The Apples in Stereo

The Apples in Stereo

The Apples in Stereo are an indie pop and indie rock group from Denver, United States, active since 1993. They are associated with lo-fi, neo-psychedelia and psychedelic pop, and are one of the co-originators of the Elephant 6 Collective, alongside acts such as Neutral Milk Hotel and the Olivia Tremor Control. The collective later also includes bands including Elf Power, The Minders and Beulah.

Formation and early releases

The band forms in 1992 and releases its debut record, Fun Trick Noisemaker, in 1995. Jim McIntyre plays bass on that release. Robert Schneider writes most of the band’s music and lyrics.

Line-up

The current line-up includes Robert Schneider on vocals and guitar, Eric Allen on bass, John Hill on rhythm guitar, John Ferguson on keyboards and John Dufilho. Earlier members and contributors include Hilarie Sidney, Chris McDuffie, Chris Parfitt, Bill Doss and Jim McIntyre. Hilarie Sidney leaves the band in 2006 after her final show at the Athens Popfestival.

Associated musicians and projects

Robert Schneider also works on side projects including Marbles, Ulysses, Thee American Revolution and the children’s music project Robbert Bobbert & The Bubble Machine. He also does commercial composition and film score work. John Hill also plays guitar in Dressy Bessy. Bill Doss joins the band as keyboardist in 2007; he is also singer, songwriter and guitarist for The Olivia Tremor Control, the sole member of The Sunshine Fix, and an original member of the Elephant 6 collective.

Notable songs and style

The band is known for bright, catchy songwriting and a 1960s pop and rock sound that draws comparisons with The Beatles, ELO and The Beach Boys. Their influences include The Velvet Underground and The Beach Boys. “Signal in the Sky” is one of their best-known songs, and it appears in episode 46 of The Powerpuff Girls.