Steel Train
Steel Train |
|---|
Steel Train is an indie rock band from New Jersey. They have toured with Tegan and Sara, Ben Folds, The Fray, Silversun Pickups, Hanson, The Format, Gomez, O.A.R., Barenaked Ladies, Fun and others. Other highlights include performances at Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, Coachella, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, and The Late Show With David Letterman.
History
The band began when two friends, Jack Antonoff and Scott Irby-Ranniar, began playing music together in high school in New York City. In 2002, the band signed to Drive-Thru Records and recorded their debut EP, For You My Dear, recruiting Evan Winiker (formerly of New Jersey pop punk band Random Task) and Matthias Gruber to help with recording and touring. The two later became full members of the band, first Winiker, and later Gruber, who joined with second guitarist Matthew Goldman to complete the band. The band went on to record the 1969 EP (a CD of cover versions of songs from that year that inspired the band and their sound), and a year later their debut album Twilight Tales from the Prairies of the Sun, released in 2005.
Also in 2005, the band covered Dylan's "Don't Think Twice, It's Alright" and "I Shall Be Released" for the Listen to Bob Dylan: A Tribute CD.
In December 2006 the band announced that they would be parting ways with Matthias Gruber (drums) and Matt Goldman (guitar) who chose to pursue other interests. The positions were quickly filled by long-time tour manager Daniel Silbert on guitar and hometown friend Jon Shiffman on drums.
In 2007, the new line-up released the LP, Trampoline. The album was well received by audiences and critics alike, garnering the band slots at Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, and Late Night with Conan O'Brien in 2008. Shortly after the release of the record, Scott Irby-Ranniar decided to leave the band and was replaced by North Carolina native Justin Huey.
In August 2009, the band left long-time label Drive-Thru Records.[1]
Current Highlights
In winter 2009, they opened for Tegan and Sara on their US Tour and appeared at Coachella Music Festival in Indio, CA. The band released their third full-length album, titled Steel Train, on June 29, 2010 through their own label, Terrible Thrills.[2] In early June 2010 the band announced that they would be releasing a companion album to "Steel Train" featuring female artists covering each of the 12 tracks on "Steel Train." The companion album, entitled "Terrible Thrills Vol. 1," includes appearances by Tegan and Sara, Scarlett Johansson, Deradoorian of Dirty Projectors, Amanda Palmer, Anna Waronker of That Dog, Alia Shawkat, Charlotte Caffey of The Go Go's, Elizabeth and the Catapult, Rachel Antonoff, Holly Miranda, and Greta Salpeter of The Hush Sound and Gold Motel.
Current members
- Jack Antonoff – vocals, guitar, piano, drums (1999–Present)
- Evan Winiker – bass, backing vocals (2002–Present)
- Daniel Silbert – guitar, backing vocals (2006–Present)
- Jon Shiffman – drums, percussion (2006–Present)
- Justin Huey – vocals, piano, wurlitzer (2008–Present)
Former members
- Matthias Gruber – drums, percussion (2002–2006)
- Matthew Goldman – guitar, backing vocals (2002–2006)
- Scott Irby-Ranniar – vocals, piano, wurlitzer (1999–2008)
Discography
Albums
- Twilight Tales from the Prairies of the Sun (2005)
- Trampoline (2007)
- Steel Train (2010)
EPs
- For You My Dear (2003)
- 1969 (2004)
- Steel Train Is Here (2009)
References
- ^ "Steel Train No Longer With DTR." Absolutepunk.net. August 14, 2009.
- ^ "Steel Train Sets A Date." Absolutepunk.net. April 13, 2010.