Household names
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[edit] History
[edit] Formation (1998-2000)
Household Names have been together since 1998, with various members rotating throughout the line-up with singer, Jason Garcia, until it was solidified in the summer of 2000 with bassist/keyboardist, Chris Peters, and drummer, C. J. Barker, permanently joining the group.
The band started when Garcia met Peters and Barker through an ad in the local weekly. "I had done a few things on my own before that", Garcia says, referring to debut "The Trouble With Being Nice" and subsequent EP "Hold On Tight!", "but I wanted to find a BAND. So I gave them the first CD to learn. I was amazed when, at our first practice, they had all the parts DOWN. Previously I had to walk people through each bass part! We had our first show a few weeks later."
A commitment to melody and harmony and an unflinching desire to write songs that mean something to Garcia and his bandmates are what sets Household Names apart from the other indie bands of today. "Sure, it's fun to play two notes on a guitar, jump around on stage and have a great time, but at the end of the day I think people do want songs with some substance", Garcia insists. "We like to write about the gray areas in relationships- the little uncertainties that make them a little darker, more interesting." Chris Peters adds, "We like a lot of bands. And I think that helps us because at the end of the day it's just the three of us making the decisions, and if there's one guy in the room who says, 'No, I think that sounds too much like Franz Ferdinand', we'll change it." "We write a lot of songs together as a band, so no one person's opinion is more weighted than another's", Barker responds. "You could be listening to a lot of Metallica one week, and everyone else is like, 'hey, enough with the James Hetfield voice'."
[edit] The Trouble With Being Nice (2001)
In August 2001, Household Names released their debut LP The Trouble With Being Nice. The album received immediate acclaim. Singer Jason Garcia was mentioned in Rolling Stone magazine. The album achieved considerable college radio success (#67 on CMJ Top 200). The track "Bright Spot" was a top download on MTV.com. Additionally, "Secrecy" reached #1 on Garageband.com gaining immense national exposure and review from producer Steve Lillywhite.
In August 2002 the album was selected to be featured on computer giant Hewlett-Packard's Experience Music Project mobile tour.
[edit] Hold On Tight (2003)
The summer of 2003 brought the release of Household Names' EP Hold On Tight. Produced by Lars Goransson and Jason Garcia. A product of a 4-track mind, this EP is a little rougher around the edges, but maintains the Household Names sing-along appeal.
[edit] Picture In My Head (2006–present)
The band released their second full-length album, called Picture In My Head on May 6, 2006 in Austin, Texas. The second album from this highly stylized local pop trio is precision-tuned and oversoaked with hooks. Cynical chin-scratchers might quibble with the notion of always aiming for the universal chord, but it's rare to find capital-P Pop pulled off with such a slick punch, particularly in an organic-leaning nape like Austin.
The album was produced by Lars Goransson and Household Names. Initially, it received great reviews and the national media noticed. Various tracks from the album have been featured on CNBC's American Made. On March 12, 2007, Household Names made their national debut on primetime television with the airing of "Only One" as the final track for ABC's hit television show What About Brian?.
The band continues to perform regularly and is planning an east coast tour for this summer. Picture In My Head is available to listen to for free through the band's official MySpace page and their website householdnames.org
[edit] Musical style
Household Names is a rock band combining smart, emotional lyrics with pitch-perfect songcraft on top of a powerful rhythm section. Their styles draws on influences such as Guided By Voices, The Police, R.E.M., David Bowie, Paul McCartney, and Elvis Costello.
The drumming on Household Names songs is often influenced by the heavy rock roots styling of John Bonham coupled with a hint of big band swing from Buddy Rich while the guitar and keyboards provide poppy counter melodies.
Household Names' new record "Picture In My Head" is a little bit of everything- picks you up when you're down, keeps you singing in the car, and is there for you the day after. The band is a synergy of lyricist and guitarist Jason Garcia, bassist Chris Peters and drummer CJ Barker, who all play a variety of instruments and add their voices to a smooth full production, helmed by Lars Goransson (The Cardigans, Blondie). "We wanted to make an album that people could really enjoy listening to", Garcia says, "but at the same time be serious with. There's a touch of sadness to some of these songs."
