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
1 | Bows + Arrows | Bows + Arrows |
2 | Thinking Of A Dream I Had | Bows + Arrows |
3 | Stop talking | Everyone Who Pretended to Like Me Is Gone |
4 | The Blue Route | You & Me |
5 | 138th Street | Bows + Arrows |
6 | No Christmas While I'm Talking | Bows + Arrows |
7 | That's the punch line | Everyone Who Pretended to Like Me Is Gone |
8 | The North Pole | Bows + Arrows |
9 | Canadian Girl | You & Me |
10 | What's In It For Me | Bows + Arrows |
11 | Red River | Spider-Man 3: Music From And Inspired By |
12 | It should take a while | Everyone Who Pretended to Like Me Is Gone |
13 | What's In It For Me | Bows + Arrows |
14 | Four Provinces | You & Me |
15 | Postcards from Tiny Islands | You & Me |
16 | I'm never bored | Everyone Who Pretended to Like Me Is Gone |
17 | New Country | You & Me |
18 | Revenge wears no wristwatch | Everyone Who Pretended to Like Me Is Gone |
19 | They're winning | Everyone Who Pretended to Like Me Is Gone |
20 | New Years Eve | Bows + Arrows |