Headphones (band)
Encyclopedia
Headphones was an American
indie rock
-synth band with members David Bazan
(formerly of Pedro the Lion
), Frank Lenz
of Starflyer 59
, and T. W. Walsh
. Nick Peterson (formerly of Fleet Foxes
) toured as Headphones' drummer.
s paired with live drums and percussion, and sometimes drew specious comparisons to other indie rock electronic
groups such as The Postal Service
. Bazan drew a distinction between Headphones and electronic pop, however, and has said that he had no interest in paying homage to either 1980s music or dance pop, such as the Postal Service attempted, instead aiming for a simple synthesizer and drums setup that "live(d) and breathe(d) like rock 'n' roll."
The band is also unique to Bazan in terms of the lyrical style. Bazan often included religious references in his work with Pedro the Lion, but Headphones was considered a more secular band in comparison.
The band toured extensively in support of its debut album, Headphones
, which received positive critical reception.
T.W. Walsh, who joined Bazan during the final two years of Pedro the Lion's tenure, was originally a member of the group, but later left both bands for personal reasons.
David Bazan said during Q&A at a show in Little Rock, AR that he planned on recording another album under the Headphones moniker. However, on March 5, 2011, Bazan's manager, Bob Andrews (artist manager)
wrote that Headphones would not release another album.
During his September 2011 living room shows David mentioned that he plans on recording another 'Headphones style' album, but not under the name Headphones. Citing low sales and turn outs to live shows David added, "I wouldn't do that to my wife again"
See also: Pedro the Lion discography, David Bazan discography
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
indie rock
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...
-synth band with members David Bazan
David Bazan
David Bazan is an indie rock singer-songwriter from Seattle, Washington. Bazan was the lead singer and creative force behind the now-defunct band Pedro the Lion and was the lead singer of Headphones, a band he formed out of his interest in synthesizers...
(formerly of Pedro the Lion
Pedro the Lion
Pedro the Lion was an indie rock band from Seattle, Washington. Singer-songwriter David Bazan formed the band in 1995 and represented its main creative force, backed by a varying rotation of collaborating musicians. T. W. Walsh is considered to be the sole official band member besides Bazan. In...
), Frank Lenz
Frank Lenz
Frank Lenz is a drummer from Southern California who has done work for many bands and artists, including but not limited to Starflyer 59, Daniel Amos, Crystal Lewis, Duraluxe, Map, Charity Empressa, Kevin Max, Cush and The Dingees.-Biography:Frank Lenz started taking drum lessons when he was eight...
of Starflyer 59
Starflyer 59
Starflyer 59 is an alternative rock band from Riverside, California that was founded in 1993 by Jason Martin, brother of Ronnie Martin of Joy Electric. While Jason Martin has written nearly all of Starflyer 59's songs, the band has included a number of different musicians over the years, including...
, and T. W. Walsh
Tim Walsh (musician)
Timothy William "T.W." Walsh is a songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer, mixing engineer and mastering engineer....
. Nick Peterson (formerly of Fleet Foxes
Fleet Foxes
Fleet Foxes are a folk rock band which formed in Seattle, Washington. They are signed to the Sub Pop and Bella Union record labels. The band came to prominence in 2008 with the release of their second EP, Sun Giant, and their debut full length album Fleet Foxes...
) toured as Headphones' drummer.
History
Headphones, a project led by David Bazan, formed in 2005 and released one album shortly before the dissolution of Bazan's primary creative outlet, Pedro the Lion. The band's sound is marked by the use of synthesizerSynthesizer
A synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
s paired with live drums and percussion, and sometimes drew specious comparisons to other indie rock electronic
Electronic music
Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
groups such as The Postal Service
The Postal Service
The Postal Service is an American electronic indie pop band composed of vocalist Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie and producer Jimmy Tamborello of Dntel and Headset.-Background:...
. Bazan drew a distinction between Headphones and electronic pop, however, and has said that he had no interest in paying homage to either 1980s music or dance pop, such as the Postal Service attempted, instead aiming for a simple synthesizer and drums setup that "live(d) and breathe(d) like rock 'n' roll."
The band is also unique to Bazan in terms of the lyrical style. Bazan often included religious references in his work with Pedro the Lion, but Headphones was considered a more secular band in comparison.
The band toured extensively in support of its debut album, Headphones
Headphones (album)
Headphones is the self-titled debut album by Headphones. The album features David Bazan on keyboards, and Frank Lenz on drums. Tim Walsh also contributed to the recording, albeit sparsely, as Bazan attested in November 2006:....
, which received positive critical reception.
T.W. Walsh, who joined Bazan during the final two years of Pedro the Lion's tenure, was originally a member of the group, but later left both bands for personal reasons.
David Bazan said during Q&A at a show in Little Rock, AR that he planned on recording another album under the Headphones moniker. However, on March 5, 2011, Bazan's manager, Bob Andrews (artist manager)
Bob Andrews (artist manager)
Bob Andrews is a founding member of the Undertow Music Collective and an artist manager.Andrews got his start in the music business in 1991 managing the drum department at the historic in downtown Nashville. In 1993 he took a job as tour manager for Uncle Tupelo and worked with them until their...
wrote that Headphones would not release another album.
During his September 2011 living room shows David mentioned that he plans on recording another 'Headphones style' album, but not under the name Headphones. Citing low sales and turn outs to live shows David added, "I wouldn't do that to my wife again"
Discography
- HeadphonesHeadphones (album)Headphones is the self-titled debut album by Headphones. The album features David Bazan on keyboards, and Frank Lenz on drums. Tim Walsh also contributed to the recording, albeit sparsely, as Bazan attested in November 2006:....
· (2005)
See also: Pedro the Lion discography, David Bazan discography
External links
- Official site
- Spin.com Band of the Day page.
- MSNBC: Independent Study.