• AOL
  • MAIL
    • You might also like: 
    • Music | 
    • Movies | 
    • TV | 
    • Celebrity News
    •  and More
    Sign In / Register
Spinner
  • Main
  • Spinner RPM
  • Features
    • The Hit List
    • Spinner Interview
    • Tributes & Essays
    • Music Appreciation
  • Songs
    • Free MP3 of the Day
    • Play Full Albums Free
  • Videos
    • The Interface
    • Sessions
    • Video of the Day
    • All Videos
  • Radio
    • AOL Radio
    • AOL Radio Toolbar
    • Shoutcast
  • AOL Music Sites
    • The Boot
    • The BoomBox
    • Noisecreep
    • AOL Music Blog
  • SXSW
  • Send Feedback
  • Madonna

    Watch Madonna Halftime Show
  • Taylor Swift

    Watch Taylor Swift Beatboxing
  • Katy Perry

    Get Katy Perry News
  • Kristin Chenoweth

    Watch Kristin Chenoweth in Our Studio
  • Ringo Starr

    Read Ringo Starr Interview
  • Janet Jackson

    Super Bowl Halftime Bloopers
  • Kellie Pickler

    Read Kellie Pickler Interview
  • Chris Brown

    Chris Brown 'Wins' Unwelcome Award

Spinner Exclusives

  • The Interface - Live Performances
  • Listening Parties - New CDS for Free
  • Spinner Radio
  • Listening Parties - New CDS for Free

Features

  • Best Songs 2011
  • Top Albums of 2011
  • Sad Songs
  • Music Geeks in Film
  • Best Opening Lyrics

All Categories

  • Monthly Mixtape(1)
  • A Day in the Life(5)
  • All About Jazz(96)
  • Awards(229)
  • Free MP3 Download of the Day(1671)
  • Around the World(205)
  • Between the Notes(36)
  • Book Club(94)
  • Celebrity Doppelganger(18)
  • Clash of the Cover Songs(49)
  • Coming Out Stories(23)
  • Concerts and Tours(6839)
  • Count Five(83)
  • Exclusive(5972)
  • Guest Blogger(133)
  • Holy Hell(1016)
  • I Fought the Law(111)
  • I Freakin' Love This Song(252)
  • In House(12)
  • Listen Up!(18)
  • Movies(424)
  • Music Appreciation(123)
  • New Music(857)
  • New Releases(613)
  • News(12253)
  • PhotoSynthesis(88)
  • Picture Book(31)
  • Politics as Usual(61)
  • Pop Culture(92)
  • Potent Quotables(776)
  • Q + A(492)
  • Quizzes & Trivia(6)
  • R.I.P.(454)
  • Road Report(61)
  • Rock Almanac(366)
  • Rock Hall(44)
  • RPM(260)
  • Spinner Says(15)
  • Spinner Interview(212)
  • Television(243)
  • The Chum Bucket(777)
  • The Hit List(1388)
  • Twisted Tales(194)
  • Video(1781)
  • Video of the Day(1223)
  • What's That Song?(134)

Art Brut Frontman Says Killers, Kings of Leon Songs Written by Robots

  • Posted on Jul 1st 2009 4:00PM by Mark Yarm
  • Comments
Email This
Ever since he took a jab at the lyrics of the Killers and Kings of Leon at the Glastonbury Festival last weekend, Art Brut singer Eddie Argos' inbox has been filling up with messages questioning his taste and, in some cases, his intellect. Even Argos' father has weighed in.

"My dad likes the Killers," Argos tells Spinner. "He sent me an email telling me, 'It's a good album. You should listen to it.'" But the singer remains unswayed. "Those bands' songs to me sound like they were written by robots," he says. "They don't sound like they were made by people. They're so produced, and sort of aimed at a demographic. They're not about anything."

During a Glastonbury performance of 'Slap Dash for No Cash,' Argos sang the lines "This sex is on fire" and "Are we human? Or are we dancer?" then questioned, "What does it mean? What does any of it f---ing mean?"

"A lot of people have been emailing me: 'You don't read enough. You're an idiot. ['Are we human? Or are we dancer?'] is a quote from Hunter S. Thompson,'" Argos says. "But you put that quote in the context of the rest of the song and it doesn't mean anything. Personally, I like songs to be about something.

"With 'Sex on Fire,' an angry Kings of Leon fan sent me an email saying, 'It's not meant to be taken literally,'" Argos continues. "Yeah, I know the sex isn't actually on fire. I'm not an idiot. But I can't imagine anybody having any sort of emotional response to 'Your sex is on fire,' unless of course they have set their genitals on fire, accidentally, at some point -- then I'd understand."

Although he was "slagging those bands off a little bit" during his performance of 'Slap Dash,' Argos stresses that the Art Brut track is more "a celebration of bands like Jeffrey Lewis and the Mountain Goats -- the bands that write genuinely affecting songs you hear and go, 'That means something to me.' It's about how much I love songs by people, recorded inexpensively at home, where you can hear the strain of their voice and them trying out new things."

Since the Glastonbury show, Argos hasn't heard from the Killers or Kings of Leon, saying, "I don't really expect to. Why would they care about me? They sell millions of records." He hopes not to hear from any more angry fans of those acts, either. "People who read this, please don't start hating me and emailing me and shouting at me," Argos says. "It's just my personal preference. I'm sorry."
  • Filed under: News, Exclusive
  • Email This

All the AOL Music info you want to know

Killswitch Engage Welcome Back Original…

Noisecreep

KillswitchEngage.com After weeks of online speculation, it looks like…

Brandy and Monica's 'It All Belongs to…

The Boombox

Jason Merritt, Getty Images What a difference 14 years make. Back in 1998,…

Leslie Carter Death: Nick Carter Skips…

AOL Music Blog

Chad Buchanan, Getty Images Leslie Carter was laid to rest over the weekend…

See all AOL Music »

Add a Comment

Sign in »
*0 / 3000 Character Maximum
7

8 Comments

Filter by:
Trigger23

Ok, so the lead singer of a band which "formed... with the sole (and completely honorable) intention of getting girls and making it to Top of the Pops. " has the nerve to criticize Kings of Leon? I agree that the Killers are pretty so-so, but Kings are solid, soulful, dirty southern rock, and if he had actually listened to more than 1/4 of one stanza, then he'd know that. And really, if he doesn't understand what "this sex is on fire" means then he hasn't had a good shag in the entirety of his existence. Just because many people might not directly say that to whomever they're shagging doesn't mean that it is meaningless gibberish!

August 23 2009 at 4:26 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Sally

Kings of Leon wrote three heartbreakingly gorgeous albums before the arena-rock rush-job that was "Only By The Night". Okay, "Sex on Fire" is a terrible song, but if Argos thinks they burst onto the scene with that one single, then I feel bad for him. The Kings haven't exactly been hiding away. They've been a massively critically acclaimed act in the UK and Europe since 2003. He can trash them all he wants, and get back to us when he writes anything as gritty and perfect as "Aha Shake Heartbreak".

August 23 2009 at 2:01 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
corykenny

I love kings of leon, i think Eddie Argos is pathetic and immmature, you do not need to say that at a concert.
I Dont think lyrics have to have a meaning or story thats not what makes a good song.
Anyways i dont see them playing at sold out arenas do you ??
Errr No.
1 Nil to kings of leon =)

July 02 2009 at 1:18 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Jason

Kings of Leons cd is the best thing I have heard in years. Who cares what this guy says. I wasnt a fan before and now I am. Im listining to this CD non stop and skipping no songs. Cant say that for many other CDs I own.

July 01 2009 at 7:00 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
LIVtheLife

Seems like those comments would really bug Caleb who worries about selling out and singing to fans of over-produced tunes that he doesnt even like at his own shows. Whatever I've like Brut, Killers, Kings and Mountain Goats...liking one doesn't mean you have to exclude the other Eddie - Stop worrying that enjoying music that becomes popular is going to ruin your artistic, indie cred.

July 01 2009 at 6:47 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
LIVtheLife

Seems like those comments would really bug Caleb who worries about selling out and singing to fans of over-produced tunes that he doesnt even like at his own shows. Whatever I've like Brut, Killers, Kings and Mountain Goats...liking one doesn't mean you have to exclude the other Eddie - Stop worrying that enjoying music that becomes popular is going to ruin your artistic, indie cred.

July 01 2009 at 6:44 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to LIVtheLife's comment
samusaran88

Exactly, he should be more worried about bands like Coldplay who call themselves indie but collaborate with Jay-Z and make statements that bands like the Killers deserve to be in their league because of songs like "Human". If indie rockers have anything to worry about, it should be that there are pretentious people like Chris Martin out there trying to be the next Bono and making outrageous claims that they are in their own league. Music shouldn't be about leagues. It should be about music, and I think Kings of Leon and the Killers have more than proven it really is about that.

July 22 2009 at 2:39 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Daniel Kantor

Since when do songs have to mean anything? Sure I like when lyrics have meaning, but that usually doesn't dictate whether the songs are good or bad.

For the record, I like The Killers and Kings of Leon.

July 01 2009 at 4:11 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Follow Us

  • Newsletter
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • RSS

Sign Up for Spinner's Newsletter! Get free MP3s, play a selection of each week's new albums free, read features, win sweet music swag and more!




  • Contact Us
  • Send News Tips
  • Advertise with Us

SIGN UP FOR SPINNER'S NEWSLETTER

  • Get free MP3s, play a selection of each week's new albums free, read features, win sweet music swag and more!

  • Sign Up!

AOL Radio

Listen to Slacker AOL Radio Now
play arrow
Top Indie - Today's best indie rock and pop
play arrow
Indie Rock Mix - A mix of new and old indie rock
play arrow
New Indie First - The latest in indie music
Online Radio Guide

Listen to Full CDs

  • Paul McCartney, 'Kisses on the Bottom'
  • Sharon Van Etten, 'Tramp'
  • AIR, 'Le Voyage Dans La Lune'
  • Bahamas, 'Barchords'
  • Band of Skulls, 'Sweet Sour'
  • Play More Albums Free

Most Popular

  • Madonna Super Bowl Halftime Show: Romans, Cheerleaders and MIA's Middle Finger
    Like

    165

  • Super Bowl Halftime Bloopers: 10 Huge Mistakes on the Big Stage
    Like

    322

  • Puddle of Mudd Singer Arrested in January for Drug Possession
    Like

    116

  • Randy Travis Arrested in Texas
    Like

    191

  • Cee Lo's Super Bowl Strip Club Outing: Singer Reportedly Drops $10K
    Like

    36

  • Jennifer Lopez, Tori Spelling And More: The 15 Worst-Dressed Celebrities Of The Week
    Like

    54

  • Lil Kim's Tax Trouble: Queen Bee Owes IRS More Than $1 Million
    Like

    102

  • Komen Foundation Makes Stunning Reversal
    Like

    21K

  • Christina Aguilera Family Trauma: Singer Considers Reconciling With Long-Estranged Father
    Like

    33

  • Teen With No Hands Kept Off SeaWorld And Universal Rides
    Like

    747

  • Miranda Lambert's Dog Dies
    Like

    47

  • Suzanne Somers, Joyce Dewitt Bury Rivalry, Stage 'Three's Company' Reunion
    Like

    755

  • Miranda Lambert Makes Emotional Return to On Fire Tour
    Like

    9

  • The Most Controversial Super Bowl Commercials
    Like

    160

  • Paris Jackson Boyfriend: MJ's Daughter Dating a Rapper?
    Like

    32

  • Evangelical Christian Group Calls For Starbucks Boycott
    Like

    7K

  • Supreme Court Leaves Clues How It Will Decide Health Reform
    Like

    499

  • Koch Brothers, Allies Pledge $100 Million At Private Meeting To Beat Obama
    Like

    15K

  • WATCH: Anchorwoman Has Inevitable Sausage Story Slip-Up
    Like

    3K

  • PHOTOS: The Week's Worst And Wildest Weather
    Like

    68

  • Ann Coulter's Revealing Private Talk With Mitt Romney
    Like

    212

  • AGAIN? Second Teacher Arrested After Accusations Surface
    Like

    358

  • Busty Woman Blames DUI Bust On Her Boobs
    Like

    852

  • 11 Amazing/Disgusting Snack Stadiums
    Like

    1K

  • In The Midst Of Latino Population Growth, Lawmaker Proposes Holiday For White People. No Joke.
    Like

    2K

Also on AOL

Quick Links

  • Slipknot Masks
  • Saddest Songs
  • Funny Music Videos
  • SXSW 2011

Also on AOL Music

  • Concert Tickets
  • Grammys 2012
  • Music Videos
  • New Music Releases

Blogs on AOL

  • Country Music
  • Hip Hop Music
  • Metal Music
  • Pop Music News

More on AOL

  • Best Lyrics
  • Best Metal Songs
  • Break Up Songs
  • Online Radio

More on AOL

  • Christmas Music
  • Classic Rock Songs
  • Best Songs of 2010
  • SHOUTcast

Help Links

  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Trademarks
  • About Our Ads
  • Follow Spinner on Twitter
  • The Interface
  • Free MP3
  • Full CDs
  • RSS

Spinner.com © 2011 AOL Inc. All Rights Reserved.