The Hold Steady

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Brooklyn NY, United States (2004 – present)

The Hold Steady is a Brooklyn-based band formed by vocalist/guitarist Craig Finn (ex-Lifter Puller) in 2004. Wanting to capture the sound of bands such as The Replacements and The Grifters, he recruited guitarist Tad Kubler (also ex-Lifter Puller), drummer Judd Counsell, and bassist Galen Polivka. In 2005 the band grew to include Franz Nicolay (of The World/Inferno Friendship Society) on keyboards and Bobby Drake took over on drums following Counsell’s departure.

Recording mostly live, the band released its debut, Almost Killed Me, on French Kiss Records in March 2004 and Separation Sunday a year later. In April 2006 the band signed to Vagrant Records and entered the studio on the 1st of May to begin work on their third record, Boys And Girls In America. Released in October, it was one of the most critically acclaimed records of 2006 and reached a much larger audience than its predecessors.

The band released their fourth album, Stay Positive, recorded again with Boys And Girls In America producer John Agnello. Nicolay left the group and on May 4, 2010 the band released their fifth studio album, Heaven Is Whenever, recorded with producer Dean Baltulonis.


On July 15, 2008, Stay Positive was released. It debuted at #30 on the Billboard 200. It debuted on the UK Album Chart at #15 on July 20, the third-highest new entry. It ranked #1 on the UK Indie Chart. The album was named the best of 2008 by Entertainment Weekly. The song “Constructive Summer” was number 56 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 100 Best Songs of 2008.
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  • cold_ananas

    Thank you, Game of Thrones. [5]

    15 May 3:07pm Reply

  • John_Milla

    Thank you, Game of Thrones. [4]

    23 Apr 9:51am Reply

  • DftD

    From there to here, From here to there, All black and brown, And covered in hair.

    21 Apr 12:14pm Reply

  • flavinhomt

    Thank you, Game of Thrones. [3]

    19 Apr 2:13am Reply

  • dajedimind1

    Thank you, Game of Thrones.

    18 Apr 2:35pm Reply

  • ZelosWilder88

    Wonderful way to end an episode, checking out the rest of the band's material just for that.

    15 Apr 6:42pm Reply

  • stupidfukk

    Thank you, Game of Thrones.

    15 Apr 2:51pm Reply

  • Zositoo

    They'll be playing a song for Game of Thrones. I just learned about this guys, they rock!

    5 Mar 11:41pm Reply

  • JesseKV

    They really need to find a new pianist. If you compare the sans-Franz versions of Stuck Between Stations or Lord, I'm Discouraged with the originals it's glaringly obvious. That keyboard was part of the magic

    2 Mar 3:12pm Reply

  • crownanchor

    alright

    19 Feb 10:50am Reply

  • badname1986

    I don't think they've been really looking to replace Franz. Right after he quit they had Dan Neustadt from World/Inferno go on tour with them but that was three years ago now. They added Steve at second guitar and everything I've heard in interviews makes it sound like they're sticking with the three guitar lineup for the forseeable future.

    15 Feb 8:09pm Reply

  • avse2

    This is without a doubt my favorite band of the last 5 years. I got a chance to see them last summer but was disappointed they didn't have a replacement yet for Franz. There were a couple of awkward moments where everything cuts out and I had to picture the keys parts in my head.

    15 Feb 3:56pm Reply

  • oskawr

    Hey! Any redditors here? Check out www.reddit.com/r/theholdsteady! :)

    2 Feb 12:52pm Reply

  • badname1986

    I think, all things considered, The Hold Steady is probably a better band, but Lifter Puller is much cooler. I'm not sure which carries more weight.

    27 Jan 8:38am Reply

  • hurricanejoe

    seriously how does this band sound like spingsteen? i don't get it! i mean, i hate bruce and i love these guys. [2] exactly this

    24 Dec 2012 Reply

  • Cheezdude

    seriously how does this band sound like spingsteen? i don't get it! i mean, i hate bruce and i love these guys.

    29 Nov 2012 Reply

  • badname1986

    The new songs (Wait Awhile, Teeth Dreams) are great. They sound more like Classic Hold Steady. I can't wait for the new album.

    15 Oct 2012 Reply

  • matt_white

    neat

    13 Oct 2012 Reply

  • BaronZero

    so anyone going to the new year's eve show? I can't wait for it

    28 Sep 2012 Reply

  • gregorymichael

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    9 Sep 2012 Reply
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