Hard to believe that the genesis of [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Maroon 5[/lastfm] was three kids in junior high school completely influenced by the grunge bands of the time – [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Pearl Jam[/lastfm], [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Nirvana[/lastfm], etc.  Their lyrics were self-described as “brooding,” “heavy” and “nonsense.”  The band had been through a couple music changes until a cross country car trip where the influences of funk, hip-hop and soul music made an indelible impression; especially on lead singer Adam Levine.

[photogallerylink id=57058 align=left]Their latest album “Hands All Over” is a continuation of those influences; produced by [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Mutt Lange[/lastfm] at his studios in Switzerland.  Already on its third single, the band is supporting the album with a European concert tour starting in late November in Russia.

But don’t ask any of the band’s five members what “Maroon 5″ means.  They say it’s a secret that only they and Billy Joel know.  Maybe he’ll crack one day and tell us.