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The Decemberists
The Decemberists
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Led by Colin Meloy, the Decemberists are a five-piece outfit whose pop sound has been compared to the likes of Neutral Milk Hotel and Belle & Sebastian. Meloy, who hails from Missoula, MT, is the main songwriter for the group, whose initial lineup consisted of Ezra Holbrook on drums, Nate Query on bass, Jenny Conlee on keyboards and accordion, and Chris Funk on theremin and pedal steel guitar. Frontman Meloy, who also held a degree in creative writing, previously devoted some time to an alternative country group before breaking off to pursue his craft as a singer/songwriter in the city of Portland, a period that eventually led to the Decemberists' formation. Before Hush Records released the Decemberists' first album in 2002, the group put out an EP of five tracks. Their full-length debut, Castaways and Cutouts, was re-released that same year on the Kill Rock Stars label, and the band began to accumulate a serious fan base. After adding organist and keyboardist Rachel Blumberg to the group, in 2003 the Decemberists released Her Majesty, another fine collection of theatrical indie pop with British folk sensibilities that further cemented their growing reputation as a band to watch. The next year the five-part epic EP The Tain, based on the eighth century Irish poem of the same name, came out, followed by their third full-length, Picaresque, in 2005. The group, who at this point consisted of Meloy, Conlee, Query, Funk, and drummer John Moen, made the move to the majors (Capitol Records) for 2006's The Crane Wife, which managed to hit number 35 on the Billboard 200, and even grabbed the attention of comedian/actor Stephen Colbert, who challenged Funk to a guitar solo competition during a live taping of his show, The Colbert Report. ~ Linda Seida, All Music GuideMore

Official Profile

The Decemberists
"I'm a poor, drunken orphan with nowhere to go but the grave," wailed a waifish and non-plussed Mr. ...
Songs: 4, Videos: 0, Playlists: 1, Blog Posts: 1, Polls: 0, Battles: 0

Most Popular Music Videos (2)

O Valencia!
(Duration: 4:00)
Apr 17th, 12:02am
O Valencia! (Explicit)
(Duration: 9:09)
Jul 8th, 5:51pm
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Fan Comments

Aug 14th, 9:44pm
I saw you guys live last night for the first time with my boyfriend who got me hooked a couple months ago. When you were doing the Rake's Song, that just blew me away. (we were in Buffalo). I can't until your next tour. Will you be any closer to Ithaca? Buffalo was a long drive for us...
Jul 20th, 4:30pm
you guys are the coolest! I am Kanata Saionji, but I am most commonly known as Evan Shely. Hey. So, Colin, I was that kid in the very front you waved at and had the "pointing war" with when you stood on the very edge of the stage. That was actually like a dream to me, that concert. (July 19) I only wish you did July, July the second night too. anyway, great concert you guys!!
May 24th, 9:27pm
Has anyone that entered the poster contest gotten their "little gift in the mail"? It's been..a few months and I've not heard anything. Just wondering!
Apr 22nd, 11:59pm
You guys are fucking brilliant, I just got Her Majesty on vinyl, which was CRAZY lucky if you ask me. I'd would kill to see you guys in concert. Shit.
Mar 17th, 12:47pm
I was introduced to you through a friend of mine. You've been stuck in my head for months. Is this obsession? It's a lot less maddening then I thought it would be. I'll have to come see you in Boston. I think.
Mar 13th, 10:33pm
Can't wait for The Hazards of Love to come out, three days before my birthday, I'm pretty flipping psyched.
Mar 11th, 11:52pm
PLEAAAAAAASE come to MEXICO!!!!
Mar 9th, 4:24am
Wonderful music, very clever and creative. Thank you for adding me.

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