Ted Leo and the Pharmacists
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Ted Leo and the Pharmacists | ||
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 Ted Leo and the Pharmacists performing live.
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| Background information | ||
| Origin |  Washington, D.C. |
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| Genre(s) | Rock Punk rock Indie rock |
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| Years active | 1999–present | |
| Label(s) | Gern Blandsten Records Ace Fu Records Lookout! Records Touch and Go Records |
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| Website | tedleo.com | |
| Members | ||
| Ted Leo Dave Lerner Chris Wilson |
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| Former members | ||
| Jodi V.B. Amy Farina Dorien Garry James Canty |
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Ted Leo and the Pharmacists (sometimes written Ted Leo/Pharmacists, Ted Leo + Pharmacists, or TL/Rx) are an American rock band formed in 1999 in Washington, D.C. and currently recording for Touch and Go Records. They have released five full-length studio albums and have toured internationally. Though the group's lineup has fluctuated throughout their career, singer/guitarist Ted Leo has remained the band's main songwriter, creative force, and only constant member. The group's music combines elements of punk rock, indie rock, traditional rock, and occasionally folk music and dub reggae. Their most recent album, Living With the Living, was released in March 2007.
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[edit] Band History
[edit] Formation
Ted Leo started the Pharmacists essentially as a solo project in 1999. His previous band Chisel had broken up in the late 1990s, after which he spent time with The Spinanes and The Sin Eaters and acted as producer for The Secret Stars. In 1999 he recorded the album tej leo(?), Rx / pharmacists, a solo effort which was highly experimental and mixed elements of punk rock, reggae, dub, and audio experimentation. In 2000 Leo expanded the project to a full band including James Canty on guitar, Jodi V.B. on bass, and Amy Farina on drums. He named the backing band The Pharmacists, and the group released the EP Treble in Trouble. The EP moved away from many of the experimental elements of tej leo by relying on more traditional rock structures and instrumentation, though it still explored some non-traditional characteristics.
[edit] Lookout! Records years
The band signed to Lookout! Records in 2001 and experienced more lineup changes as V.B. and Farnia left the group. For the album The Tyranny of Distance Leo and Canty utilized a number of in-studio backing musicians. The album incorporated multiple styles including Celtic rock, acoustic folk balladry, and pop rock. During the supporting tours for The Tyranny of Distance bassist Dave Lerner, drummer Chris Wilson, and keyboardist Dorien Garry became permanent members of the band. The group's next album, 2003's Hearts of Oak, drew from punk rock and new wave influences. The EP Tell Balgeary, Balgury is Dead soon followed and featured a number of Leo's solo songs and covers. The band's video documentary Dirty Old Town was released the same year.
Prior to the recording of 2004's Shake the Sheets Garry and Canty left the band, reducing the group to a trio. The album explored social and political topics and experienced some success with the single "Me and Mia." The iTunes-exclusive EP Sharkbite Sessions followed in 2005.
[edit] Recent activity
In 2006 Ted Leo and the Pharmacists left Lookout! Records amidst financial crises within the label, and signed a new contract with Chicago-based Touch and Go Records. The band's popularity continued to expand through constant touring and performances at large festivals such as the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and the Pitchfork Music Festival. Their most recent album, Living With the Living, was released on March 20, 2007. First run copies of the album also included the Mo' Living EP. The band also announced that former guitarist James Canty would re-join them for touring in support of Living With the Living.
[edit] Band members
| (1999 - 2000) tej leo(?), Rx / pharmacists |
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| (2000 - 2001) Treble in Trouble |
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| (2001 - 2002) The Tyranny of Distance |
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| (2002 - 2004) Hearts of Oak Tell Balgeary, Balgury is Dead |
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| (2004 - current) Shake the Sheets Sharkbite Sessions Living With the Living Mo' Living |
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[edit] Current members
[edit] Past members
- Jodi V.B - bass (1999 - 2001)
- Amy Farina - drums (2000 - 2001)
- James Canty - guitar (2000 - 2004)
- Dorien Garry - keyboards (2002 - 2004)
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
| Album Cover | Year | Title | Label | Format | Other information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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1999 | tej leo(?), Rx / pharmacists | Gern Blandsten Records | CD | Technically the first Ted Leo and the Pharmacists album, though it is a Ted Leo solo recording. |
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2001 | The Tyranny of Distance | Lookout! Records | CD | First album as a full band. |
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2003 | Hearts of Oak | Lookout! Records | CD | |
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2004 | Shake the Sheets | Lookout! Records | CD | |
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2007 | Living With the Living | Touch and Go Records | CD |
[edit] EPs
| Album Cover | Year | Title | Label | Format | Other information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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1999 | Guitar for Jodi | Persona Records | vinyl 7" | |
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2000 | Treble in Trouble | Ace Fu Records | CD | First release as a full band. |
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2003 | Tell Balgeary, Balgury is Dead | Lookout! Records | CD | Single from Hearst of Oak backed with 9 Leo solo songs and covers. |
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2005 | Split with Blueline Medic | Casadeldisco Records | EP | |
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2005 | Sharkbite Sessions | Lookout! Records/iTunes | downloadable | iTunes-exclusive downloadable EP. |
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2007 | Mo' Living | Touch and Go Records | CD | Bonus EP included with first run pressings of Living With the Living. |
[edit] Singles
| Album Cover | Year | Title | Label | Format | Other information |
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1999 | Split with One AM Radio | Garbage Czar Records | 7" vinyl | 2 tracks: "The Latest Dart" and a cover of Lungfish's "To Whom You Were Born." Re-released in 2003 on CD by Translucence Records. |
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2002 | Split with Karla from Ida and Beekeeper | Tigerstyle Records | 7" vinyl | 1 track: "Bridges and Squares" |
[edit] Non-album tracks
| Album Cover | Year | Title | Label | Song(s) | Other information |
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Transmission One: Tea at the Palaz of Hoon | Cosmodemonic Telegraph Records | "You Always Hate the One You Love" | ||
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2002 | Don't Know When I'll Be Back Again | Exotic Fever Records | "Many Rivers to Cross" |
[edit] Videography
[edit] Music videos
| Year | Title | Album | Other information |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | "Where Have All the Rude Boys Gone?" | Hearts of Oak | |
| 2004 | "Me and Mia" | Shake the Sheets | |
| 2007 | "Bomb. Repeat. Bomb." | Living With the Living |
[edit] Video releases
| Cover | Year | Title | Label | Format | Content | Other information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Dirty Old Town | Plexifilm | DVD |
