The Pierces
Encyclopedia
The Pierces are an American
New York
-based band consisting of sisters Allison Pierce (born July 23, 1975) and Catherine Pierce (born September 11, 1977).
and Simon & Garfunkel. As kids, they were encouraged to explore their creative side and would perform at parties, weddings and churches. Allison started dancing at age three, and both sisters are accomplished ballerinas.
, that a friend sent a tape to a record company in Nashville
. This eventually resulted in their debut album The Pierces
(2000). It featured folk harmonies and adult alternative songs. In a 2004 interview, Allison Pierce commented that the album "sort of got lost in the shuffle". Allmusic attributes the poor reception to "no label support".
On August 10, 2005, their second album Light of the Moon
was released through Universal. The album was produced by Brian Sperber and featured 11 tracks that the girls either wrote or co-wrote.
On March 20, 2007, their third album Thirteen Tales of Love and Revenge
was released in the U.S. Produced by Roger Greenawalt
(Nils Lofgren, Radish, Ben Kweller), the album has been well-reviewed, particularly for the single "Boring", which parodies celebrity socialites. The album has a darker, edgier style, at times using such diverse instruments as an accordion, a calliope, bassoons, a sitar, violins, an autoharp, and a Hawaiian lap steel. It marks a definitive change in the direction of the band, which hitherto had been known as a folk rock
band.
In an interview with Rolling Stone, after they were featured as a Rolling Stone Breaking Artist, they revealed that this album "felt like [their] last chance". As a result, they "just went for it, had fun".
On December 5, 2007, The Pierces appeared on the CW
television series Gossip Girl
, playing their songs "Secret" and "Three Wishes".
On August 21, 2008, "Secret" by The Pierces appeared in a promo for Showtime show Dexter. In May 2009, Dutch TV channel NET 5 used "Secret" in a promo for their fantasy shows Charmed
and Ghost Whisperer
. It also appears as the theme song for the ABC Family
's original TV series, based upon the series of books by Sara Shepard, Pretty Little Liars
. Secret was also played over the closing credits in the movie "ExTerminators."
The duo appeared in The All-American Rejects
' latest album, When The World Comes Down
, in the track, "Another Heart Calls". They performed the song live with The All-American Rejects in July 2009 at The List in Dallas, Texas.
On October 23, 2010, the group appeared on Later... with Jools Holland. In December 2010, the sisters and their band toured with Lissie
as her support act. They also performed live on ITV1 show Lorraine
in March 2011 whilst promoting their new single "Glorious
".
On May 30, 2011, their fourth and latest album You & I
was released featuring their new singles "Love You More", "You'll Be Mine
", "Glorious" and "It Will Not Be Forgotten" produced by darktones and released by Polydor Records
. However, The Pierces only have a label currently in the UK and are therefore focusing on widening their popularity there, later working on their homeland the US.
First ever tour through June 2011, with Delta Maid and Alice Gold
as support: 7th June-The Pleasance (Edinburgh), 8th June-Rescue Rooms (Nottingham), 9th June-The Cockpit (Leeds), 11th June-The Ruby Lounge (Manchester), 12th June-HMV Institute (Birmingham), 13th June-Thekla (Bristol), 14th June-Bush Hall (London).
The Pierces played at the Glastonbury Festival
in June 2011.
The pierces supported Coldplay
at the iTunes Festival
in July 2011, which happened to be on Alison's 36th Birthday.
Second, much larger UK tour through October 2011, with Marcus Foster
as support: 7th October-Leadmill (Sheffield), 8th October-02 ABC (Glasgow), 9th October-Academy 3 (Manchester), 11th October-Condorde 2 (Brighton), 12th October-Glee Club (Birmingham), 13th October-02 Shepherds Bush Empire (London), 15th October-Junction (Cambridge), 16th October-Waterfront (Norwich), 17th October-Glee Club (Cardiff), 19th October-02 Academy2 (Oxford), 20th October-Anson Rooms (Bristol), 21st October-Stanley Theatre (Liverpool).
On 11 September, 2011, the duo announced via Twitter
that their next UK single from You & I
will be "Kissing You Goodbye", due 23 October.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
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...
-based band consisting of sisters Allison Pierce (born July 23, 1975) and Catherine Pierce (born September 11, 1977).
Childhood
The Pierce sisters were born two years apart in Birmingham, Alabama. They traveled frequently and received home-schooling from their self-described hippie parents. Their father played the guitar in various bands, while their mother was a painter. Exposed to music and arts at an early age, the Pierce sisters grew up listening to Joni MitchellJoni Mitchell
Joni Mitchell, CC is a Canadian musician, singer songwriter, and painter. Mitchell began singing in small nightclubs in her native Saskatchewan and Western Canada and then busking in the streets and dives of Toronto...
and Simon & Garfunkel. As kids, they were encouraged to explore their creative side and would perform at parties, weddings and churches. Allison started dancing at age three, and both sisters are accomplished ballerinas.
Musical career
It was while they attended Auburn UniversityAuburn University
Auburn University is a public university located in Auburn, Alabama, United States. With more than 25,000 students and 1,200 faculty members, it is one of the largest universities in the state. Auburn was chartered on February 7, 1856, as the East Alabama Male College, a private liberal arts...
, that a friend sent a tape to a record company in Nashville
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
. This eventually resulted in their debut album The Pierces
The Pierces (album)
The Pierces is the self-titled debut album from sisters Catherine and Allison Pierce, mostly known as The Pierces. -Track listing:# "The Way" - 4:51# "Nobody Knows" - 4:17# "One For Me" - 4:23# "I Don't Need You" - 4:40# "I Feel Nothing" - 3:22...
(2000). It featured folk harmonies and adult alternative songs. In a 2004 interview, Allison Pierce commented that the album "sort of got lost in the shuffle". Allmusic attributes the poor reception to "no label support".
On August 10, 2005, their second album Light of the Moon
Light of the Moon
Light of the Moon is the second album of folk-rock/pop duo The Pierces.- Track listing :# "The Space Song" – 4:30# "Tonight" – 4:18# "Save Me" – 4:01# "Patience" – 3:52# "A Way To Us" – 3:30# "Louisa" – 4:07# "Give It All Back" – 4:51...
was released through Universal. The album was produced by Brian Sperber and featured 11 tracks that the girls either wrote or co-wrote.
On March 20, 2007, their third album Thirteen Tales of Love and Revenge
Thirteen Tales of Love and Revenge
Thirteen Tales of Love and Revenge is the third full-length album by The Pierces.Both "Three Wishes" and "Secret" appeared on the popular TV show Gossip Girl in the episode "Hi, Society", where The Pierces made a cameo appearance as well; the music video for "Boring" appeared on the DVD of season 1...
was released in the U.S. Produced by Roger Greenawalt
Roger Greenawalt
Roger Greenawalt is an American music producer and musician known for discovering singer Ben Kweller. A story on Greenawalt's efforts to get Kweller signed to a major label appeared in the New Yorker on April 7, 1997.-Background:...
(Nils Lofgren, Radish, Ben Kweller), the album has been well-reviewed, particularly for the single "Boring", which parodies celebrity socialites. The album has a darker, edgier style, at times using such diverse instruments as an accordion, a calliope, bassoons, a sitar, violins, an autoharp, and a Hawaiian lap steel. It marks a definitive change in the direction of the band, which hitherto had been known as a folk rock
Folk rock
Folk rock is a musical genre combining elements of folk music and rock music. In its earliest and narrowest sense, the term referred to a genre that arose in the United States and the UK around the mid-1960s...
band.
In an interview with Rolling Stone, after they were featured as a Rolling Stone Breaking Artist, they revealed that this album "felt like [their] last chance". As a result, they "just went for it, had fun".
On December 5, 2007, The Pierces appeared on the CW
The CW Television Network
The CW Television Network is a television network in the United States launched at the beginning of the 2006–2007 television season. It is a joint venture between CBS Corporation, the former owners of United Paramount Network , and Time Warner's Warner Bros., former majority owner of The WB...
television series Gossip Girl
Gossip Girl (TV series)
Gossip Girl is an American teen drama television series based on the book series of the same name written by Cecily von Ziegesar. The series was created by Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage, and premiered on The CW on September 19, 2007...
, playing their songs "Secret" and "Three Wishes".
On August 21, 2008, "Secret" by The Pierces appeared in a promo for Showtime show Dexter. In May 2009, Dutch TV channel NET 5 used "Secret" in a promo for their fantasy shows Charmed
Charmed
Charmed is an American television series that originally aired from October 7, 1998, until May 21, 2006, on the now defunct The WB Television Network. The series was created in 1998 by writer Constance M...
and Ghost Whisperer
Ghost Whisperer
Ghost Whisperer is an American television supernatural drama, which ran on CBS from September 23, 2005 to May 21, 2010.The series follows the life of Melinda Gordon , who has the ability to see and communicate with ghosts...
. It also appears as the theme song for the ABC Family
ABC Family
ABC Family, stylized as abc family, is an American television network, owned by ABC Family Worldwide Inc., a subsidiary of the Disney-ABC Television Group division of The Walt Disney Company...
's original TV series, based upon the series of books by Sara Shepard, Pretty Little Liars
Pretty Little Liars (TV series)
Pretty Little Liars is an American mystery-thriller teen drama television series created by Marlene King. Based on the popular series of novels written by Sara Shepard, the show premiered on June 8, 2010 on ABC Family...
. Secret was also played over the closing credits in the movie "ExTerminators."
The duo appeared in The All-American Rejects
The All-American Rejects
The All-American Rejects are an American rock band formed in Stillwater, Oklahoma in 1999. The band consists of lead vocalist and bass guitarist Tyson Ritter, lead guitarist, Nick Wheeler, rhythm guitarist, Mike Kennerty, and drummer Chris Gaylor....
' latest album, When The World Comes Down
When the World Comes Down
When the World Comes Down is the third studio album by American rock band The All-American Rejects, released on December 16, 2008. It was produced by Eric Valentine who has recorded with the likes of Maroon 5. When the World Comes Down was the band's first album that was recorded mostly using tape...
, in the track, "Another Heart Calls". They performed the song live with The All-American Rejects in July 2009 at The List in Dallas, Texas.
On October 23, 2010, the group appeared on Later... with Jools Holland. In December 2010, the sisters and their band toured with Lissie
Lissie
Elisabeth Maurus , known by her stage name Lissie, is an American folk rock artist and Paste Magazine's #1 best new solo artist of 2010. She released her debut EP, "Why You Runnin'", in November 2009. Her debut album, Catching a Tiger, was released in June 2010.-Early life and career:Lissie was...
as her support act. They also performed live on ITV1 show Lorraine
Lorraine (TV programme)
Lorraine is the early weekday morning, lifestyle and entertainment show for the British ITV network, presented by Lorraine Kelly. ITV Breakfast produces Lorraine, which airs every weekday from 08:30 until 09:25, following Daybreak...
in March 2011 whilst promoting their new single "Glorious
Glorious (The Pierces song)
"Glorious" is a single by New York based band The Pierces. It is the second single released from their fourth studio album, You & I. It was released on 10 April 2011 as a Digital download...
".
On May 30, 2011, their fourth and latest album You & I
You & I (The Pierces album)
-Reception:You & I has garnered generally positive reviews from music critics. According to review aggregator AnyDecentMusic?, the album received an average of 6.5 out of 10, based on eleven critiques.-Charts:-Certifications:-Release history:...
was released featuring their new singles "Love You More", "You'll Be Mine
You'll Be Mine (The Pierces song)
"You'll Be Mine" is a single by New York based band The Pierces. It is the first single released from their fourth studio album You & I. It was released on March 6, 2011 as a Digital download and on 7 March 2011 on CD.-Track listing:-Chart performance:...
", "Glorious" and "It Will Not Be Forgotten" produced by darktones and released by Polydor Records
Polydor Records
Polydor is a record label owned by Universal Music Group, headquartered in the United Kingdom.-Beginnings:Polydor was originally an independent branch of the Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft. Its name was first used as an export label in 1924, the British and German branches of the Gramophone...
. However, The Pierces only have a label currently in the UK and are therefore focusing on widening their popularity there, later working on their homeland the US.
First ever tour through June 2011, with Delta Maid and Alice Gold
Alice Gold
Alice Gold is an English singer-songwriter based in London, formerly signed to Sunday Best and currently signed to Fiction Records....
as support: 7th June-The Pleasance (Edinburgh), 8th June-Rescue Rooms (Nottingham), 9th June-The Cockpit (Leeds), 11th June-The Ruby Lounge (Manchester), 12th June-HMV Institute (Birmingham), 13th June-Thekla (Bristol), 14th June-Bush Hall (London).
The Pierces played at the Glastonbury Festival
Glastonbury Festival
The Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts, commonly abbreviated to Glastonbury or even Glasto, is a performing arts festival that takes place near Pilton, Somerset, England, best known for its contemporary music, but also for dance, comedy, theatre, circus, cabaret and other arts.The...
in June 2011.
The pierces supported Coldplay
Coldplay
Coldplay are a British alternative rock band formed in 1996 by lead vocalist Chris Martin and lead guitarist Jonny Buckland at University College London. After they formed Pectoralz, Guy Berryman joined the group as a bassist and they changed their name to Starfish. Will Champion joined as a...
at the iTunes Festival
ITunes Festival
The iTunes Festival is an annual music festival and concert series which is held in London at The Roundhouse art centre and sponsored by Apple Inc. It was first held in 2007...
in July 2011, which happened to be on Alison's 36th Birthday.
Second, much larger UK tour through October 2011, with Marcus Foster
Marcus Foster
Marcus Albert Foster was a respected African-American educator who gained a national reputation for educational excellence while serving as principal of Simon Gratz High School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as Associate Superintendent of Schools in Philadelphia, and as the first black...
as support: 7th October-Leadmill (Sheffield), 8th October-02 ABC (Glasgow), 9th October-Academy 3 (Manchester), 11th October-Condorde 2 (Brighton), 12th October-Glee Club (Birmingham), 13th October-02 Shepherds Bush Empire (London), 15th October-Junction (Cambridge), 16th October-Waterfront (Norwich), 17th October-Glee Club (Cardiff), 19th October-02 Academy2 (Oxford), 20th October-Anson Rooms (Bristol), 21st October-Stanley Theatre (Liverpool).
On 11 September, 2011, the duo announced via Twitter
Twitter
Twitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
that their next UK single from You & I
You & I (The Pierces album)
-Reception:You & I has garnered generally positive reviews from music critics. According to review aggregator AnyDecentMusic?, the album received an average of 6.5 out of 10, based on eleven critiques.-Charts:-Certifications:-Release history:...
will be "Kissing You Goodbye", due 23 October.
Members
- Allison Pierce: Vocals and acoustic guitarAcoustic guitarAn acoustic guitar is a guitar that uses only an acoustic sound board. The air in this cavity resonates with the vibrational modes of the string and at low frequencies, which depend on the size of the box, the chamber acts like a Helmholtz resonator, increasing or decreasing the volume of the sound...
- Catherine Pierce: Vocals and percussion
Studio albums
| Album Title | Album details | Chart positions | Certifications | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Heat Top Heatseekers Top Heatseekers refers to either of two separate "Breaking and Entering" music charts issued weekly by Billboard Magazine: the Heatseekers Albums chart or the Heatseekers Songs chart. They were introduced by Billboard in 1993 with the purpose of highlighting the sales by new and developing musical... |
UK UK Albums Chart The 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... |
|||
| The Pierces The Pierces (album) The Pierces is the self-titled debut album from sisters Catherine and Allison Pierce, mostly known as The Pierces. -Track listing:# "The Way" - 4:51# "Nobody Knows" - 4:17# "One For Me" - 4:23# "I Don't Need You" - 4:40# "I Feel Nothing" - 3:22... |
|
— | — | |
| Light of the Moon Light of the Moon Light of the Moon is the second album of folk-rock/pop duo The Pierces.- Track listing :# "The Space Song" – 4:30# "Tonight" – 4:18# "Save Me" – 4:01# "Patience" – 3:52# "A Way To Us" – 3:30# "Louisa" – 4:07# "Give It All Back" – 4:51... |
|
— | — | |
| Thirteen Tales of Love and Revenge Thirteen Tales of Love and Revenge Thirteen Tales of Love and Revenge is the third full-length album by The Pierces.Both "Three Wishes" and "Secret" appeared on the popular TV show Gossip Girl in the episode "Hi, Society", where The Pierces made a cameo appearance as well; the music video for "Boring" appeared on the DVD of season 1... |
Lizard King Records Lizard King Records is a New York and London-based independent label. Lizard King's distribution goes through ADA in America and Pinnacle in the UK.-Artists:Current*Surefire*Greater Good*Me*OxzanaFormer*Clear Static*Drive-by Argument*Santogold... |
25 | — | |
| You & I You & I (The Pierces album) -Reception:You & I has garnered generally positive reviews from music critics. According to review aggregator AnyDecentMusic?, the album received an average of 6.5 out of 10, based on eleven critiques.-Charts:-Certifications:-Release history:... |
Polydor Records Polydor is a record label owned by Universal Music Group, headquartered in the United Kingdom.-Beginnings:Polydor was originally an independent branch of the Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft. Its name was first used as an export label in 1924, the British and German branches of the Gramophone... |
— | 4 |
BPI BPI may refer to:In business:*Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, a public high school in Maryland, United States*Banca Popolare Italiana, an Italian bank merged into Banco Popolare*Banco Português de Investimento, a Portuguese bank... : Gold |
Extended Plays
- Love You More EP (Released: October 25, 2010)
- You'll Be Mine EPYou'll Be Mine (The Pierces song)"You'll Be Mine" is a single by New York based band The Pierces. It is the first single released from their fourth studio album You & I. It was released on March 6, 2011 as a Digital download and on 7 March 2011 on CD.-Track listing:-Chart performance:...
(Released March 7, 2011) - iTunes Festival London 2011ITunes Festival London 2011The iTunes Festival London 2011 was a music festival held at The Roundhouse, London, England.-Lineup :* 1/7 Paul Simon* 2/7 Seasick Steve* 3/7 Manic Street Preachers + Dry The River + Ramona + Ukulele for Dummies...
(Released July 20, 2011)
Singles
| Year | Single | Peak chart position | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
|||
| 2011 | "You'll Be Mine You'll Be Mine (The Pierces song) "You'll Be Mine" is a single by New York based band The Pierces. It is the first single released from their fourth studio album You & I. It was released on March 6, 2011 as a Digital download and on 7 March 2011 on CD.-Track listing:-Chart performance:... " |
46 | You & I |
| "Glorious Glorious (The Pierces song) "Glorious" is a single by New York based band The Pierces. It is the second single released from their fourth studio album, You & I. It was released on 10 April 2011 as a Digital download... " |
102 |
Music Videos
- "A Way to Us"
- "Boring"
- "Sticks and Stones"
- "Secret (Slideshow)"
- "Turn On Billie"
- "Secret"
- "Love You More"
- "You'll Be Mine"
- "We Are Stars"
- "Glorious"
- "It Will Not Be Forgotten"
- "Kissing You Goodbye"