Ted Leo and the Pharmacists (sometimes written Ted Leo/Pharmacists , Ted Leo + Pharmacists , or TL/Rx ) are an American rock band formed in 1999 in Washington, D.C. and currently recording for Touch and Go Records. They have released five full-length studio albums and have toured internationally. Though the group's lineup has fluctuated throughout their career, singer/guitarist Ted Leo has remained the band's main songwriter, creative force, and only constant member. The group's music combines elements of punk rock, indie rock, traditional rock, and occasionally folk music and dub reggae. Their most recent album, Living with the Living , was released in March 2007.

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Band history

Formation

Ted Leo started the Pharmacists essentially as a solo project in 1999. His previous band Chisel had broken up in the late 1990s, after which he spent time with The Spinanes and The Sin Eaters and acted as producer for The Secret Stars. In 1999 he recorded the album tej leo(?), Rx / pharmacists , a solo effort which was highly experimental and mixed elements of punk rock, reggae, dub, and audio experimentation. In 2000 Leo expanded the project to a full band including James Canty on guitar, Jodi V.B. on bass, and Amy Farina on drums. He named the backing band The Pharmacists, and the group released the EP Treble in Trouble . The EP moved away from many of the experimental elements of tej leo by relying on more traditional rock structures and instrumentation, though it still explored some non-traditional characteristics.

Lookout! Records years

The band signed to Lookout! Records in 2001 and experienced more lineup changes as V.B. and Farina left the group. For the album The Tyranny of Distance Leo and Canty utilized a number of in-studio backing musicians. The album incorporated multiple styles including Celtic rock, acoustic folk balladry, and pop rock. During the supporting tours for The Tyranny of Distance bassist Dave Lerner, drummer Chris Wilson, and keyboardist Dorien Garry became permanent members of the band. The group's next album, 2003's Hearts of Oak , drew from punk rock and new wave influences. The EP Tell Balgeary, Balgury Is Dead soon followed and featured a number of Leo's solo songs and covers. The band's video documentary Dirty Old Town was released the same year.

Prior to the recording of 2004's Shake the Sheets Garry and Canty left the band, reducing the group to a trio. The album explored social and political topics and experienced some success with the single "Me and Mia." The iTunes-exclusive EP Sharkbite Sessions followed in 2005.

Recent activity

In 2006 Ted Leo and the Pharmacists left Lookout! Records amidst financial crises within the label, and signed a new contract with Chicago-based Touch and Go Records. The band's popularity continued to expand through constant touring and performances at large festivals such as the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and the Pitchfork Music Festival. Their most recent album, Living with the Living , was released on March 20, 2007. First run copies of the album also included the Mo' Living EP. The band also announced that former guitarist James Canty would re-join them for touring in support of Living with the Living .

Bassist Dave Lerner played his last show with the band at McCarren Park Pool in Brooklyn, NY on August 12, 2007. ^{[1] [2]} Marty "Violence" Key of the (Young) Pioneers replaced him on tour. ^[3] The band has not yet announced a new permanent bassist.

In April 2008 the band recorded a performance for the Beautiful Noise concert series in Toronto. ^[4] They then performed as openers for six dates of Pearl Jam's 2008 U.S. tour in June. ^[5]

They toured with Against Me! and Future of the Left in September and October 2008.

On September 15 the band released a surprise digital EP "Rapid Response" in response to the violence at the 2008 Republican National Convention in St. Paul Minnesota. The EP is available on the Touch and Go website for a choice of prices with all proceeds going to Democracy Now! and Food Not Bombs of St. Paul.

Band members

(1999–2000) tej leo(?), Rx / pharmacists	Ted Leo – vocals, instrumentation Jodi V.B. – collaboration
(2000–2001) Treble in Trouble	Ted Leo – vocals, guitar James Canty – guitar Jodi V.B. – bass Amy Farina – drums
(2001–2002) The Tyranny of Distance	Ted Leo – vocals, guitar James Canty – guitar Pete Kerlin, Alex Minoff – bass Brendan Canty, Danny Leo, Seb Thompson – drums
(2002–2004) Hearts of Oak Tell Balgeary, Balgury Is Dead	Ted Leo – vocals, guitar James Canty – guitar Dave Lerner – bass Dorien Garry – keyboards Chris Wilson – drums
(2004–2007) Shake the Sheets Sharkbite Sessions Living with the Living Mo' Living	Ted Leo – vocals, guitar Dave Lerner – bass Chris Wilson – drums
(2007) ''live shows only	Ted Leo – vocals, guitar James Canty – guitar Dave Lerner – bass Chris Wilson – drums
(2007–present) ''live shows only	Ted Leo – vocals, guitar James Canty – guitar Marty "Violence" Key – bass Chris Wilson – drums

Current members

• Ted Leo – vocals, guitar
• James Canty – guitar
• Chris Wilson – drums

Past members

• Jodi V.B – bass (1999–2001)
• Amy Farina – drums (2000–2001)
• Dorien Garry – keyboards (2002–2004)
• Dave Lerner - bass, backing vocals (2002–2007)

Discography

Albums

Year	Title	Label	Format	Other information
1999	tej leo(?), Rx / pharmacists	Gern Blandsten Records	CD	Technically the first Ted Leo and the Pharmacists album, though it is a Ted Leo solo recording.
2001	The Tyranny of Distance	Lookout! Records	CD	First album as a full band.
2003	Hearts of Oak	Lookout! Records	CD
2004	Shake the Sheets	Lookout! Records	CD
2007	Living with the Living	Touch and Go Records	CD

EPs

Year	Title	Label	Format	Other information
1999	Guitar for Jodi	Persona Records	vinyl 7"
2000	Treble in Trouble	Ace Fu Records	CD	First release as a full band.
2003	Tell Balgeary, Balgury Is Dead	Lookout! Records	CD	Single from Hearts of Oak backed with 9 Leo solo songs and covers.
2005	Split with Blueline Medic	Casadeldisco Records	EP
2005	Sharkbite Sessions	Lookout! Records/iTunes	downloadable	iTunes-exclusive downloadable EP.
2007	Mo' Living	Touch and Go Records	CD	Bonus EP included with first run pressings of Living with the Living .
2008	Rapid Response	Touch and Go Records	digital

Singles

Year	Title	Label	Format	Other information
1999	Split with One AM Radio	Garbage Czar Records	7" vinyl	2 tracks: "The Latest Dart" and a cover of Lungfish's "To Whom You Were Born." Re-released in 2003 on CD by Translucence Records.
2002	Split with Karla from Ida and Beekeeper	Tigerstyle Records	7" vinyl	1 track: "Bridges and Squares"

Non-album tracks

Year	Title	Label	Song(s)	Other information
	Transmission One: Tea at the Palaz of Hoon	Cosmodemonic Telegraph Records	"You Always Hate the One You Love"
2002	Don't Know When I'll Be Back Again	Exotic Fever Records	"Many Rivers to Cross"

Videography

Music videos

Year	Title	Album	Other information
2003	"Where Have All the Rude Boys Gone?"	Hearts of Oak
2004	"Me and Mia"	Shake the Sheets
2007	"Bomb. Repeat. Bomb."	Living with the Living
2007	"Colleen"	Living with the Living

Video releases

Year	Title	Label	Format	Content	Other information
2004	Dirty Old Town	Plexifilm	DVD

References

1. Ted Leo and the Pharmacists part ways with bassist Dave Lerner
2. Ted Leo Bassist Leaves Band
3. Young Pioneers bassist joins Ted Leo for upcoming tour
4. Beautiful Noise taping schedule: March/April 2008
5. Pearl Jam on tour in 2008