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The Walkmen

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About

The Walkmen consists of longtime friends Hamilton Leithauser, Walter Martin, Peter Bauer, Matt Barrick and Paul Maroon. After releasing an EP of four songs and playing shows at local New York City clubs, the group issued their full-length debut, Everyone Who Pretended to Like Me Is Gone, in 2002. The album received rave reviews and earned the group a sizeable following. The band's major breakthrough came with their second full-length album, Bows + Arrows, released in 2004 and featuring the frantic, super-charged hit "The Rat."

Singer Hamilton Leithauser took a moment to talk with Ticketmaster near the release of the Walkmen's latest album, A Hundred Miles Off, and the group's new U.S. tour.

Ticketmaster: How does the new album, A Hundred Miles Off, differ from the band's previous work?
Hamilton Leithhauser:  It's more like the second record than the first one, I'd say. But I think the songwriting's come a long way. We tried to have a lot of fun in the studio instead of dragging it out like we have in the past. So we did things pretty quickly and tried to keep them light and fun. And the songs were all completed before we got into the studio this time...Last time, we were writing them as we went along. This time we really had an idea of what we were going for on each one beforehand. It was more fun to record this one for us, if that means anything.

TM: Can you describe the songwriting process for the album?
HL: It was done in small groups. We tried doing it for about eight months as a five piece and finally realized that it was never going to happen that way. So we split up and then some people came up with some parts and we'd stick them together and try to create something that sounded like a song.

TM: Some of the band members swapped instruments. How did that happen?
HL: Yeah. Well, Walt played the organ for, I don't know, 15 years. And I guess he sat down to start writing again and just couldn't take it anymore. And so he wanted to switch it up with Pete who was playing bass and always thought it would be fun to play the organ. So they just switched it up and I think it worked for both of them. We're still together and they're both still in the band. And they're usually in a pretty good mood.

TM: The band has its own recording studio, Marcata, but for the new album you decided not to record there. Why?
HL: We just wanted a change of scene...We'd just been there for so long. I knew this guy (producer) Don Zientara from years past in DC. He's a really good guy, and we're all from DC so it seemed like a fun idea. Last time we went somewhere else. We went to Oxford, Mississippi, and we were staying in a hotel. We were there for so long and it was sort of like being on tour, which we do enough of anyhow. So it was fun to go home and stay with our families and commute everyday to Arlington, Virginia and work there. I just thought it would be a nice lifestyle for a little while. So that's why we got out of Marcata.

TM: Your website mentions the band collectively wrote a novel called John's Journey. How did that come about?
HL: It came out of unbelievable boredom...You've been with the same guys for so long. You've told every possible joke. Everybody knows everybody else's stories. There's nothing funny you can possibly say. Nobody wants to listen to any music. You're just driving around for 10 hours a day. That just seemed like a long project that could hold interest, and it did. It's really kind of fun when you're driving your car.

TM:
What's the novel about?
HL: It's about a guy named John. He's sort of on a vague road trip. I say vague because it has no plot outline whatsoever. All five of us are writing without any knowledge of what the others are writing. When we get it all together in the end, I hope it will make sense. But even if it doesn't, I think it will be really funny.

TM: So far in your career, what has been your favorite onstage performance?
HL: My favorite performance was at the Chicago Metro. It was definitely my favorite show we ever played...It was a really big place and we sold it out. And that was big for us I remember. And it was the first time people really knew our songs. The record had come out. It felt like people really wanted to see us and we were in tip-top shape. It was right at the beginning and all the songs were new and fun. It was just a new thing. When you do it again and it's fun, it's still never quite as fun as that.

TM: What's been your worst onstage performance? Any horror stories?
HL: Worst? I've got a lot of those... We've had boring, downer shows, but those aren't fun to mention though. I've had the mic off for three songs in a row...that was a real downer. I sang three songs and then after the third song, someone yelled out, "Your mic's not on!" (laughs) That's a bummer.

TM: I know a lot of the band members were playing music together as early as fifth grade. What kind of music were you guys playing at that young age?
HL: It started out with Walt's band, playing Sex Pistols covers and Clash covers I guess. In high school, Walt and Paul and Matt played straight ska, like Madness or the Toasters or something like that. And in high school, me and Pete played just terrible, terrible sounding rock and roll with loud distorted guitars and slap bass. I don't even know what you'd call it. As bad as it gets really. And then when we were in college, we played like punk sort of stuff. And then the other guys were in this band Jonathan Fire*Eater. And they played just rock, I guess.

TM: What's it like playing with people you've known for so long? Does it make things easier?
HL: Sometimes, and sometimes it's harder. In the end, though, the pros outweigh the cons...It can be a problem. You know what the other guys are thinking and nothing seems knew. There doesn't seem to be an influx of new ideas. But in the end you want the other guys there. Everyone sort of balances each other out. And it's a big help.

TM: I love your cover of the Drifters' song "There Goes My Baby" (originally released by the Drifters in 1959). The band in general seems inspired by older music, older instruments and older recording techniques. What do you like about the music of the past?
HL: It just seems like rock and roll got worse and worse in the middle of the ‘70s. There are just so many more records I like so much more from the ‘60s and the ‘70s. There was still good stuff in the ‘80s and the ‘90s, but it just seemed like it was so much more prevalent before that. I listen to a lot of stuff, but it just seems like there were more really, really great bands making really great music at an earlier time.

TM: What are some of your favorite bands from that period?
HL: If I think of earlier (music): Beach Boys, Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones, the Beatles. They are all there at the exact same time. And the list goes on and on.

TM: In your opinion, who puts on an incredible live show? Are there any bands you'd like to emulate?
HL: I saw the Cramps one time and they blew my socks off. I'd like to be like them. I mean we can't. It would be ridiculous. But I'd like to be like that...They just go crazy...biting the microphone head off and spitting it out, just spitting everywhere...Just really fun to watch. (laughs)

Reviews

Rating: 4.8 out of 5 based on 78 reviews
  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Great night seeing a fav band.

    by Bowds on 10/15/23History - Toronto

    I thought the Walkmen were pretty amazing. It had been quite a gap in their careers to say the least. I felt confidence and energy throughout. The venue itself is a pretty good one. But I had bought mezzanine tickets (to sit down) to find out that they have an obstructed view. A pillar. But the venue is so well laid out and getting beverages is easy.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    The Walkman didn’t disappoint

    by Tammy on 10/2/23Fox Theater - Oakland - Oakland

    The Walkman are such a fun band to watch!! I loved the opportunity to see them again and at such a small venue!! They sounded awesome and played all of my favorite songs!! I would definitely see them again!

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Best show I've ever seen!

    by Dyllon on 10/2/23Fox Theater - Oakland - Oakland

    The Walkmen absolutely killed it at the Fox in Oakland. I'm so happy to have gotten the chance to see and hear them! The even played a Jonathan Fire*eater song in their encore (I won't spoil which one, you'll just have to see them when they're in your area during their Revenge tour!). Thank you Ham, Pete, Paul, Matt, and Walter, for playing together again, and for putting on the best live show I've ever seen!

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    The Walkmen at Fox Theater, Oakland

    by lissafudge on 10/2/23Fox Theater - Oakland - Oakland

    Can this band still rock? Yes. Are the band members aging like fine wine? Yes. Is Pete the best roadie? Yes. Does Walt's smile melt hearts? Yes. Do Matt and Paul make your arms vicariously tired during The Rat? Yes Can Ham take a 3-foot high step like it's nothing? Yes. Should you go see The Walkmen every chance you get? Yes. Yes. Yes!

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Soooo Gooood!!!

    by ManFan on 10/2/23Fox Theater - Oakland - Oakland

    I’ve seen the Walkmen two or three times in smaller clubs on earlier tours, and didn’t know what to expect from seeing them in a larger venue. I was blown away! They killed it!! After their hiatus of over a decade, they’ve come back stronger than ever, and the Fox Theater was a great venue to see them in live. Three thumbs up.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    We’ll be seeing you

    by jsbrownley on 9/17/23Lincoln Theatre - Washington

    Thank you for sharing all that energy with us. What an amazing experience! Lincoln Theatre had us up close and staff was great. We’ll be seeing you again!

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Increible 2 hours

    by Jim on 5/28/239:30 CLUB - Washington

    Was so excited for this show, and expectations were exceeded. Band was fantastic.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Loved the show. LEITHAUSER was awesome

    by Donnajean on 5/27/239:30 CLUB - Washington

    Small criticism is that the lighting on the musicians could have been better

  • Rating: 2 out of 5

    Ehh..just ehh.

    by dmurph41 on 5/28/13The Sinclair - Boston

    These "after party" types of shows rarely work well. The band is usually tired and just not into it. They had just played the Boston Calling festival a couple hours prior. Personally charging $25 to see this type of after show is a bit over priced. A $17 would have been more appropriate. Hamilton (lead singer) seemed awake enough but he was pretty dull most of the show keeping his hands in his pockets and not really getting involved as much with the crowd as they would have liked. Watching him, you'd almost think he sold out Madison Square Garden. I didn't love the vibe he was giving out. As a band, The Walkmen were simply just alright. Nothing incredible. If you enjoy the albums, just stick with that.

  • Rating: 3 out of 5

    Good Show but TOO LOUD

    by Eroque on 2/3/13Royale Boston - Boston

    Good Show but TOO LOUD. I had to get toilet paper to try to stop the ringing in my ears which was unfortunate because they did a good job ... they were just TOO LOUD