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The Drums
It's not uncommon for musicians to change course during their careers. Jonathan Pierce and Jacob Graham, childhood friends, were in separate bands (Pierce in Elkland and Goat Explosion - a great name - and Graham with Horse Shoes) but they grew tired of electronic music.
The Drums formed in Brooklyn (which had surprisingly turned into a music hot spot) and switched the emphasis from synthesizers to guitars - ones with a particular sound quality. "If reverb didn't exist we wouldn't have bothered trying to start a band," said Graham.
In '08, the pair recruited Connor Hanwick and former Elkland member Adam Kessler.
The Drums earned U.K. praise the following year. Among the accolades, they were named 'Best Hope for 2010' in Pitchfork's '09 Readers' Poll. The band also appeared on the '10 version of the NME Awards Tour prior to releasing their self-titled debut.
Kessler left in '10. Rather than simply replacing him, the band expanded to a five-piece in adding drummer Chris Stein and guitarist Myles Matheny. Stein's arrival allowed former drummer Hanwick to move to keyboards.
The band's second album, "Portamento," contains the single, "Money."
Studio Albums:
2010 The Drums
2011 Portamento
EP
2010 Summertime!
The Drums have been called a power pop band but they are clearly more pop than power. The synthesizers and the reverb guitars make them reminiscent of 80's Wave.
"We only write about two feelings: one is the first day of summer when you and all of your friends are standing on the edge of a cliff watching the sun set and being overcome with all of your hopes and dreams at once," reads a band statement. "The other is when you're walking alone in the rain and realize you will be alone forever." That turns out to be a pretty accurate description of "The Drums."
"Let's Go Surfing," could be (but isn't) an updated cover of a novelty Jan & Dean tune. There's a Beach Boys turn, both vocally and in the arrangement, on "The Future." And "We Tried" leans toward a minor key Mersey sound.
But The Drums' bouncy melodic pop prevails. "Best Friend" and "I Need Fun In My Life" are polished indie Rock dance tracks. "Book Of Stories," "Forever And Ever Amen" and "Skippin' Town" are in the same vein with the synthesizers and guitars playing tight rhythmical riffs to drive home the beat.