The Hold Steady
Encyclopedia
The Hold Steady is an American indie rock
band from Brooklyn
, New York
, formed in 2004. The band consists of Craig Finn
(vocals, guitar), Tad Kubler
(lead guitar), Galen Polivka (bass), Bobby Drake (drums), and Steve Selvidge (guitar). Noted for their "lyrically dense storytelling," and classic rock
influences, the band's narrative-based songs frequently address themes, such as, drug addiction, religion
and redemption
, and often take place within the city of Minneapolis.
Formed four years following the break-up of Finn and Kubler's former band, Lifter Puller
, The Hold Steady came to prominence with the release of their third studio album, Boys and Girls in America
, in 2006. In 2010, keyboardist and multi-instrumentalist Franz Nicolay
left the band prior to the recording of their fifth studio album, Heaven Is Whenever
(2010). During the band's subsequent tour, the band became a five piece, once more, with the addition of former Lucero
guitarist Steve Selvidge.
and New York City bartender and bassist Galen Polivka began talking about starting a band. Finn and lead guitarist Tad Kubler (both formerly of Lifter Puller
) developed the idea of The Hold Steady when, while watching The Band
concert film The Last Waltz
, Finn asked Kubler, "Dude, why aren't there any bands like this anymore?" The Hold Steady's 2004 debut album Almost Killed Me
, released on Frenchkiss Records
, was a sleeper hit
among music critic
s, reaching #31 in the Pazz & Jop
critics poll that year, an achievement which Finn described as "like being nominated for an Oscar or something." In May 2005, they were the first rock band to grace the front page of The Village Voice
in 15 years . They were Blender
s 2006 "Band of the Year".
The band released its second album, Separation Sunday
, on May 3, 2005. The album was a loose concept album
following the exploits of a character named "Holly" (short for "Hallelujah") and her quest to find a balance between Catholicism
and rock and roll
through drugs and a metaphorical resurrection. The album was critically lauded, and its religious overtones were picked up by many critics, such as Joe Gross of the Village Voice, who dubbed it "the most egregiously American Catholic
album since X's Under the Big Black Sun
, Springsteen
's Tunnel of Love
, or that Jewish new waver Billy Joel
's The Stranger
."
, the band moved from the Frenchkiss Records
imprint to Vagrant Records
. Released October 3, 2006, Boys and Girls in America
was ranked #8 on the Rolling Stone
Best Albums of 2006 list, and first by The A.V. Club
. Pitchfork Media
's Scott Plagenhoff wrote of the album, "[ 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." In 2006, they released a music video for "Chips Ahoy", directed by Moh Azima and starring Avital Ash. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOFeaedv3Uc In 2007, the band recorded a modified version of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" to be played during the seventh-inning stretch
at Minnesota Twins
home games. They also contributed a cover of the Bob Dylan
and The Hawks/The Band
song Can You Please Crawl Out Your Window?
to the motion picture I'm Not There
.
and Wild Arctic studio in Queens, New York with producer John Agnello
during January and February that year. Guests on the sessions included Ben Nichols from Lucero, J. Mascis of Dinosaur Jr., Emilyn Brodsky, and Doug Gillard
, who played guitar in Guided By Voices
. Finn has said that he believes the album "captures a band hitting their creative peak, as well as enjoying each other's creativity and company." The album is more expansive than previous releases, including talk-box solos, harpsichord
, and tuneful vocals (the notoriously gruff-voiced Finn started taking voice lessons). "There are some bands that do five records that all sound similar," says guitarist Tad Kubler. "We've tried to avoid that." Many familiar elements – sing-along choruses, extended piano and guitar solos and lyrics that deal with faith, crime, rumor, loss and love – remain.
The Hold Steady has toured and played with a variety of other artists, amongst them Les Savy Fav
, The Constantines
, P.O.S.
, Swearing at Motorists
, the Rolling Stones (as mentioned in the Stay Positive bonus track "Ask Her For Adderall"), Dave Matthews Band
, Counting Crows
, The Thermals
, Art Brut, Kings of Leon
, The Loved Ones
, the Oranges Band, and Drive-By Truckers
.
In April 2009, the band released a two-disc documentary and live album set entitled A Positive Rage
.
confirmed on his official website that he had left the band. Regarding his departure, vocalist and guitarist Craig Finn
stated: "Franz is a real ambitious guy, and I think he wanted to do a lot of different things, and we want to really follow this one Hold Steady thing to its logical end. And it takes up a lot of time. It was an amicable departure, and I think we all wish him the best. He’ll do a lot of interesting, cool things."
Nicolay has said that he considers his work with the Hold Steady to be completed, saying "I’m proud of the work we did together. In the end, I felt I completed the work I needed to do with them. I’d prefer to think of it as a closed book."
The Hold Steady announced the release of Heaven Is Whenever
on Feb. 23, 2010. The album was released May 4 on Vagrant Records in the U.S. and May 3 on Rough Trade in Europe.
The band's subsequent tour featured additional musicians Steve Selvidge, formerly of Lucero
, on guitar and Dan Neustadt, of In Cadeo and The World/Inferno Friendship Society
. Neustadt had previously played keyboards on Heaven is Whenever, but eventually left the touring band by 2011.
In 2011, Selvidge was added to the band's official line-up, with Craig Finn stating, "We added [Steve Selvidge], we are a five piece. We are rolling without keys right now. We did some shows without keys and we really liked it. It sort of opened things up for us. We have two pretty amazing guitar players in our band, and it's really fun to have that space and spread out. They can sort of work against each other/with each other. Steve's been a great addition to the band. We came across Steve many years ago and we always kind of said, 'Man, if things open up and we can get him in the band, we want him.' [...] Steve, lives in Memphis. So wherever we record this time, someone's not going to be at home."
The band plan to begin writing for their sixth studio album in September 2011.
, Craig Finn outlined the band's influences, which range from punk rock
to folk
to hip-hop:
, known for his starring role in the Harry Potter
film series, called The Hold Steady "the best band this year by far" in a 2007 magazine interview.
Articles
Indie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
band from Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, formed in 2004. The band consists of Craig Finn
Craig Finn
Craig Finn is an American singer and guitarist. He is best known as the front man for bands Lifter Puller and The Hold Steady. He currently lives in New York City...
(vocals, guitar), Tad Kubler
Tad Kubler
Tad Kubler is an American guitarist, known for his work with Lifter Puller, Song of Zarathustra, and, most-notably, The Hold Steady. He grew up in Janesville, Wisconsin and currently lives in Brooklyn, New York.-Education:...
(lead guitar), Galen Polivka (bass), Bobby Drake (drums), and Steve Selvidge (guitar). Noted for their "lyrically dense storytelling," and classic rock
Classic rock
Classic rock is a radio format which developed from the album-oriented rock format in the early 1980s. In the United States, the classic rock format features music ranging generally from the late 1960s to the late 1980s, primarily focusing on the hard rock genre that peaked in popularity in the...
influences, the band's narrative-based songs frequently address themes, such as, drug addiction, religion
Religion
Religion is a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that establishes symbols that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values. Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories that are intended to give meaning to life or to...
and redemption
Redemption
- Religion :* Redemption , an element of salvation to express deliverance from sin* Redemption, absolution for the past sins and/or protection from damnation* Pidyon haben, redemption of the firstborn son in Judaism...
, and often take place within the city of Minneapolis.
Formed four years following the break-up of Finn and Kubler's former band, Lifter Puller
Lifter Puller
Lifter Puller, or LFTR PLLR, was an American indie rock band from the Twin Cities and the Boston area between 1994 and 2000. Their music is considered innovative, with its angular riffs and a synth-infused sound that predated the 80's revival fads of the early 2000s...
, The Hold Steady came to prominence with the release of their third studio album, Boys and Girls in America
Boys and Girls in America
Boys and Girls in America is the third studio album by The Hold Steady, released on October 3, 2006 by Vagrant Records.On August 18, 2006, first single "Chips Ahoy!" was released as a free download from music site Pitchfork Media...
, in 2006. In 2010, keyboardist and multi-instrumentalist Franz Nicolay
Franz Nicolay
Franz Nicolay is an American multi-instrumentalist and composer currently based in Brooklyn, New York. He is perhaps best known for playing the accordion and the piano in The World/Inferno Friendship Society and playing keyboards in The Hold Steady from 2005 to 2010...
left the band prior to the recording of their fifth studio album, Heaven Is Whenever
Heaven Is Whenever
Heaven is Whenever is the fifth studio album by The Hold Steady. It was released May 4, 2010, on Vagrant Records in the U.S. and May 3, 2010, on Rough Trade in Europe. The album's first single, "Hurricane J", premiered on Pitchfork Media on March 22, 2010...
(2010). During the band's subsequent tour, the band became a five piece, once more, with the addition of former Lucero
Lucero
Lucero is a Mexican Multi-Platinum singer and actress. She has sold over 27 million albums worldwide. She has sung songs in Spanish, Portuguese and English. She started her career at the age of 10 as Lucerito. She is currently separated from singer Manuel Mijares, with whom she has two children...
guitarist Steve Selvidge.
History
In 2003, Minnesota-raised vocalist, lyricist, and guitarist Craig FinnCraig Finn
Craig Finn is an American singer and guitarist. He is best known as the front man for bands Lifter Puller and The Hold Steady. He currently lives in New York City...
and New York City bartender and bassist Galen Polivka began talking about starting a band. Finn and lead guitarist Tad Kubler (both formerly of Lifter Puller
Lifter Puller
Lifter Puller, or LFTR PLLR, was an American indie rock band from the Twin Cities and the Boston area between 1994 and 2000. Their music is considered innovative, with its angular riffs and a synth-infused sound that predated the 80's revival fads of the early 2000s...
) developed the idea of The Hold Steady when, while watching The Band
The Band
The Band was an acclaimed and influential roots rock group. The original group consisted of Rick Danko , Garth Hudson , Richard Manuel , and Robbie Robertson , and Levon Helm...
concert film The Last Waltz
The Last Waltz
The Last Waltz was a concert by the rock group The Band, held on American Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 1976, at Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco...
, Finn asked Kubler, "Dude, why aren't there any bands like this anymore?" The Hold Steady's 2004 debut album Almost Killed Me
Almost Killed Me
Almost Killed Me is the debut studio album by Brooklyn-based rock band The Hold Steady, released on March 16, 2004 on Frenchkiss Records. It is considered by many to be a concept album, with several recurring themes such as near-death experiences, parties and the fictional character Charlemagne...
, released on Frenchkiss Records
Frenchkiss Records
Frenchkiss Records is an independent record label based in New York, New York. The label was started in 1999 by Syd Butler, bassist and founder of Les Savy Fav...
, was a sleeper hit
Sleeper hit
A sleeper hit, a.k.a. surprise hit , refers to a film, book, single, album, TV show, or video game that gains unexpected success or recognition...
among music critic
Critic
A critic is anyone who expresses a value judgement. Informally, criticism is a common aspect of all human expression and need not necessarily imply skilled or accurate expressions of judgement. Critical judgements, good or bad, may be positive , negative , or balanced...
s, reaching #31 in the Pazz & Jop
Pazz & Jop
The Pazz & Jop critics' poll is a poll of music critics run by The Village Voice newspaper. It is compiled every year from the top ten lists of hundreds of music critics...
critics poll that year, an achievement which Finn described as "like being nominated for an Oscar or something." In May 2005, they were the first rock band to grace the front page of The Village Voice
The Village Voice
The Village Voice is a free weekly newspaper and news and features website in New York City that features investigative articles, analysis of current affairs and culture, arts and music coverage, and events listings for New York City...
in 15 years . They were Blender
Blender (magazine)
Blender was an American music magazine that billed itself as "the ultimate guide to music and more". It was also known for sometimes steamy pictorials of celebrities....
s 2006 "Band of the Year".
Separation Sunday
Separation Sunday is the second studio album by The Hold Steady, released on May 3, 2005 through Frenchkiss Records. A concept album, Separation Sunday follows the stories of Craig , Holly , a sometimes addict, sometimes prostitute, sometimes born again Christian/Catholic ; Charlemagne, a pimp; and...
, on May 3, 2005. The album was a loose concept album
Concept album
In music, a concept album is an album that is "unified by a theme, which can be instrumental, compositional, narrative, or lyrical." Commonly, concept albums tend to incorporate preconceived musical or lyrical ideas rather than being improvised or composed in the studio, with all songs contributing...
following the exploits of a character named "Holly" (short for "Hallelujah") and her quest to find a balance between Catholicism
Catholicism
Catholicism is a broad term for the body of the Catholic faith, its theologies and doctrines, its liturgical, ethical, spiritual, and behavioral characteristics, as well as a religious people as a whole....
and rock and roll
Rock and roll
Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music...
through drugs and a metaphorical resurrection. The album was critically lauded, and its religious overtones were picked up by many critics, such as Joe Gross of the Village Voice, who dubbed it "the most egregiously American Catholic
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
album since X's Under the Big Black Sun
Under the Big Black Sun
Under the Big Black Sun is the third album by the American punk band X, and their major-label debut. It was released on Elektra Records in 1982, and reissued on Rhino Records in 2001 with bonus tracks.-Track listing:...
, Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen , nicknamed "The Boss," is an American singer-songwriter who records and tours with the E Street Band...
's Tunnel of Love
Tunnel of Love (album)
Tunnel of Love is the eighth studio album by Bruce Springsteen released in 1987.In 1998, Q magazine readers voted Tunnel of Love the 91st greatest album of all time....
, or that Jewish new waver Billy Joel
Billy Joel
William Martin "Billy" Joel is an American musician and pianist, singer-songwriter, and classical composer. Since releasing his first hit song, "Piano Man", in 1973, Joel has become the sixth best-selling recording artist and the third best-selling solo artist in the United States, according to...
's The Stranger
The Stranger (album)
The Stranger is the fifth studio album by musician Billy Joel, released in 1977 . While his four previous albums had been moderate chart successes, this was his breakthrough album, and is generally regarded by critics as his magnum opus, spending six weeks at #2 in the U.S. album charts...
."
Boys and Girls in America (2006-2007)
After Separation SundaySeparation Sunday
Separation Sunday is the second studio album by The Hold Steady, released on May 3, 2005 through Frenchkiss Records. A concept album, Separation Sunday follows the stories of Craig , Holly , a sometimes addict, sometimes prostitute, sometimes born again Christian/Catholic ; Charlemagne, a pimp; and...
, the band moved from the Frenchkiss Records
Frenchkiss Records
Frenchkiss Records is an independent record label based in New York, New York. The label was started in 1999 by Syd Butler, bassist and founder of Les Savy Fav...
imprint to Vagrant Records
Vagrant Records
Vagrant Records is an indie rock label based in Los Angeles, California and is home to such artists as The Hold Steady, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes, Active Child, PJ Harvey, Reptar, School of Seven Bells, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Thrice, James Vincent McMorrow, Placebo, and many...
. Released October 3, 2006, Boys and Girls in America
Boys and Girls in America
Boys and Girls in America is the third studio album by The Hold Steady, released on October 3, 2006 by Vagrant Records.On August 18, 2006, first single "Chips Ahoy!" was released as a free download from music site Pitchfork Media...
was ranked #8 on the Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
Best Albums of 2006 list, and first by The A.V. Club
The A.V. Club
The A.V. Club is an entertainment newspaper and website published by The Onion. Its features include reviews of new films, music, television, books, games and DVDs, as well as interviews and other regular offerings examining both new and classic media and other elements of pop culture. Unlike its...
. Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media, usually known simply as Pitchfork or P4k, is a Chicago-based daily Internet publication established in 1995 that is devoted to music criticism and commentary, music news, and artist interviews. Its focus is on underground and independent music, especially indie rock...
's Scott Plagenhoff wrote of the album, "
Craig Finn
Craig Finn is an American singer and guitarist. He is best known as the front man for bands Lifter Puller and The Hold Steady. He currently lives in New York City...
Seventh-inning stretch
The seventh-inning stretch is a tradition in baseball that takes place between the halves of the seventh inning of any game – in the middle of the seventh inning. Fans generally stand up and stretch out their arms and legs and sometimes walk around. It is a popular time to get a late-game snack as...
at Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
home games. They also contributed a cover of the Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
and The Hawks/The Band
The Band
The Band was an acclaimed and influential roots rock group. The original group consisted of Rick Danko , Garth Hudson , Richard Manuel , and Robbie Robertson , and Levon Helm...
song Can You Please Crawl Out Your Window?
Can You Please Crawl Out Your Window?
"Can You Please Crawl Out Your Window?" was a 1965 single by American rock artist Bob Dylan. It reached #58 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, and #17 on the UK chart in January 1966...
to the motion picture I'm Not There
I'm Not There
I'm Not There is a 2007 biographical musical film directed by Todd Haynes, inspired by iconic American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan. Six actors depict different facets of Dylan's life and public persona: Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett, Marcus Carl Franklin, Richard Gere, Heath Ledger, and Ben Whishaw...
.
Stay Positive (2008-2009)
The band's fourth album, Stay Positive, was released in the UK on July 14, 2008 and in the U.S. on July 15. The album was recorded in Hoboken, New JerseyHoboken, New Jersey
Hoboken is a city in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population was 50,005. The city is part of the New York metropolitan area and contains Hoboken Terminal, a major transportation hub for the region...
and Wild Arctic studio in Queens, New York with producer John Agnello
John Agnello
John Agnello is a producer, recording engineer and mixer who has been involved with many albums throughout the last 25 years. Most recently, John has been involved with Kurt Vile, Sonic Youth, Sweet Apple, Dinosaur Jr...
during January and February that year. Guests on the sessions included Ben Nichols from Lucero, J. Mascis of Dinosaur Jr., Emilyn Brodsky, and Doug Gillard
Doug Gillard
Doug Gillard is a guitarist and songwriter from Cleveland, Ohio who has performed with bands and artists such as Death Of Samantha, Gem, Cobra Verde, Guided by Voices, Richard Buckner, Children's Crusade, Starvation Army, Yuji Oniki, My Dad is Dead, The Mice, Bill Fox, Fence Lions, Zest Of Yore,...
, who played guitar in Guided By Voices
Guided by Voices
Guided by Voices is an American indie rock band originating from Dayton, Ohio. Beginning with the band's formation in 1983, it made frequent personnel changes but always maintained the presence of principal songwriter Robert Pollard...
. Finn has said that he believes the album "captures a band hitting their creative peak, as well as enjoying each other's creativity and company." The album is more expansive than previous releases, including talk-box solos, harpsichord
Harpsichord
A harpsichord is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It produces sound by plucking a string when a key is pressed.In the narrow sense, "harpsichord" designates only the large wing-shaped instruments in which the strings are perpendicular to the keyboard...
, and tuneful vocals (the notoriously gruff-voiced Finn started taking voice lessons). "There are some bands that do five records that all sound similar," says guitarist Tad Kubler. "We've tried to avoid that." Many familiar elements – sing-along choruses, extended piano and guitar solos and lyrics that deal with faith, crime, rumor, loss and love – remain.
The Hold Steady has toured and played with a variety of other artists, amongst them Les Savy Fav
Les Savy Fav
Les Savy Fav is a New York City indie rock band. Their style is influenced by art rock and post-hardcore. The group is known for the stage presence of lead singer Tim Harrington...
, The Constantines
The Constantines
-History:The band was formed by Steve Lambke, Bryan Webb, Doug MacGregor, and Dallas Wehrle in 1999, following the break-up of Webb and MacGregor's emotional hardcore band Shoulder...
, P.O.S.
P.O.S.
Stefon Alexander, better known by his stage name P.O.S, is an American rapper, singer and multi-instrumentalist from Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is currently signed to Rhymesayers Entertainment and is a founding member of the label/collective Doomtree...
, Swearing at Motorists
Swearing at Motorists
Swearing At Motorists is a two-piece rock and roll band composed of Dave Doughman and Joseph Siwinski . They formed in Dayton, Ohio in the early 1990s...
, the Rolling Stones (as mentioned in the Stay Positive bonus track "Ask Her For Adderall"), Dave Matthews Band
Dave Matthews Band
Dave Matthews Band, sometimes shortened to DMB, is a U.S. rock band formed in Charlottesville, Virginia in 1991. The founding members were singer-songwriter and guitarist Dave Matthews, bassist Stefan Lessard, drummer/backing vocalist Carter Beauford and saxophonist LeRoi Moore. Boyd Tinsley was...
, Counting Crows
Counting Crows
Counting Crows is an American rock band originating from Berkeley, California. Formed in 1991, the group gained popularity following the release of its debut album in 1993, August and Everything After, which featured the hit single "Mr. Jones"...
, The Thermals
The Thermals
The Thermals are an American indie punk band based in Portland, Oregon. The group was formed in 2002. With influences heavily rooted in both lo-fi punk, as well as more standard rock, the band's songs are also known for their political and religious imagery.- History :The Thermals came together in...
, Art Brut, Kings of Leon
Kings of Leon
Kings of Leon is an American rock band that originated in Albion, Oklahoma but formed in Nashville, Tennessee in 1999. The band is composed of brothers Anthony Caleb Followill , Ivan Nathan Followill and Michael Jared Followill Kings of Leon is an American rock band that originated in Albion,...
, The Loved Ones
The Loved Ones (American band)
The Loved Ones is a punk band based out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Founded in late 2003, the band currently consists of Dave Hause , David Walsh , Chris Gonzalez , and Mike Sneeringer...
, the Oranges Band, and Drive-By Truckers
Drive-By Truckers
Drive-By Truckers are an alternative country/Southern rock band based in Athens, Georgia, though three out of six members are originally from The Shoals region of Northern Alabama, and the band strongly identifies with Alabama. Their music uses three guitars as well as bass, drums, and now...
.
In April 2009, the band released a two-disc documentary and live album set entitled A Positive Rage
A Positive Rage
A Positive Rage is a live album and documentary double-disc set by the Brooklyn-based rock band The Hold Steady, released on April 7, 2009 by Vagrant Records...
.
Nicolay's departure, Heaven is Whenever and the addition of Selvidge (2010-2011)
On January 20, 2010, Franz NicolayFranz Nicolay
Franz Nicolay is an American multi-instrumentalist and composer currently based in Brooklyn, New York. He is perhaps best known for playing the accordion and the piano in The World/Inferno Friendship Society and playing keyboards in The Hold Steady from 2005 to 2010...
confirmed on his official website that he had left the band. Regarding his departure, vocalist and guitarist Craig Finn
Craig Finn
Craig Finn is an American singer and guitarist. He is best known as the front man for bands Lifter Puller and The Hold Steady. He currently lives in New York City...
stated: "Franz is a real ambitious guy, and I think he wanted to do a lot of different things, and we want to really follow this one Hold Steady thing to its logical end. And it takes up a lot of time. It was an amicable departure, and I think we all wish him the best. He’ll do a lot of interesting, cool things."
Nicolay has said that he considers his work with the Hold Steady to be completed, saying "I’m proud of the work we did together. In the end, I felt I completed the work I needed to do with them. I’d prefer to think of it as a closed book."
The Hold Steady announced the release of Heaven Is Whenever
Heaven Is Whenever
Heaven is Whenever is the fifth studio album by The Hold Steady. It was released May 4, 2010, on Vagrant Records in the U.S. and May 3, 2010, on Rough Trade in Europe. The album's first single, "Hurricane J", premiered on Pitchfork Media on March 22, 2010...
on Feb. 23, 2010. The album was released May 4 on Vagrant Records in the U.S. and May 3 on Rough Trade in Europe.
The band's subsequent tour featured additional musicians Steve Selvidge, formerly of Lucero
Lucero (band)
Lucero is an American punk/Texas Country infused rock band that is based in Memphis, Tennessee.-Biography:Lucero's punk rock roots flavor their now "country-ish" music, while their Southern roots give them the twang that they have come to be known by. They had their start in Memphis, TN. The band...
, on guitar and Dan Neustadt, of In Cadeo and The World/Inferno Friendship Society
The World/Inferno Friendship Society
The World/Inferno Friendship Society is a band from Brooklyn, New York. Its style merges punk, soul, klezmer and jazz, while its collective membership features horns, piano and guitar. The ensemble has over 30 members, including a former member of Dexys Midnight Runners. About nine or ten members...
. Neustadt had previously played keyboards on Heaven is Whenever, but eventually left the touring band by 2011.
In 2011, Selvidge was added to the band's official line-up, with Craig Finn stating, "We added [Steve Selvidge], we are a five piece. We are rolling without keys right now. We did some shows without keys and we really liked it. It sort of opened things up for us. We have two pretty amazing guitar players in our band, and it's really fun to have that space and spread out. They can sort of work against each other/with each other. Steve's been a great addition to the band. We came across Steve many years ago and we always kind of said, 'Man, if things open up and we can get him in the band, we want him.' [...] Steve, lives in Memphis. So wherever we record this time, someone's not going to be at home."
The band plan to begin writing for their sixth studio album in September 2011.
Influences
In an interview with Pitchfork MediaPitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media, usually known simply as Pitchfork or P4k, is a Chicago-based daily Internet publication established in 1995 that is devoted to music criticism and commentary, music news, and artist interviews. Its focus is on underground and independent music, especially indie rock...
, Craig Finn outlined the band's influences, which range from punk rock
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
to folk
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
to hip-hop:
Songs in other media
- In 2006, a snippet of the band's song "The Swish" was played under a bumper during the live broadcast of the 48th running of the Daytona 500.
- In 2006, the band's song "Your Little Hoodrat Friend" was featured in the video game Tony Hawk's Project 8Tony Hawk's Project 8Tony Hawk's Project 8, officially abbreviated as THP8, is the eighth installment in the Tony Hawk series of video games. It was released on sixth-generation and seventh-generation consoles...
.
- In 2007, the band's song "Girls Like Status" appeared on the soundtrack of Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters.
- In 2007, the band's song "Stuck Between Stations" appeared on the soundtrack of The Nanny DiariesThe Nanny Diaries (film)The Nanny Diaries is a 2007 American comedy-drama film, based on the novel of the same name by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus. Written and directed by Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini, it stars Scarlett Johansson, Alicia Keys, Paul Giamatti, and Laura Linney; and was produced by Richard N...
.
- In 2007, the band's song "Stuck Between Stations" appeared on the soundtrack of episode 3.01 of Criminal MindsCriminal MindsCriminal Minds is an American police procedural drama that premiered September 22, 2005, on CBS. The series follows a team of profilers from the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit based in Quantico, Virginia. The BAU is part of the FBI National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime...
.
- In 2007, the band covered Bob Dylan'sBob DylanBob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
"Can You Please Crawl Out Your Window?Can You Please Crawl Out Your Window?"Can You Please Crawl Out Your Window?" was a 1965 single by American rock artist Bob Dylan. It reached #58 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, and #17 on the UK chart in January 1966...
" for the soundtrack to Todd Haynes'Todd HaynesTodd Haynes is an American independent film director and screenwriter. He is best known for his feature films Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story, Poison, Velvet Goldmine, Safe, and the Academy Award-nominated Far from Heaven and I'm Not There.- Style and themes :The writes that "Haynes is...
Dylan biopic I'm Not ThereI'm Not ThereI'm Not There is a 2007 biographical musical film directed by Todd Haynes, inspired by iconic American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan. Six actors depict different facets of Dylan's life and public persona: Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett, Marcus Carl Franklin, Richard Gere, Heath Ledger, and Ben Whishaw...
. Their version did not appear in the film, but was included on the soundtrackI'm Not There (soundtrack)The soundtrack album for the Bob Dylan biopic I'm Not There was released as a double CD on October 30, 2007. It features only one recording by Dylan himself—his previously unreleased recording of the title song "I'm Not There" recorded during The Basement Tapes' sessions in 1967—plus...
.
- In 2008, the band's song "Stuck Between Stations" appeared on the soundtrack in the video game Major League Baseball 2K8Major League Baseball 2K8Major League Baseball 2K8 or in shorter terms, MLB 2K8, is a MLB licensed baseball simulation video game developed by Kush Games and published by 2K Sports for the PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, Wii, and Xbox 360. It was released on March 4, 2008...
.
- In 2008, the band's song "Stuck Between Stations" appeared on the soundtrack to Lost Boys: The TribeLost Boys: The TribeLost Boys: The Tribe is a 2008 sequel to the successful 1987 vampire horror film, The Lost Boys; directed by P. J. Pesce. It stars Autumn Reeser, Tad Hilgenbrink, Angus Sutherland and Corey Feldman...
. Director PJ Pesce has described himself as "a huge fan."
- In 2008, the band's song "Stay Positive" appeared on the soundtrack of episode 3.08 of the NBC/Direct TV series Friday Night LightsFriday Night LightsFriday Night Lights is a 2004 drama film which documents the coach and players of a high school football team and the Texas city of Odessa that supports and is obsessed with them. The book on which it was based, Friday Night Lights: A Town, a Team, and a Dream, was authored by H. G...
.
- In 2008, the band's song "Stay Positive" appeared on the soundtrack of episode 1.06 of the ITV2 series FM.
- In 2008, the band's song "Stay Positive" appeared on the 4Music advertisement for The Vfestival Coverage.
- In 2010, the band's song "Sequestered in Memphis" was made available for play in the game Rock BandRock BandRock Band is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems, published by MTV Games and Electronic Arts. It is the first title in the Rock Band series. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions were released in the United States on November 20, 2007, while the PlayStation 2 version was...
via the Rock Band NetworkRock Band NetworkThe Rock Band Network is a downloadable content service designed by Harmonix Music Systems with the help of Microsoft to allow musical artists and record labels to make their music available as playable tracks for the Rock Band series of rhythm video games, starting with Rock Band 2...
.
- In 2011, indie film "Stuck Between StationsStuck Between StationsStuck Between Stations is an upcoming romantic drama film. Helmed by Twin Cities filmmaker Brady Kiernan from a script penned by Nat Bennett and Sam Rosen, the film is an authentic snapshot of a generational zeitgeist and tells a coming-of-age story for modern-day middle America about former high...
" is named after the opening track of the band's Boys and Girls in AmericaBoys and Girls in AmericaBoys and Girls in America is the third studio album by The Hold Steady, released on October 3, 2006 by Vagrant Records.On August 18, 2006, first single "Chips Ahoy!" was released as a free download from music site Pitchfork Media...
album and features some additional music from the band.
- Episode 3x05 and 3x09 of the TV series One Tree HillOne Tree Hill (TV series)One Tree Hill is an American television drama created by Mark Schwahn, which premiered on September 23, 2003, on The WB Television Network. After its third season, The WB merged with UPN to form The CW Television Network, and, since September 27, 2006, the network has been the official broadcaster...
are titled "A Multitude of Casualties" and "How a Resurrection Really Feels" respectively.
- The song "The Swish" is used as the menu music for the DVDDVDA DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
release of the film Right At Your DoorRight at Your DoorRight at Your Door is a 2006 American thriller film about a couple and follows the events surrounding them when multiple dirty bombs detonate in Los Angeles....
.
- The introduction to "Massive Nights" is played as a constant loop on Colin MurrayColin MurrayColin Murray is a Northern Irish sports and music radio and television presenter. He is the current host of the BBC Television show Match of the Day 2 on BBC Two, and the BBC Radio 5 Live shows 5 Live Sport and Fighting Talk, as well as a show on BBC Radio Ulster. He has previously hosted regular...
's daily BBC Radio 1BBC Radio 1BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
show.
- The intro to "You Can Make Him Like You" is used in Milwaukee Brewers radio broadcasts when returning from commercial breaks.
Reception
With each consecutive album, The Hold Steady have received increased attention from international audiences and the media, earning almost universal praise by the press for their performances and records. Actor Daniel RadcliffeDaniel Radcliffe
Daniel Jacob Radcliffe is an English actor who rose to prominence playing the titular character in the Harry Potter film series....
, known for his starring role in the Harry Potter
Harry Potter
Harry Potter is a series of seven fantasy novels written by the British author J. K. Rowling. The books chronicle the adventures of the adolescent wizard Harry Potter and his best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, all of whom are students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry...
film series, called The Hold Steady "the best band this year by far" in a 2007 magazine interview.
Current
- Bobby Drake – drumDrumThe drum is a member of the percussion group of musical instruments, which is technically classified as the membranophones. Drums consist of at least one membrane, called a drumhead or drum skin, that is stretched over a shell and struck, either directly with the player's hands, or with a...
s (2005–present) - Craig FinnCraig FinnCraig Finn is an American singer and guitarist. He is best known as the front man for bands Lifter Puller and The Hold Steady. He currently lives in New York City...
– guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, vocals (2004–present) - Tad KublerTad KublerTad Kubler is an American guitarist, known for his work with Lifter Puller, Song of Zarathustra, and, most-notably, The Hold Steady. He grew up in Janesville, Wisconsin and currently lives in Brooklyn, New York.-Education:...
– lead guitar (2004–present) - Galen Polivka – bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
(2004–present) - Steve Selvidge – guitar (2010–present)
Former
- Franz NicolayFranz NicolayFranz Nicolay is an American multi-instrumentalist and composer currently based in Brooklyn, New York. He is perhaps best known for playing the accordion and the piano in The World/Inferno Friendship Society and playing keyboards in The Hold Steady from 2005 to 2010...
– keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
, accordionAccordionThe accordion is a box-shaped musical instrument of the bellows-driven free-reed aerophone family, sometimes referred to as a squeezebox. A person who plays the accordion is called an accordionist....
, harmonicaHarmonicaThe harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...
(2005–2010) - Judd Counsell – drums (2004–2005)
Studio albums
- Almost Killed MeAlmost Killed MeAlmost Killed Me is the debut studio album by Brooklyn-based rock band The Hold Steady, released on March 16, 2004 on Frenchkiss Records. It is considered by many to be a concept album, with several recurring themes such as near-death experiences, parties and the fictional character Charlemagne...
(2004) - Separation SundaySeparation SundaySeparation Sunday is the second studio album by The Hold Steady, released on May 3, 2005 through Frenchkiss Records. A concept album, Separation Sunday follows the stories of Craig , Holly , a sometimes addict, sometimes prostitute, sometimes born again Christian/Catholic ; Charlemagne, a pimp; and...
(2005) - Boys and Girls in AmericaBoys and Girls in AmericaBoys and Girls in America is the third studio album by The Hold Steady, released on October 3, 2006 by Vagrant Records.On August 18, 2006, first single "Chips Ahoy!" was released as a free download from music site Pitchfork Media...
(2006) (USBillboard 200The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
#124, UKUK Albums ChartThe UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
#84) - Stay PositiveStay Positive (album)Stay Positive is the fourth studio album by The Hold Steady, released on July 15, 2008 through Vagrant Records. Vocalist/guitarist Craig Finn notes that the album is about "the idea of ageing gracefully [...] keeping going, perseverance [and] how to stay true to the ideals and ideas you had when...
(2008) (US #30, UK #15) - Heaven Is WheneverHeaven Is WheneverHeaven is Whenever is the fifth studio album by The Hold Steady. It was released May 4, 2010, on Vagrant Records in the U.S. and May 3, 2010, on Rough Trade in Europe. The album's first single, "Hurricane J", premiered on Pitchfork Media on March 22, 2010...
(2010) (US #26, UK #45)
EPs
- The Virgin Digital SessionsThe Virgin Digital SessionsThe Virgin Digital Sessions was an internet-only EP release from the Hold Steady in early 2005. Versions of the album were distributed in the MP3 format by Amazon.com and SpiralFrog, among other online retailers...
(2005) - Live at Lollapalooza 2006: The Hold Steady (2006)
- Stuck Between stations — EP (2007)
- Live at FingerprintsLive at FingerprintsLive at Fingerprints is an EP of acoustic music performed live by the Hold Steady on October 15, 2006 at the Fingerprints record shop in Long Beach, CA. The release was limited to 5000 copies distributed by Junketboy to independent record shops throughout the United States...
(2007) - iTunes Live from Soho (2011)
Singles
- Milkcrate Mosh/Hey Hey What Can I DoMilkcrate Mosh/Hey Hey What Can I DoMilkcrate Mosh/Hey Hey What Can I Do? was the first release by Brooklyn-based band, The Hold Steady. Only 500 vinyl copies were pressed.- Track listing :* "Milkcrate Mosh"* "Hey Hey What Can I Do"...
7" (2004) - Chips Ahoy! (2006)
- Stuck Between Stations (2006)
- Sequestered In Memphis (2008)
- Stay Positive (2009)
- Hurricane J (2010)
Other recordings
- KGSR Broadcasts Volume 16 (2008) – "Sequestered in Memphis"
- War Child Presents Heroes (2009) – "Atlantic CityAtlantic City (song)"Atlantic City" is a song written and recorded by rock musician Bruce Springsteen, which first appeared on Springsteen's 1982 solo album Nebraska, considered to be one of Springsteen's most dour albums in tone...
" (Bruce Springsteen cover) - I'm Not There (soundtrack)I'm Not There (soundtrack)The soundtrack album for the Bob Dylan biopic I'm Not There was released as a double CD on October 30, 2007. It features only one recording by Dylan himself—his previously unreleased recording of the title song "I'm Not There" recorded during The Basement Tapes' sessions in 1967—plus...
(2007) – "Can You Please Crawl Out Your Window?Can You Please Crawl Out Your Window?"Can You Please Crawl Out Your Window?" was a 1965 single by American rock artist Bob Dylan. It reached #58 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, and #17 on the UK chart in January 1966...
" (Bob Dylan cover) - Live at KEXP Volume 5Live at KEXP Volume 5Live at KEXP Vol. 5 is the 5th installment in the Live at KEXP cd series. Live @ KEXP Volume 5 was lovingly compiled from the best of our more than 440 live, in-studio performances hosted by KEXP in 2009,this CD is more than just a record—it’s an archive of one-of-a-kind, exclusive live tracks from...
(2009) – "Both Crosses" http://kexp.org/cd/default.aspx - The DilemmaThe DilemmaThe Dilemma is a 2011 comedy-drama film starring Vince Vaughn and Kevin James. The film is directed by Ron Howard. Savvy businessman Ronny and genius engineer Nick are best friends and partners in an auto design firm. They are pursuing a project to make their firm famous. Ronny sees Nick's wife...
Soundtrack (2011) - "Just Saying"
External links
- The Hold Steady official website
- Allmusic.com: Biography
- The Hold Steady Wiki
- The Hold Steady on RadioVA
- The Hold Steady on Shockhound.com
- The Hold Steady perform and are interviewed on Radio Happy Hour
- Interview with Franz Nicolay
Articles