The Walkmen

When NYC's own JONATHAN FIRE-EATER bit the dust in 1998, the core of that infamous group took their Dreamworks pocket change and got themselves a rehearsal/recording space in Uptown NYC. Re-christening themselves THE WALKMEN (sort of a CRIME AND THE CITY SOLUTION to JF-E's BIRTHDAY PARTY) the band, featuring three former FIRE-EATERs and two members of THE RECOYS, managed to conjure a very distinct and elaborate sound. Recalling early BRIAN ENO, BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN, early U2, THE SMITHS, and THE CURE; and the point where JOY DIVISION became NEW ORDER, the band plays with bracing maturity, and an impressive command of tone, seamlessly setting a consistent mood for the whole record. Adding an upright piano allowed a new lead instrument to drive things forward, and in adjusting to the new Harlem space and equipment there was much experimentation. They favor almost ambient prologues, and their artfully layered compositions elucidate a post-NEW ORDER dramatic prettiness with thankfully less-ethereal vocals.

The first WALKMEN show took place at Joe's Pub in the East Village during September of 2000. Since then they have been recording steadily and are now concluding final preparations for a split record with CALLA scheduled for release on TMU in mid 2002. Simultaneously they have been playing all along the East Coast, and have toured as far west as Minneapolis and as far east as London, England. This vinyl-only release is the first part of a two-part series of WALKMEN EPs. This record is limited to 1500 copies, so get them now or else you will regret it later. The covers are hand printed by Neil Burke in sunny New England, USA. This record makes up half of the Everyone Asked About You full length. Also included is the bonus song "It's A Crime I Don't Complain" which is NOT on the Everyone Asked About You CD.