Juliette and the Licks
Encyclopedia
Juliette and the Licks was an American
rock band
led by actress Juliette Lewis
. Other band members included guitarist Craig Fairbaugh
and guitarist Emilio Cueto
, bassist Jason Womack and drummer Ed Davis. Their popular songs include "You're Speaking My Language" and "Hot Kiss". Juliette also did a cover of PJ Harvey
's "Hardly Wait" and "Rid of Me" in the film Strange Days
before forming Juliette and the Licks. The band broke up in 2009.
, drummer for Hole
, to a Blondie
concert and found herself staring at fate. She became instantly inspired by the “live” element of the show and knew it was her calling. Juliette began to reach out to everyone she knew to find musicians to accompany herself and Patty and soon, she found what she was looking for. The Licks became: Juliette (vocals), Patty Schemel (drums), Todd Morse (guitar) and Paul Ill (bass). “Todd Morse (H20) is not only an amazing songwriter but a perfect punk-rock rhythm guitarist”, says Lewis. “Paul Ill I’ve nicknamed 'Professor Ill' because he can reference anything from Faces to Black Sabbath to the Police.” Juliette and the Licks released their first EP
…Like a Bolt of Lightning
, in 2004, which was shortly followed by the release of their debut album You're Speaking My Language
. The album spawned their most successful single "You're Speaking My Language", and the less successful, disco influenced "Got Love to Kill". The released version of the second single was a remix of the original song, which had a more rock influence.
Morris left the band before sessions for the 2nd album had begun. The Licks then recruited Foo Fighters
frontman Dave Grohl
to fill the gap. Grohl then went on to ask the Licks to be a guest act at the Foo Fighters sell out Hyde Park
performance on the June 17, 2006, to around 85,000 people (other acts were Angels & Airwaves
, Queens of the Stone Age
and Motörhead). At the same event, Lewis and Moa Holmsten from Meldrum
came on stage for one of Motörhead's songs to do backing vocals.
After their performance at Hyde Park, their second album Four on the Floor
, was released in late 2006. "Hot Kiss" which was one of the Licks' most successful singles, was the first release from the album, though the following single, "Sticky Honey", proved less commercially successful.
With the release of their second album, Juliette and the Licks went on tour in late 2006 in America and many parts of Europe. They once opened for Muse
, and Chris Cornell
.
On July 15, 2007, Juliette and the Licks announced on their MySpace
page that Kemble Walters
decided that it was time for him to go back to his original career as leader of his own band, The Rise
. Juliette and the Licks also announced that they would be continuing their tour as planned with a temporary player until a permanent member could be found. In August 2007, Juliette and the Licks chose guitarist Emilio Cueto
to permanently fill the spot.
On September 27, 2007, the band appeared at MTV Brasil
's music awards, the MTV Video Music Brasil, presenting an award and performing as well.
The band appeared at the 2008 MTVAAs on April 26 in Sydney, Australia. They both performed as one of the headlining acts and presented at the show. They were well appreciated and highly regarded at the Awards Show and at their subsequent gigs in Australia.
As of 2008, Todd Morse is no longer with the band. While there was no official statement made from the Juliette and the Licks camp Morse commented via a MySpace blog on May 1, 2008 he would not be touring with the band on their current tour. Morse stated "Just let me say that I love all you J.&T.L. fans and totally appreciate all your continued interest in my music and life. I don't know what the future holds but this what's best for me right now." Craig Fairbaugh
has replaced Morse on the Juliette and the Licks tour.
The band's song "Inside The Cage" can be heard in the video game Grand Theft Auto IV
on the Radio Broker station, where Juliette herself is the DJ.
Break-Up
In a 2009 Myspace blog, lead singer Juliette Lewis announced the band was at the "end of its run". Explaining that she needed a change to grow as an artist, Lewis has formed a new band and released a studio album named: Terra Incognita, it was released in 2009.
Previous members
Singles
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
rock band
Rock Band
Rock Band is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems, published by MTV Games and Electronic Arts. It is the first title in the Rock Band series. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions were released in the United States on November 20, 2007, while the PlayStation 2 version was...
led by actress Juliette Lewis
Juliette Lewis
Juliette Lewis is an American actress and musician. She gained international fame for her role in the 1991 thriller Cape Fear for which she was nominated for both an Academy Award and Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress...
. Other band members included guitarist Craig Fairbaugh
Craig Fairbaugh
Craig Fairbaugh is a guitarist, who is best known for playing with the rock band +44 . The band was made up of Mark Hoppus and Travis Barker, who reunited with Tom Delonge to continue the pop punk band Blink-182 in 2009, and Shane Gallagher of The Nervous Return. Fairbaugh has joined Juliette and...
and guitarist Emilio Cueto
Emilio Cueto
Emilio Raul Cueto is a guitarist who has played in the rock bands Rama Duke and Juliette and the Licks.-Early life:...
, bassist Jason Womack and drummer Ed Davis. Their popular songs include "You're Speaking My Language" and "Hot Kiss". Juliette also did a cover of PJ Harvey
PJ Harvey
Polly Jean Harvey is an English musician, singer-songwriter, composer and occasional artist. Primarily known as a vocalist and guitarist, she is also proficient with a wide range of instruments including piano, organ, bass, saxophone, and most recently, the autoharp.Harvey began her career in...
's "Hardly Wait" and "Rid of Me" in the film Strange Days
Strange Days (film)
Strange Days is a 1995 cyberpunk science fiction film directed by Kathryn Bigelow and produced and co-written by James Cameron and Jay Cocks, starring Ralph Fiennes, Angela Bassett, Juliette Lewis, Tom Sizemore, Michael Wincott and Vincent D'Onofrio. Despite positive reviews, the film was a...
before forming Juliette and the Licks. The band broke up in 2009.
History
Juliette and the Licks became a reality when Lewis accompanied Patty SchemelPatty Schemel
Patricia Theresa Schemel is an American drummer, most notably known as the drummer of the alternative rock band Hole from 1992 until 1998.-Early music career:Schemel learned to play drums after her father bought her a drum kit at age 11...
, drummer for Hole
Hole (band)
Hole is an American alternative rock band that originally formed in Los Angeles in 1989. The band is fronted by vocalist/songwriter and rhythm guitarist Courtney Love, who co-founded Hole with former songwriter/lead guitarist Eric Erlandson...
, to a Blondie
Blondie (band)
Blondie is an American rock band, founded by singer Deborah Harry and guitarist Chris Stein. The band was a pioneer in the early American New Wave and punk scenes of the mid-1970s...
concert and found herself staring at fate. She became instantly inspired by the “live” element of the show and knew it was her calling. Juliette began to reach out to everyone she knew to find musicians to accompany herself and Patty and soon, she found what she was looking for. The Licks became: Juliette (vocals), Patty Schemel (drums), Todd Morse (guitar) and Paul Ill (bass). “Todd Morse (H20) is not only an amazing songwriter but a perfect punk-rock rhythm guitarist”, says Lewis. “Paul Ill I’ve nicknamed 'Professor Ill' because he can reference anything from Faces to Black Sabbath to the Police.” Juliette and the Licks released their first EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
…Like a Bolt of Lightning
…Like a Bolt of Lightning
...Like a Bolt of Lightning is the first release by Juliette and the Licks. It was released on October 12, 2004.-Track listing:...
, in 2004, which was shortly followed by the release of their debut album You're Speaking My Language
You're Speaking My Language
You're Speaking My Language is the first full-length album by Juliette and the Licks, released on May 17, 2005.-Track listing:# "Intro" - 0:23# "You're Speaking My Language" - 2:14# "Money in My Pocket" - 3:08# "American Boy, Vol...
. The album spawned their most successful single "You're Speaking My Language", and the less successful, disco influenced "Got Love to Kill". The released version of the second single was a remix of the original song, which had a more rock influence.
Morris left the band before sessions for the 2nd album had begun. The Licks then recruited Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters is an American alternative rock band originally formed in 1994 by Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl as a one-man project following the dissolution of his previous band. The band got its name from the UFOs and various aerial phenomena that were reported by Allied aircraft pilots in World War...
frontman Dave Grohl
Dave Grohl
David Eric "Dave" Grohl is an American rock musician, multi-instrumentalist, and singer-songwriter who is the lead vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter for Foo Fighters; the former drummer for Nirvana and Scream; and the current drummer for Them Crooked Vultures...
to fill the gap. Grohl then went on to ask the Licks to be a guest act at the Foo Fighters sell out Hyde Park
Hyde Park, London
Hyde Park is one of the largest parks in central London, United Kingdom, and one of the Royal Parks of London, famous for its Speakers' Corner.The park is divided in two by the Serpentine...
performance on the June 17, 2006, to around 85,000 people (other acts were Angels & Airwaves
Angels & Airwaves
Angels & Airwaves is an American alternative rock supergroup led by Blink-182 guitarist/vocalist Tom DeLonge, also including guitarist David Kennedy from Over My Dead Body, Hazen Street and Box Car Racer, bass guitarist Matt Wachter from 30 Seconds to Mars and former Lostprophets and Nine Inch...
, Queens of the Stone Age
Queens of the Stone Age
Queens of the Stone Age is an American rock band from Palm Desert, California, United States, formed in 1997. The band's line-up has always included founding member Josh Homme , with the current line-up including longtime members Troy Van Leeuwen and Joey Castillo , alongside Michael Shuman and...
and Motörhead). At the same event, Lewis and Moa Holmsten from Meldrum
Meldrum
Meldrum is a multi-national Heavy Metal band formed by ex-Phantom Blue guitarist Michelle Meldrum.-History:American guitarist Michelle Meldrum started her first band Wargod with Strapping Young Lad drummer Gene Hoglan, later going on to form Phantom Blue, with whom she released two albums and an EP...
came on stage for one of Motörhead's songs to do backing vocals.
After their performance at Hyde Park, their second album Four on the Floor
Four on the Floor (Juliette and the Licks)
Four on the Floor is the second and final full-length album by Juliette and the Licks. The follow-up to You're Speaking My Language, this album was released on October 2, 2006, in the UK, and later re-released with a bonus DVD featuring documentaries, live performances and music videos...
, was released in late 2006. "Hot Kiss" which was one of the Licks' most successful singles, was the first release from the album, though the following single, "Sticky Honey", proved less commercially successful.
With the release of their second album, Juliette and the Licks went on tour in late 2006 in America and many parts of Europe. They once opened for Muse
Muse
The Muses in Greek mythology, poetry, and literature, are the goddesses who inspire the creation of literature and the arts. They were considered the source of the knowledge, related orally for centuries in the ancient culture, that was contained in poetic lyrics and myths...
, and Chris Cornell
Chris Cornell
Chris Cornell is an American rock musician best known as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist for Soundgarden and as the former lead vocalist for Audioslave. He is also known for his numerous solo works and soundtrack contributions since 1998...
.
On July 15, 2007, Juliette and the Licks announced on their MySpace
MySpace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
page that Kemble Walters
Kemble Walters
Kemble Walters is an American rock musician, multi-instrumentalist, and singer-songwriter who is the lead vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter for the and the former guitarist for Juliette & The Licks...
decided that it was time for him to go back to his original career as leader of his own band, The Rise
The Rise (band)
The Rise was a five piece band from Austin, Texas, Their sound is a combination of metalcore, hardcore techno, post-hardcore and metal. The band is currently signed to ReIgnition Recordings and their latest album, Reclamation Process, was released on as a free album for subscribers of Law Of...
. Juliette and the Licks also announced that they would be continuing their tour as planned with a temporary player until a permanent member could be found. In August 2007, Juliette and the Licks chose guitarist Emilio Cueto
Emilio Cueto
Emilio Raul Cueto is a guitarist who has played in the rock bands Rama Duke and Juliette and the Licks.-Early life:...
to permanently fill the spot.
On September 27, 2007, the band appeared at MTV Brasil
MTV Brasil
MTV Brasil is the Brazilian version of MTV, owned by Abril Mídia, the nation's largest magazine publisher, under license from Viacom - owned MTV Networks Latin AmericaMTV Brasil is one of two versions of MTV available in free-to-air terrestrial television...
's music awards, the MTV Video Music Brasil, presenting an award and performing as well.
The band appeared at the 2008 MTVAAs on April 26 in Sydney, Australia. They both performed as one of the headlining acts and presented at the show. They were well appreciated and highly regarded at the Awards Show and at their subsequent gigs in Australia.
As of 2008, Todd Morse is no longer with the band. While there was no official statement made from the Juliette and the Licks camp Morse commented via a MySpace blog on May 1, 2008 he would not be touring with the band on their current tour. Morse stated "Just let me say that I love all you J.&T.L. fans and totally appreciate all your continued interest in my music and life. I don't know what the future holds but this what's best for me right now." Craig Fairbaugh
Craig Fairbaugh
Craig Fairbaugh is a guitarist, who is best known for playing with the rock band +44 . The band was made up of Mark Hoppus and Travis Barker, who reunited with Tom Delonge to continue the pop punk band Blink-182 in 2009, and Shane Gallagher of The Nervous Return. Fairbaugh has joined Juliette and...
has replaced Morse on the Juliette and the Licks tour.
The band's song "Inside The Cage" can be heard in the video game Grand Theft Auto IV
Grand Theft Auto IV
Grand Theft Auto IV is a 2008 open world action video game published by Rockstar Games, and developed by British games developer Rockstar North. It has been released for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 video game consoles, and for the Windows operating system...
on the Radio Broker station, where Juliette herself is the DJ.
Break-Up
In a 2009 Myspace blog, lead singer Juliette Lewis announced the band was at the "end of its run". Explaining that she needed a change to grow as an artist, Lewis has formed a new band and released a studio album named: Terra Incognita, it was released in 2009.
Band members
Finale line-up- Juliette LewisJuliette LewisJuliette Lewis is an American actress and musician. She gained international fame for her role in the 1991 thriller Cape Fear for which she was nominated for both an Academy Award and Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress...
– lead vocals, production (2003–2009) - Emilio CuetoEmilio CuetoEmilio Raul Cueto is a guitarist who has played in the rock bands Rama Duke and Juliette and the Licks.-Early life:...
– guitar (2007–2009) - Jason Womack – bass (2006–2009)
- Ed Davis – drums (2006–2009)
- Craig FairbaughCraig FairbaughCraig Fairbaugh is a guitarist, who is best known for playing with the rock band +44 . The band was made up of Mark Hoppus and Travis Barker, who reunited with Tom Delonge to continue the pop punk band Blink-182 in 2009, and Shane Gallagher of The Nervous Return. Fairbaugh has joined Juliette and...
– guitar (2008–2009)
Previous members
- Patty SchemelPatty SchemelPatricia Theresa Schemel is an American drummer, most notably known as the drummer of the alternative rock band Hole from 1992 until 1998.-Early music career:Schemel learned to play drums after her father bought her a drum kit at age 11...
– drums (2003–2004) - Todd Morse – lead guitar, backing vocals, (2003–2008)
- Kemble WaltersKemble WaltersKemble Walters is an American rock musician, multi-instrumentalist, and singer-songwriter who is the lead vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter for the and the former guitarist for Juliette & The Licks...
– guitar, synthesizer, rhodes piano, backing vocals, (2006–2007) - Jason Morris – drums (2004–2006)
- Paul Ill – bass (2003–2006)
- Dave GrohlDave GrohlDavid Eric "Dave" Grohl is an American rock musician, multi-instrumentalist, and singer-songwriter who is the lead vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter for Foo Fighters; the former drummer for Nirvana and Scream; and the current drummer for Them Crooked Vultures...
– drums on Four on the Floor (2006)
Discography
Studio albums- …Like a Bolt of Lightning…Like a Bolt of Lightning...Like a Bolt of Lightning is the first release by Juliette and the Licks. It was released on October 12, 2004.-Track listing:...
– 2004 - You're Speaking My LanguageYou're Speaking My LanguageYou're Speaking My Language is the first full-length album by Juliette and the Licks, released on May 17, 2005.-Track listing:# "Intro" - 0:23# "You're Speaking My Language" - 2:14# "Money in My Pocket" - 3:08# "American Boy, Vol...
– 2005 - Four on the FloorFour on the Floor (Juliette and the Licks)Four on the Floor is the second and final full-length album by Juliette and the Licks. The follow-up to You're Speaking My Language, this album was released on October 2, 2006, in the UK, and later re-released with a bonus DVD featuring documentaries, live performances and music videos...
– 2006
Singles
| Year | Title | Chart positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
|||
| 2005 | "You're Speaking My Language" | #35 | You're Speaking My Language |
| "Got Love To Kill" | #56 | ||
| 2006 | "Hot Kiss" | #50 | Four On The Floor |
| "Sticky Honey" | #57 | ||