Blitzen Trapper
Portland experimental country/folk/rock band formed in 2000.
via Wikipedia: Blitzen Trapper · see source
Blitzen Trapper is an experimental country/folk/rock band from Portland, Oregon, formed in 2000. The group self-released its first three albums before signing to Sub Pop Records in the summer of 2007. Its third album, Wild Mountain Nation (2007), drew critical acclaim from Pitchfork Media, The Nerve, and Spin, and its title track was No. 98 on Rolling Stone's list of the 100 Best Songs of 2007. The 2008 album Furr was ranked No. 13 on Rolling Stone's Best Albums of 2008, and its title track was No. 4 on the magazine's Best Singles of 2008. The band has released albums on Sub Pop, Vagrant Records, Lojinx, and Yep Roc. After longtime members retired at the end of 2019, remaining founding members Eric Earley and Brian Adrian Koch returned to touring in 2022 with a new lineup.
Quick Facts
- Origin
- Portland, Oregon, United States
- Genre
- Alternative country, indie folk
- Years active
- 2000–present
- Label
- Lidkercow Ltd.
- Sub Pop
- Vagrant Records
- Lojinx
- Third Man
- Yep Roc
- Current members
- Eric Earley
- Brian Adrian Koch
- Michael Elson
- Nathan Vanderpool
- Past members
- Drew Laughery
- Erik Menteer
- Michael Van Pelt
- Marty Marquis
Facts from the source article.
Background
The band that became Blitzen Trapper started in 2000 under the name Garmonbozia, a reference to the fictitious substance in David Lynch's Twin Peaks. The original lineup included Eric Earley, Erik Menteer, Brian Adrian Koch, Michael Van Pelt, Drew Laughery, and Marty Marquis. Their early recordings were experimental prog-rock and psychedelic songs. In 2001, they self-recorded four albums with homemade artwork, distributed at concerts: 1940, Perms, Porn & the Gestalt, Tremolopsi!, and Omnibus and the Baker's Man (A Pretext For Black Movie Magic).
The band changed its name to Blitzen Trapper in 2003, reportedly after a seventh-grade girlfriend of Earley's who drew Santa and reindeer on her Trapper Keeper, with Blitzen as her favorite. Their first commercial album, Blitzen Trapper, came out that year on their own label LidKerCow Ltd. Earley recalled: 'I don't remember much about making this first record... We'd drink tequila and play pool and watch Blazers games.' The follow-up, Field Rexx (2004), earned a 7.0 from Pitchfork, which called it 'an earnest crack at bluegrass, country, and folk.'
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Blitzen Trapper from?
Blitzen Trapper originated in Portland, Oregon, United States.
What genre of music does Blitzen Trapper play?
Blitzen Trapper's music is classified as Alternative country and indie folk.
Who are the current members of Blitzen Trapper?
The current members of Blitzen Trapper are listed as Eric Earley, Brian Adrian Koch, Michael Elson and Nathan Vanderpool.
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