Death Cab for Cutie

The band, known as Death Cab For Cutie, was started as the independent solo project by singer and guitarist Ben Gibbard. The band got this title after the eponymous song by the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band. However, the success of his demo You Can Play The Songs' Chords inspired the musician for making a regular band. Initially it included his friend and producer Christopher Walla, bassist Nicholas Harmer and drummer Nathan Good, who was Ben's roommate during his study years. The members of Death Cab For Cutie signed a contract with label Barsuk Records soon. The artists released their debut Something About Airplanes in 1998, becoming a significant persons in the underground rock circles. During the recording sessions of the next album We Have The Facts And We're Voting Yes, drummer Nathan Good left the band and Gibbard had to substitute him on drums. This order of things was unsatisfactory for live gigs and Michel Schorr became the new member of Death Cab For Cutie.

In 2001, Death Cab For Cutie finished the new full-length - The Photo Album. This recorded produced three indie-rock hits - A Movie Script Ending, We Laugh Indoors and I Was A Kaleidoscope. Soon after the released, the members of the group had to look for a new percussionist and found Jason McGerr. In 2003, the artists issued the Transatlanticism long-play, songs from which were widely used on the US television. After that, the life of the band changed drastically - the members of Death Cab For Cutie left their long-time label Barsuk Records and switched to the major studio Atlantic Records. The wonderful album Plans became the first major label released by Death Cab For Cutie. It was nominated for Grammy. Its piercing hits Soul Meets Body, Crooked Teeth and acoustic ballad I Will Follow You Into The Dark were immediately added to the indie rock classics list.

The collective started a long tour around the USA - finishing it with a concert on the famous Key Arena in Seattle, Washington. Plans was followed by the well-foreseen argue between Death Cab For Cutie and their former label Barsuk Records, while Gibbard temporarily concentrated on his side-project The Postal Service. Christopher Walla also renewed his solo career. His highly politicized sophomore attempt Field Mind saw light in January 2008. In 2007, the musicians announced that they began the work over the new album Narrow Stairs, which was released in May 2008. In March 2008, it was prefaced by its first single - lengthy instrumental track I Will Possess Your Heart. The Narrow Stairs album is darker than the previous discs by Death Cab For Cutie, but it is sure to be highly appreciated by both devoted fans of this command and those listeners that have just got acquainted with the creativity of these artists. With the significantly reduced studio activity, the band was only able to issue in 2009 an EP under the title The Open Door. This record featured new songs and the demo version of Talking Bird officially presented on the previous long player.