The Walkabouts

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Seattle, United States (1983 – present)

The Walkabouts were founded in 1983 by Chris Eckman and Carla Torgerson. Other members have been Michael Wells, Glenn Slater and Terri Moeller. Although the Walkabouts started in , US their main base of popularity is Europe. Their blend of folk idioms and noisy experimental rock has won them lots of devoted fans; however, even with twelve studio albums and another 15 EPs, live albums and compilations released, they still remain below the radar of the public at large.

The band draws inspiration from folk and country music, particularly Townes Van Zandt, Neil Young and Johnny Cash, but also from other types of artists and musical styles such as Scott Walker, Leonard Cohen, and Jacques Brel. Their sound is typically rich, with string arrangements and keyboards in addition to the standard rock instruments. In reviews the band’s music is often described as melancholic or mellow, while Eckman’s lyrics, concerning such themes as human relations, loneliness and restlessness, are often emphasized as poetic.

The Walkabouts have achieved commercial success and a strong fanbase in Europe, where they have done promotion and extensive touring since early 1990s. They have occasionally even made it high on the record charts in countries such as Greece and Norway.

Carla Torgerson and Chris Eckman met in 1983 when they were both working at an Alaskan fish cannery as a summer break from Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington. In 1984 they moved to Seattle, and the band was born when they joined forces with Chris’ two younger brothers, drummer Grant and bassist Curt.
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  • IamFlood

    Even though it's a covers album, Satisfied Mind has to be one of the best of it's kind.

    March 2012

  • pancups

    I'm also looking forward to seeing them in Athens

    January 2012

  • ReS4K4

    another great band that never will we know as such

    January 2012

  • jaxolotl

    Amazing gig in Berlin! Introducing lots of new songs, and celebrating the old ones.

    January 2012

  • asprodotru

    electricchurch, +

    January 2012

  • electricchurch

    i cant believe that so few people listen to this band...really sad and by the way cant wait to see them live in athens this month

    December 2011

  • RocketShipX41

    I would like to thank these guys for giving me good tunes to listen to since I first came across 22 Disasters back in 1985. They haven't let me down yet.

    December 2011

  • anupulu

    Feel Like Going Home (with Mark Lanegan) - It calms me down. Amazing song!

    December 2011
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