The War On Drugs

The War On Drugs

The War On Drugs are an indie rock band from Philadelphia, United States, active since 2005. Their sound is associated with dream pop, heartland rock, indie rock and neo-psychedelia, and reviewers also note Americana overtones and influences from Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen and My Bloody Valentine.

Formation and early line-up

Adam Granduciel, born Adam Granofsky in Dover, Massachusetts, moves from Oakland, California to Philadelphia in 2003, where he meets Kurt Vile and begins making music with him. The War On Drugs starts in 2005 and first issues a self-released demo EP. Granduciel and Vile form the core of the group in its early years, with a rotating cast of accompanists.

Releases and personnel changes

The band gives away the Barrel of Batteries EP for free in 2008. Its debut album for Secretly Canadian, Wagonwheel Blues, follows in 2008. Early line-ups include Charlie Hall on drums and organ, Kyle Lloyd on drums, and Dave Hartley on bass. By the end of 2008, Vile, Hall and Lloyd leave the group. Granduciel and Hartley then continue with drummer Mike Zanghi, and after Zanghi leaves in 2010, Steven Urgo takes over drums and Robbie Bennett joins on keyboards.

Later membership

The group’s later membership includes Charlie Hall, Kurt Vile, Adam Granduciel, Dave Hartley, Mike Zanghi, Steven Urgo, Robbie Bennett, Patrick Berkery, Anthony LaMarca, Jon Natchez, Kyle Lloyd and Eliza Hardy Jones.

Background

Before forming the band, Granduciel tours and records with The Capitol Years, while Vile releases several solo albums.