Piebald started as a hardcore band in Andover, Massachusetts, out of the same scene that produced legends Converge. They later moved to the Boston suburb of Somerville and became a staple of the Greater Boston indie-rock scene.

History

Hardcore

Their first gig, a "Battle of the Bands", is chronicled on their two-CD set Barely Legal/All Ages. From the liner notes: ".. from the sound board (sic) 1994 battle of the bands, Piebald lost." From there on, they recorded and played shows together semi-seriously. Shortly therafter in 1995, Piebald started recording, which amounted to a 4-track demo, and a 2 track split. The driving hardcore sound exhibited during these years was highlighted by the technical playing of drummer Jon Sullivan, and the deep screams of vocalist and guitarist Travis Shettel.

Post-hardcore

A turning point in Piebald's career came when they recorded seven tracks, and put them on the CD that came to be known as Sometimes Friends Fight. Their musical sound had greatly matured, and Travis' lyrical ability was finally brought to the forefront of the band's music. Another two seven-inches later, Piebald was ready for another metamorphosis.

Rock, with humor

Eleven tracks recorded at Salad Days became the first record to showcase Piebald's signature sound and wry jokes. Traditionally the most sought-after Piebald recording (before it was immortalized in its entirety on All Ages), When Life Hands You Lemons was considered to be Piebald's best music yet. This release furthered the lyrical style that had been growing within the band, and also showcased the first lead vocals by lead guitarist Aaron Stuart, and a piano track by Shettel.

The breakthrough

Their most popular album to date, We Are the Only Friends We Have, with singles such as the classic "Grace Kelly with Wings" and "American Hearts" combined with the band's signing to local indie label Big Wheel Recreation brought Piebald their most mainstream success to that date. This trend was continued when the band signed to the very popular Side One label and released their newest album, and when Piebald was chosen to play 2004's Warped Tour.

Discography

• Geek of the Week, Salad Days, 1995
• split 7-inch with Seven Percent Solution, Salad Days, Vegan Records, 1995
• Sometimes Friends Fight, Salad Days, self-released/then illegally released, 1996
• Even After Thirteen Years, Emerson College, Hydra Head Records, 1996
• split 7-inch with Cave In, Emerson College, self-released?, 1996
• When Life Hands You Lemons, Salad Days, Hydra Head Records, 1997
• If it Weren't For Ventian Blinds, It Would Be Curtains for Us All, ?, Big Wheel Recreation, 1999
• This Rock Revolution Will Not Be Televised, ?, Big Wheel Recreation, 2000
• We Are the Only Friends We Have, Q Division, Big Wheel Recreation, 2002
• All Ears, All Eyes, All the Time, ?, Side One Dummy, 2004

External links

http://www.piebald.com/