Kings of Leon say footage of first album was stolen

Kings of Leon have told Newsbeat that most of their best film footage of them working together in the early days has been stolen.

The band spoke ahead of the release of their documentary Talihina Sky which features a series of intimate interviews and archive footage.

Drummer Nathan Followill said: "Whoever's got the tapes really don't know what they got."

The band revealed the theft took place after their first record in 2003.

Lead singer Caleb Followill explained: "There was quite a bit we weren't able to show [in the documentary] because we had our car broken into after we were making the first record.

'Creating memories'

"We'd documented every bit of it and they stole all the footage."

Nathan added: "We didn't pick up from where we left off thinking there was going to be a movie in the future but we were just trying to create memories of the music we were making."

Caleb revealed that whoever has the tapes could have more in their possession than they bargained for.

He said: "There's a couple of sex tapes on one of the tapes that got stolen, so that would have made it a little more interesting.

"But I guess when we're dead and gone it will resurface."

The documentary, which was completed earlier in the year, follows the band's journey to success from their humble beginnings in Nashville, Tennessee.

It's due to premiere at the Edinburgh film festival this weekend.

'It's endearing'

Nathan said: "We've very revealing - we don't really hold anything back.

"There were those moments when we said, 'We can't show this because things are going good for us, so why would we want to show people what we're like behind the scenes?'

Documentary Talihina Sky features archive footage of Kings of Leon

"But then again I think it's endearing. It reminds us of home and really puts you in check when you see yourself hammered and how mean you can be.

"I think it's a still a work in progress but the sequel will be better."

Having executive produced the documentary, the band had the final say when it came to editing and have hit back at claims that it's a "safe" documentary.

Caleb said: "It's not something you really wanna watch, it's like watching a train wreck."

Nathan added: "There's no turning back now.

"I was more worried about what my grandparents and parents would think when they saw it than the fans because not many bands will show you the good, the bad and the ugly."

Kings of Leon are performing at Hyde Park today and tomorrow (22-23 June) and will then head up to Edinburgh to play the Murrayfield Stadium on Sunday 26 June.

Talihina Sky premieres this weekend at the Edinburgh International Film Festival and will be screened at more than 150 cinemas nationwide.