Maroon 5 is an American
rock/
pop rock band that originated in
Los Angeles,
California. Before the group was formed the original four members of the 1994 band were known as
Kara's Flowers while its members were still in high school, and originally consisted of
Adam Levine (lead vocals, lead guitar),
Jesse Carmichael (rhythm guitar, backing vocals)
Mickey Madden (bass guitar) and
Ryan Dusick (drums). The band, which self-released an album called
We Like Digging?, then signed to Reprise Records and released the album
The Fourth World in 1997. After the album garnered a tepid response, the band parted ways with the record label and the members attended college.