The Standard

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  • 7,260
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Biography

In the summer and fall of 1999, the small crowds who caught The Standard’s early performances around Portland, Oregon, knew they were hearing something different—music at once both challenging and engaging, built around surprising chord changes and abrupt shifts in tempo, moving seamlessly from lyrical keyboard passages to blistering guitar hooks, with vocals that ranged from elusive and haunting to intimate and heartbreaking. The air in those rooms was charged, electric, and no one was more surprised by the sudden surge of energy than the four members of the band itself, who’d come together accidentally, each with wildly differing musical backgrounds and influences. Drummer Rob Duncan had learned his driving punk rhythms from Portland indie bands in the mid-90s; bassist Rob Oberdorfer had recently been playing in esoteric art-rock experiments; Jay Clarke, on keyboards, had studied classical and jazz and had a fondness for ambient music; and Tim Putnam combined a rootsy, poetic songwriting style with big, catchy guitar riffs.

Over the next five years, the band released three full-length albums, all recorded by veteran producer/engineer Jeff Saltzman, each making significant strides in maturity and complexity. Along with a growing reputation for intense live shows, the recordings brought critical acclaim and won over a loyal audience, as well as earning the respect of the many musicians The Standard have supported on tour, bands as varied as Wire, The Shins, The Clinic, Slint, and Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks.
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  • thekillingspree

    Stop doing that, hautebruit! It's creepy :|

    5 Mar 7:50pm Reply

  • hautebruit

    It's getting crazy active here without a doubt.

    25 Feb 6:51pm Reply

  • thekillingspree

    Two shouts in less than a month. Too much action for this shoutbox to handle! In fact, much more action than this band has ever had for the last few years...

    10 Feb 7:26pm Reply

  • hautebruit

    I must confess I have not heard of anything about this group in a while, sadly. Though, as a disclaimer, I have only truly listened to Wire Post to Wire, so I am somewhat of a lackadaisical listener. :(

    5 Feb 3:47am Reply

  • thekillingspree

    Oh, last shout was from February 2012. Alrighty, I guess I won't be expecting any replies soon.

    28 Jan 8:26pm Reply

  • thekillingspree

    So... Does anyone know about anything new from them? Are they even still around?

    28 Jan 8:25pm Reply

  • pedros2507

    Q-Tip + Nas + Common [2]

    27 Feb 2012 Reply

  • tyrealg

    Q-Tip + Nas + Common

    25 Feb 2012 Reply

  • danzero

    brad1894: exactly my thoughts!!

    4 Jul 2011 Reply

  • brad1894

    i enjoy their music , but they have to amend their name, it is almost impossible to search for their stuff online

    12 May 2011 Reply

  • thekillingspree

    No one wondering about new material from these guys since September 2010? Wow... Well, I really hope they're still alive and up to something (new).

    26 Feb 2011 Reply

  • morningside24

    Any new material on the horizon? 'In Waves' is my favorite track.

    18 Sep 2010 Reply

  • Tobilius

    Such heartfelt and mannerism-devoid music is very rare. They're awesome and I hope they're going to release more albums

    18 Aug 2010 Reply

  • omarrois

    Soudns ok, but not great !!!

    5 Aug 2010 Reply

  • Mecoptera

    Wonderful. Absolutely love Albatross.

    26 Jul 2010 Reply

  • NolanF

    Wire Post to Wire is one of the best albums of all time

    24 Apr 2010 Reply

  • pobodys_nerfect

    amiestreet.com This website has their albums "Albatross" and "Wire Post To Wire" on it for like under $3 a piece. I personally love this band to death, I wish I could find more indie rock bands who sounded this good. It's funny though because everyone else I recommend them to dislikes them and yet I cannot understand what they see in bands like Neutral Milk Hotel or the Arcade Fire. Oh well different strokes for different folks I guess. I can't wait for a new album!

    8 Mar 2010 Reply

  • Raccoonology

    where can i find this?

    3 Feb 2010 Reply

  • banchy85

    can anyone hook me up with either "promise", "the standard" or "wire post to wire" would greatly appreciate any help

    10 Jan 2010 Reply

  • mediathink

    This and is remarkably underrated. Please check these guys out. Tense, melodic intricate, bold. Don' let th quirky vocals put you off. If you like Radiohead, The Dismemberment Plan, Divine Inspiration, The Sea And Cake, and/or Jeff Buckley listen. "Hotel" and "The Swimmer" are good starts but seek out "Red Drop" and especially "Metropolitan".

    30 Dec 2009 Reply
    • All 48 shouts

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