The Philistines Jr.

The Philistines Jr.

The Philistines Jr. are a United States-based group made up of brothers Peter Katis and Tarquin Katis, with drummer Adam Pierce as a core member. Their wider musical circle includes piano and theremin player Rob Schwimmer and inventor-musician Leon Dewan, among others.

Style and recording approach

The band is associated with experimental pop and is known for a home-studio, low-fi approach to recording. Their music combines live, canned, analogue and digital sounds, and often balances playful and melancholy moods. They also use self-referential lyrics.

Activity and releases

The Philistines Jr. have recorded and released music since 1990 through their own Tarquin Records label. They have a body of work that includes a near-complete new LP and several songs that are available separately.

Career and reputation

Over the years, the group gains recognition on college radio and is described as critics’ darlings. They also record three sessions for John Peel and tour or perform with acts including Mercury Rev, Yo La Tengo and Jonathan Richman, while remaining an under-the-radar name in the wider music industry.

Related work

Peter Katis has a producing career that includes work with Interpol and The National, while Adam Pierce has label and artist involvement with Fat Cat and Mice Parade. Tarquin Katis also has outside work noted as Henry & Helen!