D.C. band forms out of former grade school antics
April 30, 2009 by GRACE MORRIS
Filed under Out & About
St. Albans School in Washington D.C. boasts notable graduates such as FOX News host Brit Hume and former Vice President Al Gore.
The boy’s preparatory school is exactly the sort of private, preppy institution one would imagine future political figures to attend. Students wear navy blazers and ties, and teachers push them to attending Ivy League universities.
But students Paul Maroon, Walter Martin, Matt Barrick, and Hamilton Leithauser decided to go a different route.
THE WALKMEN
When: 9 p.m. Saturday, May 9
Where: 40 Watt Club
Cost: $10 in advance, $12 at the door
Rather than inspire them to public service, time at St. Albans inspired these friends to form rock bands.
Initially two separate bands, Jonathan Fire*Eater and The Recoys merged in 2000 and The Walkmen was born.
“Pete and I started our first band in ninth grade in D.C. The other three guys started their first band together in like sixth grade,” guitarist Hamilton Leithauser said. “Both of those bands ultimately broke up right around the same time. Those of us that wanted to continue joined up to form this group. We should have called ourselves ‘The Leftovers.’”
Maybe it was the preparatory school sense of discipline, maybe it was luck, or maybe it was a little bit of both, but whatever the case The Walkmen quickly became successful in the public eye.
After the release of its first E.P., critics compared the band to U2 and The Cure. An even more favorably received second album, “Bows and Arrows,” brought the band widespread acclaim and a performance on hit drama series The O.C.
The band has recorded each following album at Marcata Studios, located in Harlem. The three former Jonathan Fire*Eater members built this recording studio with money left over from recording with DreamWorks.
With experience, a recording studio and commendation under their belts, The Walkmen’s members elected to sell their fifth and most recent album, “You & Me,” rather unconventionally.
The band released the album for $5 on Amie Street, an indie online music store, one month before releasing it anywhere else. All proceeds during this month went to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.
“Pete’s friends’ baby was the motivation. He has leukemia. It was very successful. We would definitely be open to doing that kind of thing again,” Leithauser said.
In August of 2008, The Walkmen released hard copies of “You & Me” to the delight of critics and fans.
Although this charitable sales method may seem detrimental to record sales, part of The Walkmen’s appeal stems from its unconventionality. The band has a taste for vintage instruments such as the upright piano and the organ.
“They really sound better; it’s no secret. That’s why people can charge more. When we’ve used rental stuff and they give us new guitars it’s just terrible,” Leithauser said. “I just got a ‘65 Telecaster which sounds magnificent.”
With youthful enthusiasm paired with a sophisticated love of vintage instruments, The Walkmen paved an alternate road to success.
While they may illicit melodies from piano keys rather than votes from the masses, the musicians have become public figures in their own right.
