This was the hottest ticket in LA on October 15th. The Kings of Leon released their newest record, "Only By The Night" to a huge critical uproar and word-of-mouth on the street just a month ago, and the album caused a huge jump in their artistic credibility as well as their commercial position as a mainstay Rock act of the new millennium.

Thankfully, after being declined press passes by the Kings of Leon's people (it happens), Jules over at EMI got me in so I could talk to We Are Scientists (interview also posted at the Rockvine before we moved.. coming back soon). And so, I arrived VERY early at the Nokia Theater and was escorted through a long and windy backstage area to meet We Are Scientists in their beautifully lit dressing room. After about 20 minutes of videotaped conversation in which I learned nothing about the band, I exited, put my camera away and I was done with the work portion of the night.

Now for the fun. A band whose name I cannot remember (I think it was the Stills?) started off the evening with well performed but perfectly forgettable songs. Not much in the way of songwriting, but very good for performance and sound.

Up next we had We Are Scientists - their near opposite. Extremely catchy and fun songs, performed with an indie rock confidence. These are not Rock Stars, they are humble, funny men who write very good and very catchy pop songs and play slightly dancy and a little bit elecronic Rock and Roll. Think of what Weezer would sound like if they started their career in the year 2010 as it was imagined in 1984.

Next to the stage were Kings of Leon. Opening with likely one of the best songs of 2008, their understated groove Rock tune, Crawl, the band performed a well put together, yet subdued set. No stage accrobatics, crazy lighting, broken guitars or rock antics of any kind. Just four guys (three of whom are brothers, the other is a first cousin) playing their own brand of Southern Rock.

I'm used to going to shows of which I am a super-fan. Nine Inch Nails remains one of my favorites to date - crazy show, crazy lighting, but I also know every single word of every song. It is much easier to have some critical distance with a band. The fact is, Kings of Leon are very good live. They perform their music well and they sound like a great band. I don't know ALL of their music, and there was almost nothing in the way of lighting or stage production. Just four guys, playing music and barely moving.

Kings of Leon, however, do get hot chicks to dance. I attended the show with two male friends who will remain nameless, and we all admired the fact that the place was crawling in beautiful women. While Kings of Leaon were on stage, they were all losing their minds for over an hour straight. I have never seen so many beautiful women dancing in one place for a Rock band.

To keep with this theme, the band performed five of my favorites, the first five tracks from "Only By The Night." Perhaps the only truly magical moment was when they performed the single "Sex on Fire," which was truly electrifying.

All-in-all, if you get a chance I recommend you go check out Kings of Leon live. They seem to be the next "it" band in Rock and cross-over (what we in the business call bands that play Rock music then the pop world decides they like them too). Give 'em a try!