Maroon 5 are an American alternative/funk rock band from Los Angeles, California, currently consisting of vocalist and rhythm guitarist Adam Levine, lead guitarist James Valentine, keyboardist Jesse Carmichael, bass guitarist Mickey Madden and drummer Matt Flynn (formerly Ryan Dusick).

Formed in 1995 by high school friends Levine, Carmichael, Madden and Dusick, the group was originally called Kara’s Flowers – and they released the album The Fourth World under the name in August 1997.  It was a commercial flop and so the group continued to experiment with musical styles for the next few years, parting with their record label, and reformed with guitarist Valentine as Maroon 5 in 2001. They were signed to Octone Records almost immediately and began work on their next studio album.

Songs About Jane was released in December 2002. Although initially enjoying little success, the album became a ‘sleeper hit’, slowly climbing the charts until it had reached the Top 10 on the Billboard 200 and number one in the UK by the end of 2004, selling over 2.5 million copies worldwide. It produced a total of five singles: the US and UK Top 5 singles This Love and She Will Be Loved, the international hit Harder to Breathe and the follow-up singles Sunday Morning and Must Get Out.

Following three years of extensive touring, the group’s second album It Won’t Be Soon Before Long was released in May 2007. It debuted at number one in the US and UK, selling over 500,000 copies in its first week internationally, and produced the Hot 100 number one hit Makes Me Wonder, as well as the US and UK Top 30 singles Wake Up Call and If I Never See Your Face Again (ft. Rihanna).

The group’s third studio album Hands All Over is due for release in September 2010. It has already produced the US Top 30 single Misery to date.