Counting Crows

Counting Crows

Counting Crows are an alternative rock band from Berkeley, United States, active since 1991. Their line-up has included Adam Duritz, David Bryson, Matt Malley, Charlie Gillingham, Steve Bowman, Dan Vickrey, David Immerglück, Ben Mize, Jim Bogios, Millard Powers and Ben Ulrich. The band records on Jones Falls Music and is associated with alternative rock, americana, blues rock, folk rock, indie rock and pop.

Formation and early years

The group begins as an acoustic duo formed by singer Adam Duritz and guitarist David Bryson, who first play together in San Francisco before performing around Berkeley and San Francisco. Duritz has previously been part of The Himalayans and Sordid Humor, while Bryson is a local producer and former member of Mr. Dog. For the first album, the pair expand the line-up with bassist Matt Malley, multi-instrumentalist Charlie Gillingham and drummer Steve Bowman. Dan Vickery joins as the band prepares for its first tour, and David Immergluck plays second guitar on the debut album before becoming an official member in 1999.

Breakthrough and studio albums

The band gains wide recognition with the debut album August and Everything After, released in 1993. The record includes “Mr. Jones”, which becomes a major hit, and is followed by critical and commercial success. Their next album, Recovering the Satellites, reaches number one on the US Billboard 200, and most of their later albums also place in the chart’s top 10. Subsequent studio releases include This Desert Life, Hard Candy, Saturday Nights & Sunday Mornings, Somewhere Under Wonderland and Butter Miracle: Suite One. In 2012, the band also issues the cover album Underwater Sunshine (or What We Did on Our Summer Vacation).

Live releases and recordings

Counting Crows develop a reputation for live performance, with arrangements and lyrics often changing from the studio versions. Their live catalogue includes Across a Wire - Live in New York City, New Amsterdam: Live At Heineken Music Hall, iTunes: Live from SoHo, August and Everything After: Live at Town Hall and Echoes of the Outlaw Roadshow. The group also releases a deluxe edition of August and Everything After and a greatest-hits collection, Films About Ghosts: The Best Of.

Notable songs and recognition

Alongside “Mr. Jones”, the band is known for “Round Here”, “Accidentally In Love” and a cover of Joni Mitchell’s “Big Yellow Taxi”. “Accidentally In Love” appears on the Shrek 2 soundtrack and is nominated for a Grammy Award, a Golden Globe Award and an Academy Award. Earlier, the band receives Grammy nominations for “Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal” for “Round Here” and for “Best New Artist”. They also receive recognition from the American Music Awards, Juno Awards and MTV Video Music Awards.

Profile and legacy

Counting Crows are associated with melodic, confessional songwriting and a smooth, often catchy rock style. Their music is described as offering an alternative to grunge-era guitar rock and mainstream pop trends of the 1990s. The band has sold more than 20 million albums worldwide and is ranked by Billboard as the eighth greatest Adult Alternative Artist of all time.

Members

Adam Duritz, David Bryson, Charlie Gillingham, Dan Vickery, David Immergluck, Jim Bogios and Millard Powers are listed as current members, while Matt Malley, Ben Mize, Steve Bowman and Ben Ulrich are listed among former members.