White Rabbits (band)
| White Rabbits | |
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 The White Rabbits at Glastonbury 2007 |
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Columbia, Missouri, United States |
| Genres | Indie rock, post-punk revival |
| Years active | 2004–present |
| Labels | TBD Records, Say Hey Records, Mute |
| Website | Official site |
| Members | |
| Stephen Patterson Gregory Roberts Alex Even Matt Clark Jamie Levinson |
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| Past members | |
| Adam Russell Brian Betancourt |
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White Rabbits is an American six-piece indie rock band based in Brooklyn, NY, originally from Columbia, Missouri. The band released its debut studio album, Fort Nightly, on May 22, 2007. They currently record for TBD Records.[1]
Contents |
[edit] History
The band formed in Columbia, Missouri. The band's frontmen, Greg Roberts and Stephen Patterson, met at the college in 2004. Alex Even, Adam Russell and Greg had formerly played in the band Texas Chainsaw Mass Choir. The original White Rabbits lineup consisted of five members, but after relocating to New York City the next year, the band expanded to six members. The sixth member, Jamie Levinson, had grown up on the same street as Roberts in Webster Groves, Missouri. Roberts and Levinson both played in a ska band (called The Hubcaps) while in high school. Even and Patterson currently live in Brooklyn with their pet hamster Ning and two poseable mannequins they've raised as their children in lieu of flesh and blood offspring.
The White Rabbits recorded its first studio album, Fort Nightly, and released it in 2007 to the public through Say Hey Records. The album was praised by critics.[2]
In addition to consistent touring, they have been featured on NPR's World Cafe, where the band members discussed how they met and formed in the college town of Columbia, Missouri. They also talked about their early sound and performed three songs.[3] They have also performed on the Late Show with David Letterman.[4]
On May 12, 2009, the band released their second album, titled It's Frightening. The album was produced by Britt Daniel, lead singer and guitarist of Spoon (whom they asked after meeting the band while on tour in Minneapolis).[5] Retrieved on February 16, 2009[6] The album was released on TBD Records, which also hosts the bands Radiohead and Underworld.[1] The band also worked with Nicholas Vernhes at the Rare Book Room.[7]
Their third album, titled Milk Famous, will be released on March 6, 2012
[edit] Live shows
White Rabbits are known for their energy onstage, their switching of instruments, and cover songs, notably Bob Dylan's "Maggie's Farm", which was also covered by one of the band's main influences, The Specials.[8] Typically they will put their own twist on cover songs by playing them in a style/genre that is different from the original.[9] After playing a particularly energetic show at South By Southwest in 2008, NME named them one of the top three bands performing that year.
They have toured with bands such as The Walkmen, Richard Swift, Interpol and Spoon. In 2007, they began a national tour with the Kaiser Chiefs in support of their album Fort Nightly.[10] This followed a tour through the United Kingdom. In 2010 the band went on tour with Interpol.
White Rabbits also performed at the 2010 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on Saturday, April 17, 2010 on the main stage. The following day, Stephen Patterson, along with Deerhunter frontman Bradford Cox, joined Spoon during their set for "Who Makes Your Money."[11]
White Rabbits played at the 2010 Austin City Limits Music Festival and the 2010 Voodoo Music Experience in New Orleans Halloween weekend, and opened for Muse at London's Wembley Stadium on September 10, 2010. On October 29, 2010 they were the opening act for Interpol at the Verizon Wireless Theatre in Houston, TX.
They played on the BBC Show Later With Jools Holland, where they performed Percussion Gun and They Done Wrong/We Done Wrong.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Studio albums
- Fort Nightly (2007, Say Hey Records)
- It's Frightening (May 12, 2009, TBD Records, Mute) #184 U.S.[12]
- Milk Famous (March 6, 2012), TBD Records, Mute
[edit] EPs
- "White Rabbits Daytrotter Sessions" (7/16/2007, Daytrotter)
- "White Rabbits Daytrotter Sessions" (11/2/2009, Daytrotter)
[edit] Singles
- "The Plot" (Digital Single, 2007)
- "Cotillion Blues/Beehive State" (Digital Single, 2008)
- "While We Go Dancing" (7", 2008)
- "Percussion Gun" (Digital Single/Radio Promo, 2009) (#31 Billboard Alternative Songs)[13] Used as in game music in EA Sports 2010 FIFA World Cup: South Africa
- "Lionesse" (Radio Promo, 2009)
- "They Done Wrong/We Done Wrong" (Radio Promo, 2010)
[edit] Live Recordings
- "White Rabbits: Live [In Spaceland - June 13, 2007]" (2007, Spaceland Recordings)
- "Live at Lollapalooza 2007: White Rabbits - EP" (2007)
[edit] Members
- Stephen Patterson – vocals, piano
- Alexander Even – guitar, vocals
- Matthew Clark – drums, additional percussion
- Jamie Levinson – drums
- Gregory Roberts – vocals, guitar
- Rustine Bragaw - bass
[edit] Former Members
- Adam Russell – bass
- Brian Betancourt - bass
[edit] Influences
[edit] In other media
"Percussion Gun" was featured in Season 4 for the television series Friday Night Lights (TV series) and included on the Friday Night Lights Vol. 2 (television soundtrack). It was also featured in Season 3, episode 19 of Gossip Girl and it was also featured in the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa (video game).It was also featured in episode 4 of HBO's 24/7 Road To The NHL's Winter Classic
[edit] References
- ^ a b Ray, Austin (March 11, 2008). "White Rabbits Join Radiohead's Label, Schedule Many Dates". http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2008/03/white-rabbits-join-radioheads-label-schedule-many.html. Retrieved 2009-02-17.
- ^ [1] Metacritic reviews for Fort Nightly
- ^ [2] NPR World Cafe: White Rabbits
- ^ [3] Pitchfork Media review and video of performance, 12 September 2007
- ^ Pitchfork Media: Spoon's Britt Daniel Working with Jon Brion. 2009.
- ^ http://inflatableferret.com/interviews/white-rabbits-interview-the-inflatable-ferrets-first-interview/
- ^ nthWORD Magazine, Summer, 2009
- ^ http://www.qromag.com/reviews/concert_reviews/white_rabbits_:_live/
- ^ [4] Daytrotter, describing Bob Dylan's "Maggie's Farm" played calypso style July 16, 2007
- ^ [5] CMJ, August 28, 2007
- ^ http://music-mix.ew.com/2010/04/19/coachella-gorillaz-yorke-pavement/
- ^ "White Rabbits - Charts & Awards". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p892120/charts-awards/billboard-albums. Retrieved 2010-01-13.
- ^ "White Rabbits - Charts & Awards: Singles". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p892120/charts-awards/billboard-singles. Retrieved 2010-01-13.
- ^ a b c "White Rabbits: Fort Nightly on Insound". 2007. http://search.insound.com/search/showrelease.jsp?p=INS35997. Retrieved 2007-06-13.
[edit] External links
- White Rabbits Official Website
- Daytrotter Sessions - Downloadable MP3s
- - Preview of upcoming Manchester Show from zpop Manchester
- White Rabbits Unveil New Songs at NYC Gig 2/18/09!
- White Rabbits Interview nthWORD Magazine
- White Rabbits Live Review Fazer Magazine, October 9'
- Video session for 'They Shoot Music - Don't They'
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