Neon Trees

American rock band

Neon Trees

Neon Trees in 2020. From left to right: Chris Allen, Branden Campbell, Elaine Bradley, and Tyler Glenn

Background information
Origin| Provo, Utah, U.S.
Genres|

* Pop rock
* new wave
* synth-pop
* indie rock
* alternative rock

Years active| 2005–present
Labels|

* Mercury
* Island
* Thrill Forever
* Downtown
* Geffen
* Round Hill

Members|

* Chris Allen
* Tyler Glenn
* Elaine Bradley
* Branden Campbell

Past members|

* Mike Liechty
* Jason Gibbons
* Nathan Evans

Website| neontrees.com

Neon Trees are an American rock band founded in Provo, Utah.[1][2] The band received nationwide exposure in late 2008 when they opened several North American tour dates for the band the Killers.[3] Not long after, the band was signed by Mercury Records.[4] Their first single, "Animal", climbed to No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on the Alternative Songs chart.

Since their formation, Neon Trees has released five studio albums: Habits (2010), Picture Show (2012), Pop Psychology (2014), I Can Feel You Forgetting Me (2020), and Sink Your Teeth (2024). The band has also released eight EPs (two exclusive to iTunes) and fourteen singles.

## History

[edit]

### Early years (2005-2010)

[edit]

Formed initially by childhood friends Tyler Glenn (vocals, keyboards) and Chris Allen (guitar, vocals) who both grew up in Murrieta, California, the band made its first home in Provo after Glenn and Allen moved there from Southern California, eventually adding Branden Campbell (bass guitar, vocals) and Elaine Bradley (drums, percussion, vocals) to the lineup.[5] David Charles plays with the band as touring guitarist.[6]

They first started playing under the name Neon Trees in late 2005 with five original members, Tyler Glenn and Chris Allen from California, and three veterans of the Utah music scene, bass player Mike Liechty, drummer Jason Gibbons and keyboardist Nathan Evans. The band's name originates from the lighted trees on the In-N-Out Burger signs, which inspired Tyler Glenn. In a strange coincidence, it was later learned that Branden Campbell's father, Steve Campbell, installed the exact Neon Trees in the In-N-Out that inspired Glenn while working for a sign company out of Las Vegas.

They released an EP, Becoming Different People, in 2006 during the time of their first tour through California. The EP featured promising songs like "Phones", "Sister Stereo", "Up Against the Glass". 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. Touring musician Bruce Rubenson on keyboards and drums joined in. Shortly thereafter, The Killers' drummer, Ronnie Vannucci Jr., went to watch the band play at a small club in Las Vegas as he had been in a Ska band called "Attaboy Skip" with Neon Trees bassist Branden Campbell prior to joining The Killers. Ronnie was impressed, and as a result they were chosen to open for The Killers for a string of dates on their 2008 North American tour. Vannucci later helped the band 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.[7]

### 2010–11: Habits and commercial breakthrough

[edit]

Main article: Habits

Neon Trees at Music Midtown 2012

Although they had several prior independent releases, the band released its debut album on Mercury/Island Def Jam, Habits, on March 16, 2010.[8] "Animal" was chosen as the lead single[9] 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 23, 2010, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on May 14, 2010, Lopez Tonight on October 18, 2010, Live! with Regis & Kelly on November 4, 2010, and TBS' Conan on November 24, 2010. They performed a second single 1983 on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon on January 13, 2011 and another stint on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on Jan 18, 2011. They performed third single "Your Surrender" on Late Show with David Letterman on May 5, 2011 and a third appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on Jun 10, 2011. Mark Hoppus of Blink-182 selected "Animal" as his Spin magazine Pick of the Week.[10] The song has also been featured on a commercial for Las Vegas. The group has also released a digital EP of four remixes of the song, one of which by Tyler Glenn.

In 2010, the band covered Justin Bieber's song "Baby" as well as Ben E. King's "Stand By Me".[11] Throughout early 2010 the band, along with Mutemath and Street Drum Corps, opened for the Thirty Seconds to Mars tour Into the Wild. Subsequently, they headlined the Bang the Gong Tour with Paper Tongues, MeTalkPretty, and Civil Twilight in mid-2010, performed a set to 7,000 at Lollapalooza, and went on tour with Thirty Seconds to Mars in the last half of the year.

### 2011–13: Picture Show

[edit]

Main article: Picture Show

On December 7, 2011, an article published by Rolling Stone's website streamed the band's new song "Everybody Talks".[12] On February 10, 2012, a video was posted on their official YouTube page, titled Neon Trees – Picture Show Teaser One / The New Album April 17, advertising their new album is to be released on April 17, 2012.[13] In March 2012, Neon Trees and their single "Everybody Talks" were featured in a commercial for the 2012 Buick Verano.[14] The single was covered in episode five of season four of Glee.[citation needed]

Neon Trees' second studio album Picture Show was released on April 17, 2012.[15][16][17] On August 29, 2012, Neon Trees performed "Everybody Talks" on the America's Got Talent live results show.[citation needed] In early fall 2012, the band toured with The Offspring and Dead Sara.[citation needed] In 2013 they joined Maroon 5 in their world tour alongside Owl City.[citation needed] In November/December 2013 they were a support act for Taylor Swift's three concerts in New Zealand and four concerts in Australia.[citation needed] The band was featured on NBC's coverage of the 2012 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. They performed an abbreviated version of their single "Everybody Talks".[citation needed] The second single from the album is the track "Lessons in Love (All Day, All Night)" with the collaboration of American record producer and D.J. Kaskade.[18]

### 2014–2017: Pop Psychology

[edit]

Main article: Pop Psychology

Neon Trees' third studio album, Pop Psychology, was released on April 22, 2014.[19][20][21] The first single from Pop Psychology, titled "Sleeping with a Friend", was released for digital download. The band performed the single on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on January 22, 2014.[22]

"Sleeping with a Friend" was solicited to U.S. Contemporary hit radio by both Mercury and Island Records on February 25, 2014.[23] Neon Trees later released four more singles following "Sleeping with a Friend". The singles are titled "I Love You (But I Hate Your Friends)", "Voices In the Halls", and "First Things First".[24][25] "First Things First" is the end credit song for the 2016 Netflix Original series Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency.[citation needed]

In 2015, the group announced the "An Intimate Night With Neon Trees" Tour. The tour ran from June 6, 2015, to July 26, 2015, finishing in Boston, Massachusetts, at the House Of Blues Boston. Opening acts included Alex Winston, Yes You Are, Coin, and Fictionist.[26][27][28][29][30][31]

On May 5, 2015, the band released a non-album single entitled "Songs I Can't Listen To"[32] and an accompanying music video on June 3, 2015, featuring Dustin Lance Black.[33]

On August 4, 2017, the band premiered a new single "Feel Good".[34]

### 2019–2023: I Can Feel You Forgetting Me

[edit]

Main article: I Can Feel You Forgetting Me

Neon Trees released "Used to Like", the lead single from their fourth album, on November 13, 2019.[35] The second single, "New Best Friend" was released on May 20, 2020.[36] On July 10, 2020, the band released the third single called "Mess Me Up".[37] The fourth and final single, "Nights", was released on July 22, 2020.[38] The album, I Can Feel You Forgetting Me, was released on July 24, 2020.[39][40] In December 2021, they released a new single and video, "Holiday Rock".[41]

### 2023-present: Sink Your Teeth

[edit]

Main article: Sink Your Teeth

Sink Your Teeth, the fifth studio album by Neon Trees, was released on September 20, 2024. There are 12 songs on the album. On June 30, 2023, the first and lead single of the album "Favorite Daze" was released. The second single, "Losing My Head", was released on September 15, 2023. Three more singles were released in early 2024 before the album; "Bad Dreams" (May 31), "El Diablo" (July 19), and "Cruel Intentions" (August 28)

## Musical style

[edit]

Neon Trees' musical style has been described as pop rock,[42][43] new wave,[44][45] synth-pop,[46] indie rock,[47] alternative rock,[48] pop,[49] and electropop.[49] When describing the band's sound, Heather Phares of AllMusic wrote "Neon Trees blend new wave, dance, and indie into smart, catchy pop."[44] Sputnikmusic described the band's debut studio album Habits as a "refreshing blast of timeless rock energy and spirit that wouldn’t sound out of place at any point from ‘60s garage-rock to 2010 dance rock."[50]

## Band members

[edit]

Current members

* Chris Allen – lead and rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2005–present)
* Tyler Glenn – lead vocals (2005–present); keyboards, piano, synthesizer, occasional rhythm guitar (2006–present)
* Elaine Bradley – drums, percussion, backing vocals, occasional lead vocals and rhythm guitar (2007–present)[51]
* Branden Campbell – bass guitar, backing vocals (2007–2025)

Former members

* Mike Liechty – bass guitar (2005–2006)
* Jason Gibbons – drums, percussion (2005–2006)
* Nathan Evans – keyboards, piano, synthesizer (2005–2006)
* Bruce Rubenson – drums, percussion, keyboards, piano, synthesizer (2006–present)

Touring musicians

* David Charles – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2005–present)
* Denney Fuller – bass guitar, backing vocals (2025–present)

### Timeline

[edit]

## Discography

[edit]

Main article: Neon Trees discography

* Habits (2010)
* Picture Show (2012)
* Pop Psychology (2014)
* I Can Feel You Forgetting Me (2020)
* Sink Your Teeth (2024)

## Awards and nominations

[edit]

APRA Music Awards

Year  | Nominee / work  | Award  | Result

|
|
|

2012 | "Animal"  | International Work of the Year  | Nominated[52]

BMI Pop Awards

Year  | Nominee / work  | Award  | Result

|
|
|

2012  | "Animal"  | Award-Winning Songs  | Won[53]
2015  | "Sleeping with a Friend"  | Won[54]

Billboard Music Awards

Year  | Nominee / work  | Award  | Result

|
|
|

2011 | "Animal"  | Top Alternative Song  | Won[55]
Top Rock Song  | Nominated[55]
2012 | Neon Trees  | Top Adult Pop Songs Artist  | Nominated[56]
"Everybody Talks"  | Top Adult Pop Song  | Nominated[56]

International Dance Music Awards

Year  | Nominee / work  | Award  | Result

|
|
|

2011  | "Animal"  | Best Alternative/Rock Dance Track  | Nominated[57][58][59]
2013  | "Lessons in Love (All Day, All Night) (ft. Kaskade)
2015  | "Sleeping with a Friend"

MTV Europe Music Awards

Year  | Nominee / work  | Award  | Result

|
|
|

2011 | Neon Trees  | Best Push Act  | Nominated[60]

World Music Awards

Year  | Nominee / work  | Award  | Result

|
|
|

2012  | Themselves  | World's Best Group  | Nominated[citation needed]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Honaker, Andrea. "Neon Trees lights up music scene with new album, tour". Gaston Gazette. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
2. ^ "Neon Trees, The Mormon Band Who Made It Big, On Honesty". NPR. April 26, 2014. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
3. ^ "Neon Trees Generate Killer Buzz". Bmi.com. February 18, 2009. Retrieved September 28, 2011.
4. ^ Dionne, Jared (April 1, 2010). "Adolescence-inspired lyrics and vocals set tone on CD". The Ithacan. Archived from the original on December 26, 2010. Retrieved September 24, 2012.
5. ^ Rose, Bella (March 1, 2010). "Artist Interview: Tyler Glenn of the Neon Trees". Hotzoneonline.com. Retrieved September 28, 2011.
6. ^ "Have an inside about recordings". May 5, 2021.
7. ^ Smart, Christopher (June 11, 2007). "2009 City Weekly Music Awards". Cityweekly.net. Retrieved September 28, 2011.
8. ^ "Home - Universal Music" (Discography). Islanddefjam.com. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
9. ^ "Animal Songfacts". Songfacts.com. Retrieved September 28, 2011.
10. ^ "Mark Hoppus' Pick of the Week: Neon Trees". SPIN.com. March 3, 2010. Retrieved September 28, 2011.
11. ^ "Neon Trees Go Doo-Wop on Justin Bieber". Covermesongs.com. June 14, 2010. Retrieved September 28, 2011.
12. ^ Steve Baltin (December 7, 2011). "Neon Trees Song Premiere: 'Everybody Talks'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 26, 2012.
13. ^ "Neon Trees – Picture Show Teaser One / The New Album,* Picture Show". YouTube. February 10, 2012. Retrieved March 26, 2012.
14. ^ "2012 Buick Verano | Tour Bus". YouTube. February 28, 2012. Retrieved March 26, 2012.
15. ^ "Picture Show - Neon Trees | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
16. ^ "Neon Trees - Picture Show". Alternative Press. April 9, 2012. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
17. ^ Joshua Khan. "REVIEW: Neon Trees – "Picture Show"". BLARE. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
18. ^ "Music - Lessons In Love (feat. Neon Trees) - Single (Headhunterz Remix) by Kaskade". iTunes. Kaskade. December 11, 2012. Archived from the original on December 18, 2012.
19. ^ Phares, Heather (April 21, 2014). "Pop Psychology \- Neon Trees | Songs Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
20. ^ Anderson, Kyle (April 23, 2014). "Pop Psychology Review". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on April 24, 2014. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
21. ^ Lucy, Evan (2014). "Neon Trees – Pop Psychology". Alternative Press. May 2014 (310). Alternative Press Magazine: 92. ISSN 1065-1667.
22. ^ "The Tonight Show NBC". NBC. January 22, 2014. Retrieved January 23, 2014.
23. ^ "Top 40/M Future Releases | Mainstream Hit Songs Being Released and Their Release Dates". www.allaccess.com. Archived from the original on October 22, 2013.
24. ^ "Neon Trees Concert Setlist at Jimy Kimmel Live, Los Angeles on April 9, 2014 | setlist.fm". setlistfm. April 9, 2014. Retrieved April 18, 2014.
25. ^ "Future Releases on Alternative Radio Stations". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on July 13, 2014.
26. ^ "tour". Retrieved May 6, 2015.
27. ^ "Fame Is Dead". Retrieved May 6, 2015.
28. ^ "Neon Trees 2015 An Intimate Night With Neon Trees Tour Schedule". May 6, 2015. Archived from the original on May 18, 2015. Retrieved May 6, 2015.
29. ^ "MURRIETA: Neon Trees releases new song ahead of summer tour". May 5, 2015. Retrieved May 6, 2015.
30. ^ "Alex Winston". Retrieved May 6, 2015.
31. ^ "Coin Tour". Retrieved May 6, 2015.
32. ^ "Listen to Neon Trees' New Single, 'Songs I Can't Listen To'". radio.com. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
33. ^ "Songs I Can't Listen To - Neon Trees". VEVO. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
34. ^ "LNeon Trees Feel Good - Single". Island Records. Retrieved August 4, 2017.
35. ^ "Tyler Glenn Talks Reuniting Neon Trees and Finding Freedom After Mormonism: Exclusive". Billboard. November 14, 2019. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
36. ^ "Neon Trees". Billboard. Retrieved November 21, 2020.
37. ^ "Mess Me Up by Neon Trees". Tidal. July 10, 2020. Retrieved November 21, 2020.
38. ^ "Nights by Neon Trees". Tidal. July 22, 2020. Retrieved November 21, 2020.
39. ^ "Rina Sawayama, Tove Lo & More New Music: First Out". Billboard. May 22, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
40. ^ Wells, Luke (July 30, 2020). "Neon Trees' First Record in 6 Years: I Can Feel You Forgetting Me". Soundigest. Retrieved November 21, 2020.
41. ^ ""Holiday Rock"". YouTube. November 17, 2021.
42. ^ Dan Singer (July 8, 2014). "For Neon Trees singer, honesty leads to confidence". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
43. ^ "Neon Trees comes to the Island Resort". Daily Press. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
44. ^ a b Heather Phares. "Neon Trees AllMusic Bio". AllMusic. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
45. ^ "Neon Trees cancel part of tour, including show scheduled for New Orleans' Civic Theatre". NOLA. September 12, 2014. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
46. ^ Patrick Doyle (July 29, 2010). "Artist of the Week: Neon Trees". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
47. ^ Brice Ezell (June 18, 2015). "Neon Trees Perform Two Songs at YouTube Space LA (video)". PopMatters. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
48. ^ Susan Stapleton (April 1, 2015). "Neon Trees Las Vegs - LA Times". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
49. ^ a b Priscilla Chu (April 22, 2014). "Neon Trees blends genres with third album". Daily Trojan. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
50. ^ "Neon Trees reviews, music, news". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
51. ^ Hastings, Krisanne (February 9, 2011). "Marching to her own drum". The Mormon Women Project. Retrieved April 9, 2014.
52. ^ "Nominations > International Work of the Year – 2012". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) | Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS). 2012. Archived from the original on May 12, 2012. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
53. ^ "Carole King Named BMI Icon at 60th Annual BMI Pop Awards". May 16, 2012. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
54. ^ "Neon Trees x BMI Pop Awards". May 13, 2015. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
55. ^ a b "2011 Billboard Music Awards Winners List". Billboard. March 25, 2011. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
56. ^ a b "Billboard: 2012 Year-End Chart-Toppers".
57. ^ "27th Annual International Dance Music Awards". Archived from the original on March 25, 2012. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
58. ^ "28th Annual International Dance Music Awards". Archived from the original on March 7, 2013. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
59. ^ "31st Annual International Dance Music Awards". Archived from the original on April 6, 2017. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
60. ^ Chris Payne (September 19, 2011). "Lady Gaga Tops MTV European Music Awards Nominees". Billboard. Retrieved January 20, 2021.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Neon Trees.

* Official website
* Neon Trees at Island/Def Jam

* v
* t
* e

Neon Trees

* Tyler Glenn
* Chris Allen
* Branden Campbell
* Elaine Bradley

Studio albums|

* Habits
* Picture Show
* Pop Psychology
* I Can Feel You Forgetting Me
* Sink Your Teeth

Singles|

* "Animal"
* "1983"
* "Your Surrender"
* "Everybody Talks"
* "Lessons in Love (All Day, All Night)"
* "Sleeping with a Friend"

Related articles|

* Discography

Authority control databases

International|

* ISNI
* VIAF

National|

* Germany
* United States
* France
* BnF data

Artists|

* MusicBrainz

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