Neon Trees is a rock band from Provo,UT,with origins in Temecula,California.Formed initially by neighbors Tyler Glenn (lead vocals/keyboards) and Chris Allen (guitars),the band made its first home in Provo,eventually adding Branden Campbell (bass) and Elaine Bradley (drums/vocals) to the lineup.[1] .Although a well known band in Provo,the band didn't receive nationwide exposure until late 2008 when they were chosen as openers for several of The Killers' North American tour dates.[2] Not long after,the band was signed by major record label Mercury Records and released their first full length album,Habits,in 2010.[3]The band first played under the name Neon Trees in late 2005 with five original members.The band's name originates from the lighted trees outside of In N Out Burger restaurants,frequently seen in California.The band became well-known throughout Provo and Salt Lake,and quickly gained a following through their energy-filled stage shows,led by the charisma and talent of front-man,Tyler Glenn.
They released an EP called Becoming Different People in 2006 during the time of their first tour through California.The EP featured promising songs like "Snap the Flash","Sister Stereo","Modern Romantics",and the original version of "1983",a soulful ballad which originated from a simple jam session.They also recorded other unreleased tracks during the "Treehouse Sessions" in 2006.
The band's lineup soon narrowed down to four members with Branden Campbell and Elaine Bradley joining the group on bass and drums,respectively.In 2008,The Killers drummer,Ronnie Vannucci Jr.,heard the band play.Vannucci had been in a Ska band called Attaboy Skip with Neon Trees bassist Branden Campbell.He later helped them sign to major label Mercury Records,which was announced in late 2008.Additionally,the group was voted Band of the Year in 2009 by City Weekly,a popular Salt Lake City publication.[4]
Although they had several prior independent releases,the band released its debut album at Mercury/Def Jam,Habits,on March 16,2010.[5] "Animal" was chosen as the lead single [6] and was shortly thereafter featured as the Free Single of the Week on iTunes in March 2010.They performed the song on Jimmy Kimmel Live on March 23rd,2010 and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on May 14th,2010.Mark Hoppus of Blink-182 selected Animal as his Spin Magazine Pick of the Week.[7] The song has also been featured on a commercial for Las Vegas and remixed by popular American DJ Kaskade.The group has also released a digital EP of four remixes of the song,one of which by Tyler Glenn.
Throughout the Spring of 2010 the band,along with Mutemath and Street Drum Corps,opened for the 30 Seconds To Mars tour Into The Wild.Subsequently,they are headlining the Summer 2010 Bang The Gong Tour with Paper Tongues and Civil Twilight.
In June 2010,Neon Trees performed a cover of Justin Bieber's "Baby" on Billboard.com for their Mashup Mondays series.[8]
