Local rockers Harvey Danger have decided to call it a career
according to a post on the band’s official Web
site. The decision was “totally mutual and utterly
amicable.”
The band formed in the offices of The Daily of the University of
Washington. Sean Nelson, the group’s vocalist, guitarist Jeff Lin,
bassist Aaron Huffman and drummer Evan Sult all met in the
mid-1990s while working on The Daily staff. When they decided to
form a band, the group’s namesake came from a comic strip that used
to appear in The Daily during the 1980s. In fact, on the
graffiti-filled orange walls of The Daily’s office a portrait of
Harvey Danger — the comic strip character, not the band — is highly
visible next to the clock.
The band’s debut album, 1998’s “Where Have All The Merrymakers
Gone?,” sold more than 500,000 copies and opened doors for the
group including landing opening slots at shows for Green Day,
Metallica, Barenaked Ladies and other big-name groups. From there
the band’s sophomore record, “King James Version,” didn’t sell well
due to record label issues and after the touring cycle behind that
record the band members decided to go their separate ways. The
group played a few reunion shows in 2004 which lead to the 2004
album “Little By Little” and remained a part of the local scene
playing the occasional show around town before the announcement of
the band’s break up was made last week.
Like many music fans, Ear Candy has fond memories of the band
best known for “Flagpole Sitta.” Back in 2004 I was lucky enough to
sit down over the course of two evenings with Nelson while he
talked about what was then Harvey Danger’s comeback, which
celebrated the group’s 10-year anniversary. I ended up writing
this
story for the P-I and
this story for the University of Washington
Daily.
I also once reviewed
Harvey Danger for the P-I. The review was of a benefit
show for Hurricane Katrina victims at the Showbox and Harvey Danger
opened up for Death Cab For Cutie. I will likely forever remember
Harvey Danger’s cover of Randy Newman’s “Louisiana 1927,” which is
the song they opened their set with that night. Hearing such a
meaningful, beautiful cover of that song under the show’s
circumstances is something that always stand out in my mind when I
think of Harvey Danger. It was a somber and emotional moment where
music meant more than just notes and instruments.
Death Cab and Harvey Danger are two somewhat intertwined local
indie rock bands. Harvey Danger gave Death Cab its first exposure
in Seattle by picking the band to open for them during a show at
the Crocodile in 1998.
It’s fitting the band will play its final show at the Crocodile
Aug. 29 (ticket prices TBA) not just because of the club’s
previously mentioned Death Cab connection but also because back in
2004 Nelson told me this:
“To think, when we first started out our dream was to play a
show at the Crocodile. Looking back at all we’ve accomplished is
amazing.”
Yes Harvey Danger you did accomplish some amazing things. Thanks
for the musical memories.
