The War on Drugs is an American indie rock band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, formed
in 2005.
The band consists of Adam Granduciel, David Hartley, Robbie Bennett and Patrick Berkery.
Founded by close collaborators Granduciel and Kurt Vile, The War on Drugs released their
debut studio album, Wagonwheel Blues, in 2008.
Vile departed shortly after its release to focus on his solo career.
The band's second studio album Slave Ambient was released in 2011 to critical acclaim and
extensive touring.
A third album, Lost in the Dream, was released in March 2014.
History Beginnings and Wagonwheel Blues
In 2003, frontman Adam Granduciel moved from Oakland, California to Philadelphia, where
he met Kurt Vile, who had also recently moved back to Philadelphia after living in Boston
for two years.
The duo subsequently began writing, recording and performing music together.
Vile stated, "Adam was the first dude I met when I moved back to the Philadelphia in 2003.
We saw eye-to-eye on a lot of things.
I was obsessed with Bob Dylan at the time, and we totally geeked-out on that.
We started playing together in the early days and he would be in my band, The Violators.
Then, eventually I played in The War On Drugs."
Granduciel and Vile began playing as The War on Drugs in 2005, self-releasing a demo EP.
Regarding the band's name, Granduciel noted, "My friend Julian and I came up with it a
few years ago over a couple bottles of red wine and a few typewriters when we were living
in Oakland.
We were writing a lot back then, working on a dictionary, and it just came out and we
were like "hey, good band name” so eventually when I moved to Philadelphia and got a band
together I used it.
It was either that or The Rigatoni Danzas.
I think we made the right choice.
I always felt though that it was the kind of name I could record all sorts of different
music under without any sort of predictability inherent in the name"
While Vile and Granduciel formed the backbone of the band, they had a number of accompanists
early in the group's career, before finally settling on a lineup that added Charlie Hall
as drummer/organist, Kyle Lloyd as drummer and Dave Hartley on bass.
Granduciel had previously toured and recorded with The Capitol Years, and Vile has several
solo albums.
The group gave away its Barrel of Batteries EP for free early in 2008.
Their debut LP for Secretly Canadian, Wagonwheel Blues, was released in 2008.
Following the album's release, and subsequent European tour, Vile departed from the band
to focus on his solo career, stating, "I only went on the first European tour when their
album came out, and then I basically left the band.
I knew if I stuck with that, it would be all my time and my goal was to have my own musical
career."
Fellow Kurt Vile & the Violators bandmate Mike Zanghi joined the band at this time,
with Vile noting, "Mike was my drummer first and then when The War On Drugs' first record
came out I thought I was lending Mike to Adam for the European tour but then he just played
with them all the time so I kind of had to like, while they were touring a lot, figure
out my own thing."
Slave Ambient The lineup underwent several changes, and
by the end of 2008, Kurt Vile, Charlie Hall, and Kyle Lloyd had all exited the group.
At that time Granduciel and Hartley were joined by drummer Mike Zanghi.
After Zanghi's exit in 2010, Steven Urgo took over drum duties and Robbie Bennett joined
on keys.
The band's second studio album, Slave Ambient was released to widespread critical acclaim
in 2011.
In 2012, Patrick Berkery replaced Urgo as the band's drummer.
Lost in the Dream
On 4 December 2013 the band announced the upcoming release of its third studio album,
Lost in the Dream.
The band streamed the album in its entirety on NPR's First Listen site for a week before
its release.
Side projects and collaborations Adam Granduciel and Mike Zanghi are both former
members of founding guitarist Kurt Vile's backing band The Violators, with Granduciel
noting, "There was never, despite what lazy journalists have assumed, any sort of falling
out, or resentment" following Vile's departure from the band.
In 2011, Vile stated, "When my record came out, I assumed Adam would want to focus on
The War On Drugs but he came with us in The Violators when we toured the States.
The Violators became a unit, and although the cast does rotate, we’ve developed an
even tighter unity and sound.
Adam is an incredible guitar player these days and there is a certain feeling [between
us] that nobody else can tap into.
We don’t really have to tell each other what to play, it just happens."
Adam Granduciel is currently producing the new Sore Eros album.
They have been recording it in Philadelphia on and off for the past year and half.
Members Current
Adam Granduciel - vocals, guitars, harmonica, keyboards, samplers
Dave Hartley - bass guitar, electric guitars Robbie Bennett - keyboards, piano, guitars
Charlie Hall - drums, organ Former
Patrick Berkery - drums, percussion Steven Urgo - drums, percussion, sampler
Mike Zanghi - drums, percussion, sampler Kurt Vile - electric guitar
Kyle Lloyd - drums Discography
Studio albums EPs
Barrel of Batteries Future Weather
Singles References
External links Official website
Tour dates on Label website