The Walkmen
Encyclopedia
The Walkmen are an American
indie rock
band, with members based in New York City
and Philadelphia. The band formed in 2000 with three members from Jonathan Fire*Eater—Paul Maroon (guitar, piano), Walter Martin (organ/bass), and Matt Barrick (drums)—and two from The Recoys
, Peter Bauer (bass/organ) and Hamilton Leithauser (vocals, guitar). All but Bauer attended St. Albans
in Washington, D.C.
They prefer the sound of vintage musical instruments, particularly the upright piano, and have often recorded at Marcata Recording, a recording studio
built in Harlem in 1999 by the three former members of Jonathan Fire*Eater and later relocated to upstate New York
.
rock scene.
The band was formed in 2000 following the breakup of two separate bands: Jonathan Fire*Eater, whose members included Martin, Maroon and Barrick, and The Recoys
, whose members included Leithauser and Bauer. The three members from Jonathan Fire*Eater, which had recorded for Dreamworks Records
, had money left over from that past recording contract and used the remaining funds to construct a rehearsal space in uptown New York
. The rehearsal space featured a 24-track recording studio and was dubbed Marcata Studios.
The newly-formed band, who wished to distance themselves from the garage rock
sounds of previous bands, released a self-titled EP of songs in 2001 on Startime International
, a small Brooklyn
-based record label. Shortly after the release of the EP, which featured a blend of upright pianos and other vintage instruments, The Walkmen made their official live debut with a performance at Joe's Pub in the East Village
.
, released by Startime
, was well received by critics. The album was noted for its innovative approach to atmosphere and instrumentation, with sparse bass and drums complemented by plinking piano, jangly guitars and Leithauser's unique vocal stylings. Two of the songs on the album, "The Blizzard of '96" and "That's the Punchline," were adaptations of tracks meant for The Recoys
' unreleased full-length album.
Critics compared the results of the album to past work by U2
and The Cure
as a result of the uniqueness of its sound as compared to other contemporary New York City bands such as The Strokes
. One of the album's songs, "We've Been Had," was featured in a commercial for a Saturn Ion
automobile.
, was released on the Record Collection
label in 2004 and was listed by many critics as one of the year's best albums. The album spawned singles for the songs "The Rat
" and "Little House of Savages." Critical success of the album led the band to perform on the popular Fox
series The O.C.
Bows + Arrows was noted for containing a more immediate and focused sound than its predecessor; both "The Rat" and "Little House of Savages" were seen as stark contrasts to much of the band's past outputs.
, was released in the U.S.
on May 23, 2006. The band premiered most of the new songs on a tour of the Northeast in early 2006. The first single
to be released was "Louisiana," which featured an upbeat chorus of horns. Peter Bauer and Walter Martin traded musical instrument
s on the new album, with Bauer handling the organ
duties and Martin playing bass. The album found the band refocusing its sound toward folk sounds, unlike their previous two albums; though the change in direction was lauded by some critics, other reviews were often mixed.
The band was forced to close Marcata Studios that same year after Columbia University
purchased the building it resided in. The band released another full-length album, "Pussy Cats" Starring the Walkmen
, a track-by-track cover of Harry Nilsson
and John Lennon
's 1974 album Pussy Cats
, as a farewell to their studio's Harlem location.
. The Walkmen made the album available for $5 on Amie Street, with all proceeds donated to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
. During its first week of sales, the album charted at #29 on Billboard
's Top Digital Albums
. The album was made available on physical formats on August 19, 2008. The album was recorded at Gigantic Studios with Chris Zane
.
. They had been playing several of the songs since the summer of 2009. They recorded "something like 28 songs," but included only 11 on the album. In support of the new album, The Walkmen performed at All Tomorrow Parties in May 2010, Lollapalooza
in early August 2010, and the Reading and Leeds Festivals
at the end of August 2010. Lisbon
was released on September 14, 2010 on label Fat Possum records. Initial reviews have been favorable, with Pitchfork Media awarding the album 8.6/10, and PopMatters rating it 7/10. The band embarked on a fall tour of North America and Europe to support their new release.
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...
band, with members based in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and Philadelphia. The band formed in 2000 with three members from Jonathan Fire*Eater—Paul Maroon (guitar, piano), Walter Martin (organ/bass), and Matt Barrick (drums)—and two from The Recoys
The Recoys
The Recoys were a indie rock band from Boston, MA formed in 1996 by Hamilton Leithauser , Peter Bauer , Damon Hege , Mike Sheehan and Hugh MacIntosh...
, Peter Bauer (bass/organ) and Hamilton Leithauser (vocals, guitar). All but Bauer attended St. Albans
St. Albans School (Washington, D.C.)
St. Albans School is an independent college preparatory school for boys in grades 4–12, located in Washington, D.C. The school is named after Saint Alban, traditionally regarded as the first British martyr. Within the St...
in 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....
They prefer the sound of vintage musical instruments, particularly the upright piano, and have often recorded at Marcata Recording, a recording studio
Recording studio
A recording studio is a facility for sound recording and mixing. Ideally both the recording and monitoring spaces are specially designed by an acoustician to achieve optimum acoustic properties...
built in Harlem in 1999 by the three former members of Jonathan Fire*Eater and later relocated to upstate New York
Upstate New York
Upstate New York is the region of the U.S. state of New York that is located north of the core of the New York metropolitan area.-Definition:There is no clear or official boundary between Upstate New York and Downstate New York...
.
Early Years
Each of the members of The Walkmen grew up in and around the Washington, DC area, played in many of the same bands from early in their careers, and even attended the same Washington-area high school. The bandmates eventually moved to Harlem and became a part of the burgeoning New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
rock scene.
The band was formed in 2000 following the breakup of two separate bands: Jonathan Fire*Eater, whose members included Martin, Maroon and Barrick, and The Recoys
The Recoys
The Recoys were a indie rock band from Boston, MA formed in 1996 by Hamilton Leithauser , Peter Bauer , Damon Hege , Mike Sheehan and Hugh MacIntosh...
, whose members included Leithauser and Bauer. The three members from Jonathan Fire*Eater, which had recorded for Dreamworks Records
DreamWorks Records
DreamWorks Records was an American record label. Founded in 1996 by David Geffen, Steven Spielberg and Jeffrey Katzenberg as a subsidiary of DreamWorks SKG, the label operated until 2005 when it was shut down...
, had money left over from that past recording contract and used the remaining funds to construct a rehearsal space in uptown New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. The rehearsal space featured a 24-track recording studio and was dubbed Marcata Studios.
The newly-formed band, who wished to distance themselves from the garage rock
Garage rock
Garage rock is a raw form of rock and roll that was first popular in the United States and Canada from about 1963 to 1967. During the 1960s, it was not recognized as a separate music genre and had no specific name...
sounds of previous bands, released a self-titled EP of songs in 2001 on Startime International
Startime International
Startime International is an imprint of Columbia Records in New York City started and run by Isaac Green.-History:Green moved to Los Angeles and out of his apartment started the label, armed with one band, the French Kicks...
, a small Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
-based record label. Shortly after the release of the EP, which featured a blend of upright pianos and other vintage instruments, The Walkmen made their official live debut with a performance at Joe's Pub in the East Village
East Village, Manhattan
The East Village is a neighborhood in the borough of Manhattan in New York City, lying east of Greenwich Village, south of Gramercy and Stuyvesant Town, and north of the Lower East Side...
.
Everyone Who Pretended to Like Me is Gone
The 2002 debut album Everyone Who Pretended to Like Me Is GoneEveryone Who Pretended to Like Me Is Gone
Everyone Who Pretended to Like Me Is Gone is the debut album by The Walkmen. The album received generally positive reviews, especially from independent music reviewers. The song "We've Been Had" was featured in commercials for the Saturn Ion....
, released by Startime
Startime International
Startime International is an imprint of Columbia Records in New York City started and run by Isaac Green.-History:Green moved to Los Angeles and out of his apartment started the label, armed with one band, the French Kicks...
, was well received by critics. The album was noted for its innovative approach to atmosphere and instrumentation, with sparse bass and drums complemented by plinking piano, jangly guitars and Leithauser's unique vocal stylings. Two of the songs on the album, "The Blizzard of '96" and "That's the Punchline," were adaptations of tracks meant for The Recoys
The Recoys
The Recoys were a indie rock band from Boston, MA formed in 1996 by Hamilton Leithauser , Peter Bauer , Damon Hege , Mike Sheehan and Hugh MacIntosh...
' unreleased full-length album.
Critics compared the results of the album to past work by U2
U2
U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music...
and The Cure
The Cure
The Cure are an English rock band formed in Crawley, West Sussex in 1976. The band has experienced several line-up changes, with frontman, vocalist, guitarist and principal songwriter Robert Smith being the only constant member...
as a result of the uniqueness of its sound as compared to other contemporary New York City bands such as The Strokes
The Strokes
The Strokes are an American indie rock band formed in 1999 in New York City. Consisting of Julian Casablancas , Nick Valensi , Albert Hammond, Jr. , Nikolai Fraiture and Fabrizio Moretti ....
. One of the album's songs, "We've Been Had," was featured in a commercial for a Saturn Ion
Saturn ION
The Saturn Ion was a compact car sold by the Saturn marque of American automaker General Motors between the 2003 and 2007 model years. It used the GM Delta platform. The Ion replaced the Saturn S-Series in 2003,...
automobile.
Bows + Arrows
The band's followup album, Bows + ArrowsBows + Arrows
Bows + Arrows is the second album by The Walkmen, released in 2004 . The album received a great deal of critical acclaim, appearing on several critics' year-end lists....
, was released on the Record Collection
Record Collection
Record Collection is a Venice, CA based music entertainment and production company, owned by Jordan Tappis and David Sardy. Record Collection is home to a diverse catalog which includes music from artists such as former Red Hot Chili Peppers' guitarist John Frusciante, The Walkmen, Murs, Blake...
label in 2004 and was listed by many critics as one of the year's best albums. The album spawned singles for the songs "The Rat
The Rat (song)
"The Rat" is a song by The Walkmen, released as the first single from their second album, Bows + Arrows in 2004. It has received high acclaim from critics, featuring in many publications' best-of-the-decade lists.-Composition and recording:...
" and "Little House of Savages." Critical success of the album led the band to perform on the popular Fox
Fox Broadcasting Company
Fox Broadcasting Company, commonly referred to as Fox Network or simply Fox , is an American commercial broadcasting television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the...
series The O.C.
The O.C.
The O.C. is an American teen drama television series that originally aired on the Fox television network in the United States from August 5, 2003, to February 21, 2007, running a total of four seasons...
Bows + Arrows was noted for containing a more immediate and focused sound than its predecessor; both "The Rat" and "Little House of Savages" were seen as stark contrasts to much of the band's past outputs.
A Hundred Miles Off and Pussy Cats
Their next album, A Hundred Miles OffA Hundred Miles Off
A Hundred Miles Off is the third album by The Walkmen, released on May 23, 2006 in the US.-Track listing:# "Louisiana" – 3:52# "Danny's at the Wedding" – 3:55# "Good for You's Good for Me" – 2:22# "Emma, Get Me a Lemon" – 3:12...
, was released in the U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
on May 23, 2006. The band premiered most of the new songs on a tour of the Northeast in early 2006. The first single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
to be released was "Louisiana," which featured an upbeat chorus of horns. Peter Bauer and Walter Martin traded musical instrument
Musical instrument
A musical instrument is a device created or adapted for the purpose of making musical sounds. In principle, any object that produces sound can serve as a musical instrument—it is through purpose that the object becomes a musical instrument. The history of musical instruments dates back to the...
s on the new album, with Bauer handling the organ
Organ (music)
The organ , is a keyboard instrument of one or more divisions, each played with its own keyboard operated either with the hands or with the feet. The organ is a relatively old musical instrument in the Western musical tradition, dating from the time of Ctesibius of Alexandria who is credited with...
duties and Martin playing bass. The album found the band refocusing its sound toward folk sounds, unlike their previous two albums; though the change in direction was lauded by some critics, other reviews were often mixed.
The band was forced to close Marcata Studios that same year after Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
purchased the building it resided in. The band released another full-length album, "Pussy Cats" Starring the Walkmen
Pussy Cats (The Walkmen album)
- Personnel :*Matt Barrick – conga, drums, maracas, tambourine, cowbell, wood block*Peter Bauer – organ, farfisa organ, Vox Continental*Chris Colbert – engineer, mixing*Paul Gomez – A&R...
, a track-by-track cover of Harry Nilsson
Harry Nilsson
Harry Edward Nilsson III was an American singer-songwriter who achieved the peak of his commercial success in the early 1970s. On all but his earliest recordings he is credited as Nilsson...
and John Lennon
John Lennon
John Winston Lennon, MBE was an English musician and singer-songwriter who rose to worldwide fame as one of the founding members of The Beatles, one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music...
's 1974 album Pussy Cats
Pussy Cats
Pussy Cats is the tenth album by Harry Nilsson, released in 1974. It was produced by John Lennon during his "Lost Weekend" period. The album title was inspired by the bad press Nilsson and Lennon were getting at the time for being drunk and rowdy in Los Angeles...
, as a farewell to their studio's Harlem location.
You & Me
Their next studio album, You & Me, became available on July 29, 2008, as an exclusive charitable pre-release on indie music website Amie StreetAmie Street
Amie Street was an indie online music store and social network service created in 2006 by Brown University seniors Elliott Breece, Elias Roman, and Joshua Boltuch, in Providence, Rhode Island...
. The Walkmen made the album available for $5 on Amie Street, with all proceeds donated to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
Memorial Sloan–Kettering Cancer Center is a cancer treatment and research institution founded in 1884 as the New York Cancer Hospital...
. During its first week of sales, the album charted at #29 on Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
's Top Digital Albums
Billboard charts
The Billboard charts tabulate the relative weekly popularity of songs or albums in the United States. The results are published in Billboard magazine...
. The album was made available on physical formats on August 19, 2008. The album was recorded at Gigantic Studios with Chris Zane
Chris Zane
Chris Zane is a music producer, engineer and mixer based in New York City.-2011:*Heartsrevolution - "Ride or Die" *Friendly Fires - "Pala" *Holy Ghost! - "Holy Ghost!" *Asobi Seksu - "Fluorescence"...
.
Lisbon
The Walkmen recorded 13 songs for their latest album in five days in August 2009 with John Congleton and Chris ZaneChris Zane
Chris Zane is a music producer, engineer and mixer based in New York City.-2011:*Heartsrevolution - "Ride or Die" *Friendly Fires - "Pala" *Holy Ghost! - "Holy Ghost!" *Asobi Seksu - "Fluorescence"...
. They had been playing several of the songs since the summer of 2009. They recorded "something like 28 songs," but included only 11 on the album. In support of the new album, The Walkmen performed at All Tomorrow Parties in May 2010, Lollapalooza
Lollapalooza
Lollapalooza is an annual music festival featuring popular alternative rock, heavy metal, punk rock and hip hop bands, dance and comedy performances, and craft booths. It has also provided a platform for non-profit and political groups. The music festival hosts more than 160,000 people over a...
in early August 2010, and the Reading and Leeds Festivals
Reading and Leeds Festivals
The Reading and Leeds Festivals are a pair of annual music festivals that take place in Reading and Leeds in England. The events take place simultaneously on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the August bank holiday weekend, sharing the same bill. The Reading Festival is held at Little John's Farm...
at the end of August 2010. Lisbon
Lisbon (album)
Lisbon is the sixth studio album by New York-based group The Walkmen, released on September 14, 2010 in the US. Chris Zane and John Congleton helped produce and engineer the album. The band recorded nearly thirty tracks before settling on the eleven tracks that comprise the album. The album is a...
was released on September 14, 2010 on label Fat Possum records. Initial reviews have been favorable, with Pitchfork Media awarding the album 8.6/10, and PopMatters rating it 7/10. The band embarked on a fall tour of North America and Europe to support their new release.
Studio albums
- Everyone Who Pretended to Like Me Is GoneEveryone Who Pretended to Like Me Is GoneEveryone Who Pretended to Like Me Is Gone is the debut album by The Walkmen. The album received generally positive reviews, especially from independent music reviewers. The song "We've Been Had" was featured in commercials for the Saturn Ion....
(March 26, 2002) - Bows + ArrowsBows + ArrowsBows + Arrows is the second album by The Walkmen, released in 2004 . The album received a great deal of critical acclaim, appearing on several critics' year-end lists....
(February 3, 2004) #63 UK - A Hundred Miles OffA Hundred Miles OffA Hundred Miles Off is the third album by The Walkmen, released on May 23, 2006 in the US.-Track listing:# "Louisiana" – 3:52# "Danny's at the Wedding" – 3:55# "Good for You's Good for Me" – 2:22# "Emma, Get Me a Lemon" – 3:12...
(May 23, 2006) #163 US - "Pussy Cats" Starring The Walkmen (October 24, 2006)
- You & Me (August 19, 2008) #71 US
- LisbonLisbon (album)Lisbon is the sixth studio album by New York-based group The Walkmen, released on September 14, 2010 in the US. Chris Zane and John Congleton helped produce and engineer the album. The band recorded nearly thirty tracks before settling on the eleven tracks that comprise the album. The album is a...
(September 14, 2010) #27 US #92 UK
EPs
- The Walkmen (June 26, 2001)
- Untitled (Black cover, with eight songs) (April 3, 2002)
- Untitled (White cover, with eight songs) (April 3, 2002)
- Split (with CallaCalla (band)Calla is an indie rock band formed in North Texas in 1997. The band has been based in Brooklyn, New York for most of its existence. They have been on hiatus since 2007, after touring to support their album Strength In Numbers.-Band members:...
) (September 17, 2002) - Christmas Party (2004)
- DaytrotterDaytrotterDaytrotter is a website for the recording studio Horseshack, which hosts recording sessions with many popular and typically upcoming indie music acts, although it works with local bands in the Illinois area as well. The sessions can be compared to that of a radio station's lounge recordings, where...
Session, March 2008 (Leonard Cohen covers) - DaytrotterDaytrotterDaytrotter is a website for the recording studio Horseshack, which hosts recording sessions with many popular and typically upcoming indie music acts, although it works with local bands in the Illinois area as well. The sessions can be compared to that of a radio station's lounge recordings, where...
Session, August 2008 (Neil Hagerty covers) - Live Session (iTunes Exclusive) (August 12, 2009)
Singles
- "Let's Live Together" (2002)
- "The RatThe Rat (song)"The Rat" is a song by The Walkmen, released as the first single from their second album, Bows + Arrows in 2004. It has received high acclaim from critics, featuring in many publications' best-of-the-decade lists.-Composition and recording:...
" (April 19, 2004) #45 UK - "Little House of Savages" (June 28, 2004) #74 UK
- "Louisiana" (September 11, 2006)
- "The Blue Route"/"Canadian Girl" (November 10, 2008)
- "In the New Year" (February 23, 2009)
- "Weight On My Shoulders" / "Good Days Carry On" (September 14, 2010)(Limited Edition 7")
- "Stranded" (July 2, 2010)
- "Angela Surf City" (October 4, 2010)
Other Recordings
- "Radio" (aka "Wake Up") on This Is Next Year: A Brooklyn-Based CompilationThis Is Next Year: A Brooklyn-Based CompilationThis is Next Year is a compilation album released July 17, 2001 by Arena Rock Recording Co.-Disc 1:#"Radio" – The Walkmen#"I've Got A Fang " – They Might Be Giants#"Wasting In The Sun" – #"Keep Your Feelings To Yourself" – Clem Snide...
(2001) - "Little House of Savages (Live version)" on Music from the OC: Mix 2 (2004)
- "There Goes My Baby" on Stubbs the Zombie: The Soundtrack (2005)
- "Red River" on Spider-Man 3 Soundtrack (2007)
- "Brandy Alexander" on In BrugesIn BrugesIn Bruges is a 2008 black comedy crime film written and directed by Martin McDonagh. The film stars Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson as two hitmen in hiding, with Ralph Fiennes as their gangster boss. The film takes place—and was filmed—within the Belgian city of Bruges. In Bruges was...
Soundtrack (2008) - "Lemon Hill" - Blog Released Track (2007)
External links
- Official website
- The Walkmen collection at the Live Music ArchiveLive Music ArchiveThe Live Music Archive , part of the Internet Archive, is a collection of over 60,000 concert recordings in lossless audio formats. The website is known for its extensive collection of Grateful Dead recordings.-History:...
- The Walkmen's newest album, "You & Me" at Amie StreetAmie StreetAmie Street was an indie online music store and social network service created in 2006 by Brown University seniors Elliott Breece, Elias Roman, and Joshua Boltuch, in Providence, Rhode Island...
- The Walkmen on NPR Music
- Interview with Hamilton Leithauser and Ashley Marie Sansotta with REAX Music Magazine
- August 2008 Interview with L.A. RecordL.A. RecordL.A. Record is an independent music magazine originally published weekly as a broadsheet poster. The poster usually depicts a local Los Angeles musicians and according to the magazine editors is meant to recreate an iconic album cover. In March 2008, it began publishing as a monthly magazine with a...
- Interview with Hamilton Leithauser and Matt Barrick, September 2010
- October 2008 Interview with Drop-D