. The band also performed the songs "Spiderhead" and "Come A Little Closer" live on Los Angeles radio station KROQ. Lincoln Parish left the band early in December 2013 to focus on his production company, TalkBoxRodeo.[23] In an interview, Parish said that he "wanted to be a producer before anything else. And then [Cage the Elephant] obviously took off and did more than what any of us could have expected."[24] Guitarist Nick Bockrath filled in as lead guitarist on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on December 9 and, on subsequent shows. The Melophobia tour continued into 2014, including a stop at the Lollapalooza music festival on August 3.[25] The band also toured with The Black Keys on their Turn Blue tour, and then with Foals on their 2014 UK and US tours.
Both Cigarette Daydreams and Come a little closer held the number 1 on the alternative airplay. Overall the album once again received positive reception from critics with Brian Mansfield of USA Today designated it "Album of the Week," summarizing that "Melophobia may mean 'fear of music,' but there's nothing to be afraid of: Its glorious chaos makes for thrilling listening.[26]
In August 2013, Brad Shultz and his wife Lindsay had a child named Etta Grace, and on November 12, 2014, Jared Champion and his partner Alicia had a child named Rosalyn. Kyle Davis filled in for Champion during the December 2014 tour, while he spent time with his family.
Tell Me I'm Pretty (2015–2017)
Cage the Elephant released their fourth album, Tell Me I'm Pretty, on December 18, 2015, with Dan Auerbach, a member of The Black Keys, as the producer.[27] The band said they "just wanted to experiment with sounds. While you start experimenting with sound and you get out there a little bit, away from the norm, I think people will see that as psychedelic."[28] This project reached farther than their usual work. The album's first single, "Mess Around", was first performed by the band on October 29, 2015.[29] The band posted on Twitter stating that the song was inspired by the band Outkast and The Black Keys.[29] The band then released their second single from the album, "Trouble".[30] To promote the album, "Too Late To Say Goodbye" was put out to the public before the band released the full album.[31]
The woman pictured on the cover of the album is model Rachel Sykes.[32] In an interview, lead singer Matt Shultz said "When I looked at her, she was immediately beautiful to the eye but also there was some sense that she'd lived some real life in a way that I could relate to..."[32] He then continued to say that she looked as if she had been "touched" and he was delighted to see how she acted in real life, when she was not being photographed or on camera. The album seen positive reception from critics and fans alike with the album earning the band's first Grammy Award for best rock album.[4]
Trouble and Mess Around would both hold the number 1 position on the alternative airplay charts.[8]
The band also held the their 2015 Tell Me I'm Pretty Tour along with opening for Metallica at a Super Bowl eve concert in at AT&T Park.[33]
On July 28, 2017, the band released a live album titled Unpeeled. It was recorded while band was on tour during their "live and unpeeled" shows in Los Angeles, Washington DC, Nashville and Knoxville. The album included 18 curated songs from past albums and 3 cover songs. The band described the acoustic covers accompanied with a string section as "refreshing" and a "change in pace".[34] It received high reviews from music critics.[35]
Social Cues (2018–2023)
On November 26, 2018, the band announced on Twitter that their new album was "Done. Mixed. Mastered."[36] On January 7, 2019, they released a sample of a song titled "Ready to Let Go" on their Instagram story.[37] On January 31, the band officially released "Ready to Let Go", the first single off their new album.
On February 11, 2019, Cage the Elephant announced a summer 2019 co-headlining tour with Beck, who is featured on the Social Cues track "Night Running."[38] It was also featured in the soundtrack to the PlayStation 4 game MLB The Show 19.[39] The album Social Cues was released on April 19, 2019, via RCA Records.[2] A Matt Shultz directed music video for "Ready to Let Go" was released on January 31 as well.[40] On September 23, Cage the Elephant announced tour dates in early 2020 in the UK and Europe. Supporting acts are Post Animal for the UK leg and SWMRS for the remainder of the European tour. On October 24, Cage the Elephant released a music video for the song "Social Cues" from their album Social Cues. It was shot at Adult Swim's FishCenter Live in Atlanta, Georgia with additional direction from Matt Shultz.[41][42]
Skin and Bones, Ready To Let Go and Social Cues would all reach number 1 of the alternative charts.[8]
For the rest of 2019 they went on their “Night running tour” alongside Beck.[43]
In 2020, Social Cues won the band's second Grammy Award for Best Rock Album at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards.[4] The band contributed a cover of the Metallica song "The Unforgiven" to the charity tribute album The Metallica Blacklist, released in September 2021.[44] they also played a show alongside Metallica and Greta Van Fleet that same year.[45]
On January 5, 2023, lead singer Matt Shultz was arrested in New York on charges of felony firearm possession. Shultz was staying at The Bowery Hotel in Manhattan, where a hotel employee reportedly saw him carrying a firearm into the bathroom and called 9-1-1.[46][47][48] In June, he made a plea deal, avoiding jail time, as well as allowing him to wipe the charges from his record should he "stay clean for one year."[49]
Neon Pill (2024–present)
After five years without releasing new music, the band released the single "Neon Pill" on January 19, 2024. It was produced with John Hill and recorded at Sonic Ranch in Tornillo, Texas[50] and was followed by the single "Good Time" on April 4, 2024. Their sixth studio album of the same name as the former was released on May 17, 2024.[51] The song Metaverse was featured in the soundtrack of NHL 25.[52]
The band also went on tour for the first time in nearly 2 years with the “Neon Pill tour” also playing on the tonight show with Jimmy Fallon.[53]
Once again the band had 3 songs from the album reach number 1 on the alternative airplay charts Neon Pill, Metaverse and Rainbow. Resulting in them tying both Green Day and Linkin Park for second most Alternative airplay number 1s.[54]
In late 2024 the bands song Cigarette Daydreams became their first song to reach 1 billion streams on Spotify.[55]
On September 30, 2024, it was announced Cage The Elephant would open for all stops of the North American leg of the Oasis Live '25 reunion tour.[56]
Neon Pill was nominated for Best Alternative Music Performance at the Grammys in 2025.
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Members
Current members
- Matt Shultz – lead vocals (2006–present), rhythm guitar (2015–present)
- Brad Shultz – rhythm guitar, keyboards (2006–present)
- Daniel Tichenor – bass, backing vocals (2006–present)
- Jared Champion – drums, percussion (2006–present)
- Nick Bockrath – lead guitar, keyboards, backing vocals (2017–present)
- Matthan Minster – keyboards, rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2017–present)
Former members
- Lincoln Parish – lead guitar, keyboards (2006–2013)
Timeline
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Style and lyrical themes
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Perspective
During their early years the band was influenced by classic rock and folk bands such as The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix and the Beatles. But later on during the band's time in London, their exposure to bands such as Nirvana, Foals and Gang of Four helped shape their early alt rock and punk sound. Lead singer Matt Shultz cites bands such as the Pixies as influential on his vocal style.[57]
Throughout the band's tenure they have been known for their evolving sound and ability to fuse genres together. Starting out with there debut self titled album that had more of a garage rock sound. But with every new album that came out after the band has intentionally taken a different direction in sound and style.[58][59] This was best seen in the band's 3rd studio album Melophobia in which the band moved beyond their usual garage rock and funky blues rock sound. They incorporated numerous sounds and instruments, which resulted in a more dark and mellow sound along with elements of psychedelic rock while still keeping some of the Blues style seen in their first two albums. Then with a strong vocal performance by Shultz it all came together to completely reinvent the band's sound.[60][61] On top of this the band values immediacy where they often forego over polished production resulting in a more emotional impact. This was exemplified in the band's 4th studio album Tell Me I'm Pretty where they worked alongside Dan Auerbach, who pushed the band to embrace first takes and avoid overthinking.[62]
Some of the themes the band covered in their first two albums had to do with not selling out. The album Thank You, Happy Birthday made this point with tracks like "Sell Yourself" and "Shake Me Down". This attitude largely lent to the songs' poignant sound and connected them with an audience that is more concerned with principle than catchiness.[63] Many of the band's songs especially from their more recent albums are rooted in experiences of the lead singer Matt Shultz.[64] This is most prominently seen in their 5th studio album Social Cues which was written in the aftermath of his divorce. The album channeled Shultz's grief and emotional fragmentation into lyrics exploring identity, melancholy, isolation and disconnection.[65] The death of close friends and family, including Matt and Brad's cousin and Brad's father-in-law, deeply influenced not only the lyrics but also the instrumentation of the record.[66] Throughout the album they also critique the superficiality and pressures that come with fame, while also showing how it can lead to destructive behavior and distort one's perception of success.[67] In the bands most recent album Neon Pill it touches upon mental health problems and addiction and resilience. Including Shultz's own personal battle of trying to find happiness while struggling with his metal health problems. Alongside his arrest.[68]
The band is also known to give energetic and entertaining live performances exemplified by frontman Matt Shultz's showmanship, with him dancing around the stage like Mick Jagger and diving into the crowd.[69][70]
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Discography
Studio albums
- Cage the Elephant (2008)
- Thank You, Happy Birthday (2011)
- Melophobia (2013)
- Tell Me I'm Pretty (2015)
- Social Cues (2019)
- Neon Pill (2024)
Awards and nominations
Grammy Awards
- Nominated for 2015 best Alternative album for Melophobia
- 2017 Best rock album for tell meTell Me I'm Pretty
- 2020 Best rock album for Social Cues
- Nominated for 2025 best alternative music performance for Neon Pill
iHeart Radio music awards
- Nominated for 2016 alternative rock song of the year for Cigarette Daydreams
- Nominated for 2017 alternative rock artist of the year
- Nominated for 2017 alternative rock song of the year for Trouble
- Nominated for 2020 alternative rock artist of the year
- Nominated for 2020 alternative rock song of the year for Ready to Let Go
- Nominated for 2021 alternative rock artist of the year
MTV Video Music Awards
- Nominated for 2011 best rock music video for Shake me down
Teens choice awards
- Nominated for 2019 choice rock artist/song
Rolling Stone reader's poll
- Voted 2011 Best new artist
Source[71]
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Tours
- The Cage The Elephant Tour 2010 (23 shows)
- Thank You, Happy Birthday Tour 2012 (48 shows)
- The Melophobia Tour 2013 into 2014 (49 shows)
- The Tell Me I'm Pretty Tour 2015 (34 shows)
- The Spring Rock AF 2016 Tour (16 shows)
- Live and Unpeeled Acoustic Tour 2017 (11 shows)
- The Night Running Tour 2019 (featuring Beck) (31 shows)
- The Neon Pill Tour 2024 into 2025 (65 shows)
- Cage the Elephant fall tour (featuring hey, nothing) (2025)
Source[72]
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References
External links
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