Desaparecidos (band)

Last updated
Desaparecidos
Origin Omaha, Nebraska, United States
Genres
Years active2001–2002, 2010, 2012–2015
Labels Saddle Creek, Wichita, Epitaph
Spinoff ofBright Eyes
Past members Conor Oberst
Landon Hedges
Matt Baum
Denver Dalley
Ian McElroy
Website http://www.desaparecidosband.com/ at the Wayback Machine (archived June 29, 2015)

Desaparecidos was an American punk rock band from Omaha, Nebraska founded by singer/guitarist Conor Oberst.

Contents

History

Formation, Read Music/Speak Spanish and hiatus (2001-2010)

The band formed in 2001 featuring Bright Eyes frontman Conor Oberst and several touring musicians from the same band and other life-long friends of Oberst's, as Oberst looked for a different home for the politically charged music he had written. [1] The band name, Spanish and Portuguese for "disappeared ones" is inspired by those from the forcibly disappeared under Augusto Pinochet’s right-wing military dictatorship in Chile between 1973 and 1990.. They released their debut EP The Happiest Place on Earth on October 2, 2001. The band was recording and mixing their debut record when the September 11 attacks occurred and originally planned to shelve the release, but later released their debut album Read Music/Speak Spanish on February 11, 2002, passing on major record labels to release it on Omaha based Saddle Creek Records. The record, while having favorable reviews, was criticized due to the timing of the release, with an attendee at one show calling them "treasonous" for performing it so soon after the September 11th attacks. [2] The album later gained a cult following, and the band toured in support of it through 2002, including opening for Jimmy Eat World and Motion City Soundtrack, and being featured on an MTV You Hear it First episode. [3]

Desaparecidos went on hiatus at the end of 2002. With the continually increasing success of Bright Eyes, Oberst did not have the time to dedicate to the band. Oberst continued to record with Bright Eyes, while the other members of Desaparecidos went on to form other projects. Matt Baum joined The '89 Cubs, later drumming Race for Titles and the Coffin Killers; Ian McElroy formed Rig 1; Denver Dalley moved onto bands Statistics and Intramural; Landon Hedges founded Little Brazil.

Reunion, signing to Epitaph, and Payola (2010-2015)

Desaparecidos reunited for a single show at the Concert for Equality in Omaha's Benson neighborhood on July 31, 2010, [4] which fundraised for ACLU Nebraska's lawsuit against the city of Freemout, Nebraska in the aftermath of a referendum that attempted to barred undocumented individuals from residing in the town. In April 2012, the band launched an official website and announced that they would again reunite, this time to play Omaha's MAHA Fest. [5] In August 2012 the band embarked on a short tour, their first since 2002. [6] Speaking on what took them so long to reform, Baum stated "We were all just busy with different stuff. Obviously Conor was doing his stuff and I was trying to be an adult for a little while there and it didn’t work out. Real life is what happened, basically." [7]

The band released two new tracks, "MariKKKopa" and "Backsell" in August 2012, the first recorded material since their return. [8] The song "MariKKKopa" was written in reference to Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Maricopa County, Arizona and his outspoken stance and civil rights abuses he's committed against undocumented immigrants. [9]

In February 2013, the band made available two tracks, "Anonymous" and "The Left is Right" via stream through Rolling Stone. The songs deal with the Anonymous hacker group and the Occupy movement. [10] On August 2, 2013, the band released a new single "Te Amo Camila Vallejo", b/w "The Underground Man", which was dedicated to the Chilean student activist Camila Vallejo.

On January 27, 2015, the band announced that they had signed to Epitaph Records. [11] Speaking on the decision to sign with Epitaph over Saddle Creek, Oberst stated "After years, it kind of soured a little bit and we happened to go our own way. I wish all of them the best, but we knew we weren’t gonna do it with them and we started talking about what label would make sense with our band, and what’s the label we respect, and can get it out there, and Epitaph was the very first one." [7] On April 7, They released the single "City on the Hill." on YouTube and announced their second album Payola, their first album in thirteen years [12] . It was later released on June 23, 2015. and was co-produced with Mike Mogis. The album contains the six tracks released since reforming as well as eight additional tracks.

The band went on tour with Joyce Manor and The So So Glos to promote the new album, including a show at Shea Stadium that would later be released as a live album, and a slot at Riot Fest 2015. [13] On October 28, 2015, Oberst was hospitalized due to "laryngitis, anxiety, and exhaustion," and the rest of the bands remaining tour dates, including a benefit show that was to include Tom Morello, were cancelled and Oberst returned to his hometown of Omaha to recuperate. [14] The shows were never rescheduled following the cancellations. Oberst later returned to working on solo music, and eventually reunited with Bright Eyes in 2020.

Second hiatus and re-releases (2016-present)

Since the cancellation of the tour in October 2015, the band has not toured or released new music. A 20th anniversary edition of Read Music/Speak Spanish, featuring remastered tracks and the two songs from The Happiest Place on Earth EP, was released on February 15, 2022. A live album Live at Shea Stadium was released April 1, 2022, featuring recordings from the bands performance at Shea Stadium in Brooklyn. New York on June 25, 2015. [15]

Musical style

The band's sound was labeled [16] "full-on emo-in-the-garage" by Alternative Press , "the sort of howlingly tuneful Midwestern punk that disappeared with Hüsker Dü" by Entertainment Weekly , "anthemic thrash" by Rolling Stone , and as such is noted for its sonic differences from Oberst's primary band. They have also been hailed as the "Saddle Creek supergroup". [17] Hailing from Omaha, Nebraska, Desaparecidos' lyrics are mostly about the sociopolitical state of affairs in America. The band has been both lauded and criticized for its intentionally raw sound following the release of Read Music/Speak Spanish . In sharp contrast to Bright Eyes' confessional, even sometimes mournful lyrics, Desaparecidos's angular, energetic and engaging vocals sound like those typically heard in post-hardcore.

Members

Discography

Albums

EPs

Both EPs contain the same tracks in a different order.

Live

Singles

Compilation albums

song: "What's New for Fall"
songs: "Man and Wife, the Latter (Damaged Goods)," "Popn' Off at the F"
song: "The Happiest Place On Earth"
song: "Man and Wife, the Latter (Damaged Goods)"

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bright Eyes (band)</span> American indie rock band

Bright Eyes is an American indie rock band founded by singer-songwriter and guitarist Conor Oberst. It consists of Oberst, multi-instrumentalist and producer Mike Mogis, arranger, composer and trumpet and piano player Nate Walcott, and a rotating line-up of collaborators drawn primarily from Omaha's indie music scene. Between 1998 and 2011, the band's albums were released through Saddle Creek Records, a Nebraska-based label founded by Justin Oberst and Mogis. In January 2020, the band announced their return, having signed with Dead Oceans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Faint</span> American indie rock band

The Faint is an American indie rock band. Formed in Omaha, Nebraska, the band consists of Todd Fink, Graham Ulicny, Dapose and Clark Baechle. The Faint was originally known as Norman Bailer and included Conor Oberst. He quit shortly after the band was formed, though the Faint continued to share a spot with Bright Eyes on Saddle Creek Records.

<i>Fevers and Mirrors</i> 2000 studio album by Bright Eyes

Fevers and Mirrors is the third studio album by American indie band Bright Eyes, recorded in 1999 and released on May 29, 2000. It was the 32nd release of the Omaha, Nebraska-based record label Saddle Creek Records. The album was released later in 2000 in the United Kingdom as the inaugural release from Wichita Recordings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saddle Creek Records</span> American record label

Saddle Creek Records is an American record label based in Omaha, Nebraska. Started as a college class project on entrepreneurship, the label was founded by Mike Mogis and Justin Oberst in 1993. Mogis soon turned over his role in the company to Robb Nansel. The label is named after Saddle Creek Road, a major street which cuts through midtown Omaha and also the beginnings of a scene whose members included Justin's brother Conor Oberst, Tim Kasher, and others. Collectively, they were known unofficially as the "Creekers". Saddle Creek first appeared in print on a show flyer, offering to "Spend an evening with Saddle Creek" Saddle Creek became an incorporated entity as a result of a class project on entrepreneurship. Distribution is handled by Redeye Distribution.

<i>Read Music/Speak Spanish</i> 2002 studio album by Desaparecidos

Read Music/Speak Spanish is the first studio album by American punk band Desaparecidos. Released in February 2002, the record is the forty-second release of Saddle Creek Records. Reviews were mostly positive upon release.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Conor Oberst</span> American musician (born 1980)

Conor Mullen Oberst is an American singer-songwriter best known for his work in Bright Eyes. He has also played in several other bands, including Desaparecidos, the Faint, Commander Venus, Park Ave., Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band, Monsters of Folk, and Better Oblivion Community Center. Oberst was named the Best Songwriter of 2008 by Rolling Stone magazine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Commander Venus</span> American indie rock band

Commander Venus was an American emo band from Omaha, Nebraska. Fronted by Conor Oberst and Tim Kasher, the band also included Todd Fink and Matt Bowen of The Faint, Ben Armstrong of Head of Femur and Robb Nansel, executive producer of the indie label Saddle Creek. Kasher subsequently went on to front the band Cursive, and Oberst later became famous as the core member of the indie folk collective Bright Eyes, and later the punk band Desaparecidos.

Denver Collin Dalley is an American singer-songwriter based in Omaha, Nebraska. He is best known for his collaboration with Bright Eyes frontman Conor Oberst in Desaparecidos, and has been involved in various other musical projects, including Statistics, Intramural, and PRESSERS. Denver got married in 2019 and is an expert juggler.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Azure Ray</span> American dream pop duo

Azure Ray is an American dream pop duo, consisting of musicians Orenda Fink and Maria Taylor. Formed in Athens, Georgia, in 2001, they later moved to Omaha, Nebraska, and became part of the Saddle Creek Records music scene, which also included Bright Eyes, The Faint, and Cursive. Azure Ray's music has often been featured in film and television, including Six Feet Under, Grey's Anatomy, and The Devil Wears Prada. They have released five albums and several EPs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Todd Fink</span>

Todd Fink is the lead singer of the band The Faint. He attended Omaha's Westside High School.

Park Ave. was an indie pop band that started in January 1996 in Omaha, Nebraska.

Slowdown Virginia was an indie rock band from Omaha, Nebraska. Formed in 1993, the band recorded and released one album, Dead Space, on Lumberjack Records in 1994, the predecessor to today's Saddle Creek Records. After playing an influential role in inspiring the later formation of other Omaha bands like Bright Eyes, The Faint, and Desaparecidos with their energetic live shows and recordings, Slowdown Virginia broke up in the spring of 1995. A month after breaking up, Kasher, Maginn, and Pedersen regrouped with a new drummer to form Cursive. Omaha's mixed entertainment venue Slowdown is named in honor of the band.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maria Taylor (musician)</span> American singer-songwriter (born 1976)

Maria Diane Taylor is an American singer-songwriter from Birmingham, Alabama. She is also a member of the duo Azure Ray with Orenda Fink. Taylor plays several instruments, including the guitar, drums, and piano and has collaborated or performed with such artists as Bright Eyes, Phoebe Bridgers, Moby, Michael Stipe of R.E.M., Joshua Radin, and more.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orenda Fink</span> Musical artist

Orenda Fink is an American singer, musician, and writer. Perhaps best known as half of the duo Azure Ray, Fink is also a member of Art in Manila, O+S, Closeness, and High Up, and has played with or appeared as a guest on records by Bright Eyes, Conor Oberst, Moby, The Faint, Pete Yorn, and others. She is married to Todd Fink of The Faint.

Nate Walcott is an American musical composer, arranger, pianist, keyboardist, and trumpeter. He has composed the scores for several feature-length films, including 2014's The Fault in Our Stars. He is a member of the band Bright Eyes, and has played in Conor Oberst's Mystic Valley Band and with singer-songwriter M. Ward. Between 2016 and 2019, Walcott was the touring pianist and keyboard player for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, during their The Getaway World Tour.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jason Boesel</span> American musician based in Los Angeles

Jason Lyon Boesel is an American musician, songwriter and producer based in Los Angeles. He was the drummer for Rilo Kiley and has also played with The Elected and Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band</span> American band

Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band is an American band consisting of Conor Oberst and his backing band. The band is composed of Nik Freitas (guitar), Taylor Hollingsworth (guitar), Macey Taylor (bass), Nate Walcott (keyboards/organ) and Jason Boesel (drums). The band was formed to back Oberst on his 2008 solo album but soon evolved into a band of its own with all members singing and providing songs for 2009's Outer South.

<i>Payola</i> (Desaparecidos album) 2015 studio album by Desaparecidos

Payola is the second studio album by the American rock band Desaparecidos, released on June 23, 2015, through Epitaph Records.

<i>Ruminations</i> (album) 2016 studio album by Conor Oberst

Ruminations is the seventh solo studio album by American musician Conor Oberst, released on October 14, 2016 on Nonesuch Records. An expanded edition of the album featuring five bonus tracks was released on July 23, 2021.

<i>Down in the Weeds, Where the World Once Was</i> 2020 studio album by Bright Eyes

Down in the Weeds, Where the World Once Was is the tenth studio album by American band Bright Eyes. The album marked the band's first release in nearly a decade, following The People's Key in 2011. It was released by Dead Oceans on August 21, 2020, and it was their first album not released by Saddle Creek Records. The album was recorded at Electro-Vox and Capitol Studios in Los Angeles and ARC Studios in Omaha, Nebraska.

References

  1. Spevak, Jeff. "Desaparecidos: Something for Conor Oberst to scream about". Democrat and Chronicle. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
  2. Lincoln, Kevin (2012-09-27). "Desaparecidos Makes the Perfect Protest Music (Again)". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2024-08-28.
  3. "Lazy-I Interview: Desaparecidos -- August 2002". www.timmcmahan.com. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
  4. "Live Review: Concert for Equality (Pt. 1), Conduits…". Lazy-i.com. 2 August 2010. Retrieved 2015-08-01.
  5. "Very excited to..." Facebook.com. Archived from the original on 2012-07-29.
  6. "Desaparecidos announce new 7-inch, fall tour dates; stream new songs now - Alternative Press". Altpress.com. 2012-08-01. Retrieved 2015-08-01.
  7. 1 2 Ozzi, Dan (2015-07-14). "Desaparecidos Didn't Give a Fuck Back Then, and They Don't Give a Fuck Now". VICE. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
  8. "Desaparecidos stream two new tracks". The Line Of Best Fit. 2012-08-01. Retrieved 2015-08-01.
  9. Makarechi, Kia (2012-08-01). "'MariKKKopa': Conor Oberst Explains New Desaparecidos Track, Which Takes Aim At Sheriff Joe Arpaio". Huffington Post. Retrieved 2013-02-18.
  10. Penn, Jenn (2013-02-06). "Listen: Conor Oberst's Punk Band Desaparecidos' New Tracks About Occupy and Anonymous". pitchforkmedia.com. Retrieved 2013-02-18.
  11. "Desaparecidos sign to Epitaph for new album". BrooklynVegan. 2015-01-27. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  12. Reed, Ryan (2015-04-06). "Conor Oberst Revives Punk Band for New LP". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
  13. Mescher ·, Daniel (2015-09-01). "Speedy Ortiz, Desaparecidos and Joy Formidable Make A Racket At Riot Fest". Colorado Public Radio. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
  14. Rettig, James (2015-10-28). "Conor Oberst Hospitalized, Desaparecidos Cancel Tour". Stereogum . Retrieved 2016-08-03.
  15. "Desaparecidos, "Live at Shea Stadium"". FLOOD. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
  16. "Desaparecidos - Read Music/Speak Spanish CD Album". Cduniverse.com. Retrieved 2015-08-01.
  17. "Desaparecidos Reunite at Concert for Equality". The Round Table Online. 2010-07-26. Retrieved 2015-08-01.