Steel Train

Infobox musical artist
Name = Steel Train


Img_capt = Steel Train
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Background = group_or_band
Alias =
Origin = New Jersey, USA
Genre = Indie rock, folk rock
Years_active = 1999–present
Label = Drive Thru
Associated_acts =
URL = [http://www.steeltrain.net steeltrain.net]
Current_members = Jack Antonoff
Evan Winiker
Dan Silbert
John Shiffman
Past_members = Matthias Gruber
Matthew Goldman Scott Irby-Ranniar

Steel Train is a five-piece band currently on Drive Thru Records.

History

The band began when two friends, Jack Antonoff and Scott Irby-Ranniar began playing together. They busked in subways and alleyways in New York, and in 1999–2000 recorded a demo that garnered a large degree of record label interest. Despite the array of offers, the duo—calling themselves Steel Train after lyric in a Sublime song—eventually chose to sign with Drive Thru Records, drawn by the support but also artistic freedom the label offered. In 2002, the band recorded their debut EP, "For You My Dear", recruiting Evan Winiker (formerly of New Jersey pop punk band Random Task) and Matthias Gruber to help with recording and touring. The two later became full members of the band, first Winiker (who was presented as a full member in the promotional pieces for that same EP, released in January 2003) and later Gruber, who joined with second guitarist Matthew Goldman to complete the band and create Steel Train. Together the band went on to record the "1969" EP (a CD of cover versions of songs from that year that inspired the band and their sound), and a year later their debut album "Twilight Tales from the Praries of the Sun", released in 2005. In December 2006 the band announced that they would be parting ways with Matthias Gruber (drums) and Matt Goldman (guitar) who chose to pursue other interests. The positions were filled by tour manager Daniel Silbert on guitar and Jon Shiffman on drums. In 2007, the band released their second full length, "Trampoline".

The band often polarizes opinions, mainly based around the fact that the style of rock they play is more "classic" (Jack often jokes the band was "30 years too late"), yet people see them as very much a part of the emo and pop-punk scene (mainly due to their Drive Thru Records connections). They are well noted for their impressive live shows and "jamming" ability.

The lead singer, Jack, also used to date Scarlett Johansson and the song "Better Love" from "Twilight Tales from the Prairies of the Sun" makes reference to her. [ [http://www.teenhollywood.com/d.asp?r=131938&c=1055 Teen Hollywood] ] [ [http://www.plyrics.com/lyrics/steeltrain/betterlove.html Better Love lyrics] ] Though "Better Love" is a song strictly about her, he also references her in "2 O'Clock", "I Feel Weird" and "Dig": "Josie smiles and laughs, while me and Scarlett will smoke our hash." [ [http://www.plyrics.com/lyrics/steeltrain/2oclock.html 2 O'Clock lyrics] ] and "Oh, my scarlet you had a real friend in me." [ [http://www.thelyricarchive.com/song/1407429-184411/Dig Dig lyrics] ] Jack is now dating Alia Shawkat of Arrested Development fame.Fact|date=November 2007

The band has toured nationally with The Format, Silversun Pickups, The Starting Line, The Spill Canvas, Something Corporate, The Early November, The Rocket Summer, The Honorary Title, Robert Randolph, The Family Band, Limbeck, Ludo, and Liam and Me.

Steel Train is currently on tour with The Hush Sound, The Cab, and The Morning Light.

Current members

* Jack Antonoff – vocals, guitar, piano, drums
* Evan Winiker – bass, backing vocals
* Daniel Silbert – guitar, backing vocals
* Jon Shiffman – drums, percussion

Past members

* Matthias Gruber – drums, percussion
* Matthew Goldman – guitar, backing vocals
* Scott Irby-Ranniar -vocals, piano, wurlitzer

Discography

Albums

* 2005: "Twilight Tales from the Prairies of the Sun"
* 2007: "Trampoline"

EPs

* 2003: "For You My Dear"
* 2004: "1969"

References

External links

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