The Walkmen

The Walkmen are a New York indie rock band that form in 2000 and remain active. The lineup includes Hamilton Leithauser, Peter Matthew Bauer, Walter Martin, Paul Maroon and Matt Barrick. Their sound is identified with indie rock, post-punk revival and rock.

Formation and background

The group comes together after the breakup of two earlier bands: Jonathan Fire*Eater and The Recoys. Maroon, Martin and Barrick previously play in Jonathan Fire*Eater, while Leithauser and Bauer come from The Recoys. All but Bauer attend St. Albans in Washington, D.C., and the members grow up in and around the Washington, D.C. area before moving to Harlem and becoming part of the New York City rock scene.

The three former Jonathan Fire*Eater members use money left from their Dreamworks Records contract to build a rehearsal space in uptown New York, which includes a 24-track recording studio called Marcata Studios. The band often records at Marcata Recording, later relocated to upstate New York.

Early releases and style

The Walkmen release a self-titled EP in 2001 on Startime International, a Brooklyn-based label. Shortly after, they make their live debut at Joe's Pub in the East Village. Their first album, Everyone Who Pretended to Like Me Is Gone, appears in 2002 on Startime and receives critical attention for its sparse rhythm section, piano, guitar textures and Hamilton Leithauser's vocal style. The album includes versions of "The Blizzard of '96" and "That's the Punchline", both adapted from songs intended for The Recoys' unreleased full-length album.

Instruments and recording approach

The band prefers vintage instruments, especially the upright piano, and often uses these sounds in its recordings. Their music combines piano, guitars, bass, drums and a restrained, atmospheric approach to arrangement.

Later activity and side projects

At one point the band are on hiatus, while Leithauser, Bauer and Martin pursue solo work and Barrick joins Fleet Foxes in a touring and session role. The Walkmen remain a New York group associated with the city’s indie rock and post-punk scene.