The Hold Steady

The Hold Steady

The Hold Steady is an American rock band from Brooklyn, active from 2003. The group forms around vocalist and guitarist Craig Finn, who previously plays in Lifter Puller, and guitarist Tad Kubler, also formerly of Lifter Puller. The core early line-up also includes drummer Judd Counsell and bassist Galen Polivka.

Line-up and formation

The band begins with Finn’s aim of making music that draws on the sound of groups such as The Replacements and The Grifters. In 2005, Franz Nicolay joins on keyboards, bringing his background in The World/Inferno Friendship Society, and Bobby Drake replaces Counsell on drums. Other members associated with the group include Steve Selvidge.

Recordings and releases

The Hold Steady records mostly live. Its debut album, Almost Killed Me, appears on French Kiss Records in 2004, followed by Separation Sunday the next year. The band then signs to Vagrant Records in 2006 and begins work on its third album, Boys and Girls in America, which is released later that year. The record reaches a wider audience than the group’s earlier work and is regarded as one of the most acclaimed albums of 2006.

The band’s fourth album, Stay Positive, is recorded again with producer John Agnello and is later released on Positive Jams. It debuts at number 30 on the Billboard 200, reaches number 15 on the UK Album Chart, and tops the UK Indie Chart. Entertainment Weekly names it its best album of 2008. The song “Constructive Summer” is placed at number 56 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 100 Best Songs of 2008.

The fifth studio album, Heaven Is Whenever, is released in 2010 and is recorded with producer Dean Baltulonis. The seventh album, Thrashing Thru the Passion, appears in 2019, with “Entitlement Crew” and “Confusion in the Marketplace” noted among its songs.

Style and context

The Hold Steady is associated with indie rock, alternative rock, heartland rock and rock. Its work is linked to a live, band-based approach and to influences from American guitar groups. The line-up and credits over time include Craig Finn, Tad Kubler, Judd Counsell, Galen Polivka, Franz Nicolay, Bobby Drake and Steve Selvidge.