Audio Learning Center

Biography

In the early 1990s, Christopher Brady and Steven Birch became friends through mutual connections in the burgeoning northwest music scene. Both were in the first Portland, Oregon bands to sign to Seattle rock heavyweight Sub Pop Records (Brady with Pond and Birch with Sprinkler). Playing numerous shows together throughout the Northwest United States, they quickly became a two-man mutual admiration society. After Sprinkler broke up in early 1994, they didn't see each other all that often, but Birch remained a huge Pond fan. Fast-forward to fall 1998: After a brilliant third record (Rock Collection) on a very confused label, Brady and the Pond boys decided to call it a day. At the same time, Birch had reached complete burnout from a grueling year of non-stop touring with Everclear. The two had long talked about playing music together, but it was only now that the time seemed right. Initial rehearsals included Pond's David Triebwasser on drums. When Triebwasser decided to move away from Portland, a mutual friend introduced Brady and Birch to drummer Paul Johnson. Johnson, a music major in college, had played in numerous bands, but was looking for something bigger, better, and more challenging—one rehearsal was all it took to know that his dynamic playing would be a perfect fit.

An early demo found its way to the ears of Rich Egan, the owner of Vagrant, and he quickly signed the outfit, releasing debut, Friendships Often Fade Away, in 2002. It was produced by Adam Kasper (Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age, Cat Power). In 2004, they released Cope Park, produced by Joe Chiccarelli (Frank Zappa, Oingo Boingo, Beck). The band amicably parted ways soon after that album's release.

Members

Albums