The Hold Steady
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| The Hold Steady | ||
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 Craig Finn, Guitar/Vocalist of The Hold Steady
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| Background information | ||
| Origin |  Brooklyn, USA |
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| Genre(s) | Alternative Rock | |
| Years active | 2004–present | |
| Label(s) | Vagrant Records | |
| Website | http://www.theholdsteady.com/ | |
| Members | ||
| Bobby Drake Craig Finn Tad Kubler Franz Nicolay Galen Polivka |
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The Hold Steady are a Brooklyn-based musical group, although four of the five members have lived in Minneapolis and their Twin Cities roots are frequently reflected in the group's lyrics.
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[edit] History
The Hold Steady was formed simply enough. Lead guitarist Tad Kubler and Frontman Craig Finn (both formerly of the band Lifter Puller) were sitting home watching The Last Waltz when Craig asked "Dude, why aren't there any bands like this anymore? Let's do this from now on."[1]
Their first album Almost Killed Me (2004) was a sleeper hit among music critics, later appearing at #31 in the influential Pazz & Jop listing in New York's Village Voice. In May 2005, they were the first rock group to grace the Voice's front page in 15 years.
The group's second album, Separation Sunday, was released on May 3rd, 2005. The album was a loose concept album following the exploits of Holly (Short for Hallelujah) and her quest to find a balance between Catholicism and Rock and Roll through drugs and an apparent reincarnation.
After Separation Sunday, the band moved from the Frenchkiss Records imprint for their third album to Vagrant Records. Released October 3rd, 2006, Boys and Girls in America (2006) was ranked 8th on Rolling Stone Magazine's Best Albums of 2006 and ranked 1st by the Onion A.V. Club. Pitchfork Media's Scott Plagenhoff writes "[Craig Finn] not only has a commanding, rousing voice but he also says something worth hearing, displaying gifts for both scope and depth that are all too rare in contemporary rock-- indie or mainstream."[2]
[edit] Members
[edit] Current
- Bobby Drake – drums
- Craig Finn – guitar, vocals
- Tad Kubler – lead guitar
- Franz Nicolay – keyboards, accordion, harmonica
- Galen Polivka – bass guitar
[edit] Former
- Judd Counsell – drums
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
- Almost Killed Me (2004)
- Separation Sunday (2005)
- Boys and Girls in America (2006)
[edit] External links
- The Hold Steady
- The Hold Steady at All Music Guide
- live videos of The Hold Steady at scheduletwo.com
- The Cherry and Spoon - Unofficial Fan Site
- Yahoo Discussion Group for The Hold Steady
- Detailed Discography
- "Holding Steady by the Banks of the Mississippi River, an article at Pretty Fakes.
- Interview with Craig Finn and Tad Kubler of The Hold Steady at Prefixmag
- The Hold Steady Guide to the Twin Cities interactive map
- review of "Boys and Girls in America" on outsideleft.com
- The Hold Steady Boys and Girls in America Tour Poster
- NPR Story on The Hold Steady
- The Interface with The Hold Steady- in-studio performance and interview podcast on Spinner.com
- review of "Boys and Girls in America" on Twisted Ear
- interview with Craig and Tad on the Feb 2007 UK tour, on CrookedRain.co.uk
[edit] References
- Matt Schild (February 16, 2003). Steady As She Goes. Aversion
- Joe Gross (May 2, 2005). The Gospel according to the Hold Steady. Village Voice.
- Brian Howe (May 16, 2005). Interview: The Hold Steady. Pitchfork Media.
- (May 18, 2005). The Hold Steady, Separation Sunday. Billboard.
