The Evens
Encyclopedia
The Evens are a Washington, D.C.
indie-rock duo, formed in the fall of 2001, comprising partners Ian MacKaye
(of Fugazi, formerly of Minor Threat
) and Amy Farina
(formerly of The Warmers
). After Ian MacKaye's band Fugazi
entered a hiatus, the Evens began practicing extensively, and eventually played a few shows and recorded a self-titled album
, released in March 2005 on MacKaye's label, Dischord Records
. The Evens are known for their unusual choices in venues for performances and the stylistic change from what many have dubbed the "D.C." or "Dischord" sound. The Washington Post has described the sound as "what happens when post-hardcore
becomes post-post-hardcore."
The Evens first gained notice in late 2003 when they created a video for their original children's song "Vowel Movement", which was made for Pancake Mountain
, a Washington, D.C.
internet-based children's program. The clip fueled furthered rumors of Fugazi's breakup amid their hiatus, while adding speculation as to MacKaye's new musical direction. The song featured sing-along lines and upbeat music in the vein of Sesame Street
and other children's educational programs, while the video showed dancing children and colorful vowels. After the initial reaction to "Vowel Movement", most have taken the Evens' first "project" positively, and in fact the song has become something of a fan favorite. Some have even asked them to play "Vowel Movement" during shows, something the Evens have expressed no desire to do.
The Evens are significant for fans of MacKaye because it is his first project aside from Fugazi since Pailhead
(1988), his first non-Fugazi related LP since Embrace, released in 1987, and his first and probably only music video
with "Vowel Movement".
In June and July 2006, MacKaye and Farina recorded new music that they wrote earlier in that year. On November 6, 2006, they released their second album entitled "Get Evens
", which featured this new music.
On Saturday, May 24, 2008, Amy Farina and Ian MacKaye welcomed their first child, a son named Carmine Francis Farina MacKaye.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
indie-rock duo, formed in the fall of 2001, comprising partners Ian MacKaye
Ian MacKaye
Ian Thomas Garner MacKaye is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, musician, label owner, and producer. Active since 1979, MacKaye is best known for being the frontman of the influential hardcore punk bands Minor Threat and The Teen Idles, the post-hardcore bands Embrace and Fugazi, as well...
(of Fugazi, formerly of Minor Threat
Minor Threat
Minor Threat was an American hardcore punk band formed in Washington, D.C. in 1980 and disbanded in 1983. The band was relatively short-lived, but had a strong influence on the hardcore punk music scene, both stylistically and in establishing a "do it yourself" ethic for music distribution and...
) and Amy Farina
Amy Farina
Amy Farina is a musician living in Washington, D.C. She currently plays drums and sings in The Evens with Ian MacKaye. Previously she has played in The Warmers, Mister Candy Eater, Ted Leo & the Pharmacists and with Lois Maffeo. She and MacKaye welcomed their first child, Carmine Francis Farina...
(formerly of The Warmers
The Warmers
The Warmers were a post-hardcore band based in Washington, D.C. that recorded and performed from July 1994 through December 1997. A trio act that featured Alec MacKaye , Juan Luis Carrera , and Amy Farina , The Warmers released two recordings through the D.C. based record label Dischord Records...
). After Ian MacKaye's band Fugazi
Fugazi (band)
Fugazi is an American post-hardcore band that formed in Washington, D.C. in 1987. The band's continual members are guitarists and vocalists Ian MacKaye and Guy Picciotto, bassist Joe Lally and drummer Brendan Canty....
entered a hiatus, the Evens began practicing extensively, and eventually played a few shows and recorded a self-titled album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
, released in March 2005 on MacKaye's label, Dischord Records
Dischord Records
Dischord Records is a Washington, D.C.-based independent record label specializing in the independent punk music of the D.C.-area music scene. The label is co-owned by Ian MacKaye and Jeff Nelson, who founded Dischord in 1980 to release Minor Disturbance by The Teen Idles...
. The Evens are known for their unusual choices in venues for performances and the stylistic change from what many have dubbed the "D.C." or "Dischord" sound. The Washington Post has described the sound as "what happens when post-hardcore
Post-hardcore
Post-hardcore is a genre of music that developed from hardcore punk, itself an offshoot of the broader punk rock movement. Like post-punk, post-hardcore is a term for a broad constellation of groups...
becomes post-post-hardcore."
The Evens first gained notice in late 2003 when they created a video for their original children's song "Vowel Movement", which was made for Pancake Mountain
Pancake mountain
Pancake Mountain is a children's television show based in Washington, D.C. Created by filmmaker Scott Stuckey , it is notable for featuring many indie rock bands, such as Tegan and Sara, Bright Eyes, Deerhoof, Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, Shonen Knife, Weird War, The Fiery Furnaces, Thievery...
, a Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
internet-based children's program. The clip fueled furthered rumors of Fugazi's breakup amid their hiatus, while adding speculation as to MacKaye's new musical direction. The song featured sing-along lines and upbeat music in the vein of Sesame Street
Sesame Street
Sesame Street has undergone significant changes in its history. According to writer Michael Davis, by the mid-1970s the show had become "an American institution". The cast and crew expanded during this time, including the hiring of women in the crew and additional minorities in the cast. The...
and other children's educational programs, while the video showed dancing children and colorful vowels. After the initial reaction to "Vowel Movement", most have taken the Evens' first "project" positively, and in fact the song has become something of a fan favorite. Some have even asked them to play "Vowel Movement" during shows, something the Evens have expressed no desire to do.
The Evens are significant for fans of MacKaye because it is his first project aside from Fugazi since Pailhead
Pailhead
Pailhead was a short-lived side project of the industrial metal band Ministry, which featured Ian MacKaye on vocals...
(1988), his first non-Fugazi related LP since Embrace, released in 1987, and his first and probably only music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
with "Vowel Movement".
In June and July 2006, MacKaye and Farina recorded new music that they wrote earlier in that year. On November 6, 2006, they released their second album entitled "Get Evens
Get Evens
Get Evens is the second album by indie / punk duo The Evens. It was released on November 6, 2006.-Track listing:# "Cut from the Cloth"# "Everybody Knows"# "Cache Is Empty"# "You Fell Down"# "Pushed Against the Wall"# "No Money"...
", which featured this new music.
On Saturday, May 24, 2008, Amy Farina and Ian MacKaye welcomed their first child, a son named Carmine Francis Farina MacKaye.
Discography
- The EvensThe Evens (album)The Evens is the self-titled debut album by The Evens. It is the first non-Fugazi album released by Ian MacKaye since 1987's Embrace.-Track listing:# "Shelter Two"# "Around the Corner"# "All These Governors"# "Crude Bomb"# "Sara Lee"# "Mt...
LP (20052005 in music-Events:*During the year 2005, 12 rock music albums scored number 1 in the USA. This was the first time even ten albums have scored number 1 since 1996.-January:...
) - Get EvensGet EvensGet Evens is the second album by indie / punk duo The Evens. It was released on November 6, 2006.-Track listing:# "Cut from the Cloth"# "Everybody Knows"# "Cache Is Empty"# "You Fell Down"# "Pushed Against the Wall"# "No Money"...
LP (20062006 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 2006.-January:*January 10 – Eric Burdon releases his album Soul of a Man and begins touring with a new band....
) - 2 Songs 7" (2011)