The Walkmen

The Walkmen are five New Yorkers who have played rock music since they were 10 years old. All five originally hail from Washington DC, United States where they attended St. Albans high school and played in several bands. Over the years, and in their many ensembles, they've experimented with punk, noise, a lot of "garage" sounds, ska, and rock.

After Jonathan Fire*Eater imploded, Paul Maroon (guitar, piano), Walter Martin (organ/bass), and Matt Barrick (drums) rounded up enough investors to rent a Harlem industrial space, and convert it into a 24-track analog recording studio. Dubbed "Marcata Recording", the new space became the birthplace, home, and virtual sixth member of the Walkmen. Joining with ex-Recoys, Walter's cousin Hamilton Leithauser (vocals, guitar) and his friend Peter Bauer (bass/organ) (who had for years been slaving away in the East Village for spots at the Continental and Luna as The Recoys), the lineup was complete by the summer of 2000. Over the course of the next year the band sedulously wrote and recorded late in the evenings after work. It was hot in the summer and cold in the winter. While adjusting to their new space and equipment, the band engaged in much experimentation with sound.

Their first show took place at Joe's Pub in the East Village in September of 2000. Onto the tiny stage the band lugged an upright piano, a bass cabinet that was taller than the bass player, three amplifiers, an organ, a lap steel, two tape machines, three guitars, and a set of drums. The show was a great success, so they decided to stick together. Since then the boys have remained dedicated to their instrumentation, and even got their hands on an over-sized, rotting upright in London which nearly ruined the trip (one show was on the third floor).

Initial press for their debut EP gave the Walkmen positive reviews but focussed mainly on the former notoriety of three of its members, all of whom played in the much hyped, short-lived Jonathan Fire*Eater. The band began to be judged on their own merit with the release of their debut album, Everybody Who Pretended To Like Me Is Gone (2002).

It was with the release of their second album Bows + Arrows in 2004 that they truly came to the fore, after The Rat received heavy airplay on alternative radio in both the US and the UK.

This release was followed by A Hundred Miles Off (2006), "Pussy Cats" Starring the Walkmen (2006) - a track-by-track cover of Harry Nilsson's album.

2008 saw the return of the band with You & Me which was recorded in bus trips between New York and Philadelphia.

The band's influences include, Bruce Springsteen, The Pogues, The Cure, Björk, The Smiths, Joy Division, Neil Young, and New Order. Primarily piano and organ provide the basis for each song, with dashes of a variety of guitars and tapes. The bass holds a steady, booming foundation, and the drums fluctuate from minimal to down right furious. The vocals range from strong and long-held highs to reserved falsettos and lazy lows. The songs can be light and playful, or huge and atmospheric.