Pela is an American indie rock band from Brooklyn known for their intense live performances. [1]

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History

Pela's history goes back to the early ’90s when lead vocalist and guitarist Billy McCarthy met Christopher Herb. As best friends they worked at a mall together after dropping out of high school, and then traveled around the world together playing music in various cities. Herb and McCarthy began a folk project called Igloo Gazelle in New York City in 2001. In Early 2002, Herb had a chance meeting with Eric Sanderson on a subway platform at 7th avenue in Brooklyn where Herb was busking. ^[2] Sanderson was invited to a practice session and joined the band shortly thereafter.

In late 2002, Herb abruptly moved to Australia for four years. Sanderson & McCarthy soon broke up Igloo Gazelle and teamed with guitarist Nate Martinez. Martinez and Sanderson met as roommates in college (in upstate New York) and played in many bands together both during and after theirs schooling. Both schoolmates are classically trained musicians in multiple genres of music. After a succession of drummers, they found Tomislav Zovich who remains in the band today.

Recording

They released a physical EP in 2005 on Brassland label, owned by Brooklyn/Cincinnati band The National, and a download-only EP Exit Columbia Street, in 2006. ^[3] In 2007 the group signed with independent label Great Society, who released their debut full-length, album, Anytown Graffiti , in April 2007. ^[4]. The group appeared at SXSW in 2007, and has played with The Flaming Lips,The Decemberists, Norah Jones, Sleater-Kinney, The National, Mission of Burma, Rainer Maria, Gomez, Devendra Barnhart, ^[5] British Sea Power, and Feist. Pela severed ties with Great Society in 2008.

Anytown Graffiti was met with wide acclaim and landed itself on over 35 “Best Of” Lists for 2007 including Yahoo! and the KEXP Listeners Poll. As well, in October 2008, Pela’s Anytown Graffiti was voted #112 in KEXPs countdown of the Top 903 Albums Of All Time.

Discography

• All in Time EP (Brassland, 2005)
• Exit Columbia Street EP (download-only, 2006)
• Anytown Graffiti (Great Society, 2007)

Members

• Nate Martinez - guitar, keyboards, vocals
• Billy McCarthy - vocals, guitar
• Eric Sanderson - bass, keyboards, vocals, percussion
• Tomislav Zovich - drums, vocals

Touring Members

• Josh Ricchio (2009 - present) – keyboards, guitar, vocals, percussion

References

1. inTuneMusic Online: The Gaslight Anthem / Pela / Good Old War @ Asbury Park 5/9
2. Artist to Watch: Pela
3. Pela at Allmusic
4. Review of ''Anytown Graffiti''. Pop Matters
5. Pela at SXSW. Accessed January 17, 2008.