The Envy Corps
are an American indie rock band from Ames, Iowa. The band are known for their atmospheric-meets-pop sound, attracting comparisons to Radiohead, Doves, New Order, Dinosaur Jr., and Modest Mouse. Its members are Brandon Darner (guitar), Micah Natera (keyboards, guitar), Luke Pettipoole (vocals, guitar, piano) and Scott Yoshimura (drums).
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ENVY CORPS TICKETS
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History
The Envy Corps were formed in October 2001 by Luke Pettipoole, and originally included members Derek Powers (drums), Peter Bovenmyer (bass), and David Yoshimura (guitar). In 2004, after the release of their now rare debut
Soviet Reunion
, The Envy Corps underwent a lineup change following the departures of Powers and Bovenmyer. Yoshimura switched to bass guitar, his brother Scott took position behind the drumkit and former
To My Surprise frontman Brandon Darner was conscripted as the new lead guitarist.
The band spent 2005 working feverishly on the first fruits of the new lineup.
I Will Write You Love Letters If You Tell Me To
EP was self-released in April 2006. The album garnered them increased attention and an extended stay on the
CMJ Top 200 chart, as well as an opening slot for
The Killers on their fall US tour. Based on the success of the EP, the band signed with the
Mercury Records imprint
Vertigo. In March 2007, the
Story Problem
EP was released on
iTunes and double 7" in the UK, culling four tracks from
Love Letters
and serving as a teaser for the upcoming album. The band spent several months in 2007 working on their major label debut,
Dwell
, at a studio tucked away in the remote farmland of their home state, choosing then to mix the record in the London borough of
Brixton.
Dwell
was originally slated for release during the Fall of 2007, but the onstage stroke of guitarist Darner at a London club show in August delayed the album. Within two weeks Darner rejoined his comrades on their UK tour with Editors, but immediately thereafter the band retreated to Iowa to allow Darner to further recover. At the end of 2007, bassist David Yoshimura left the band and moved to Japan.
Dwell
was eventually released in the UK on April 28, 2008, and digitally in the US on July 8, 2008.
The Envy Corps ended their relationship with Vertigo Records in late 2008, and soon thereafter added live guitarist/keyboardist Micah Natera as a permanent member. In February and March 2009, the band recorded material for a new EP entitled
Kid Gloves
, which was released June 9th and are currently at work on a full length tentatively titled
Palawan Scops
.
Discography
Albums
- Soviet Reunion
(2004, )
- Dwell
(2008, Vertigo Records)
EPs
- Humble Hero/Lurking In the Shadows
(2002, Bi-Fi Records)
- Gregory Rumes
(2003, Bi-Fi Records)
- I Will Write You Love Letters If You Tell Me To
(2006, self-released)
- Story Problem
(2007, Vertigo Records)
- Kid Gloves
(2009, Tempo Club)
Singles
- Wires & Wool
(2007, Vertigo Records)
- Rhinemaidens
(2007, Vertigo Records)
- Story Problem
(2008, Vertigo Records)
Other
- Run Fatboy Run
Soundtrack (2007)