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biography
Led by Helena, MT, native Colin Meloy, Portland, OR's the Decemberists craft theatrical, hyper-literate pop songs that draw heavily from late-'60s British folk acts like Fairport Convention and Pentangle and the early-'80s college rock grandeur of the Waterboys and R.E.M. The band's initial lineup also included drummer Ezra Holbrook, bassist Nate Query, keyboardist/accordionist Jenny Conlee, and multi-instrumentalist Chris Funk. Frontman Meloy had previously devoted some time to an alternative country group before breaking off to pursue his craft as a singer/songwriter in the city of Portland, a move that eventually led to the Decemberists' formation. Drawing influence from his degree in creative writing, he began fashioning a hybrid of literate lyrics and wide-ranging pop music, touching upon everything from Sandy Denny to Morrissey in the process.
Before Hush Records released the band's debut album in 2002, the Decemberists baited their initial fans with a five-track EP. Their full-length debut, Castaways and Cutouts, was re-released that same year on the Kill Rock Stars label, and the band began to accumulate a serious fan base. After adding organist and keyboardist Rachel Blumberg to the group, in 2003 the Decemberists released Her Majesty, another fine collection of theatrical indie pop with pastoral sensibilities that further cemented their growing reputation. One year later, a five-part epic EP entitled The Tain -- based on the eighth century Irish poem of the same name -- appeared, followed by the full-length Picaresque in 2005.
The group, which at this point consisted of Meloy, Conlee, Query, Funk, and drummer John Moen, made the move to the major leagues by signing with Capitol Records in advance of 2006's The Crane Wife, which managed to hit number 35 on the Billboard 200. The album also grabbed the attention of comedian/actor Stephen Colbert, who challenged Funk to a guitar solo competition during a live taping of his show, The Colbert Report. For their next project, the Decemberists tackled one of Meloy's most ambitious ideas to date: an honest to God rock opera. The Hazards of Love appeared in 2009, featuring a fantasy-filled story line as well as cameos from My Morning Jacket's Jim James, Lavender Diamond's Becky Stark, and My Brightest Diamond's Shara Worden. ~ Linda Seida, All Music Guide
Before Hush Records released the band's debut album in 2002, the Decemberists baited their initial fans with a five-track EP. Their full-length debut, Castaways and Cutouts, was re-released that same year on the Kill Rock Stars label, and the band began to accumulate a serious fan base. After adding organist and keyboardist Rachel Blumberg to the group, in 2003 the Decemberists released Her Majesty, another fine collection of theatrical indie pop with pastoral sensibilities that further cemented their growing reputation. One year later, a five-part epic EP entitled The Tain -- based on the eighth century Irish poem of the same name -- appeared, followed by the full-length Picaresque in 2005.
The group, which at this point consisted of Meloy, Conlee, Query, Funk, and drummer John Moen, made the move to the major leagues by signing with Capitol Records in advance of 2006's The Crane Wife, which managed to hit number 35 on the Billboard 200. The album also grabbed the attention of comedian/actor Stephen Colbert, who challenged Funk to a guitar solo competition during a live taping of his show, The Colbert Report. For their next project, the Decemberists tackled one of Meloy's most ambitious ideas to date: an honest to God rock opera. The Hazards of Love appeared in 2009, featuring a fantasy-filled story line as well as cameos from My Morning Jacket's Jim James, Lavender Diamond's Becky Stark, and My Brightest Diamond's Shara Worden. ~ Linda Seida, All Music Guide
news
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The Decemberists Set To Unveil "Here Come The Waves: The Hazards Of Love Visualized"
- THE DECEMBERISTS SET TO UNVEILHERE COME THE WAVES: THE HAZARDS OF LOVE VISUALIZEDON OCT. 19 AT UCLA'S ROYCE HALL IN LOS ANGELESSPECIAL LIVE PERFORMAN…
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The Decemberists | News 09.15.09
- Points of Order:• The Hazards of Love gets a Visualizer!• Band to perform live with the animation in LA• Tour dates, tour dates! La…
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The Decemberists Announce Fall Tour Dates
- THE DECEMBERISTS ANNOUNCE FALL TOUR DATES; BAND CONTINUES TO EARN RAVE REVIEWS FOR LIVE PERFORMANCE OF THE HAZARDS OF LOVE; NPR MUSIC TO LIVE WEBCA…
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The Decemberists | News 07.27.09
- Points of Order:• A 2-Phased Autumn: A Short Fazed Hovel Tour enters a 3rd and also a 4th UK Phase!• A new website unveiled!• New p…
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World Cafe
- The World Cafe segment with The Decemberists is airing today. You can get more info and links to listen at: http://www.xpn.org/xpn-programs/wor…
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related
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Wow
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- By ETH3L
- 1/1/0001 00:00:00
- I saw the end of their set on some late night talk show a few weeks ago. Since then I have become a big fan with each album in rotation on my device.
Mixing some powerful and dramatic lyrics with Pink Floydish experimentation The Decemberists pull off what others cannot: rock opera.
The Decemberists carry Queen's torch proudly. But to compare them to Queen does both bands a dis-service. While the Decemberists seek the same level of dramatic story telling that Queen does, the Decemberists sound is much more alt-rock oriented than Queen.
Agree that Belle & Sebastian is a related artists. Other suggestions are probably tenuous. - Be the first person to rate this comment!
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It's been too long
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- By HubbaGubba
- 1/1/0001 00:00:00
- Great album! I anticipated it for so long that when it was released I was taken unawares. Its a great departure musically for them without being too different. Highly recommended to fans and people who like their rock to be more than just three chords and an attitude.
- 3 out of 3 people
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Oh man..
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- By jenjenthenerd
- 1/1/0001 00:00:00
- They're new album, Hazards of Love, is amazing
- 2 out of 2 people
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