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Biography
Infobox musical artist | name = Ted Leo and the Pharmacists| image = Ted Leo and the Pharmacists by Kyle Cassidy.jpg| caption = Ted Leo and the Pharmacists in a publicity photo by Kyle Cassidy .| image_size =| background = group_or_band| origin = Washington, D.C.| genre = Punk rock , indie rock | years_active = 1999present| label = Gern Blandsten Records|Gern Blandsten , Ace Fu Records|Ace Fu , Lookout& #33; Records|Lookout! , Touch and Go Records|Touch and Go , Matador Records|Matador | website = http://www.tedleo.com/ tedleo.com| current_members = Ted Leo James Canty Chris Wilson Marty Key| past_members = Jodi V.B. Amy Farina Dorien Garry Dave Lerner| associated_acts = Citizens Arrest , Chisel (band)|Chisel , The Sin-Eaters Ted Leo and the Pharmacists (sometimes written Ted Leo/Pharmacists , Ted Leo + Pharmacists , or TL/Rx ) are an American rock band formed in 1999 in Washington, D.C. and currently recording for Matador Records . They have released six full-length studio albums and have toured internationally. Though the group's lineup has fluctuated throughout their career, singer/guitarist Ted Leo has remained the band's main songwriter, creative force, and only constant member. The group's music combines elements of punk rock , indie rock , traditional rock, and occasionally folk music and dub music|dub reggae . Their most recent album, The Brutalist Bricks , was released on March 9, 2010.
Band history
Formation
Ted Leo started the Pharmacists essentially as a solo project in 1999. His previous band Chisel (band)|Chisel had broken up in the late 1990s, after which he spent time with The Spinanes and The Sin Eaters (band)|The Sin Eaters and acted as producer for The Secret Stars . In 1999 he recorded the album tej leo(? ), Rx / pharmacists , a solo effort which was highly experimental and mixed elements of punk rock , reggae , dub music|dub , and audio experimentation. In 2000 Leo expanded the project to a full band including James Canty on guitar, Jodi V.B. on bass, and Amy Farina on drums. He named the backing band The Pharmacists, and the group released the Extended play|EP Treble in Trouble . The EP moved away from many of the experimental elements of tej leo by relying on more traditional rock structures and instrumentation, though it still explored some non-traditional characteristics.
Lookout& #33; Records years
The band signed to Lookout& #33; Records in 2001 and experienced more lineup changes as V.B. and Farina left the group. For the album The Tyranny of Distance (album)|The Tyranny of Distance Leo and Canty utilized a number of in-studio backing musicians. The album incorporated multiple styles including Celtic rock, acoustic folk music|folk balladry, and pop rock . During the supporting tours for The Tyranny of Distance bassist Dave Lerner, drummer Chris Wilson, and keyboardist Dorien Garry became permanent members of the band. The group's next album, 2003's Hearts of Oak (album)|Hearts of Oak , drew from punk rock and new wave music|new wave influences. The EP Tell Balgeary, Balgury Is Dead soon followed and featured a number of Leo's solo songs and covers. The band's video documentary Dirty Old Town (film)|Dirty Old Town was released the same year.
Prior to the recording of 2004's Shake the Sheets Garry and Canty left the band, reducing the group to a trio. The album explored social and political topics and experienced some success with the single "Me and Mia." The iTunes-exclusive EP Sharkbite Sessions followed in 2005.
Recent activity
In 2006 Ted Leo and the Pharmacists left Lookout& #33; Records amidst financial crises within the label, and signed a new contract with Chicago, Illinois|Chicago -based Touch and Go Records . The band's popularity continued to expand through constant touring and performances at large festivals such as the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and the Pitchfork Music Festival . Their fourth full band album, Living with the Living , was released on March 20, 2007. First run copies of the album also included the '' Mo' Living EP. The band also announced that former guitarist James Canty would re-join them for touring in support of Living with the Living .
Bassist Dave Lerner played his last show with the band at McCarren Park Pool in Brooklyn, NY on August 12, 2007.cite web | last =White | first =Adam | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Ted Leo and the Pharmacists part ways with bassist Dave Lerner | work = Punknews.org | publisher = | date =August 13, 2007 | url = http://www.punknews.org/article/9849 | format = | doi = | accessdate =2007-08-13cite web | last =Muir | first =Ryan | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Ted Leo Bassist Leaves Band | work = Pitchforkmedia.com | publisher = | date =August 13, 2007 | url = http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/44818-ted-leo-bassist-dave-lerner-leaves-band | format = | doi = | accessdate =2007-08-13 Marty "Violence" Key of the (Young) Pioneers replaced him on tour,cite web | last =White | first =Adam | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Young Pioneers bassist joins Ted Leo for upcoming tour | work = Punknews.org | publisher = | date =September 6, 2007 | url = http://www.punknews.org/article/9849 | format = | doi = | accessdate =2007-09-06 and has remained with the band to the present. In April 2008 the band recorded a performance for the Beautiful Noise (TV series)|Beautiful Noise concert series in Toronto.cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Beautiful Noise taping schedule: March/April 2008 | work = | publisher = | date = | url = http://www.themusebox.net/beautifulnoise/beautiful_noise.html | doi = | accessdate =2008-07-15 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20080403042610/ http://www.themusebox.net/beautifulnoise/beautiful_noise.html |archivedate = April 3, 2008 They then performed as openers for six dates of Pearl Jam 's Pearl Jam 2008 U.S. Tour|2008 U.S. tour in June.cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Pearl Jam on tour in 2008 | work = | publisher =Official Pearl Jam website | date = | url = http://pearljam.com/news/index.php? what=News#247 | format = | doi = | accessdate =2008-03-21 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20080223224959/ http://www.pearljam.com/news/index.php? what=News#247 |archivedate = February 23, 2008
They toured with Against Me! and Future of the Left in September and October 2008.
On September 15, 2008 the band released a surprise digital EP, Rapid Response , in response to the violence at the 2008 Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota . The EP is available on the Touch and Go website for a choice of prices with all proceeds going to Democracy Now! and Food Not Bombs of St. Paul.
Ted Leo's most recent album, The Brutalist Bricks was released on March 9, 2010, and the band is currently touring the United States and Europe.
Band members
Ted Leo and the Pharmacists lineups (only official members listed)>
http://www.myspace.com/tedleo Official MySpace profile
http://www.touchandgorecords.com Touch and Go Records
http://www.lookoutrecords.com Lookout& #33; Records
http://www.acefu.com Ace Fu Records
http://www.gernblandsten.com Gern Blandsten Records
http://www.casadeldiscorecords.com Casedeldisco Records
http://www.archive.org/details/TedLeoandthePharmacists Ted Leo and the Pharmacists collection at the Internet Archive 's live music archive
Use mdy dates|date=September 2010 DEFAULTSORT:Leo, Ted And The Pharmacists Category:Musical groups established in 1999 Category:Musical groups from Washington, D.C. Category:Touch and Go Records artists Category:American punk rock groups Category:American indie rock groups Category:Live Music Archive artists
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