Cage the Elephant – 18 Impressive Facts You Didn’t Know
Cage The Elephant were formed in Bowling Green, Kentucky, USA in 2006. In 2008 they moved to Leyton, East London, England, UK, and then released their first album. The current band members are Matt Shultz (vocals), his brother Brad Shultz (rhythm guitar), Nick Bockrath (lead guitar), Matthan Minster (guitar, keyboards), Daniel Tichenor (bass) and Jared Champion (drums).
Their first album gained a lot of support for the band in the US and the UK. But enough of the stuff you probably already know, let’s move on to some impressive facts you didn’t know.
There Is Some Confusion About Where The Band’s Name Came From
There have been a number of theories about how the band got their name. It doesn’t help when members of the band give conflicting accounts…
- Some Say Their Name Came From A Fortune Teller
According to some sources their name came from an encounter Matthew Shultz had with a fortune teller, apparently the woman pulled a card from the deck and started to panic and saying “Cage the elephant” over and over.
- Matthew Shultz Said Their Name Came From A Cracker Jack Box
Matthew Shultz has been quoted as saying the band’s name came from a cracker jack box where you roll little silver balls around until they fall in the little pockets. The particular cracker jack box in question had a picture of an elephant that had to be caged.
- Matthew Shultz Also Said Their Name Came From A Mentally Disturbed Man
Matthew Shultz has also been quoted as saying that the band’s name came from a mentally disturbed man who approached the band after a show. He apparently hugged Matt Shultz and kept repeating the phrase “You have to cage the elephant”.
Their First Tour Was As A Support Act For Queens Of The Stone Age
Cage The Elephant’s first tour was supporting Queens Of The Stone Age on their Canadian tour.
Their Single Was Featured In The Film “Bounty Hunter” (2010)
The band’s single “Ain’t No Rest For The Wicked” was featured in the movie “Bounty Hunter”. It also featured in the Gearbox Software video game “Borderlands” and reached number 32 on the UK singles chart.
Dave Grohl Was Their Stand-In Drummer
In 2011 Jared Champion’s appendix burst while the band were touring in support of Foo Fighters. As a result the drummer had to miss a number of shows, leaving Cage The Elephant without a drummer. Fortunately for them Foo Fighters frontman and guitarist Dave Grohl stepped in to take Jared’s place. Which must have reminded Dave of his time as drummer for Nirvana.
Matthew Shultz Quit Playing Football In High School Because Of His Mum
Matthew Shultz played football in high school but quit when his mum started dating the coach.
The Shultz Brothers Lived In A Caravan
After the divorce of their parents, the Shultz brothers shared a caravan which was where they began writing songs just to pass the time.
The Shultz Brothers Came Second In A Talent Show
The Shultz brothers entered a local talent show, performing one of their own songs and came second. This was all the incentive they needed to pursue a career in the music industry.
Matthew Shultz Is An Avid Chess Player
He has been quoted as saying, “I’m always challenging our roadies to chess matches and also other band’s roadies to chess matches”.
Matt Shultz’s First Band Was Called “Left Nostril”
When he was in middle school, Matthew Shultz was in a band called “Left Nostril”.
They Were Originally Called “Perfect Confusion”
The foundation for Cage The Elephant was the band they formed in high school
which featured 3 members of their line up. They released one self-titled album – . That band was called “Perfect Confusion”.
Their Opening Act In Chicago Was Lady Gaga
When the band played Lollapalooza in Chicago in 2009, Lady Gaga performed on the same stage before the band went on.
The Band Were The Parental Guardians Of The Youngest Band Member
When they originally moved to the UK, one member of the band was only 16 so Lincoln Parish’s parents had to sign over Parental Guardianship to the band.
The Band Have Been Awarded 2 Grammy Awards
Their first Grammy was awarded for their 4th album “Tell Me I’m Pretty” which was released on December 18th 2015. Their second Grammy was for their 5th album “Social Cues” which was released on November 26th 2018.
Matt Shultz Used To Be A Plumber
Before Cage The Elephant took up all of his working time, Matt Shultz was a plumber.
The Shultz Brothers Made Sandwiches For A Living
Matt gave up his job as a plumber to work in a sandwich bar with his brother Brad. Daniel Tichenor worked at Lowes and Jared Champion worked in a pet shop.
One Of Their Videos Was Featured On Beavis And Butthead
In November 2011 the video for the band’s track “In One Ear” was featured on an episode of “Beavis and Butthead”.
They Won Rolling Stone Magazine’s “Reader’s Poll: The Best New Artist of 2011”
Even though the band were formed in 2006, Cage The Elephant were number one in the Rolling Stone “Readers Poll: The Best New Artist Of 2011”. With the band “Sleeper Agent” also from Bowling Green Kentucky and friends of Cage The Elephant coming in second place.
Beck Collaborated With The Band
Beck, the American musician, songwriter, singer and record producer, collaborated with Cage The Elephant on the track “Night Running” which is on the album “Social Cues”.
Frequently Asked Questions
When Jared Champion’s appendix burst while Cage The Elephant were on tour supporting Foo Fighters, Dave Grohl stood in for the ill drummer.
The Cage The Elephant song that contains the lines “He said, Give me all you’ve got, I want your money not your life” is “Ain’t No Rest For The Wicked” from the album “Cage The Elephant”.
The single “In One Ear” was taken from the album “Cage The Elephant”.
The TV show that featured Cage The Elephant performing “In One Ear” in November 2011 was Beavis and Butthead.
The Cage The Elephant song that contains the line “I’m hanging by a thread and I’m feeling like I’ll fall, I’m stuck here in between these shadows of my yesterday” is “Back Against The Wall” from the album “Cage The Elephant”.
Matt Shultz did used to be a plumber before working in a sandwich bar with his brother Brad.
Beck collaborated with Cage The Elephant on the track “Night Running” which was taken from the album “Social Cues”.
The Cage The Elephant song that contains the lines “Turn back now it’s time for me to let go, Way down had to find a place to lay low” is “Shake Me Down” taken from the album “Thank You, Happy Birthday”.
Before being called Cage The Elephant, the band used to be called “Perfect Confusion”.
The Cage The Elephant song that contains the lines “As I recall, you were lookin’ out of place, Gathered up your things and slipped away” is “Cigarette Daydreams” which was taken from the album “Melophobia”.
Matt Shultz challenges the roadies to play chess with him.
The Cage The Elephant song that contains the lines “I watched the strawberry fields, Dry up and wither away” is “Hypocrite”, which is taken from the album “Melophobia”.
It is true that when he was at school, Matt Shultz was in a band called “Left Nostril”.
The name of Cage The Elephant’s first studio album was “Cage The Elephant”.
Melophobia means the fear of music.
The Cage The Elephant song that contains the lines “I’ll be in the back room, tell me when it’s over, Don’t know if I can play this part much longer” is “Social Cues”, which was taken from the album of the same name.
The first famous band that Cage The Elephant supported was the Queens Of The Stone Age.
For the charity tribute album “The Metallica Blacklist” Cage The Elephant covered “The Unforgiven”.
Matt and Brad Shultz worked together in a sandwich bar before Cage The Elephant became famous.
The 2010 movie that featured “Ain’t No Rest For The Wicked” was “The Bounty Hunter”.
Do You Know Any Impressive Facts About Cage The Elephant?
If you know any impressive facts about Cage The Elephant that we don’t, please share them in the comments.
