The New Pornographers: Biography

• Overview
• Discography
• Biography
• Related Artists

• Videos
• Photos
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• Fan Sites

• Brendan Benson
• Dr. Dog
• The Awkward Stage
• The Swimmers
• Nathan
• Mother Mother
• Peter Bjorn and John

• Fleetwood Mac
• The Cars
• Elvis Costello
• Shoes
• Squeeze
• The Beatles
• Belle & Sebastian

• The Neins Circa
• Scott Andrew
• Tilly and the Wall
• Sh! The Octopus
• The High Strung
• Kill the Lights
• The Sneaks

• Zumpano
• Destroyer
• Hello, Blue Roses
• Swan Lake
• Fancey
• Limblifter
• Neko Case

Formed:

Jan 1, 1996 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Cana

Genres:

Rock Music, Alternative Rock Music

Decades Active:

1990's|2000's

Artistic Quality

Medium

Cultural Impact

Low

Popularity

Low

Ratings Guide

Vancouver's indie rock supergroup the New Pornographers features the talents of Zumpano's Carl Newman, Thee Evaporators' John Collins, Destroyer's Dan Bejar, cartoonist/filmmaker Blaine Thurier, drummer Fisher Rose and guest vocalist Neko Case. Newman began in 1996 as a lark after releasing Zumpano's Goin' Through Changes; one by one, the other members joined the fold, and the New Pornographers' first official rehearsal took place in 1997. By the following year, the group had completed four songs, but then Case left Vancouver for Chicago, Thurier began work on his film Low Self Esteem Girl, and the other members attended to their other bands and projects. Rose left in 1999 and Limblifter/Age of Electric drummer Kurt Dahle and guitarist Todd Fancey joined the Canadian super group. With a solid line-up in tow, The New Pornographers reunited and began recording again in early 2000, completing their debut album Mass Romantic in time for a fall release and critical acclaim. Ray Davies joined the band at ~SXSW in fall 2001, performing the Kinks classic "Starstruck" for the first time ever. After a brief North American tour, each member returned to their respective projects by 2002. Bejar recorded with Destroyer and Case headed out on the road with Nick Cave The Bad Seeds in support of her second solo album, Blacklisted. Nobody strayed too far however, for The New Pornographers headed back into the studio before the year's end to work on a follow-up to Mass Romantic. The pop powered Electric Version, which appeared in spring 2003, marked their first for Matador.

- Heather Phares MacKenzie Wilson, All Music Guide