Criteria (band)
Encyclopedia
Criteria is an indie rock
band from Omaha, Nebraska
, formed in 2003 when ex-Cursive
founding member Steve Pedersen
returned to his hometown after graduating from the Duke University School of Law
. He spent six months in a friend's basement where he wrote all ten songs for his new project's debut album. He recruited the help of some old friends, A.J. Mogis (of Presto! Recording Studios
and Lullaby for the Working Class
) on bass guitar, Aaron Druery on guitar, and Mike Sweeney
of Beep Beep
on drums. Their first album, En Garde, was released on his previous band's label, Initial Records.
Steve Pedersen
eventually got a day job as a lawyer, making it hard for the band to go on tour to promote their new album. Initial Records went bankrupt about a year after, leaving Criteria without a label. Saddle Creek Records
took their longtime friend in and put out three releases in 2005. The first was a re-release of the overlooked and underrated En Garde, their new single, "Prevent the World," and their second full-length, When We Break. After being moved into Saddle Creek, Pedersen quit his day job to spend full time making music and touring.
Criteria has performed with bands such as Cursive
, The Fall of Troy
, Thunderbirds are Now!
, Statistics, Poison the Well
, Rahim (band), and Minus the Bear
.
Despite having no shows scheduled, and no official status on any upcoming album, single or tour, Saddle Creek Records
has consistently stated that Pedersen and company have not disbanded.
Indie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
band from Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River...
, formed in 2003 when ex-Cursive
Cursive (band)
Cursive is an American indie rock band from Omaha, Nebraska, on Saddle Creek Records.-History:The band was formed in 1995 by Tim Kasher, Matt Maginn, Steve Pedersen , and drummer Clint Schnase. In 1997, they released Such Blinding Stars for Starving Eyes. After a couple years of touring, the band...
founding member Steve Pedersen
Steve Pedersen
Steve Pedersen is an American guitarist from Omaha, Nebraska.He left Cursive in 1998 to attend law school at Duke University in North Carolina. It was there he started the band The White Octave, which released two albums and appeared on a few samplers...
returned to his hometown after graduating from the Duke University School of Law
Duke University School of Law
The Duke University School of Law is the law school and a constituent academic unit of Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States. One of Duke's 10 schools and colleges, the School of Law began as the Trinity College School of Law in 1868. In 1924, following the renaming of Trinity...
. He spent six months in a friend's basement where he wrote all ten songs for his new project's debut album. He recruited the help of some old friends, A.J. Mogis (of Presto! Recording Studios
Presto! Recording Studios
Presto! Recording Studios is located in Lincoln, Nebraska, and run by brothers Mike Mogis and A.J. Mogis. The studio began in the brothers' North Platte, Nebraska basement and around 1995 moved to the basement of a Lincoln home. First known as Whoopass Recording Studio, the name was later changed...
and Lullaby for the Working Class
Lullaby for the Working Class
Lullaby for the Working Class was an indie folk rock band from Lincoln, Nebraska, active from the mid-to-late 1990s. Fronted by Omaha, Nebraska singer-songwriter Ted Stevens , the group also featured multi-instrumentalist and producer Mike Mogis of Bright Eyes, his brother, producer A.J...
) on bass guitar, Aaron Druery on guitar, and Mike Sweeney
Mike Sweeney (musician)
Mike Sweeney is a musician from Omaha, Nebraska. He currently plays drums in the indie-rock band Criteria.-Bands:*Beep Beep*Bright Eyes*Criteria-Album Appearances:...
of Beep Beep
Beep Beep (band)
Beep Beep is a rock band from Omaha, Nebraska, on Saddle Creek Records. The band was formed in July 2001 by Eric Bemberger and Chris Hughes, formerly of Saddle Creek group Gabardine. Former member Joel Petersen plays bass in The Faint and also has his own electronica project, Broken Spindles. ...
on drums. Their first album, En Garde, was released on his previous band's label, Initial Records.
Steve Pedersen
Steve Pedersen
Steve Pedersen is an American guitarist from Omaha, Nebraska.He left Cursive in 1998 to attend law school at Duke University in North Carolina. It was there he started the band The White Octave, which released two albums and appeared on a few samplers...
eventually got a day job as a lawyer, making it hard for the band to go on tour to promote their new album. Initial Records went bankrupt about a year after, leaving Criteria without a label. Saddle Creek Records
Saddle Creek Records
Saddle Creek Records is an American record label based in Omaha, Nebraska. Started as a college class project on entrepreneurship, the label was founded by Conor Oberst and Justin Oberst in 1993 . Conor soon turned over his role in the company to Robb Nansel...
took their longtime friend in and put out three releases in 2005. The first was a re-release of the overlooked and underrated En Garde, their new single, "Prevent the World," and their second full-length, When We Break. After being moved into Saddle Creek, Pedersen quit his day job to spend full time making music and touring.
Criteria has performed with bands such as Cursive
Cursive (band)
Cursive is an American indie rock band from Omaha, Nebraska, on Saddle Creek Records.-History:The band was formed in 1995 by Tim Kasher, Matt Maginn, Steve Pedersen , and drummer Clint Schnase. In 1997, they released Such Blinding Stars for Starving Eyes. After a couple years of touring, the band...
, The Fall of Troy
The Fall of Troy
The Fall of Troy was an American progressive math rock trio from Mukilteo, Washington. The trio consisted of Thomas Erak , Andrew Forsman and Frank Ene...
, Thunderbirds are Now!
Thunderbirds Are Now!
Thunderbirds are Now! is a Livonia, Michigan-based post-punk revival band whose sound uses a mix of traditional post-punk, New Wave and noise rock. The band is heavily influenced by 1980s New Wave and other post-punk revival acts like Les Savy Fav...
, Statistics, Poison the Well
Poison the Well (band)
Poison the Well was an experimental hardcore band from Miami/Ft. Lauderdale, Florida who were last signed to Ferret Music. Guitarist Ryan Primack and drummer Chris Hornbrook were the only remaining members of the band who were involved since their inception, although vocalist Jeffrey Moreira was...
, Rahim (band), and Minus the Bear
Minus the Bear
Minus the Bear is an American indie rock band from Seattle, Washington. Founded in 2001, the group features current and former members of Botch, Kill Sadie, and Sharks Keep Moving...
.
Despite having no shows scheduled, and no official status on any upcoming album, single or tour, Saddle Creek Records
Saddle Creek Records
Saddle Creek Records is an American record label based in Omaha, Nebraska. Started as a college class project on entrepreneurship, the label was founded by Conor Oberst and Justin Oberst in 1993 . Conor soon turned over his role in the company to Robb Nansel...
has consistently stated that Pedersen and company have not disbanded.
Band members
- Steve PedersenSteve PedersenSteve Pedersen is an American guitarist from Omaha, Nebraska.He left Cursive in 1998 to attend law school at Duke University in North Carolina. It was there he started the band The White Octave, which released two albums and appeared on a few samplers...
- vocals, guitar - A.J. Mogis - backup vocals, bass guitar
- Aaron Druery - backup vocals, guitar
- Mike SweeneyMike Sweeney (musician)Mike Sweeney is a musician from Omaha, Nebraska. He currently plays drums in the indie-rock band Criteria.-Bands:*Beep Beep*Bright Eyes*Criteria-Album Appearances:...
- drums
Albums
- En GardeEn Garde (album)En Garde is the debut album of indie-rock band, Criteria. Formed by one of the founding members of Cursive, Steve Pedersen came back to his hometown of Omaha, Nebraska after graduating from Duke University. He recruited the help of old friends, Aaron Druery, A.J. Mogis, and Mike Sweeney. Originally...
(2003 · Initial RecordsInitial RecordsInitial Records was an iconic Louisville based independent record label during the Nineties and early part of the new millennium. Initial released records from hardcore punk to indie rock over its 12-year span...
) re-released 2005 on Saddle Creek RecordsSaddle Creek RecordsSaddle Creek Records is an American record label based in Omaha, Nebraska. Started as a college class project on entrepreneurship, the label was founded by Conor Oberst and Justin Oberst in 1993 . Conor soon turned over his role in the company to Robb Nansel... - When We BreakWhen We BreakWhen We Break is the second release by indie-rock band Criteria. It was released August 23, 2005 on Saddle Creek Records.The CD-release party was held in Omaha, Nebraska on August 20, 2005 at the Sokol Underground...
(2005 · Saddle Creek RecordsSaddle Creek RecordsSaddle Creek Records is an American record label based in Omaha, Nebraska. Started as a college class project on entrepreneurship, the label was founded by Conor Oberst and Justin Oberst in 1993 . Conor soon turned over his role in the company to Robb Nansel...
)
Compilations
- Lagniappe: A Saddle Creek Benefit for Hurricane KatrinaLagniappe (album)Lagniappe is a compilation album put together by Omaha record label Saddle Creek, after the events of Hurricane Katrina. It is a benefit album, and all profits from its sale are donated to the Red Cross' relief efforts in New Orleans....
(2005 · Saddle Creek RecordsSaddle Creek RecordsSaddle Creek Records is an American record label based in Omaha, Nebraska. Started as a college class project on entrepreneurship, the label was founded by Conor Oberst and Justin Oberst in 1993 . Conor soon turned over his role in the company to Robb Nansel...
)
-
- song: "Booketa"
Videography
- "Prevent the WorldPrevent the World"Prevent the World" was a single released by indie rock band Criteria. It was released July 26, 2005 on Saddle Creek Records. It is the first single from their album When We Break, released a couple of months later...
" (2 versions, August 2005, directed by Jason Kulbel) - "Good Luck" (March 2006), directed by Shafei and Levitz)
- "Kiss the Wake" (March 2006, directed by Jaime O’Bradovich, Saddle Creek Music Video Competition at the Hot Shops Film Festival winner, runner-ups: Luke Rustermier and Michael McClendon)
See also
- Beep BeepBeep Beep (band)Beep Beep is a rock band from Omaha, Nebraska, on Saddle Creek Records. The band was formed in July 2001 by Eric Bemberger and Chris Hughes, formerly of Saddle Creek group Gabardine. Former member Joel Petersen plays bass in The Faint and also has his own electronica project, Broken Spindles. ...
- CursiveCursive (band)Cursive is an American indie rock band from Omaha, Nebraska, on Saddle Creek Records.-History:The band was formed in 1995 by Tim Kasher, Matt Maginn, Steve Pedersen , and drummer Clint Schnase. In 1997, they released Such Blinding Stars for Starving Eyes. After a couple years of touring, the band...
- Lullaby for the Working ClassLullaby for the Working ClassLullaby for the Working Class was an indie folk rock band from Lincoln, Nebraska, active from the mid-to-late 1990s. Fronted by Omaha, Nebraska singer-songwriter Ted Stevens , the group also featured multi-instrumentalist and producer Mike Mogis of Bright Eyes, his brother, producer A.J...
- The NeinThe NeinThe Nein is an indie rock band from Durham, North Carolina, and is composed of former members of The White Octave, Steel Pole Bath Tub, and Piedmont Charisma. The band is signed to the Canadian label Sonic Unyon.-Biography:...
- The White OctaveThe White OctaveThe White Octave was a rock band from Chapel Hill, North Carolina. They released two full-length albums and appeared on several compilations before finally breaking up. The founding member, Steve Pedersen went back to his hometown of Omaha, Nebraska to form the band Criteria...
External links
- Criteria official website (site now down)
- Criteria on MySpace
- Saddle Creek Records
- Lazy-i Interview: June 2003
- Lazy-i Interview: May 2005
- Video Interview with Steve Pedersen of Criteria
- Interview from Alternative Press 184 (2003)
- Interview from Alternative Press 207 (2005)
- Soundcrank Podcast Hosted by Criteria