The Canadian indie rock combo
Wolf Parade formed in 2003 in Montreal, where the band's first show saw them opening for
Arcade Fire. From there, bandmates
Dan Boeckner,
Spencer Krug,
Hadji Bakara, and
Arlen Thompson recorded and self-released a four-song EP, followed by a six-song recording in 2004. They eventually gained the attention of songwriter
Isaac Brock, who doubled as the frontman of
Modest Mouse and an A&R rep for Sub Pop Records.
Brock helped the band secure a deal Sub Pop while serving as a stylistic touchstone for
Wolf Parade's emerging sound.
In July 2005, the quartet issued a self-titled EP on the label by way of introduction; their debut full-length,
Apologies to the Queen Mary, followed in September. It was one of the fall's most anticipated releases, recorded as it was with
Brock's help and released amid a critical flurry for such Canadian bands as
Broken Social Scene,
the Most Serene Republic, and
Stars. After considering the title
Kissing the Beehive for their follow-up (ultimately dismissed for fear of copyright infringement due to a Jonathan Carroll book by the same name),
Wolf Parade issued their sophomore record,
At Mount Zoomer, in June 2008. ~ Johnny Loftus, All Music Guide