A Place To Bury Strangers

A Place To Bury Strangers is a Brooklyn, United States-based noise rock group active since 2002. The band is associated with experimental, gothic rock, indie rock, noise pop, noise rock and post-punk, and it is also described as a US noise rock band. Its sound combines psychedelic, shoegaze and noise rock with a heavy, atmospheric wall of sound approach.

Formation and early line-up

The band forms in 2002 by David Goffan and Tim Gregorio. Oliver Ackermann moves to Brooklyn after the disbanding of his previous group, Skywave, and joins the project, later becoming its primary songwriter after Goffan leaves. The group plays its first show at Luxx in Brooklyn in 2003. At this stage, the band becomes a trio with Ackermann on guitar and vocals, John Fedowitz on bass and Sandra Fedowitz on drums.

Releases and live reputation

In 2006 the band handmakes three untitled EPs with different colour schemes, later known as the Red, Blue and Green EPs. That same year it gains attention after a Webster Hall performance with The Brian Jonestown Massacre, and it returns there in 2007 to play with The Jesus and Mary Chain, one of its major influences. During these years its live shows become known for their chaotic volume, with indie reviewers and bloggers calling it New York City’s loudest band. The Washington Post describes it as “the most ear-shatteringly loud garage/shoegaze band you’ll ever hear”, while The New York Times notes its revival of the “ominous, feedback-drenched drones of the 1980s”.

Label releases and touring

In 2009 the band signs to Mute Records. Its second album, Exploding Head, follows later that year. Around the same period it announces a European tour and appearances at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, Seaport Music Festival, Rock al Parque and Siren Music Festival. The band later releases the Onwards to the Wall EP and records its third studio album, which comes out in 2012 via Dead Oceans. It then records its fourth album in 2013 at ABC Studios in Etne, Norway with Emil Nikolaisen of Serena Maneesh, and also records covers of Dead Moon songs for a Record Store Day EP titled Strange Moon.

Personnel changes

Tim Gregorio leaves and Jay Space and Jono Mofo, both from the New York City band MOFO, join the group. Jono Mofo later leaves in 2010 and is replaced for a spring US tour by Dion Lunadon, formerly of The D4 and The True Lovers. In 2012 Robi Gonzalez takes over drumming duties, and the band thanks Jay Space for his contribution. In 2018 the band releases its fifth album, Pinned, and replaces Gonzalez with drummer and singer Lia Simone Braswell. In 2021 John Fedowitz and Sandra Fedowitz, both from Ceremony East Coast and with John also a former Skywave member, replace the rhythm section. The Hologram EP follows in 2021.