Replying to Electric guitar ?

Okay so Ive been playing acoustic for a while now and im looking to get an electric.  Im really thinking about getting a Epiphone Sheraton 2 wich is a semi hollowbody guitar.   Most of the people I see playing it are playing it with like a jazz sound but ik Matthew followill lead guitarist of King of leon uses it. 

Basically my question is with just the guitar and amp can I make the guitar sound really distorted like a alternative rock sound by just messing with distortion on the pickups and amp?  Or is there something else im missing


sorry im a electric guitar noob