Biography

Introduction

Wolf Parade is an indie rock band from Montreal, Quebec.

History

Wolf Parade began in April 2003, when former Frog Eyes member Spencer Krug was offered a gig by Grenadine Records' Alex Megelas. With only a 3-week deadline to form a band, Krug contacted a fellow Canadian guitarist Dan Boeckner (formerly of British Columbia band Atlas Strategic) and began writing songs in Krug's apartment. Initially using a drum machine for their rhythm section played through computer speakers, Krug later invited Arlen Thompson to the lineup as the drummer; however, the newly formed trio rehearsed as a full band only the day before their first show. During the tour, Wolf Parade recorded and released their self-titled debut EP (referred to as the 4 Song EP).

In September 2003, Hadji Bakara joined Wolf Parade, contributing his synthesizer and sound manipulation skills to the lineup. By the summer of 2004 the band released its second independent, self-titled EP, commonly referred to as the 6 Song EP.

In September 2004, the band traveled to Portland, Oregon to record with Modest Mouse's Isaac Brock. Brock had recently signed the band to Sub Pop; Brock was an A&R man for the record label at the time. He had been following Dan Boeckner as Boeckner's old band, Atlas Strategic, had toured with Modest Mouse and were offered a Sub Pop signing just before the band split up. Wolf Parade spent two and a half weeks working 14-hour days in Portland. After some remixing, the band returned to Montreal to finish recording. The album was scheduled for a May release, but then pushed back. On its new record label, the band released its first widely-distributed EP, Wolf Parade, in July 2005. In September 2005, the band's debut album Apologies to the Queen Mary was released on Sub Pop Records to critical acclaim, earning a 2006 Polaris Music Prize nomination.

Dante DeCaro (formerly of Hot Hot Heat) joined sometime in 2005 as a second guitarist and percussionist.

The second album, At Mount Zoomer, followed in June 2008.

An on-stage announcement in November 2008 that Dante DeCaro would no longer be playing with the band was later revealed to have been a joke.

Wolf Parade will get together in October 2009 to work on their third album.

Band members

Dan Boeckner – vocals, guitar
Spencer Krug – vocals, keyboards
Arlen Thompson – drums
Dante DeCaro – guitar, bass, percussion
Hadji Bakara – sound manipulation, keyboards

Discography

Albums

Apologies to the Queen Mary (2005) Sub Pop #158 (US)
At Mount Zoomer (2008) Sub Pop #45 (US)

EPs

Wolf Parade (2003) Self-released
Wolf Parade (2004) Self-released
Wolf Parade (2005) Sub Pop

Singles

"Modern World" (2006, Sub Pop)
"Shine A Light" (2006, Sub Pop)
"I'll Believe in Anything" (2006, Sub Pop)
"Call it A Ritual" (2008, Sub Pop)
"Language City" (2008, Sub Pop)

Associated acts

Spencer Krug is also the lead singer of the indie rock band Sunset Rubdown. Other bands Krug has belonged to include Frog Eyes, Fifths of Seven, and Swan Lake.
Dan Boeckner is also a member of the indie rock duo Handsome Furs which he formed with his wife Alexei Perry. Before joining Wolf Parade, Boeckner played in Atlas Strategic.
Dante DeCaro is currently fronting a project called Johnny and the Moon. Prior to Wolf Parade, DeCaro played in Hot Hot Heat.
Arlen Thompson played drums on the Arcade Fire song "Wake Up". He also helped produce both Handsome Furs albums.
Hadji Bakara is a member of the dance DJ crew Megasoid, along with Sixtoo and Subtitle (Giovanni Marks).